Austria Flashcards
Austria - what are the four main wine regions?
- Niederosterreich
- Wien
- Burgenland
- Styria
What percentage of plantings are red wine in Austria?
Only 30%
Where is the Danube River located?
Austria
What are the three classifications for dry wine in Wachau?
- Steinfeder
- Federspiel
- Smaragd
What characterizes a Federspiel wine?
- 11.5 - 12.5% alcohol
- Name for a falconer’s tool
Austria - list the hierarchy of classification.
- Wein
- Landwein (PGI)
- Qualitatswein (PDO)
- Pradikatswein (PDO)
Austria - topography?
Rolling foothills east of Alps
Austria - climate?
Continental (cold winters, very warm summers)
Austria - what characterizes the vinification?
- Wines are either very dry or very sweet
- New oak rarely used in WHITE wine production
Which wine classifications do not have a geographic indication in Austria?
Wein
Austria - what characterizes the geography?
- Much of Western region covered by Alps
- So most vineyards are located in the east along borders of Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary
Austria - how long has wine been produced there and what characterizes the quality?
- Thousands of years
- Produces less than 1% of world’s fine wine
- Quality is exceptionally high
Austria - red grape varieties?
- Zweigelt
- Blaufrankisch
- St. Laurent
What percentage of plantings are white wine in Austria?
Over 70%
What characterizes a Steinfeder wine?
- 11.5% or less alcohol
- Lightest of three styles
- Named for local grass found in vineyards
Define a Qualitatswein (PDO) in Austria. (4)
- Districtus Austriae Controllatus (DAC)
- Terroir-based system of quality wines with appellation of origin (like AOC or DOC)
- Only specific grapes and styles allowed
- Focus on dry wines
Which wine classifications have a geographic indication in Austria?
- Landwein (PGI)
- Qualitatswein (PDO)
- Pradikatswein (PDO)
What characterizes a Smaragd wine?
- 12.5% or more alcohol
- Named for emerald-colored lizard found in vineyards
- Typically made from very ripe grapes and produce intense dry white wines
Which region in Austria instituted its own system for quality dry wines?
Wachau
Name the three important sub-regions of Niederosterreich.
- Kamptal
- Kremstal
- Wachau
Austria - location?
- Central Europe
- Southeast of Germany
- Northeast of Italy
Austria - primary climate moderator?
Danube River
Where is Wachau located?
Narrow band of steep slopes along Danube River
Austria - white grape varieties?
- Gruner Veltliner
2. Riesling
Define a Pradikatswein (PDO) in Austria.
- Wines categorized by ripeness at harvest
- Rarely used today except for very sweet styles such as TBA, Eiswein, BA
What river is the Kremstal DAC located on?
Krems River
What river is the Kamptal DAC located on?
Kampt River
What is the wine classification system for Wachau dry wines based on?
Ripeness at harvest
Which region in Austria contains the best vineyards?
Wachau
Austria - what characterizes the viticulture?
- Steep, terraced vineyards over Danube
- Vast plain in lower lying areas
Define a Landwein (PGI) in Austria.
Regional wines; rarely exported
