Austria

Question 1

Austria Geography

Answer 1

Located in Central Europe, southeast of Germany and northeast of Italy. Much of Western Austria is covered by the Alps, with the wine-growing area located on the eastern edge of the country along the borders of the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary.

Question 2

Austria Climate

Answer 2

Continental, with cold winters and very warm summers moderated by the Danube River and its tributaries

Question 3

Austria Topography

Answer 3

Rolling foothills east of the Alps

Question 4

Austria Grape Varieties

Answer 4

White: (majority of plantings, over 70%)

• Gruner Veltliner
• Riesling

Red:

• Zweigelt
• Blaufrankisch
• St.-Laurent

Question 5

Austria Viticulture

Answer 5

Steep, terraced vineyards overlooking the Danube River and its tributaries in some areas, but also vast planes in the lower lying areas

Question 6

Austria Vinification

Answer 6

Either very dry or very sweet, there is no tradition of off-dry styles
New oak is rarely used for white wine production

Question 7

Austria Wine Laws

Answer 7

Wines w/o geographic indication
-Wein

Wines w/ geographic indication

• Landwein (PGI)
• —Regional wines, rarely exported
• Qualitatswein (PDO)
• —Districtus Austriae Controllatus (DAC). This is a terroir-based system of quality wines with appellation of origin is similar to AOC or DOC. Only specific grapes and wine styles are permitted in these demarcated regions. The focus is on dry wines.