Austria Flashcards
What is the climate in Austria? Vineyards are found in the east, away from the Alps.
Cool Continental
What are summers and winters like in Austria?
Summers are short
Winters are long and harsh
What kind of winds affect the Northerly wine regions?
Cool Northerly winds
What kind of winds affect the more Southerly vineyards?
Warm easterly winds
What is the most widely planted grape variety?
Gruner Veltliner
When might wines made from Gruner Veltliner be unexciting?
When yields are too high
What are characteristics of best, young Gruner? (body, acid, clusters, distinct flavour)
What notes develop with age? (2)
Full-bodied
High-acid
Citrus and Stonefruit
White pepper
Honey and Toast with age
A majority of producers ferment and age in stainless and old oak casks are also commonly used. Still, what might some producers mature Gruner Veltliner in?
New oak barriques
What is the second most planted white variety in Austria?
Welschriesling
Welschriesling tends to be fresh, simple, with high acidity displaying flavours of? (cluster, fruit)
Citrus, green apple
What feature of Welschriesling makes it a candidate for making high-quality dessert wines?
Thin-skins = botrytis
The best examples of what, less widely planted grape come from Wachau, Kamptal and Kremstal?
Rielsing
Which white grape has a growing reputation in Austria?
Sauvignon Blanc
What is the most widely planted black variety in Austria?
Zweigelt (Blaufrankisch x St Laurent)
Which black grape is most highly regarded in Austria?
Blaufrankisch
What Austrian specialty grape is similar to Pinot Noir in character?
St Laurent