Austria Flashcards
What scandal rocked the Austrian wine scene in 1985?
Diethylene glycol. A winemaker listed it as a business expense on taxes. Exposed illegal and harmful additives winemakers were using.
Name the 4 weinbaugebiete of Austria.
Niederösterreich, Wien, Burgenland, Styria
Qualitätswein accounts for about how much of Austria’s production?
2/3rds
What is Austria’s northernmost wine growing region?
Weinviertel
What factors contribute to the long growing season in the Danube climate area? How does this affect the grapes?
A combination of latitude, altitude, and the influence of warm Pannonian air from the southeast creates big diurnal shifts. The result is a long growing season (harvests in November!) and high physiological ripeness. (Freshness of aromas, full development of phenolic compounds)
True/False? The Pannonian area is north of Vienna.
False.
Describe the climate of Bergland.
Continental/Atlantic. Favors early-ripening varieties - Chardonnay, Müller Thurgau, Frühroter Veltliner
A red and white banderole on the capsule indicates what quality level?
Qualitätswein
The soils of the Kamptal are largely part of what geological zone?
Molasse Zone
What kind of soils characterize the Molasse Zone
Marine sediments from the Paratethys Sea (ancient shallow ocean), confluence of Kamp, Traisen, and Danube rivers.
What is the most prevalent type of unconsolidated rock in Kremstal?
Calcareous loess (calcium-rich wind blown sediments)
Describe the soils of the Wachau.
Old, consolidated crystalline rock, usually topped with a thin layer of loess. Gravelly sediments near the river.
Where are the highest elevation vineyards found in Austria?
Leithaberg.
Describe Leitha Limestone.
Calcareous, consolidated rock rich in marine fossils. Formed from warm, shallow sea that once surrounded Leitha Mountains.
What is Flysch, and where is it most prominently found?
A quartz-rich sandstone with marl and clay layers. It’s found in the Wien weinbaugebiete.
How many white grape varieties are authorized for producing wine in Austria?
22
How many red grape varieties are authorized for producing wine in Austria?
13
What is the parentage of Blauer Zweigelt?
St. Laurent and Blaufränkisch
Blauburger is the offspring of what two grapes?
Blaufränkisch and Blauer Portugieser
What does KMW stand for?
Klosterneuburg Mostwaage - the ripeness scale used in Austria, measured in degrees
According to the KMW scale, 1 degree represents what sugar/must weight ratio?
1 gram of sugar per 100 grams of must
How does the KMW correlate to the Öschle scale?
1 degree KMW is roughly 5 degrees Öschle
What is the minimum KMW for Spätlese wines?
19 degrees
What is the minimum KMW for Auslese wines?
21 degrees
What is Strohwein, and what is the minimum KMW required?
A wine made from grapes that have been air-dried on straw mats, reeds, or lines for a minimum of 3 months; 25 degrees KMW
True/False: Kabinett does not qualify as a Prädikatswein in Austria.
True. It does however qualify as Qualitätswein
What requirements must be met for wines labelled as Kabinett?
17 degrees KMW, no chaptalization, no Sußreserve
What is the minimum KMW for regional DAC wines?
15 degrees
Austrian “Landwein” can come from what 3 large geographical areas?
Weinland (Niederösterreich, Wien, Burgenland)
Bergland (Oberösterreich, Salzburg, Kärnten, Tirol, Vorarlberg)
Steierland (Steiermark)
What is the “amtliche prüfnummer,” and what does it signify?
It is the State Control Number, abbreviated oftentimes as AP. Its certifies that the wine has passed official sensory and analytic tests
How many DAC regions are there in Austria?
9
Name the DACs of Austria from north to south.
Weinviertel, Kamptal, Kremstal, Traisental, Wiener Gemischter Satz, Neusiedlersee, Leithaberg, Mittelburgenland, Eisenberg
Both Grüner Veltliner and Riesling are accepted varietals for what 3 DAC regions?
Kamptal, Kremstal, Traisental
Blaufränkisch is the only permitted varietal for what two DAC regions?
Mittelburgenland, Eisenberg
What is the only permitted varietal for Neusiedlersee DAC wines?
Zweigelt
What is the minimum number of different white varieties required for a wine labelled Wiener Gemischter Satz DAC?
3
True/False: The most prominent variety in Wiener Gemischter Satz DAC wines may not account for more than 50% of the blend.
True
True/False: The third most prevalent variety in Wiener Gemischter Satz DAC wines may not account for more than 10% of the blend.
False. It must represent a minimum 10% of the blend.
Name the 3 levels/categories of Sekt “Austrian Qualitätsschaumwein”
Klassik, Reserve, Große Reserve
Sekt “Klassik” wines must be aged on lees for how long?
Minimum 9 months
Sekt “Reserve” wines must be aged on lees for how long?
Minimum 18 months
Sekt “Große Reserve” wines must be aged on lees for how long?
Minimum 30 months
What is the maximum residual sugar/level of dosage for Sekt Reserve and Große Reserve?
12 grams per liter, Brut