Austria Flashcards
What is the climate in Austria?
How is it characterised?
Cool Continental
Short Summers and harsh Winters.
High diurnal range, with long Autumn ripening
What are the 3 main white grapes grown in Austria?
Gruner Veltliner
Welschriesling (note , NOT Riesling)
Riesling
What are the 3 main black grapes grown in Austria?
Which one is most revered?
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
What is ‘DAC’ and what does it mean?
Districtus Austriae Controllatus
If a region can agree a criteria for what constitues its regional typicity they can apply for DAC status
What 3 things must growers agree on before applying for DAC?
Grape variety
Set of regulations
Style of the wine
What is ‘Strohwein’ or ‘Schilfwein’?
Wine made from grapes where whole bunches were dried on straw mats over the winter
What is PGI wine called in Austria?
Landwein or Wein
How is a wine labelled if it deviates from the DAC style/grapes?
Can only be labelled with the name of one of the four federal states
Where are vineyards located in Austria?
To the east because to the west is the Alps
Which 2 federal states account for the majority of wine production?
Niederosterreich (Lower Austria)
Burgenland
Name the sub region of Niederosterreich renowned for high quality dry wines made from either Gruner Veltliner or Riesling
Wachau
Name the sub region in Niederosterreich which is Austria’s largest vine growing area and the first Austrian DAC
Weinviertal DAC
What is the only grape variety permitted in Weinviertal DAC?
Gruner Veltliner
Which sub region is most associated with high quality Gruner Veltliner?
Weinviertal DAC
What is the Federal State of Burgenland renowned for?
Top quality sweet wines and red wines
Which grape is most commonly used for sweet wine production?
Welchriesling (nb, no relation to Riesling)
What is the ‘typical’ character of Austrian Gruner Veltliner
When young?
When aged?
Young - Flavours of citrus and stone fruits sometimes with hints of white pepper
Aged - The wine develops layers of honey and toast
What is the ‘typical’ character of Austrian Riesling?
Dry and medium to full bodied with ripe, peachy, primary fruit
Name one area producing good Austrian Riesling.
Wachau
What is the ‘typical’ character of Austrian Zweigelt?
Deeply coloured red with soft tannins and bramble fruit
What is the ‘typical’ character of Austrian Blaufrankisch?
Reds with medium tannins, high acidity and a peppery, sour cherry flavour
What is the ‘typical’ character of Austrian St. Laurent?
Reds similar in character to Pinot Noir. Often oak aged.
