Austria

Question 0

What and when was the Austrian Wine Scandal and what was the result?

Answer 0

In 1985 it was revealed that some producers were adding the chemical diethylene glycol to their wines in order to give them greater viscosity and body.
Sales plummeted, but as a result a tightening of the country’s wine laws.

Question 1

What are the three broad regions of Austria?

Answer 1

Niederosterreich (Lower Austria)
Burgenland
Steiermark (Stryia)

Question 2

Austrian ripeness tiers

Answer 2

Wein
Landwein
Aualitatswein
- Kabinett
- Spatlese
- Auslese
- Beerenauslese (BA)
- Ausbruch (botrytised grapes)
- Trochenbeerenauslese (TBA)

Question 3

What is Bergwein?

Answer 3

“Mountain wine”, is a specialized tafelwein made from grapes grown on steep slopes of at least 26 degree grade

Question 4

Major Regions of Niederosterreich

Answer 4

• Wachau: steep terraced vineyards, excellent Gruner
• Kamptal & Kremstal: high quality Gruner
• Wagram: up and coming

Question 5

Wachau Special Classification System for Dry Wines

Answer 5

Steinfeder: 11.5% max abv
Federspiel: 11.5-12.5% abv
Smaragd: 12.5% min abv

Question 6

Other Major Regions:

Answer 6

Burgenland: warmer, red wine focus
- Neusiedlersee (supregioon of Burgenland): famous for red and dessert wine
Steiermark (Styria)
Wien (Vienna)