Austria

Question 1

Austria

Answer 1

Location: Eastern Austria
City: Vienna
Climate: Continental
Geography: Rolling foothills east of the Alps, South facing slopes, Danube River (W-E into Black Sea), Pannonian Plain (east)
Grapes: Grüner Veltliner (33%), Riesling (dry), Red: Zweigelt, Blaufränkisch, St.-Laurent
Viniculture: Steep terraced vineyards overlooking the Danube
Viticulture: Focus on quality, Sparkling Wine (sket), Very dry or very sweet (no mid sweet), New oak is rarely used for white
wine production

Regions: Niederösterreich (Kamptal, Kremstal, Wachau), Wien (Vienna), Burgenland, Steiermark (Styria)

Question 2

Grüner Veltliner

Answer 2

Grüner Veltliner
Style: Medium-light bodied dry white wine; Herbaceous & peppery
Tell: Lean and peppery, phenolic bitterness, GREEN
Color:
Tasting Notes: Starfruit, gooseberry, green bean, white pepper, crushed gravel, citrus, herb, stone fruit
Acid: M+, Phenolic bitterness (small berries & clusters)
Pairing: Cream & fatty, Wiener Schnitzel, Tonkatsu Ramen, arugula

Question 3

Austrian Wine Law and Classification

Answer 3

Wein

Landwein (PGI) - regional wines, rarely exported

Qualitätswein (PDO) - includes DAC wine

Districtus Austriae Controllatus (DAC)
Quality Wine / Appellation of Origin, Similar to AOC or DOC, Certain grape varieties and styles permitted, Dry wines

Prädikatswein (PDO) - like Germany but rarely produced in Austria

Question 4

Niederösterreich

Answer 4

Location: N Austria, means lower Austria
Grapes:
Sub-Regions
Kremstal DAC - valley of Krems River
Kamptal DAC - valley of Kamp River
Wachau - Best dry white wines, new DAC as of 2020

Question 5

Wachau

Answer 5

Classification for Dry Wines (based on ripeness)
Steinfeder - 11.5% max alcohol
Federspiel - 11.5-12.5% alcohol
Smaragd - 12.5% min alcohol, can have botrytis