Austria Flashcards
What was the 1980s Austrian wine scandal?
- A small number of large volume producers started adding diethylene glycol, an antifreeze agent, to their wines to increase volumes and to simulate sweetness. This was discovered in 1985.
- As a result, Austrian wine exports dropped from almost 30 million litres in 1985 to under 5 million litres in 1986
How did the Austrian Wine Industry react to the scandal of 1980s?
- The Austrian Marketing board was established in 1986 to improve the image of Austrian wine.
- Since 2000, volumes exported has doubled, but value has increased by six times, meaning consumers are willing to pay for high quality Austrian wine.
Where are the majority of Austrian wine growing regions found? Why?
Vineyards are found where in the East of Austria, where the Alps flatten towards the Pannonian plain and along the Danube.
What is the overall climate of Austria?
Cool continental with each region experiencing different influences.
What are the major climactic hazards influencing Austrian wine regions?
- Spring frosts
- Hail ( especially in Steiermark)
- Winter damage in cooler years (winter freeze rarely a issue).
- Water stress in dryer years (with very free draining soil)
What are the four major soil types found in Austria?
- Thin soils over rock (granite or gneiss, crystalline bedrock material known locally as Urgestein)
- Richer soils such as loess.
- Limestone and schist
- Gravel and volcanic
What is loess?
Loess refers to a light-colored, wind-blown deposit of silt and clay-sized particles, often including calcium carbonate.
In Austria, what soil type is Riesling typically planted in?
Riesling is usually planted on the thin soils (granite/gneiss over urgestein) as it tends to need less water than Grüner Veltliner.
In Austria, what soil type is Gruner Veltliner typically planted in?
Loess, requires more water.
Describe the Lenz Moser training system.
Vines are cordon trained to the height of 1.2–1.4 m (higher than other systems and requiring wider rows to avoid shading).
When and why was the Lenz Moser training system popular in Austria?
Popular in and before the 1980s.
The system was popular for high volume production as once established requires little maintenance and allows high amount of mechanisation.
What are the most common training systems for quality-minded producers in Austria?
Single or double Guyot (replacement-cane) with VSP trellising
Do Austrian winegrowners more typically favour machine or hand harvesting?
- Machine harvesting typical in flatter areas such as Weinviertal and Burgenland
- Vineyards around the Danube (Wachau, Kremstal, and Kamptal) hand harvesting.
True or false.
Austria experiences high levels of disease pressure.
False.
Disease pressure is low in many parts of Austria, because of moderate precipitation – ranging from 450 mm in the Weinviertel to 850 mm in Steiermark
What percentage of Austrian vineyards certified organic/sustainable?
15% Organic
18% Sustainable
What are the max. yields per hectare in Austria?
Average yields?
Max. permitted yields per hectare 67.5hL/ha
Average yield (between 2017-2021) was 54hL/ha.
What are the five most planted grape varieties of Austria?
In order
* Gruner Veltliner
* Zweigelt
* Welschriesling
* Blaufränkisch
* Riesling
How much of Austria’s total plantings does Gruner Veltliner account for?
33%
Outline the viticultural characteristics of Grüner Veltliner.
- Mid-ripening
- Does not thrive in dry soils - better suited to clay and loess
- Can be vigorous if planted in fertile soil, requires careful canopy management.
- Thick skins, can be highly phenolic if left in contact with juice.
- High amounts of rotundone (pepper flavour).
Describe a wine made from Grüner Veltliner.
The wines made from Grüner Veltliner have medium (+) to high acidity and are typically
not oaked. They range from simple wines, with citrus and green fruit aromas made for early drinking, of acceptable to good quality and inexpensive price to wines with pronounced citrus and peach fruit and great complexity of aroma and flavour, which can be aged in bottle
What is the most planted black variety of Austria?
Zweigelt
Zweigelt is a crossing between which two varieties?
Sankt-Laurent
Blaufränkish
Outline the viticultural characteristics of Zweigelt.
- It ripens earlier and more easily than
Blaufränkisch - Can be high yielding.
- Vigorous, leaf removal and canopy management are important
- Potassium deficiency can lead to withering of the grapes before they ripen
- Widely planted in Austria thanks to its ease of ripening and the fact that it is not susceptible to frost or rot.
Describe a wine from Zweigelt.
- Medium (+) level of acidity with medium tannin
- Red fruit, particularly cherry, dominate
the flavours and aromas. - Styles range from easy drinking, fruity unoaked wines that are acceptable to good quality and inexpensive to mid-priced, to full bodied, oaked styles that have the possibility to age.
Describe a wine made from Welschriesling.
It has high levels of acidity and can have somewhat neutral aromatics. In Stiermark, it is usually made into fresh, neutral, unoaked, dry wines, of acceptable to good quality and inexpensive in price.
In Austria, why plantings of Welschriesling on the decline?
A decrease in consumption of a simple, dry style of wine.
Where is Welschriesling typically planted Austria, and what styles is it made into?
Steiermark: simple, dry style
Burgenland (Neusiedlersee): sweet wines labelled BA and TBA.
Describe a sweet wine from Welschriesling.
These wines have high levels of acidity, with pronounced tropical fruit aromas and dried fruit, with the ability to develop in bottle. They are very good to outstanding quality and premium prices.
What are the viticultural characteristics of Blaufränkish?
- Early budding, late ripening (susceptible to Spring frost, needs warm climate to ripen).
- Thick skins (not as prone to rot).
- Can produce high yields - but can struggle to ripen if left to do so.
Describe a wine made from Blaufränkish.
- Medium (+) to high tannins, high levels of acidity, deep colour and black fruit flavours.
- The wines range from simple, fruity wines with little or no oak ageing, that are good
in quality and mid-priced, to very good to outstanding wines with pronounced black fruit, spicy oak characters and high tannins that are premium priced.
How much of Austria’s total plantings does Riesling account for?
Under 5%
Where in Austria is Riesling most planted?
Niederösterreich
Describe a Riesling from Austria.
The wines made from Riesling are almost always dry, can be full bodied, with medium levels of alcohol, ripe stone fruit and sometimes tropical fruit flavours, with high levels of acidity, allowing many of them to improve over 10–20 years, where they become nutty, honeyed and have petrol notes.
Outline the typical winemaking practices for white wines in Austria.
- Preserving natural fruit character is goal
- Some producers opt for short time macerating on skins
- Neutral vessels
- Temperature control
- No MLF
- Lees contact for 6+ months for texture.
Outline the typical winemaking practices for red wines in Austria.
- Fermented in large, open-top barrels with punching down, pumping over or both.
- Some producers use ambient yeast
- Maturation in stainless steel or old oak (300-600L or larger) to help soften tannins without flavour.
- Premium producers age some in new barriques.
What other kind of wood are Austrian using for maturation and why?
Acacia.
Gives small amount of oxygenation without the addition of vanilla flavour.
What are the three tiers of the quality hierarchy in Austria?
- Wein – Wine without Geographic Indication
- Landwein – Wine with Protected Geographic Indication (PGI)
- Qualitätswein – Wine with Protected Designation of Origin (PDO).
How much of Austria’s wine production to the quality categories of Wein and Landwein account for?
Less than 8%
What are the categories within the Qualitätswein quality in Austria?
Klassik
Reserve
Pradikätswein
How does Austria’s Pradikätswein system differ from Germany’s?
- Kabinett does not exist
- TBA wines from the city of rust are labelled Ausbruch.
What are Klassik wines in Austria?
Wines with a vintage declared and showing varietal character
What are Reserve wines in Austria?
Dry wines with a minimum 13% abv, typically harvested and released later than
the standard wines.
What is the DAC hierarchy of Austria?
Regional (Gebietswein)
Village (Ortswein)
Single vineyard wines (Riedenwein).
What is the goal of the DAC system in Austria?
To promote regional typicity
What is the Österreichische Traditionsweingüter?
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.
What does this symbol refer to in Austria?
The banderole symbol. 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.
What does erste lage refer to in Austria?
First growth sites as determined by the Österreichische Traditionsweingüter (ÖTW).
Grosse Lage has been approved but not yet used. Will be awarded to the most iconic sites.
How many erste lage sites are there in Austria?
90 as of 2023
What is the name of the quality minded group with classification systems in Wachau?
Vinea Wachau
What are the four wine-producing federal states of Austria?
Niederösterreich, Burgenland, Steiermark and Wien
What does Niederösterreich mean?
Lower Austria
Refers to location at the Danube
What are the eight regions of Niederösterreich?
Wachau, Kremstal, Kamptal, Wagram, Weinviertel, Thermenregion, Traisental, and Carnuntum
What are the three different climactic areas of Niederösterreich?
- Weinviertel in the north (cooler).
- The regions along the Danube that are west of Vienna, which include Wachau, Kremstal, Kamptal and Wagram.
- The warmer Pannonian plain in the southeast including th eregions Carnuntum and Thermenregion.
What are the most planted grape varieties of Wachau?
Grüner Veltliner and Riesling
Describe the topography of Wachau.
- Most vineyards found on steep stone terraces, best facing South.
- Riesling planted on Gneiss, Grüner planted on Loess.
Describe the mesoclimate of Wachau.
- Stone from terraces radiate heat during the night, aiding ripening.
- The Danube reflects heat and light back to the vines.
- Sometimes very low rainfall ( 460mm average per year), irrigation required in some years.
- The Danube can cause humidity, encouraging noble rot - not desired for most producers.
When did Wachau recieve DAC status?
Depending on typicity, producers of Wachau have been able to add DAC to the label since 2020.
What are the three classifications of Wachau set by Vinea Wachau?
- Steinfeder: fruity, light dry wine. Max. 11.5% abv
- Federspiel: More concentrated dry wine. 11.5–12.5% abv.
- Smaragd: Highly concentrated dry wine with ripe flavours. Min. 12.5% abv.
What are the three tenets of the Wachau Codex created by Vinea Wachau?
- No additives (including chaptalization)
- No aromatisation (including the use of new barrique)
- No “fractionation” (techniques such as de-alcoholization).
- All wines released by members must be bottled in the region and vinified from grapes grown in the Wachau.
What does the term Gebietswein refer to in Austria?
Regional wines
What does the term Ortswein refer to in Austria?
Village wines
What does the term Riedenwein refer to in Austria?
Single vineyard wines
What are the permitted varieties for Gebietswein in Wachau? (17)
Grüner Veltliner, Riesling, Weißer Burgunder, Grauer Burgunder, Chardonnay, Neuburger, Muskateller, Sauvignon blanc, Traminer, Frühroter Veltliner, Müller-Thurgau, Muskat Ottonel, Roter Veltliner, Gemischter Satz, Blauer Burgunder, St. Laurent, Zweigelt
What are the permitted varieties for Ortswein in Wachau?
Grüner Veltliner, Riesling, Weißburgunder, Grauburgunder, Chardonnay, Neuburger, Muskateller, Sauvignon Blanc and Traminer
What are the permitted varieties for Riedenwein in Wachau?
Riesling and Grüner Veltliner
Name three significant producers of Wachau.
Emmerich Knoll
FX Pichler
Nikolaihof
Where is Kremstal?
Kremstal is situated around the town of Krems and borders Wachau to the west.
Niederösterreich
What are the climactic influences on Kremstal.
- The Danube
- The warm Pannonian plain to the East
What grape varieties are permitted for DAC wines in Kremstal?
Grüner Veltliner and Riesling only
How does the climate of Kremstal differ from Wachau? Why?
Kremstal is warmer than Wachau due to closer proximity to the Pannonian Plain.
Name two significant producers located in Kremstal.
Salomon Undhof, Lenz Moser
Are red wines produced in Kremstal?
Yes, mainly from Zweigelt.
Must be labelled Niederösterreich.
Where is Kamptal located?
Named after the river flowing through it (Kamp), this region surrounds the town of Langenlois.
Niederösterreich
What are the most planted grape varieties of Kamptal?
Grüner Veltliner (over 50%) followed by Zweigelt and Riesling
Describe the climactic influences providing a high diurnal range in Kamptal.
The region is subject to both warm breezes from the Pannonian plain, meaning that black
grape varieties can be ripened, but also cooling air from the Bohemian Massif. The resulting large diurnal range means that the wines have a high level of acidity.
What is the Bohemiam Massif?
A geomorphological province in Central Europe
What are the permitted grape varieties for Kamptal DAC?
Grüner Veltliner, Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, and Pinot Gris
Name two significant producers in Kamptal.
Bründlmayer and Hirsch
Which year was Wagram awarded its DAC?
2022
Where is Wagram DAC?
Niederösterreich
Upstream from Vienna. Along the north and south slopes of the Danube.
What is the principal soil type of Wagram DAC?
Loess
What are the permitted grape varieties for Riedenwein Wagram DAC?
Grüner Veltliner, Roter Veltliner, Riesling
What is the most planted grape variety of Wagram DAC? Why?
Grüner Veltliner
Loess soils
Which region of Niederrösterreich is Roter Veltliner a significant variety?
Wagram
What is Roter Veltliner?
A local (Niederosterreich) white grape variety (no relationship to Grüner Veltliner.
Produces full bodied wines that develop nutty aromas with age.
What is the largest region in Niederösterreich?
Weinvertal
What is the most planted grape variety in Weinvertal DAC?
Grüner Veltliner
How much of Weinviertal DACs total plantings does Grüner Veltliner account for?
Over 50%
Outline the mesoclimate of Weinviertal DAC.
Fairy dry 400-600mm rainfall
Cool breezes from North allow for high diurnal range.
What are the permitted varieties for Weinviertal DAC?
Exclusively Grüner Veltliner.
What styles of wine from Grüner Veltliner is produced in Weinviertal DAC?
Grüner Veltliner: “ fruity, spicy, peppery; no Botrytis note; no wood tone”
Reserve & Grosse Reserve GV: “subtle botrytis and wood notes are acceptable, min. 13% abv.
Which region of Niederösterreich produces the most peppery styles of Grüner Veltliner?
Weinviertal
Thanks to the cool breezes from the North
Name two significant producers located in Weinviertal.
Sohm & Kracher.
Where is Thermenregion located?
Close to the city of Vienna.
Niederösterreich
When did Thermenregion achieve it’s DAC?
2023
How much do black grape varieties account for in Thermenregion’s total plantings?
Over 40%
Why are black grape varieties particularly successful in Thermanregion?
The warm pannonian plain.
What are the two most important black varieties for high quality production in Thermanregion?
Pinot Noir
Sankt Laurent
What is the most planted white grape variety of Thermanregion?
Neuberger
There is a local specialty of Thermanregion made by blending which two grape varieties?
Rotgipfler (full-bodied with peach flavours), Zierfandler (aromatic with notes of peach, honey and spice) or a blend of the two is the local speciality.
What are the typical aromas of Neuburger?
Subtle spicy and floral aromas
Which region is Neuberger most planted in Niederosterreich?
Thermanregion.
Name the pictured regions of Niederrosterreich by colour.
Blue: Wachau
Green: Kremstal
Orange: Kamptal
Purple: Traisental
Pink: Wagram
How much do black grape varieties account for in Burgenland’s total production?
Over 56%
Which region was Austria’s first DAC?
Weinviertal
Is Carnuntum DAC more known for its red or white wines?
Red
Similar climate to Burgenland
What are the sub regions of Burgenland?
Mittelburgenland, Leithaberg, Eisenberg, Neusiedlersee, Rosalia, Rust (Ruster Ausbruch)
What are the most important climactic influencers on Burgenland?
Pannonian Plain (warm)
Moderated by Neusiedlersee.
What are the permitted grape varieties for Mittelburgenland?
Exclusively Blaufränkish
Where is Mittelburgenland?
Mittelburgenland is located to the south of Leithaberg, Burgenland Austria.
What are the three DAC styles of Mittelburgenland?
All three must have min. 85% Blaufränkish
DAC – typically aged in stainless steel tanks or large oak casks
DAC + Vineyard designation – slightly higher minimum alcohol level and typically aged in
large oak casks or barriques
DAC Reserve – slightly higher minimum alcohol level, a longer minimum time maturing
and typically aged in large oak casks or barriques
Where is Leithaberg DAC located?
Located to the west of Neusiedlersee
What are the permitted grape varieties for Leithaberg DAC?
White: Grüner Veltliner, Neuburger, Chardonnay, Weissburgunder (blends or varietal wines)
Red: Blaufränkisch, plus a max. 15% combined Pinot Noir, St. Laurent, and Zweigelt
Rust DAC is located within the boundary of which Burgenland subregion?
Leithaberg
Where is Rust DAC located?
Leithaberg, Burgenland
On the western shores of Neusiedlersee
What style of wine is made in Rust DAC?
Sweet wine in the same style as Trockenbeerenauslese known as Ruster Ausbruch
Ausbruch is a sweet wine produced in which Austrian town?
Rust, Leithaberg - Burgenland
What is the warmest area of Austria?
Neusiedlersee
Describe the climate of Neusiedlersee.
The area is warm, flat and humid
So warm, the lake can reach up to 30ºC in the peak of summer
Foggy nights in Autumn
How can Neusiedlersee DAC produce noble rot wines nearly every vintage?
High humidity encourages fog
Warm Autumn sunshines burns fog away and prevents grey rot forming.
Which grape variety is important for sweet wine production in Neusiedlersee?
Welschriesling
What is the most planted grape variety of Neusiedlersee DAC?
Zweigelt
Describe a sweet wine from Neusiedlersee.
They are very sweet, with balancing high levels of acidity, have noble rot aromas of marmalade, and are not usually oaked
When was the Ruster Ausbruch DAC created?
2020
What are the most significant climactic hazards experienced in Steirmark?
Cold winters = winter freeze
Spring frost
Hail
What is Steirmark otherwise known as?
Styria
Southern Austria
What wines is Steirmark known for?
Crisp, dry whites from Sauvignon Blanc, Welschriesling and Weissburgunder
What are the three DACs of Steirmark?
Vulkanland Steirmark
Südsteirmark
Weststeirmark
Where is Steirmark?
The South-Eastern corner of Austria, on the border with Slovenia.
What is Schilcher wine?
Rosé typically made from Blauer Wildbacher in Weststeirmark.
What is the DAC of Wien?
Wiener Gemischter Satz
What style of wine is made under the Wiener Gemischter Satz DAC?
Dry, unoaked white wine.
Must be a blend, of which 20 different varieties are permitted.
Wines with labelled vineyard site do not necessarily need to taste dry.
Where is the DAC Wiener Gemischter Satz located?
Wien
Describe a Wiener Gemischter Satz DAC wine.
Most wines are medium (+) to high in acid with light bodies and acceptable to very good in quality with entry level to intermediate pricing, though there are also high-quality wines at premium prices.
How many wine estates are there in Austria?
Around 11,000
What is a Heurigen in Austria?
The word Heurigen comes from heurige meaning ‘this year’s’
Heurigen are small inns or taverns that serve simple food and local wine and many of which have outdoor spaces for eating and drinking. They are most frequently open in the late summer and autumn, but many operate year round.
Outline the export market of Austrian wine.
- In 2015, exports was worth 140 million euro.
- Austria exported 23% of its wine by volume worth 217 million euro.
- Biggest markets are Germany (60% by volume and 40% by value), Switzerland and USA.
