Austria Flashcards
What percentage of the world’s wines are from Austria?
Less than 1%, but quality is exceptionally high.
Where is Austria located?
Central Europe.
Southeast of Germany.
Northeast of Italy.
What covers a majority of the western part of Austria?
The Alps.
Where are a majority of vineyards planted in Austria?
The eastern edge of the country along the borders of Czech Republic, Hungary, and Slovakia.
What is the climate in Austria?
Continental.
Cold winters, very warm summers.
What moderates the climate in Austria?
The Danube River and its tributaries.
What is the topography of Austria?
Rolling foothills east of the Alps.
What are the primary grape varietals of Austrias?
Gruner Veltliner, Riesling (white)
Zweiglt, Blaufrankish, St. Laurent (red)
What are the percentages of wine styles made in Austria?
White wine = 70%
Red wine = 30%
What is the viticulture of Austria?
Steep, terraced vineyards overlooking Danube.
Some vineyards planted on vast planes in lower lying areas.
How are most Austrian wines fermented?
Either dry or very sweet.
New oak rarely used for whites.
What is the important river that runs through Austria’s wine regions?
Danube River.
What are the four main regions of Austria?
Niederosterreich (“Lower Austria”
Wien
Burgenland
Styria
What are the three important sub-regions of Nierderosterreich?
Kremstal DAC
Kamptal DAC
Wachau
Where is Kremstal DAC located?
Niederosterreich
in the valley of the Krems River
Where is Kamptal DAC located?
Niederosterreich
ithe valley of the Kamp River
Where is Wachau located?
Niederosterreich
on a narrow band of steep slopes on the banks of the Danube
What region is home to some of Austria’s best vineyards?
Wachau
What are the three categories of
the Wachau dry wine classification?
Steinfeider
Federspiel
Smaragd
Steinfeider classification:
11.5% maximum alcohol
Named for local grass in vineyards.
Federspiel classification:
11.5%-12.5% alcohol.
Named for a falconer’s tool.
Smaragd classification:
12.5% minimum alcohol
Named for emerald lizard that suns itself in the vineyards.
What are wines without geographic indication called in Austria?
Wein.
What are the levels of EU Wine Classification
of wines from Austria?
Landwein (PGI) - Regional wines
Qualitatswein (PDO)
- DAC: Terroir based system of quality similar to the AOC or DOC. Only specific grapes/wines are permitted here with a focus on dry wines.
Pradikatswein (PDO)
- Similar system to Germany, ripeness at harvest, rarely used aside from BA/TBA/Eiswein (sweet wines).
What is Landwein (PGI) in Austria?
Regional wines
What is Qualitatswein (PDO) in Austria?
A terroir based system of quality similar to the AOC or DOC. The sub set for Austria is the DAC and has a focus on dry wines.
What is the Pradikatswein (PDO) in Austria?
A similar system to what Germany uses, but is rarely used except for sweet wines (TBA, BA, Eiswein).
