Austria

Question 1

What is the climate in Austria?

How is it characterised?

Answer 1

Cool Continental
Short Summers and harsh Winters.
High diurnal range, with long Autumn ripening

Question 2

What is the climate consideration in Austria’s Northerly regions?

Answer 2

Cooling northerly winds

Question 3

What is the climate consideration growing close to the Hungarian border?

Answer 3

Warmed by Easterly winds

Question 4

What are the 3 main white grapes grown in Austria?

Answer 4

Gruner Veltliner
Welchriesling
Riesling

Question 5

What are the 3 main black grapes grown in Austria?

Which one is most revered?

Answer 5

Zweigelt - Deep red, soft tannin and bramble fruit
Blaufrankisch - Most highly regarded. Med tannin, hi acid, peppery sour cherry
St. Laurent - Similar to Pinot Noir

Question 6

What is ‘DAC’ and what does it mean?

Answer 6

Districtus Austriae Controllatus

If a region can agree criteria they can apply for DAC status

Question 7

What 3 things must growers agree on before applying for DAC?

Answer 7

Grape variety
Set of regulations
Style of the wine

Question 8

What is Ausbruch

Answer 8

An Austrian Pradikat level between Beerenauslese and Trockenbeerenauslese

Question 9

What is ‘Strohwein’ or ‘Schilfwein’?

Answer 9

Wine made from grapes where whole bunches were dried on straw mats over the Winter

Question 10

What is PGI wine called in Austria?

Answer 10

Landwein or Wein

Question 11

How is a wine labelled if someone makes wine that deviates from the DAC style/grapes?

Answer 11

Can only be labelled with the name of one of the four federal states

Question 12

Where are vineyards located in Austria?

Answer 12

To the East because to the West is the Alps

Question 13

Which 2 federal states account for the majority of wine production?

Answer 13

Niederosterreich (Lower Austria)

Burgenland

Question 14

Name the sub region of Niederosterreich renowned for high quality dry wines made from either Gruner Veltliner or Riesling

Answer 14

Wachau

Question 15

Where are most of the vineyards located in Niederosterreich?

Answer 15

On the banks of the Danube and further North towards the Slovak border

Question 16

Name the sub region in Niederosterreich which is Austria’s largest vine growing area and the first Austrian DAC

Answer 16

Weinviertal DAC

Question 17

What is the only grape variety permitted in Weinviertal DAC?

Answer 17

Gruner Veltliner

Question 18

If you were asked for an upmarket Gruner Veltliner what sub region would you recommend?

Answer 18

Weinviertal DAC

Question 19

What is the Federal State of Burgenland renowned for?

Answer 19

Top quality sweet wines and red wines

Question 20

Which grape is most commonly used for sweet wine production?

Answer 20

Welchriesling

Question 21

What is the ‘typical’ character of Austrian Gruner Veltliner
When young?
When aged?

Answer 21

Young - Flavours of citrus and stone fruits sometimes with hints of white pepper
Aged - The wine develops layers of honey and toast

Question 22

What is the ‘typical’ character of Austrian Riesling?

Answer 22

Dry and medium to full bodied with ripe, peachy, primary fruit

Question 23

Name one area producing good Austrian Riesling

Answer 23

Wachau

Question 24

What is the ‘typical’ character of Austrian Welchriesling?

Answer 24

Fresh and simple with citrus and green apple flavours and high acidity but renowned for making botrytis sweet wines

Question 25

What is the ‘typical’ character of Austrian Zweigelt?

Answer 25

Deeply coloured red with soft tannins and bramble fruit

Question 26

What is the ‘typical’ character of Austrian Blaufrankisch?

Answer 26

Reds with medium tannins, high acidity and a peppery, sour cherry flavour

Question 27

What is the ‘typical’ character of Austrian St. Laurent?

Answer 27

Reds similar in character to Pinot Noir. Often oak aged.

Question 28

List the 4 Natural factors of wine

Answer 28

Grapes
Climate
Weather
Soil / Aspect