Austria Flashcards
Which three countries border most of Austria’s winegrowing areas?
Czech Republic to the north, Slovakia to the east, and Hungary to the southeast. (Additionally, Slovenia is directly south.)
What are the four major Austrian wine regions?
1) Lower Austria (Niederösterreich), 2) Vienna (Wien), 3) Burgenland, 4) Styria (Steiermark).
Which of Austria’s four major regions produces the majority of its wine?
Lower Austria (Niederösterreich) is Austria’s largest winegrowing region by production.
Name two major subregions in Lower Austria known for high-quality Grüner Veltliner and Riesling.
Wachau and Kamptal are world-renowned subregions for top GV and Riesling.
What is the climate influence on Austria’s eastern wine regions?
A mix of Pannonian (warm, from the east) and Central European continental influences. Varying degrees of cool Alpine air moderate temperatures.
Which variety is most famously associated with Austrian white wines?
Grüner Veltliner, accounting for roughly one-third of Austria’s vineyard area.
What are typical tasting notes for Grüner Veltliner?
Fresh green/white pepper, lentil, radish, citrus, stone fruit, and minerality. Often shows moderate spice and crisp acidity.
Besides Grüner Veltliner, name two key Austrian white grape varieties.
Riesling (particularly in Wachau, Kamptal, Kremstal) and Welschriesling (in Burgenland, often for sweet wines).
Which red grapes are most widely planted in Austria?
Zweigelt (a cross of Blaufränkisch x St. Laurent) is the most planted red, followed by Blaufränkisch, Blauer Portugieser, and St. Laurent.
What does “DAC” stand for in Austrian wine law?
DAC = Districtus Austriae Controllatus, an appellation system granting regionally typical wines a specific “DAC” designation.
Name a notable DAC for Grüner Veltliner.
Weinviertel DAC (the first Austrian DAC, established 2003), known for spicy, fresh Grüner with crisp acidity.
Which DAC is famous for top Riesling and GV from terraced vineyards along the Danube?
Wachau is not a DAC but an iconic wine district in Lower Austria. The formal DAC subregions are Wachau DAC (approved in 2020) and smaller areas. Kamptal DAC and Kremstal DAC are also top-tier for Riesling and GV.
What is the Vinea Wachau classification system for dry wines?
Steinfeder (lightest), Federspiel (middle-weight), and Smaragd (fullest-bodied) – historically a local classification, now used in tandem with Wachau DAC rules.
Which Austrian region includes Vienna’s vineyards?
Vienna (Wien) is its own federal state and wine region. It’s unique as a major city with notable vineyards (e.g., the Wiener Gemischter Satz DAC).
What is Gemischter Satz?
A traditional Viennese field blend of multiple grape varieties grown, harvested, and fermented together, recognized as Wiener Gemischter Satz DAC.
Which region borders Hungary and is known for red wines and dessert wines?
Burgenland, particularly the area around Lake Neusiedl. Ideal for noble rot and sweet styles (e.g., Ruster Ausbruch).
Name two DACs in Burgenland focusing on red wines.
Mittelburgenland DAC (Blaufränkisch-based) and Eisenberg DAC (Blaufränkisch).
What is Ruster Ausbruch?
A historic sweet-wine classification from Rust in Burgenland, produced from botrytized grapes with intense concentration.
What is the focus of Styria (Steiermark)?
A cooler, more hilly region, focusing on aromatic whites (Sauvignon Blanc, Morillon/Chardonnay, Welschriesling), often in a fresh, crisp style.
What are the main subregions of Styria?
Südsteiermark, Südoststeiermark, and Weststeiermark, each with its own DAC or DOP sub-areas focusing on distinct white varieties and styles.
What typical style and grape are found in Weststeiermark DAC?
Schilcher, a rosé from the native Blauer Wildbacher grape, known for high acidity and bracing style.
What is the fundamental difference between Qualitätswein and DAC in Austria?
DAC denotes regionally typical styles with stricter regulations; Qualitätswein is a broader legal category allowing multiple varieties and styles as long as minimum quality standards are met.
Which grapes are included in the Austrian Prädikat system for sweet wines?
Similar to German designations, but can be from various grapes – Welschriesling and Chardonnay are common for Trockenbeerenauslese in Burgenland. Noble rot (botrytis) is frequent.
What is Ausbruch, specifically in Austrian wine terms?
A sweet wine category historically used in Rust (Burgenland), bridging Beerenauslese and Trockenbeerenauslese in sugar levels, typically with botrytis influence.
Which mountain range affects Austria’s western climate, creating cooler influences?
The Austrian Alps. Vineyards mostly lie on the eastern side, benefiting from warmer Pannonian plains or moderate influences rather than extreme alpine conditions.
When was phylloxera introduced to Austria?
Late 19th century. Austrian vineyards, like other European regions, had to replant on American rootstocks to survive phylloxera’s devastation.
How does Austria’s minimum alcohol content for DAC wines typically compare to Germany’s QbA?
Austria often requires slightly higher alcohol minimums for DAC wines (e.g., 12%+ for many) due to the country’s warmer growing areas compared to many German regions.
What yields typical Austrian dessert wines?
Burgenland’s Lake Neusiedl area fosters fog and sunshine, encouraging botrytis. Wines labeled Beerenauslese, TBA, Eiswein, or Ruster Ausbruch highlight sweet production.
Name an example of a “classic” Austrian Grüner region if searching for peppery style.
Weinviertel DAC is known for its classic peppery and crisp style of Grüner Veltliner.
Why is Kamptal particularly suited for Riesling?
Steep, stony slopes along the Kamp River produce concentrated, minerally Riesling, with warm days and cool nights retaining acidity.
Which Austrian red variety is a crossing of Blaufränkisch and St. Laurent?
Zweigelt, Austria’s most planted red grape, known for bright red fruit and moderate tannins.
What is the approximate grape variety breakdown in Austria’s vineyards?
About two-thirds white grapes (Grüner Veltliner leading ~30% of total), one-third red (Zweigelt, Blaufränkisch).
Which broader Austrian category ensures authenticity and typicity beyond the DAC system?
The Austria Qualitätswein categories, requiring tasting panel approval and a unique state control number (Prüfnummer).
How are the sugar levels in Austrian Prädikat wines labeled?
Similar to Germany: Spätlese, Auslese, Beerenauslese, Trockenbeerenauslese, Eiswein. Also includes Ausbruch in Rust. Must weight and production rules are strictly enforced.
Name two major vineyard areas within the Wachau.
Famous sites include Loibenberg, Kellerberg in Dürnstein, Achleiten near Weissenkirchen, and Singerriedel in Spitz. The region is known for terraced slopes along the Danube.
