Austria Flashcards
What are the characteristics of Blaufrankisch wines?
(tannin + acidity + 2 flavors + common winemaking style)
Medium Tannins
High Acidity
Peppery, sour cherry flavors
Often blended with international varieties
Which country borders Neiderosterreich to the North?
Slovakia
What kind of vineyard design does Wachau often use?
Terracing
What are Austria’s two additional Pradikate, and what are they used for?
Ausbruch - a classification somewhere between Germany’s Beerenauslese and Trockbeerenauslese
Strohwein or Schifwein - wines made from laying the grapes on beds of straw or reeds to concentrate the sugars over winter
What is the climate of Austria?
Cool continental
Why might the regions in the North of Austria be better known for white wines while those in the South are better known for reds and sweet wines?
Because the north is cooled by northerly winds and the south is warmed by easterly winds
Which Austrian black grape has the highest reputation for dry red wines?
Blaufrankisch
Which winemaking vessels are used for Gruner Veltliner in Austria, and by what (very) approximate share of production?
Stainless steel = majority
Old oak casks = many
Proportion of new oak maturation = some
Which region of Austria has the largest area of vineyards?
Weinviertel
Where do Austria’s most famous sweet wines grow?
In Burgenland on the lower grounds around Lake Neusiedlersee.
What style of wines is Wachau best known for?
High quality dry whites
Why are the vineyards in Austria located to the East?
Because the Alps dominate the West.
Which geographical feature are Wachau’s vineyards planted near to?
River Danube
What country’s classifications are the Pradikat levels of Qualitatswein similar to, and mainly reserved for in Austria?
Germany’s Pradikatsweine.
Mainly reserved for medium-sweet and sweet wines.
How often can sweet wines from Burgenland reliably be affected by noble rot?
Almost every year
What is the best location for Austrian Gruner Veltliner, and what is the key characteristic difference there?
Wachau - the sun exposure on the steep, S-facing, terraced vineyards results in highly concentrated flavors
What are the two levels in Weinviertel DAC and what are their key differences?
Klassik - light, fresh, fruity style with no discernable oak.
Reserve - higher minimum alcohol, allowed to mature in oak
What is the vintage variation like in Austria?
There is not much of it.
Describe Lake Neusiedlersee
It is vast and shallow
Which grape is most used in sweet wines from Burgenland?
Welschriesling
How many varieties are permitted in Austrian Qualitatswein?
35
How many States and “Smaller Areas” are classifiable as Austrian Qualitatswein?
4 States and 7 Smaller Areas
Where does Austria’s best Riesling come from?
Wachau
Which Austrian DAC has 2 levels, one for light, fruity, fresh wines with no oak and the other for wines with a higher minimum alcohol content where use of oak is permitted, and what is each level called?
Weinviertel.
Klassik and Reserve, repsectively.
How many DACs are there in Austria (as of 2016 edition of WSET 3 textbook)
9
What are the characteristics of St. Laurent wines from Austria?
(comparison to international variety + common winemaking practice + common style)
Similar to Pinot Noir
Commonly matured in oak
Often blended with international varieties
What natural factor affects the South of Austria
Warm easterly winds
What is Austria’s most planted grape?
Gruner Veltliner
What natural factor affects the North of Austria?
Cool northerly winds
Which varieties are Wachau’s high quality wines made from?
Gruner Veltliner and Riesling
What are the low grounds around Lake Neusiedlersee best for?
Autumn mists from the Lake and wetlands around it create favorable Botrytis conditions for sweet winemaking
What is Austria’s 2nd most planted white grape?
Welschriesling
Which Austrian DAC uses the levels “Klassik” and “Reserve”?
Weinvertiel
How and where are Wachau’s vineyards typically planted?
On steep, south-facing, often terraced slopes next to the Danube River.
How many sub-regions does Niederosterreich have?
8
What is the most important sub-region of Niederosterreich?
Wachau
What is Blaufrankisch’s claim to fame in Austria?
Most highly regarded red wines
Which Austrian grape at its best produces wines that are dry with medium-to-full body, have ripe peachy primary fruit notes, and can mature in bottle?
Riesling
Which region of Austria has the highest production?
Niederosterreich
Is Wachau a DAC?
No, they have not elected to become a DAC.
What popular Austrian black grape came from a crossing between Blaufrankisch x St Laurent?
Zweigelt
What is the crossing parentage of Zweigelt?
Blaufrankisch x St. Laurent
How many states and “smaller areas” are Austrian PDOs (classified as either Qualitatswein or DACs)?
4 States, 16 smaller areas.
What is the important natural factor in winemaking in Burgenland?
Lake Neusiedlersee
Which black grape is the most planted in Burgenland?
Zweigelt
What are the characteristics of Zweigelt wines?
(appearance + tannins + 1 flavor)
Deep Color
Soft Tannins
Bramble Fruit
What is Burgenland known for?
High quality sweet and red wines.
What is Austria’s most planted black grape?
Zweigelt
What are the 2 main styles of Austrian Welschriesling, and the traits of each?
(style 1: character + 2 flavors + acidity)
(style 2: factor + quality)
Dry: Fresh & simple
Citrus & Green Apple notes
High acidty
Sweet: Botrytis susceptible, High Quality
Where are the grapes that make Austria’s best red wines grown?
On the higher ground around Lake Neusiedlersee
Where are the wine grapes for Burgenland’s sweet wines planted?
On the low grounds around Lake Neusiedlersee
Where are most of Niederosterreich’s vineyards planted?
On the banks of the Danube River
Which 3 varieties are used in Austria’s best red wines? (And which is the most used)
Zweigelt (most used) + Blaufrankisch and St Laurent
Which grape is permitted for Weinviertel DAC?
Gruner Veltliner
What aspect are the vineyards of Wachau?
South
What are the characteristics of high-yielding Gruner Veltliner vs. GV grown “with care”?
(high-yield - basic character)
(“with care” - body + character + acidity + 3 flavors in youth
+ 2 flavors with age)
High-yielding GV: fresh but unexciting
GV grown “with care”: Full body
High acidity
In youth: Citrus and Stone Fruit + sometimes White Pepper
With age: Honey and Toast
Which Austrian region is known for high quality sweet and red wines?
Burgenland
Which DAC allows Gruner Veltliner only?
Weinviertel DAC
What are the traits of the best Austrian Rieslings?
(sweetness + body + 1 flavor note/degree + feature)
Dry
Medium to Full Body
Ripe, peachy primary fruit
Can mature in bottle
Which sub-region of Austria is known for vineyards that favor South-facing steep slopes that are often terraced?
Wachau
Which region was Austria’s 1st DAC?
Weinviertel
What are the summers and winters like in Austria?
Summers are short, Winters are harsh
Which country borders Burgenland to the E?
Hungary
What effect does Wachau’s maximisation of sun-exposure have on its grapes?
Wachau’s grapes develop a higher concentration of flavors
Which 2 important varieties are used for dry whites in Burgenland?
Gruner Veltliner and Welschriesling
