Austria Flashcards
What happened in Austria in 1985?
Austria’s industry was marked by the 1985 “antifreeze” scandal. Though the practice of sweetening wines with diethylene glycol, or DEG, hardly represented the majority of Austrian winemakers, all were implicated. Impressively, the industry banded together over the following years and developed stricter regulations and practices. Today, Austria has not only redeemed its reputation, but its wine industry is recognized for a proportionately high level of quality and rigorous standards.
Who were the first to settle in Austria and when?
Late Bronze Age through the early Iron Age (1200–500 BCE), among the earliest of Celtic peoples, was first to significantly settle this area, landing just southeast of what is today Salzburg
Who were responsible for significantly expanding viticulture?
Romans were responsible for significantly expanding viticulture from 15 BCE though the fifth century CE
Who played a pivotal role in terms of viticulture and winemaking in Austria during the Middle Ages?
During this time, many monasteries populated Krems, Vienna, Styria, and Burgenland. Krems, then the largest town in Wachau, was home to 16 monasteries by the end of the 12th century. The Cistercians had a tremendous impact on wine quality, bringing grapegrowing and winemaking knowledge from Burgundy.
Which Austrian wine was famous during the 16th century late Middle Ages?
In Burgenland, the free city of Rust was also gaining popularity among royals both near and afar for its distinctive Ruster Ausbruch, a sweet botrytized dessert wine that was made in a style similar to Tokaji.
Who was influencial in terms of viticulture after the WW2?
Lenz Moser, born into a family of winemakers, would come to play a primary role in the improvement of Austrian viticulture, particularly for his introduction of high-stake training
After the scandal Austria developed strict laws and regulations when?
Winemakers quickly set out to improve their image by establishing some of the strictest regulations in Europe through the Austrian Wine Act of 1986
Which are the countries that border Austria?
It shares borders with seven other countries: Switzerland (and Liechtenstein) on its western edge, the Czech Republic to the north, Slovakia to the northeast, Hungary to the east, and Slovenia to the south
Which are the federal states of Austria?
Austria contains nine federal states. Together, Lower Austria (Niederösterreich in German), Burgenland, and Vienna (Wien) compose one large winemaking region known as Weinland. A second region, Steirerland, includes the federal state of Styria (Steiermark). Weinland and Steirerland collectively contain 17 of Austria’s 18 winemaking regions. The final growing area is Bergland, which comprises vineyards found in the five remaining federal states: Carinthia (Kärnten), Upper Austria (Oberösterreich), Tyrol (Tirol), Vorarlberg, and Salzburg. While these states don’t have any DACs, they have a long winemaking tradition and are beginning to experience a kind of renaissance
Define the soils of Lower Austria
The northern massif hills of the Bohemian Forest form a natural border with the Czech Republic and contain the oldest rock formations in Austria, dating back over 500 million years. Together, these geological features are responsible for some of the most diverse soils in all of Central Europe. Granite and sedimentary silty windblown loess characterize the soils of Lower Austria that are most often discussed, but millennia of tectonic and glacial activity produced a complex range of types and sizes, including schistose paragneiss, amphibolite, and granulite soils.
Define the soils of Burgenland and Styria
Many of Burgenland’s soils are informed by Danubian deposits of calcareous sandy gravels. There are also pockets of silty loam and non-calcareous clays throughout Central Burgenland, while Leithaberg is home to a unique limestone composed of sea fossils as well as schist and gneiss. The Styria Basin forms the patchwork of soils in the south, influenced by several distinct mountain ranges. It includes silt, marl, sand, gravel, sandstone, conglomerates, gneiss, amphibolite, and limestone, with a small amount of volcanic basalts.
Generally, there are two major soil types; thin soils over rock (granite or gneiss, crystalline bedrock material known locally as Urgestein) and richer soils such as loess.
Other soil types include limestone and schist (such as on
the Leithaberg hills) as well as gravel and volcanic material (such as in Steiermark and parts of
Kamptal).
Danube is Europe’s longest river and flows to?
second longest and flows in the Black Sea
Define the climate of Austria
Lower Austria’s climate is affected by various mesoclimates. In addition to the Danube River’s warming effect on its nearby wine regions, Lower Austria experiences considerable shifts in temperature during the growing season.
Burgenland is significantly affected by the warm Pannonian climate. The growing season can get quite hot, allowing for robust red wines.
Uniquely, Styria has a Mediterranean influence from the Adriatic in the south, causing longer, warmer days than experienced by its northern counterparts. The nights, though, feel more alpine and cool in the steeply planted vineyards.
Rainfall levels in Austria?
Lower Austria is the driest region, with roughly 450 to 550 millimeters of rainfall per year
Further east, in Vienna, the average is closer to 700 millimeters annually, while Burgenland has about 600 millimeters and Styria nearly 900
When did Austria join the EU?
1995
When was Districtus Austriae Controllatus (DAC) established?
Approved in 2002, with Weinviertel named the first DAC region in 2003. Austria has 18 DACs, with 15 throughout Weinland, and 3 in Steirerland
Austrian wine law identifies three levels of quality
Wein, Landwein, and Qualitätswein
Qualitätswein represents how much of the total production?
About 85%
Landwein’s regulations?
Landwein is equivalent to the EU’s Protected Geographical Indication (PGI). These wines must be produced from grape varieties that are approved for Qualitätswein, and 100% of the grapes must come solely from one of the three winegrowing areas: Weinland, Steirerland, or Bergland.
Qualitätswein’s regulations?
Qualitätswein, which makes up 84% of production, corresponds with the EU’s Protected Designation of Origin (PDO). To qualify, grapes must be harvested in a single winegrowing region and produced in a facility within or bordering that region. There are 40 approved varieties, and wines must show typicity of region, meet the minimum must weight requirement of 15 degrees KMW, adhere to maximum yields of 65.7 hectoliters per hectare, and have a minimum 9% ABV (5% for Prädikatswein). Qualitätswein must be inspected and approved by a government tasting official and given a Federal Inspection Number. This number, along with the banderole capsule, verifies strict measures of quality.
Which are the four overarching designations that can be labeled as Qualitätswein?
Kabinett, DAC wines, Prädikatswein (which has its own style categories), and Sekt Austria g.U. All build upon the basic rules laid out for Qualitätswein.
DACs must adhere to the rules established by the protected region, which typically reflect stricter guidelines for viticulture, accepted grapes, winemaking, and labels.
DAC wines can be labelled as?
klassik and reserve. The former is an unofficial term that refers to dry, unchaptalized, medium-bodied styles that are often crisp, fruity, unoaked, and moderate in alcohol. Conversely, the latter is an official term given to fuller styles; it requires higher must weight and minimum alcohol (13%). DAC Reserve wines often exhibit more extract on the palate and frequently experience oak aging.
Name the categories of Prädikatswein which is included in Qualitätswein
Spätlese, Auslese, Beerenauslese, Eiswein, Strohwein (Schilfwein),Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA) and Ausbruch
Austrian sparkling wine can be traced back to ?
1842, when Robert Alwin Schlumberger came to Vienna after working as Ruinart’s cellar master and head of production. His expertise at one of the finest Champagne houses of the era gave him confidence in Austria’s potential—and particularly in Vöslau, just south of Vienna. In chalky white soils that reminded him of France, he began to plant vines in 1844. By 1859, the first Austrian sparkling wine brand was born. Called Goldeck, it was named after the Goldeggen Vineyard and remains one of the largest sparkling wine brands in Austria, today owned by the Schlumberger Wine and Sekt Company.
When was the Austrian Sekt Committee formed?
In 2013, the Austrian Sekt Committee formed to enhance the image of Sekt and work for more organization to differentiate high-quality sparkling
In 2022, three distinct Sekt Austria PDOs representing different quality levels were established
Sekt Austria g.U., Sekt Austria Reserve g.U., and Sekt Austria Grosse Reserve g.U.
Austrian Sekt regulations?
No PDO
Produced from the 40 grape varieties permissible for Qualitätswein
“Austrian Sekt” allowed on label if grapes or base wine comes from Austria
“Produced in Austria” allowed on label if production takes place in Austria
Sekt Austria PDO g.U. regulations?
All sparkling methods, dosage levels, styles, and colors permitted
Minimum nine months on the lees for traditional method or six months in the case of tank method
Grapes must be harvested within a single state
Sekt Austria Reserve PDO g.U. regulations?
Hand-harvested and whole-cluster pressed
Grapes must be grown and pressed within a single state that must appear on the label
Only traditional method
Minimum 18 months on the lees
Maximum Press Yield of 60%
Village source may be stated on the label
Maximum dosage 12 g/l
Sekt Austria Grosse Reserve PDO g.U. regulations?
Hand-harvested and whole-cluster pressed
Grapes must be grown and pressed within a single village that must appear on the label
Same methods, dosage levels permitted as for Reserve
Minimum 36 months on the lees
Vineyard source allowed on the label
Maximum Press Yield of 50%
Grapes used for Sekt, where is produced mainly and how much they represent of the total production?
Grüner Veltliner and Welschriesling are the preferred varieties, but Riesling, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir are also utilized.
Nearly 75% of the fruit is grown in Lower Austria, particularly the northern part of the Weinviertel, and Vienna, with just under 20% from Burgenland. Over half of production takes place in Vienna.
Sparkling wine represents about 5% of Austria’s production
Name some top producers for Sekt
Hugl Weine, Weingut Steininger, Weingut Bründlmayer, Weingut Schloss Gobelsburg, and Weingut Stift Klosterneuburg (the abbey’s estate production).
Field blends in Austria are called?
Gemischter Satz
For DAC status, the grapes must be grown within a contiguous vineyard site, with each variety confined to its own area. Nevertheless, Gemischter Satz is regaining importance throughout Lower Austria and was recently acknowledged as a permitted style for regional Wachau DAC wines.
Which grape is Traminer?
Savagnin
Which are the most planted white grape varieties of Austria?
Gruner Veltliner
Welschriesling
Riesling (Weisser Riesling, Rheinriesling)
Weissburgunder (Klevner, Pinot Blanc)
Müller-Thurgau
Chardonnay (Morillon)
Sauvignon Blanc
Other Varieties: Additional white grapes in Austria include Rotgipfler, Sämling 88 (Scheurebe), Neuburger, Traminer, and Muskateller (Gelber Muskateller, Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains).
Who created Müller-Thurgau and when?
Müller-Thurgau was created by Hermann Müller in 1882 at the Geisenheim Research Institute in the Rheingau. His original intent was to cross Riesling with Sylvaner for the latter’s early-ripening tendencies. Recent DNA studies have revealed, however, that Müller-Thurgau has no relation to Sylvaner. Rather, it is a cross between Riesling and Chasselas de Courtillier (Madeleine Royale)
Name the two styles of Sauvignon Blanc in Austria
klassik and lagen. Unoaked, zippy klassik versions are grassy and youthful, with a mouthwatering acidity. Lagen (site-specific) wines are more ageworthy and often experience barrel aging as well as partial or full malolactic fermentation. Lagen wines offer more texture and nuanced aromatics
Name the most planted red grapes of Austria
Zweigelt
Blaufränkisch
Blauer Portugieser
Blauburger
St. Laurent (Sankt Laurent)
Other Varieties: Austria’s other red grapes include Merlot, Blauburgunder, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Blauer Wildbacher
Zweigelt is a crossing of?
Blaufränkisch and St. Laurent produced by Fritz Zweigelt at the research center at Klosterneuburg in 1922 and originally called Rotburger
Blaufränkisch is a crossing of?
Gouais Blanc with Zimmettraube
What does Fränkisch means?
Fränkisch is a term for high-quality grapes that dates back to the Middle Ages
Where is Blaufränkisch produced?
Blaufränkisch varies in its expressions, as Burgenland offers a plethora of mesoclimates and soils. Some of the most complex, site-specific examples arguably come from the limestone and schist hills of the Leithaberg DAC. In more recent years, the Eisenberg DAC has been offering equally impressive examples, where leaner, mineral-driven expressions are attributed to the iron-rich soils. Still, in Mittelburgenland DAC, producers such as Velich, Weninger, and Moric have shown that their Blaufränkisch can rival the best in the market.
Early to bud and late to ripen, Blaufränkisch needs warm sites and soils to reach its fullest potential. It thrives in Burgenland, the warmest region in Austria, where all but 150 hectares are planted.
Blauburger is a crossing of?
Blauer Portugieser and Blaufränkisch created in 1923 by Fritz Zweigelt
St. Laurent is mainly found in?
Thermenregion
Name the 8 DACs of Niederösterreich
Wachau, Kremstal, Kamptal, Wagram, Weinviertel, Thermenregion, Traisental, and Carnuntum.
Name 6 DACs of Burgenland
Neusiedlersee
Leithaberg
Rosalia
Mittleburgenland
Eisenberg
Name the 3 DACs of Styria
Südsteiermark
Vulkanland Styria
Weststeiermark
Wachau referred only to the area from the villages of?
Spitz, Weissenkirchen; Dürnstein, Loiben, and Mautern
Wachau’s three-tier hierarchical system?
At the base of the system are regional wines called Gebietsweine (allowing 17 grapes including Gemischter Satz blends; they can be presented as monovarietal wines or blends and often represent a youthful, crisp style)
Ortswein, must be produced in a recognized village (there are 23), with a more focused selection of permissible grapes including Grüner Veltliner, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Weissburgunder, Neuburger, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Muskateller, and Traminer.
Riedenwein, or single-vineyard wines, and can only be made from Grüner Veltliner and Riesling grown in 1 of 157 exceptional named vineyards.
What is Vinea Wachau?
Vinea Wachau, a regional protection association formed in 1983, and classify their wines using the stylistic categories of Steinfeder, Federspiel, and Smaragd in addition to, or instead of, applying DAC on the label
It has 200 members and represents 90% of Wachau’s production
Regulations of Vinea Wachau’s tier system?
The lightest style is Steinfeder, named for the long wispy grasses that can be found near vineyards. Typically fermented in stainless steel, Steinfeder wines are fruity and youthful, with a maximum of 11.5% alcohol and must weight of at least 15 degrees KMW.
Federspiel, a name that references bait used to lure falcons to the falconer’s glove, replaced Kabinett wines. These wines have more pronounced varietal character yet still possess a youthful, fruit-driven style, as they too are commonly fermented in stainless steel. Federspiel requires alcohol levels between 11.5 and 12.5% and a minimum must weight of 17 degrees KMW.
The final category, known as Smaragd and named for the sun-bathing lizards often found on stones throughout the region, was not introduced until 1986 and replaced dry wines of Spätlese ripeness. These wines come from the warmest and, arguably, best sites and tend to be long lived, powerful, and concentrated. Grapes for Smaragd are last to be harvested and may show signs of botrytis, with more honeyed and mushroom-like aromas, also resulting in a deeper golden hue in the glass. While the wines must reach a minimum of 12.5% ABV (with a minimum must weight of 18.2 degrees KMW), many can achieve over 14% alcohol in warm years.
No new oak in any category
for dry white wine (less than 9g/L residual sugar)
Riesling and Gruner Veltliner
Producers in Wachau mature their wines in?
Stockinger barrels made from wood from the nearby forests
Name 2 top vineyards in Weissenkirchen and the top producers
Rieden Achleiten and Klaus to its north are two of the most well-known sites. The west-facing Achleiten extends from about 200 to 400 meters, and soils go from mica schist to Gföhl gneiss, which characterizes Klaus soils as well.
Prager and Rudi Pichler offer bottlings from Achleiten, and the site’s Grüner Veltliner and Riesling are known to carry a kind of petrichor minerality referred to locally as stinkerl
Name the top vineyard of Dürnstein
Ried Kellerberg
wines offer more weight on the palate
with sandy loess soils over crystalline gneiss and slate
Name the top vineyard of Loiben and the top producers
Some of the most powerful wines come from Loibenberg, a huge south-facing hill to the north of the village that offers a wide range of expressions, as the soils, elevation, and producers vary
Knoll, Dömaine Wachau, Pichler and Alzinger
Which is the oldest winery of Austria?
Nikolaihof and famous for its biodynamic practises located in the village of Mautern
Which is the most prominent site within the town of Spitz?
ried Silberbichl
Vom Stein, a parcel in the ried Silberbichl, holds some of the oldest vines in the Wachau
Steep, terraced and southwest-facing
paragneiss, mica schist and quartzite soils
Franz Hirtzberger is the top producer
Riesling site
Kremstal produces mainly?
mainly whites from Gruner and Riesling
reds from Zweigelt
Name some top vineyards of Kremstal
Pfaffenberg, Hund and Kögl (known for its pure glimmerschiefer, or “mica slate,” soils) where Salomon Undhof is a top producer
Hochäcker and Pellingen where Nigl and Proidl are some top producers
Kremstal DAC regulations?
Allows only wines made from Grüner Veltliner and Riesling. Basic Kremstal DAC with no vineyard mention must have a minimum of 12% alcohol and show no oak influence or botrytis; these wines are occasionally referred to informally as klassik. With mention of a vineyard, Kremstal DAC must meet 12.5% alcohol. Reserve DAC wines must have 13% minimum alcohol, cannot exceed nine grams per liter of residual sugar, and allow oak and botrytis character. Any wines that fall outside these requirements are labeled Niederösterreich.
What is Österreichische Traditionsweingüter?
Founded in 1992, the Österreichische
Traditionsweingüter (ÖTW) is a group of producers, based in the Kamptal, Kremstal, Wagram,
and Vienna, amongst other regions, who have been classifying their vineyards, in a similar
fashion to Burgundy, based on soil type and climate. In 2019, 81 vineyards were selected as
Erste Lage, and dry wines from these vineyards can use a designated 1ÖTW logo on their
labels, as long as the two most traditional grape varieties from the wine region are used.
basic regional wines, or Gebietswein, are at the bottom (for example, Kamptal); followed by village wines, or Ortswein (Langenlois); and single-vineyard wines, or Riedenwein, at the top (Heiligenstein). ÖTW members can utilize the erste lage logo on the label for bottles classified as Riedenwein. The grosse lage designation (approved but not yet utilized) will define iconic single vineyards
Sepp Moser is located in?
Kremstal
Stadt Krems is located in?
Kremstal famous for its Rieslings and Gruners
Malat is located in?
Kremstal
Kamptal’s grape varieties?
Over 50 per cent of plantings are Grüner Veltliner, with Zweigelt taking second place and then Riesling
Produces also some Pinot Noir
Name some important villages of Kamptal
Much of the viticultural activity is centered around Langenlois, though the neighboring Zöbing, Gobelsburg, Kammern, and Lengenfeld are significant as well
Name some top sites of Kamptal
Heiligenstein. Located near the village of Zöbing, this massive rock is composed of 270 million-year-old Permian desert sandstone—a type of sandstone with volcanic conglomerates not found in any other vineyard in the country. It is regarded as one of the most special vineyards for Riesling in Austria. Rising 345 meters in elevation, its terraced, 36-hectare vineyard faces south and west. Among the producers with vines here are Bründlmayer, Schloss Gobelsburg, and Hirsch.
Lamm, an excellent site for Grüner Veltliner in the village of Kammern
Loiserberg (Gruner), Spiegel (Gruner), Käferberg (Gruner) and Steinmassl (Riesling) in the village of Langenlois
Name some top producers of Kamptal
Schloss Gobelsburg, Bründlmayer, Brandl, Hirsch, Hiedler
Traisental DAC allows which grapes?
Grüner Veltliner and Riesling
Wagram produces?
Grüner Veltliner thrives, often yielding full-bodied, spicy wines with an identifiable creamy texture. Roter Veltliner and ageworthy Eiswein stand out as well.
Name some top producers of Wagram
Anton Bauer is experimenting with concrete eggs for his old vine Weissburgunder, Ecker-Eckhof ages reserve wines in acacia barrels, and Josef Fritz has made a name for his Roter Veltliners, the best from 60-year-old vineyards and aged in large casks. Trials with extended lees aging are also common, including with Bernhard Ott, who is among the most revered winemakers and a pioneer of biodynamic practices in Wagram.
Which was the first wine region to apply for and receive DAC status in 2002?
Weinviertel
Which is the only variety that qualifies for DAC in Weinviertel?
Grüner Veltliner which comprises nearly half of its vines
The stretch from Korneuburg to Wolkersdorf, otherwise referred to as?
What is produced?
the flysch zone, yields very powerful, spicy styles of Grüner and Weissburgunder.
Weinviertel
Which is the only region in Lower Austria where red grapes lead?
Carnuntum
mainly Zweigelt and Blaufränkisch
There are three regions that can be considered in Carnuntum:
Leitha Mountains, Arbesthal Hills, and Hundsheimer Mountains
Some of the freshest wines come from the Leitha Mountains, where limestone-accented vineyards are protected by forests from the warm winds coming up from the Pannonian Plain
Most production comes from the Arbesthal Hills, roughly in the heart of the region
Rubin Carnuntum Wine Producers association’s regulations?
The Rubin designation falls within but goes beyond DAC regulations (received in 2019), mandating 100% Zweigelt, a minimum must weight of 18 degrees KMW (about 12.5% alcohol by volume), and a minimum of six months in wood. This group still exists and today has about 40 members.
Old Gemischter Satz sites are among the most sought-after vineyards in?
Vienna
What is WienWein?
In 2006, a group of six winemakers from across Vienna came together to form WienWein, with a mission to raise quality standards and showcase the region’s potential. Their effort culminated in obtaining DAC status in 2013, with a sole focus on Gemischter Satz. Franz Weninger has long been recognized for his transformative role in Vienna and was one of the first to demonstrate the potential for Gemischter Satz.
Wiener Gemischter Satz DAC requires a minimum of three white varieties; no single grape can exceed 50% of the blend, nor can one grape represent less than 10% if only three varieties are used. Those without a vineyard designation must be under 12.5% alcohol and made in the trocken style. Those with a stated ried on the label must be above 12.5% and are not required to be trocken.
Which is the hottest region in Austria?
Burgenland
Lake Neusiedl is located in?
Burgenland
Name two historic villages for botrytized wines?
Rust and Seewinkel
Neusiedlersee produces?
dry wines are generally grown to the north and sweet wines to the south
Zweigelt-based reds
Neusiedlersee DAC regulations?
The appellation mandates that DAC red wine is Zweigelt-based, while DAC Reserve wine must contain at least 60% of the grape. Zweigelt leads plantings with nearly a quarter of the hectarage. Blaufränkisch, St. Laurent, and Pinot Noir are represented as well, and Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah collectively make up just over 5% of planted hectarage.
The warm gravel soils of Seewinkel in the south produces?
dry reds and whites, but the unique geography of this area makes it ideal for late-harvest botrytized styles as well as Schilfwein and Strohwein
Beerenauslese and Trockenbeerenauslese wines in Neusiedlersee are produced from?
Welschriesling is among the most revered varieties
as well as Weissburgunder, Chardonnay, Grüner Veltliner, Muscat Ottonel, Muskateller, Sauvignon Blanc, and Sämling 88 (Scheurebe).
Alois Kracher is located in?
Neusiedlersee
whose eiswein, BA and TBA bottlings are legendary. The late Alois Kracher’s TBA Scheurebe is among the grape’s finest expressions to date
Produces also reds from Zweigelt
Who pioneered the Schilfwein?
Willi Opitz
Neusiedlersee is located on which side of the lake?
eastern
Leithaberg is located on which side of the lake?
western
What is leithakalk?
In vineyards higher upon the slopes, soils contain more mica-schist, gneiss, and a crustaceous limestone referred to as leithakalk
Higher-elevation areas, particularly surrounding Grosshöflein in Leithaberg produce?
some of the best reds in all of Burgenland
(Red: Blaufränkisch, plus a max. 15% combined Pinot Noir, St. Laurent, and Zweigelt)
fermented dry (no more than 2.5 grams per liter of residual sugar), and they must age two full years after harvest in modest oak
White wines in Leithaberh are composed of?
Chardonnay, Grüner Veltliner, Neuburger, and/or Weissburgunder
dry and age for a year after harvest before release in either stainless steel or neutral oak. All wines must achieve a minimum 12.5% alcohol.
Which is the smallest administrative city in Austria?
Rust
Is Rust a DAC?
Yes for Ruster Ausbruch since 2020
Where is Austrian Wine Academy?
Rust
What Cercle Ruster Ausbruch?
An organization established in 1991 by growers seeking to preserve and promote a more traditional style
Name some top producers from Rust
Heidi Schröck
Ernst Triebaumer
Feiler-Artinger
Name the top sweet wine producer in Neusiedlersee?
Hans Tschida, who got his start in 1993, is known for his powerful yet balanced BAs and TBAs of Chardonnay, Welschriesling, and Scheurebe, but he also produces a unique Zweigelt Schilfwein in addition to Grüner Veltliner Eiswein, a style this area can achieve in most years.
Located in Seewinkel
What is Schilfwein and who invented it?
Willi Opitz pioneered the Schilfwein, or “reed wine,” technique in Austria, wherein dessert grapes that don’t appear destined for great botrytis are dried on reed mats for six to eight weeks after harvesting from the vine in Neusiedlersee
DAC wines of Rosalia?
DAC and DAC Reserve red wines are produced from Blaufränkisch or Zweigelt and must reach minimums of 12% and 13% ABV, respectively; red wines must not exceed four grams per liter residual sugar and are not to be blended
Albert Gesellmann and Hans Igler were key figures in establishing which region?
Mittleburgenland
Name the three tiered DAC of Mittleburgenland
reds from Blaufränkisch
A wine may qualify for Mittelburgenland DAC, Mittelburgenland DAC with stated ried, or Mittelburgenland Reserve. Mittelburgenland Reserve wines should carry a noticeable mark of new oak, where the others do not. New oak dominates the more aspirational wines of this region.
Soils and climate of Burgenland?
Mittelburgenland is protected from wind by 3 sides and ots a kind of amphitheatre and enjoys over 300 days of sunshine, and collects heat from the plains to the east
soils primarilly rich clay and loam with some limestone at higher elevations
Name some top producers from Mittleburgenland
Moric, J. Heinrich, Iby, Franz Weninger
Which wine region recieves the most rainfall?
EISENBERG
What is Uhudler?
a foxy-scented, non-vinifera, hybrid rosé from Eisenberg
Eisenberg’s soils and grapes?
meaning “iron mountain,” served as an iron ore mine in Roman times. It rises to about 400 meters in elevation, and its south-facing slopes are rich with iron and schist
Blaufränkisch is the primary grape
The Eisenberg DAC only allows?
Blaufränkisch in two styles: Eisenberg DAC and Reserve. The former is a fresh, fruit-forward style, with a minimum of 12% alcohol and no signs of oak. Here, Reserve indicates longer time on the vine, with a minimum of 13% alcohol and perceptible oak influence
Produces more red than any other region
Name the top producers of Eisenberg
Weingut Krutzler and Weingut Wachter-Wiesler
What is STK?
Sattler, Tement, Polz, and Sabathi families, worked to revive the region. In 2008, they established the Steirische Terroir- und Klassikweingüter (STK) group. STK is dedicated to exploring the individuality of Styria’s higher and steeper vineyard sites, which produce the highest-quality wines, with single vineyard distinction (lagen). There are currently 12 estate members. Like similar organizations that formed prior to DAC introduction, STK relies on a hierarchy that identifies Erste STK Ried (premier cru) and Grosse STK Ried (grand cru) vineyard sites. Minimum vine ages, maximum yields, and aging requirements are compulsory.
Name Styria’s three DACs
Südsteiermark, Vulkanland Styria, and Weststeiermark
Styria’s DAC wines must be made from which varieties?
All wines must come from hand-harvested grapes from eight permitted varieties (Welschriesling, Weissburgunder, Morillon, Grauburgunder, Riesling, Muskateller, Sauvignon Blanc, and Traminer)
Blauer Wildbacher for Schilcher wine is allowed only in Weststeiermark. All wines must be vinified dry (with a maximum of four grams per liter of residual sugar), with the exception of Riesling, Traminer, and Muskateller under certain conditions for sweet styles and when clearly communicated on the label
Styria’s soils?
Very diverse from vineyard to vineyard
Sand, gravel, limestone, slate, marl, and volcanic basalt are the primary soils
Which is the most planted grape of Styria?
Sauvignon Blanc followed by Welschriesling
Which is the smallest and most revered DAC in Styria?
Südsteiermark is the smallest growing region in Styria but contains over half of its vines and some of its most esteemed rieden. The area’s Sauvignon Blanc can rival examples from the Loire Valley, and Chardonnay can achieve Burgundian parallels.
Name the top rieden of Styria
Zieregg and Grassnitzberg
Vulkanland is a hub for which grapes?
Traminer, Welschriesling as well as Weissburgunder
Weststeiermark’s main grape?
Over 65% of plantings are dedicated to Blauer Wildbacher for Weststeiermark’s highly acidic Schilcher rosés
Schilcher is most often a still wine, but it can also be lightly or fully sparkling
Which are the three distinct Sekt Austria PDOs in 2022?
Sekt Austria, Sekt Austria Reserve, and Sekt Austria Grosse Reserve
Sekt Austria requierments?
grapes come from one of Austria’s federal states and the wine spends at least nine months on the lees, in the case of traditional method wines, and six months for those produced using tank method. Tank, transfer, and traditional methods are all allowed, and all dosage levels/styles and colors may be produced
Sekt Austria Reserve requirements?
traditional method, hand-harvesting, and whole-cluster pressing are mandated. Grapes must be grown and vinified in one of Austria’s federal states, and 18 months on the lees is required at minimum.
The finished product may only be Brut, Extra Brut, or Brut Nature, and an indication of the village in which the wine was produced may appear on the label.
Sekt Austria Grosse Reserve requirements?
grapes must come from a single wine village, such as Langenlois, and this must be stated on the label. Vineyard names may also appear on the label. The wine must sit on the lees for a minimum of 36 months. Like Reserve, Grosse Reserve may not hold more than 12 grams per liter of residual sugar, meaning the wines must be Brut, Extra Brut, or Brut Nature.
What is the maximum alcohol by volume for Federspiel wines in the Wachau?
12,5%
Rener vineyard produces?
Gruner Veltliner located in Kamptal
Gaisberg vineyard produces?
Riesling located in Kamptal
Name all countries that border Niederösterreich
Czech Republic and Slovakia
Ausbruch has to be harvested at what minimum ripeness level?
30 KMW
What is the minimum alcohol by volume required for Kamptal Reserve Riesling?
13%
Weinland, Steierland and Bergland are geographic designations for what level of Austrian wine classification?
Landwein
Zweigelt is a cross of what two grapes?
Blaufrankisch and St Laurent
Gesellmann, Wellanschitz, and Krutzler are all respected producers specializing in what variety?
Blaufrankisch
Gemischter Satz can only be made in Wien?
False
Rotburger is a synonym for which grape?
Zweigelt
Schilfwein is different from strohwein in what key way?
Strohwein is dried on straw while Schilfwein on reeds
Who produces “Unendlich” Riesling?
FX Pichler
Strohwein must be harvested at the same ripeness level as which other Pradikatswein(s)?
BA and Eiswein
a synonym for Scheurebe in Burgenland?
Samling 88
What is the minimum pressure Austrian Sekt may be bottled at?
3,5 bars
