Austria Flashcards
What was the scandal that happened in the 1980s in the Austrian wine market?
Many winemakers added diethylene glycol (antifreeze) to their wines to add body and sweetness
Name the 4 major wine regions in Austria
Niederösterreich
Wien
Burgenland
Styria
What is Austria’s most planted white grape?
Grüner Veltliner
What is the parentage of Zweigelt?
Blaufränkisch x St. Laurent
Name the three levels of quality in Austria
Qualitätswein
Landwein
Wein
Explain how Austria breaks down its top level of quality–Qualitätswein
There are 9 DACs, where dry wines are the focus. Winemakers can also use a Prädikatswein system, which is similar to Germany’s.
Explain the format of Austria’s DAC system
Each DAC prescribes the grapes, alcohol content and stylistic choices that are allowed
What is Austria’s largest wine region (weinbaugebeit)?
Niederösterreich
Which subregion has its own quality level system–separate from Prädikatswein or DAC?
Wachau, in Niederösterreich
What is the soil type of the Wachau?
Loess and gneiss, with some sand near the bottom
What are the three levels of quality for Grüner Veltliner and Riesling in the Wachau?
Steinfeder (max 11.5%)
Federspiel (11.5-12.5%)
Smaragd (min 12.5%)
Name the top vineyard within the Wachau
Achleiten
Name 3 well known producers from the Wachau
Pichler
Prager
Knoll
Where is Roter Veltliner heralded as a specialty?
Wagram, in Niederösterreich (Austria)
Which major wine region is home to Austria’s best red wines and also sweet dessert wines?
Burgenland
Which red grape is Burgenland most known for?
Blaufränkisch
What is Neusiedlersee, and what does it contribute to the winegrowing culture around it?
It is a large, shallow lake that produces mist to foster botrytis on the grapes surrounding it
What is the town of Rust famous for?
Ausbruch–A sweet dessert wine that is made in a similar style to Tokaji
Which Austrian region is famous for its Sauvignon blanc?
Styria (Steiermark)
What is the only capital city in Europe to have its own wine appellation within city limits?
Wien/Vienna
What kind of white wine is Vienna most known for?
Gemischter Satz
What is heuriger and sturm?
Two “new” wines produced in Vienna
Heuriger: a “nouveau” style wine
Sturm: Half fermented sparkling grape juice
