Austria

Question 1

What is the climate in Austria?
How is it characterised?

Answer 1

Cool Continental
Short Summers and harsh Winters.
High diurnal range, with long Autumn ripening

Question 2

What are the 3 main white grapes grown in Austria?

Answer 2

Gruner Veltliner
Welschriesling (note , NOT Riesling)
Riesling

Question 3

What are the 3 main black grapes grown in Austria?
Which one is most revered?

Answer 3

Zweigelt - Deep red, soft tannin and bramble fruit

Blaufrankisch - Most highly regarded. Medium tannin, high acid, peppery sour cherry

St. Laurent - Similar to Pinot Noir

Question 4

What is ‘DAC’ and what does it mean?

Answer 4

Districtus Austriae Controllatus
If a region can agree a criteria for what constitues its regional typicity they can apply for DAC status

Question 5

What 3 things must growers agree on before applying for DAC?

Answer 5

Grape variety
Set of regulations
Style of the wine

Question 6

What is ‘Strohwein’ or ‘Schilfwein’?

Answer 6

Wine made from grapes where whole bunches were dried on straw mats over the winter

Question 7

What is PGI wine called in Austria?

Answer 7

Landwein or Wein

Question 8

How is a wine labelled if it deviates from the DAC style/grapes?

Answer 8

Can only be labelled with the name of one of the four federal states

Question 9

Where are vineyards located in Austria?

Answer 9

To the east because to the west is the Alps

Question 10

Which 2 federal states account for the majority of wine production?

Answer 10

Niederosterreich (Lower Austria)
Burgenland

Question 11

Name the sub region of Niederosterreich renowned for high quality dry wines made from either Gruner Veltliner or Riesling

Answer 11

Wachau

Question 12

Name the sub region in Niederosterreich which is Austria’s largest vine growing area and the first Austrian DAC

Answer 12

Weinviertal DAC

Question 13

What is the only grape variety permitted in Weinviertal DAC?

Answer 13

Gruner Veltliner

Question 14

Which sub region is most associated with high quality Gruner Veltliner?

Answer 14

Weinviertal DAC

Question 15

What is the Federal State of Burgenland renowned for?

Answer 15

Top quality sweet wines and red wines

Question 16

Which grape is most commonly used for sweet wine production?

Answer 16

Welchriesling (nb, no relation to Riesling)

Question 17

What is the ‘typical’ character of Austrian Gruner Veltliner
When young?
When aged?

Answer 17

Young - Flavours of citrus and stone fruits sometimes with hints of white pepper
Aged - The wine develops layers of honey and toast

Question 18

What is the ‘typical’ character of Austrian Riesling?

Answer 18

Dry and medium to full bodied with ripe, peachy, primary fruit

Question 19

Name one area producing good Austrian Riesling.

Answer 19

Wachau

Question 20

What is the ‘typical’ character of Austrian Zweigelt?

Answer 20

Deeply coloured red with soft tannins and bramble fruit

Question 21

What is the ‘typical’ character of Austrian Blaufrankisch?

Answer 21

Reds with medium tannins, high acidity and a peppery, sour cherry flavour

Question 22

What is the ‘typical’ character of Austrian St. Laurent?

Answer 22

Reds similar in character to Pinot Noir. Often oak aged.