Austria

Question 1

Austria Climate & Influences, rain, & risks

Answer 1

Cool Continental

Alps, Pannonian Plain, Danube River

450-850mm

Frost & drought. Low disease pressure

Question 2

Austria soils & grapes preferred by each

Answer 2

1. Thing soils over rock (granite or gneiss) - Riesling
2. Richer soils such as Loess - Gruner
3. Limestone & schist, or Gravel & volcanic material

Question 3

Common grape growing choices

Answer 3

Training: Traditionally Lens Moser (high cordon trained), VSP Guyot (single or double) more common now (more suited to quality production)

Irrigation common, but controlled

Harvest by machine where possible, by hand on slopes

Wachau DAC requires hand harvesting

Question 4

Top DAC’s for Riesling

Common style

Answer 4

Kremstal, Wachau, Kamptal

Only 5% of total plantings, but one of the most prized varieties

Dry, full bodied, med alc, ripe stone and sometimes tropical. High acid always, ability to improve over 10-20 years showing honey & petrol

Very Good to Outstanding, Premium

Always single varietal

Question 5

Common Riesling or Gruner winemaking choices

Answer 5

Limited skin contact

Neutral, temp controlled ferment vessels

MLF often blocked

Old wood or stainless aging vessel

Often on fine lees for 6 months or less

Question 6

Wachau: % riesling, region defining elements, Quality & Price

Answer 6

18%

Steep slopes on Danube river

Terraces

Heat reflection from Danube during day, and then from terrace stones at night

Premium and Very Good to Outstanding

Question 7

Kremstal: % riesling, region defining elements, quality & price

Answer 7

11%

Around Danube but extends south of it, Pannonian Plains to the east

Warming wines from Pannonian Plain = warmer than Wachau

Mid to Premium, Good to outstanding

Question 8

Kamptal: Factors relative to Kremstal

Answer 8

On Kamp river

Similar but less humid, Bhomeian Massif cool air = diurnal

Similar in style, but higher acid

Premium, Very Good to Outstanding