Austria Flashcards
What is Austrias’ general terrain? Where is suitable for viticulture?
Mountainous, and not necessarily suited to commercial grape growing.
However, more favourable conditions can be found as the Alps flatted towards the Pannonian plain and along the Danube.
What is the general climate? Which regions have exceptions to this?
Overall, a cool continental climate.
However, a number of influences can affect local climate in different parts of the country:
Vineyards in the north of the country, eg Weinviertal, are influenced by cool northerly winds.
Vineyards in the south, in Steiermark, have more influence from the Adriatic, and are therefore warmer.
Vineyards in the east, such as those in Burgenland, near the Hungarian border are influenced by the warmer Pannonian climate.
In the west, such as vineyard sites on the Danube, can experience cooler breezes descending from the Alps.
What are the main climatic risks?
Spring frosts can be an issue in many regions.
Hail can be a serious risk in Steiermark.
Winter freeze is rarely an issue. However, damage can occur in especially cold winters.
In low rainfall years, water stress can be an issue in some regions, especially those with thin, free draining soils, and irrigation may be required.
What are the two main soil types of Austria? What varieties are planted here?
What are the other soil types found?
Thin soils over rock (granite or gneiss, crystalline bedrock material known locally as Urgestein) and richer soils such as loess.
Riesling is usually planted on the thinner soils as it needs less water.
Grüner requires greater water, so is typically planted on loess or, where it is found, clay.
Other soil types include limestone and schist (eg on the Leithaberg hills) as well as gravel and volcanic material (such as in Steiermark and parts of Kamptal).
How has typical vine training changed from the 1980s to now?
The main training method in the 80s was the Lenz Moser system, in which vines are cordon trained to the height of 1.2-1.4m (higher than other systems and requires wider rows to avoid shading). This was popular for high volume production as it required little maintenance and allowed many tasks to be mechanised.
Today, the popular option is single or double Guyot (replacement cane with VSP), which is better suited to high quality.
What is a key viticultural difference between parts of Weinvertal and Burgenland, and around the Danube?
Machine harvesting is popular on the flatter lands of the former, whereas in the latter, the vines are planted on hand built, steep stone terraces that means all work is carried out by hand, adding to cost. Growers estimate growing vines on those terraces can take 3-5 times as many hours as on flatter land
How does rainfall vary? What does this mean for viticulture?
There’s moderate precipitation, ranging from 450mm in Weinviertal to 850mm in Steiermark. Resulting in low disease pressure and 14% of all vineyards following organic practices, with an additional 9% certified sustainable.
Rainfall can be low during the growing season, particularly in Niederösterreich, and so irrigation may be required.
What are the max yields of Austria?
67.5ha/hL. However, the average over the 5 years 2013-17 has been 49. In line with the modern image of high-quality wines, rather than bulk production.
What is an overview of plantings in Austria?
Best known for native varieties.
2/3rds are white, in particular Grüner.
Zweigelt is the most planted black variety.
What is the breakdown of the top 5 varieties, in terms of vineyard area?
1) Grüner, 14,500 ha
2) Zweigelt, 6,500 ha
3) Welschriesling, 3,250 ha
4) Blaufränkisch, 2,750 ha
5) Riesling, 2000 ha
What are key regions for Welschriesling?
The humid Neusiedlersee, for botrytised sweet wines.
What are key regions for Blaufränkisch?
Burgenland, and prime destinations are Leithaberg DAC, and Mittelburgenland DAC.
Where does Riesling perform best? What is the profile?
Although accounts for only 4% of plantings, it is one of the most prized varieties.
Mainly found in Niederösterreich, where its the second most planted white variety, and in many instances is planted in the warmest sites on thin soils, as it needs less water than Grüner to thrive.
Wines are almost always dry, can be full bodied with medium alcohol, ripe stone fruit and sometimes tropical. High acidity, enabling them to evolve for 10-20 years, where they become nutty, honeyed, and have petrol notes.
Typically very good to outstanding and premium.
