Austria Flashcards
What kind of wines and on what grape varities is Austria know for ?
- Dry white wines from their Grüner Veltliner, as well as from Riesling.
- Red wines on local varieties as Zweigelt and Blaufränkisch
- Sweet botrytised wines made from Welschriesling.
What is the climate like in Austria ?
- cool continental climate, short summers and very harsh winters. Less annual weather variation than in Northern Europe.
- the western parts of Austria are covered by the Alps, so all ine production takes place in the eastern part.
- the most northernly parts can experience cooling northerly winds
- the most eastern parts are warmed by easterly winds from Hungary.
Which white grape is the most widely planted in Austria ?
Grüner Veltliner
Describe a typical premium wine made from Grüner Veltliner
when grown with care, GV can produce
- full-bodied
- concentrated
- naturally high acidity
Most are fermented and stored in stainless steel, old oak casks are also commonly used.
Some producers may mature a proportion of their best wines in new oak barriques.
Describe the typical flavours of a young versus an aged Grüner Veltliner
Young: citrus, stone fruit, sometimes hints of white pepper
Aged: Honey, toast
Which black grape is the most widely planted variety in Austria ?
Zweigelt (Blaufränkisch x St Laurent)
Which is the second most planted white variety in Austria ?
Welschriesling
Where in Austria is Riesling most widely planted ?
Wachau
Kamptal
Kremstal
Describe the typical differences between Welschriesling and Riesling from Austria
WR: fresh, simple, citrus, green apple, high acidity
R: medium-fullbodied, ripe peachy primary fruit
Apart from Welschriesling and Riesling, what other white varities are widely planted in Austria ?
Chardonnay
Müller-Thurgau
Sauvignon Blanc (Steiermark)
Describe the typical wine made from Zweigelt
Deeply coloured
soft tannins
bramble fruit
Describe a typical wine made from Blaufränkisch
medium tannins
high acidity
peppery, sour cherry flavour
Which of the black grape varieties is the most highly regarded in Austria ?
Blaufränkisch
What are the quality levels of Austrian wine ?
Wein - no geographical indication
Landwein - PGI wines
Qualitätswein/DAC - PDO
Which are the 4 federal states (and 16 smaller areas) of Austria that are allowed to label their wines with Qualitätswein ?
Niederösterreich
Burgenland
Steiermark
Wien