Austria

Question 1

what types of wine is Austria known for

Answer 1

dry white wines from both Gruner Veltliner and Riesling as well as several native grown red wines: Zweigeit, and Blaufrankisch

Question 2

what is the name of the grape Austria uses to make sweet dessert wine?

Answer 2

Weischriesling

Question 3

where are vineyards found in Austria?

Answer 3

at the eastern end of Austria due to the Alpscovering the western part.

Question 4

what is the climate in Austria?

Answer 4

cool continental with short summers and very harsh winters

Question 5

what does the more northerly section of Austria experience

Answer 5

cooling northerly winds

Question 6

what do the vineyards closer to Hungary experience

Answer 6

warmed by easterly winds

Question 7

in terms of wine law what are the vast majority of Austrian wines?

Answer 7

PDO

Question 8

what are PGI wines labelled in Austria?

Answer 8

Landwein

Question 9

what are wines labelled in Austria that do not have a GI?

Answer 9

Wein

Question 10

What are the two major statuses for the PDO statuses in Austria

Answer 10

Qualitatswein and Districtus Austriae Controllatus (DAC)

Question 11

how many federal states qualify for PDO status in Austria?

Answer 11

four -

Question 12

How many smaller areas qualify for PDO status in Austria?

Answer 12

16

Question 13

how many of the states and areas qualify for Qualitatswein status in Austria?

Answer 13

4 federal states and 7 of the smaller areas.

Question 14

how many grape varieties are allowed in Qualitatswein?

Answer 14

35 and can be made in any style

Question 15

what is the difference between Pradikat in Germany vs Austria?

Answer 15

almost the same except in Austria the terms are reserved for med sweet and sweet wines and there are two additional Pradikate

Question 16

What are the two additional Pradikate in Austria?

Answer 16

Ausbrach which is between BA and TBA and Strohwein or Schilfwein where bunches of grapes are laid on beds of straw or reeds during the winter to concentrate sugars.

Question 17

how many of the smaller wine areas are in the DAC?

Answer 17

nine

Question 18

how does a producer get elected into the DAC in Austria?

Answer 18

if the producers can agree on a grape variety or varieties, a style of wine, and a set of regulations that they think best fit a region, they will be awarded the status

Question 19

what is the most widely planted grape in Austria?

Answer 19

Gruner Veltliner

Question 20

describe Gruner Veltliner

Answer 20

fresh but unexciting wines if yields are too high, but when grown with care it is full bodied, concentrated with high acidity. in youth gives flavors of citrus or stone fruitand sometimes hints of white pepper, developing honey and toast as it ages.

Question 21

how do majority of producers ferment Gruner Veltliner?

Answer 21

stainless steel, however old oak casks are often used as well. some will use new oak barriques as well.

Question 22

What is the second most planted white grape in Austria?

Answer 22

Welschriesling - not the same as riesling

Question 23

Describe a Welschriesling wine

Answer 23

when produced in a dry style usually fresh and simple showing citrus and green apple flavors with high acidity. susceptible to botrytis capable of producing high quality dessert wines.

Question 24

where do the best examples of Riesling in Austria come from

Answer 24

Wachau, Kamptal and Kremstal

Question 25

describe a Austrian Riesling

Answer 25

usually dry, medium-full bodied, with ripe peachy primary fruit . the best wines are capable of maturing in the bottle

Question 26

what are other widely planted grapes in Austria besides Riesling and Welschriesling

Answer 26

Chardonnay, Muller Thugau, and Sauvignon Blanc

Question 27

What is the most widely planted black grape in Austria?

Answer 27

Zweigelt (Blaufrankisch x St Laurent) - deeply color reds with soft tannins and bramble fruit

Question 28

what is the most highly regarded of the Austrian black varieties?

Answer 28

Blaufrankisch - med tannins, high acidity, peppery sour cherry flavor

Question 29

What is the ST Laurant grape?

Answer 29

Austrian specialty that gives wines a similar characteristic of pinot noir.

Question 30

what are the four federal states for PDO wines?

Answer 30

Niederosterreich (Lower Austria), Burgenland, Steiermark (Styria) and Wein (Vienna)

Question 31

which two states account for the vast majority of grapes?

Answer 31

Niederosterreich (Lower Austria), Burgenland

Question 32

what is the largest of the regions for both production and exports in Austria?

Answer 32

Niederosterreich (Lower Austria)

Question 33

where do the majority of the vineyards lie in Niederosterreich (Lower Austria)

Answer 33

on the banks of the Danube and further north towards the Slovak border.

Question 34

of the 8 sub regions of Niederosterreich (Lower Austria) which is the most renowned for high quality dry white wines made from Gruner Veltliner or Riesling.

Answer 34

Wachau - which is not a DAC by choice

Question 35

Where are vineyards located in Wachau

Answer 35

steep often terraced south facing vineyards next to the Danube which allows for sun and concentrating flavors

Question 36

what is Austria's largest wine growing area and first DAC

Answer 36

Weinviertel DAC

Question 37

what varietals can be used in Weinviertel DAC?

Answer 37

only Gruner Veltliner

Question 38

what are the two levels of Weinviertel DAC?

Answer 38

Klassik - light fresh and fruity style with no oak flavors | Reserve - higher minimum alcohol and are allowed to mature in oak.

Question 39

Where is Burgenland located in Austria?

Answer 39

to the east, along the border with Hungary.

Question 40

what is Burgenland known for?

Answer 40

quality sweet wines and red wines

Question 41

what is used to make dry white wines in Burgenland

Answer 41

Pinot Blanc, Welschriesling, Gruner Veltliner, and Chardonnay

Question 42

what is the key to sweet wine production in Burgenland?

Answer 42

Neusiedlersee a shallow lake in the north of the province - produces autumn mists guaranteeing botrytis almost every year

Question 43

what is the most widely planted black variety in Burgenland?

Answer 43

Zweigelt

Question 44

where is Zweigelt planted in Burgenland?

Answer 44

away from the lake, high ground, in hills further south

Question 45

besides Zweigelt what other black varieties are also grown in Burgenland?

Answer 45

Blaufrankisch, St Laurent, Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Cab Sauv

Question 46

what is a DAC for Zweigelt?

Answer 46

Neusiedlersee

Question 47

what is the largest DAC for Blaufrankish

Answer 47

Mittelburgerland