Austria Flashcards
Is there more or less variation in annual weather patterns in Austria, than in Northern Europe?
There is less variation
What is the climate of Austria?
Cool continental climate
With short summers and very harsh winters
The more northerly, the more cooling northerly winds
The region close to hungarian border is warmed by easterly winds
Why are the producing areas found at the eastern end of the country?
The Alps cover the western parts of Austria
Name the white grape varieties of Austria
Grüner Veltliner
Welschriesling
Riesling
Also planted : Chardonnay, Muller thurgau, Sauvignon Blanc
Name the black grape varieties of Austria
Zweigelt (blaufräkisch x st laurent)
Blaufränkisch
St-Laurent
Also planted: Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot
What is the most planted white grape variety in Austria
Grüner Veltliner
What is the second most widely planted white grape varieties of Austria?
Welschriesling
What is the most planted black variety in Austria?
Zweigelt
What is the most highly regarded black grape of Austria?
Blaufränkisch
Describe the general Austria Wine Laws
PDO : Qualitätswein
PGI : Landwein
Without GI : Wein
Qualitätswein from a generic region
Qualitätswein from a specified region - Districtus Austriae Controllatus (DAC)
Qualitätswein from a specified region - non-DAC
There is also a Prädikat level as in Germany, but only for medium-sweet and sweet wines. Addition of strohwein.
Which river runs through Niederösterreich (Lower Austria)?
Danube
What are the characteristics of Grüner Veltliner in Austria ?
High yields : Fresh but unexciting wines
Grown with care : Full bodied conccetrated wines, naturally high acidity with citrus and stone fruit, white pepper flavours, with layers of honey and toast
Stainless steel of Old oad casks are commonly used, Some are using new oak barriques
What are the characteristics of Welschriesling in Austria ?
Fresh, simple, citrus and green apple flavours, high acidity
Suscptible to botrytis for high-quality dessert wines
What are the characteristics of Riesling in Austria ?
Dry, medium to full-bodied, ripe, peachy primary fruit
Can mature in bottle
Explain quälitatswein from a generic region
Large regions that incompass smaller specified region in Austria
1.Niederösterreich (vast majority of production)
2.Burgenland (bast majority of Production)
3.Steiermak
4.Wien (Vienna)
Wines can be made from 40 permitted grapes grown anywhere within the generic region
Made in any style
Explain qualitätswein from a specified region - Districtus Austriae Controllatus (DAC)
2002, to promote regional typicity
Producers in a region have o agree on a grape variety of varieties and styles of wine that reflect the areas, they can be awarded DAC
Wines that conform to this style can use DAC
The name of village or single vineyard may also appear on label
Explain qualitätswein from a specified region - Non-DAC
Used in Austria
Specified wine regions without DAC status
Can be made from 40 permitted grape varieties in any styles
Explain the use of Prädikat in Austria
Qualitätswein may also be labelled with a prädikat as in Germany
reserved for medium-sweet and sweet wines
Additionnal prädikat :
Strohwwein or Schilfwein : Where bunches are laid out on beds of straw during the winter to concentrate sugars
Prädikatswein cannot be labelled with a specific region where a DAC exists for another style of wine. Must use generic region
What are the characteristics of Zweigelt grown in Austria ?
Very deeply coloured reds with soft tannins and bramble fruit
What are the characteristics of Blaufränkisch grown in Austria?
Most highly regarded of austria black grape varieties
Medium tannins high acidity, peppery sour cherry flavour
What are the characteristics of St-Laurent grown in Austria?
Austrian speciality
Similar character to pinot noir
Oak ageing is common
Can be blanded with austrian of international varieites such as pinot noir, cab sauv, merlot.
In Austria, what are the 4 most important generic wine regions?
Niederösterreich (Lower Austria)
Burgenland
Wien (Vienna)
Steiermark (Styria)
What is the largest regions for production and exports ?
Niederösterreich (lower Austria) In the north
Where are located moth on the vinyards in Niederösterreich?
On the banks of the Danube and towards the Slovak Border
What is the most renowned sub-region for high-quality dry wines made from Grüner Veltliner or Rieseling ?
Wachau DAC
Why is Wachau DAC a good region for high quality white wine ?
Sttep, terraced south-facing vineyards next to the danube maximise exposer to the sun ahd allow grapew to develop highly concentrated flavours
What is the largest vine-growing area ahd the first Austrian DAC ?
Weinviertel DAC
From which grapes can be made Weinviertel DAC ?
What are the two levels to the DAC ?
Grüner Veltliner
Klassic wines : light fresh and fruity style with no discernible oak
Reserve wines: Higher minimum alcohol and allowed to mature in oak
Where is located Burgenland?
In the south onf Astria, near Hungarian border.
What is Burgenland known for ?
Top-quality sweet wines and dry red wines
Also make dry whites
What factors are influencing the climate of the vineyard in Burgenland ?
Lake Neusiedlersee is provind autumn mist and wetland regions ideal for sweet wines and botrytis, which is present almost every year
What are the principal red and white grapes grown in Burgenland?
Black/red grapes
Zweigelt
Blaufränkisch
St Laurent
Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon
White grapes
Pinot Blanc
Welschriesling
Grüner Veltliner
Chardonnay
what is the most widely used grape variety for sweet wines of Burgenland ?
Welschriesling
What is the most widely planted black svariety of Burgenland ?
Zweigelt
Neusiedlersee DAC is best known for red wines made from this grape.
Zweigelt
What is the principal red grape in Mittelburgenland DAC?
Blaufränkisch
What is the principal red grape in Leithaberg DAC?
Blaufränkisch
