Austria

Question 0

What are some major grapes of Austria?

Answer 0

Gruner veltliner 
Riesling
Zweigelt
St. Laurent
Weissburgunder
Grauburgunder
Cab Sauv
Sauv Blanc

Question 1

What is the name of Pinot Blanc in Austria? Pinot Gris?

Answer 1

Weissburgunder

Grauburgunder

Question 2

What event ruined Austria’s wine reputation in 1985?

Answer 2

The diethylene glycol scandal…antifreeze ingredients added to wine to boost body and sweetness.

Question 3

What is austria’s classification system linked to? What are its levels?

Answer 3

Ripeness

Taflewein 
Landwein 
Qualitatswein
   Kabinett
   Spatlese 
Pradikattswein 
   Auslese 
   Beerenauslese 
   Ausbruch
   Trochenbeerenauslese

Question 4

What is Austria’s climate like?

Answer 4

Continental…similar to Germany but a bit warmer

Question 5

In the Wachau, what does the classification system indicate? What are the levels?

Answer 5

Alcohol level

Steinfeder 11.5% max. ABV
Federspiel 11.5-12.5% ABV
Smaragd 12.5% min. ABV

Question 6

What is the DAC in Austria?

Answer 6

Districtus austriae controllatus. Indicates where grapes are from. Only pertains to dry whites. Only 9 DACs in Austria. Similar to France’s AOCs.

Question 7

What is strohwein?

Answer 7

It is an Austrian sweet wine made from overripe grapes dried on straw mats.

Question 8

Where are the majority of Austria’s wine regions?

Answer 8

Along the eastern border of the country, in the foothills of the Alps.

Question 9

Which three major wine areas are in the Niederosterreich (northeastern area) of Austria? What grapes grow there?

Answer 9

Kamptal
Kremstal
Wachau

Gruner veltliner
Riesling

Question 10

Which area of Austria focuses on dry whites?

Answer 10

Steiermark AKA styria

Question 11

Which area in Austria is good for dessert wines and why?

Answer 11

Neusiedlersee in Burgenland due to warm weather and proximity to lakes (heat + moisture–> botrytis)