Austria Copied & Amended Flashcards
What is the climate in Austria? How is it characterised?
Cool Continental Short Summers and harsh Winters. High diurnal range, with long Autumn ripening
What is the climate consideration in Austria’s Northerly regions?
Cooling northerly winds
What is the climate consideration growing close to the Hungarian border?
Pannonian plains and therefore warmer, with some influence with easterly winds from Adriatic
What are the 3 main white grapes grown in Austria?
White grapes account for ___% of plantings in Austria.
- Gruner Veltliner - 1/3 of total plantings in Austria
- Welschriesling
- Riesling
- 67%
What are the 2 main black grapes grown in Austria?
- Zweigelt
- Blaufrankisch
Within Austria wine law, what is a ‘DAC’ and what does it stand for?
What is their focus / goal?
Districtus Austriae Controllatus
- A newer indication of origin withing the Qualitatswein system.
- Dry wines are the focus.
- Designed to align Austrian regions with wine profiles in the mind of the consumer, in the tradition of the French and Italian systems.
What is PGI wine called in Austria?
Landwein
Which 2 federal states account for the majority of wine production?
Niederosterreich (Lower Austria) Burgenland
Name the sub region of Niederosterreich renowned for high quality dry wines made from either Gruner Veltliner or Riesling
Wachau
Where are most of the vineyards located in Niederosterreich?
On the banks of the Danube and further North towards the Slovak border
Name the sub region in Niederosterreich which is Austria’s largest vine growing area and the first Austrian DAC
Weinviertel DAC
What is the only grape variety permitted in Weinviertal DAC?
Gruner Veltliner
If you were asked for an upmarket Gruner Veltliner, which prestigious sub region would you recommend?
Wachau, the most renowned for high quality dry wines.
What is the Federal State of Burgenland renowned for?
Top quality sweet wines and red wines
What is the name of the vast shallow lake in the North of Burgenland that is key for sweet wine production?
Neusiedlersee
Why is the lake Neusiedlersee so important to sweet wine production?
Because the vineyards are located on the low lying ground near the lake to benefit from the Autumn mists that come from the lake and wetland regions on its margins. These are ideal conditions for botrytis.
What is the ‘typical’ character of Austrian Gruner Veltliner?
When young? When aged?
Capable of producing full-bodied, concentrated wines with naturally high acidity.
Young - Flavours of citrus and stone fruits sometimes with hints of white pepper
Aged - The wine develops layers of honey and toast
What is the ‘typical’ character of Austrian Riesling?
Dry and medium to full bodied with ripe, peachy, primary fruit
Name one area producing good Austrian Riesling
Wachau
What is the ‘typical’ character of Austrian Welschriesling?
Fresh and simple with citrus and green apple flavours and high acidity but renowned for making botrytis sweet wines
What is the ‘typical’ character of Austrian Zweigelt?
Deeply coloured red with soft tannins and bramble fruit
What is the ‘typical’ character of Austrian Blaufrankisch?
Reds with medium tannins, high acidity and a peppery, sour cherry flavour
What is the ‘typical’ character of Austrian St. Laurent?
Reds similar in character to Pinot Noir. Often oak aged.
What are the 4 federal states for PDO wines?
Niederösterreich (Lower Austria)
Burgenland
Steiermark (Styria)
Wien (Vienna)
What are the 3 categories of Wachau dry wine production and what are they based on?
Based on ripeness of grapes at harvest.
Steinfeder: 11.5% max alc. Lightest style, named for a local grass.
Federspiel: 11.5-12.5% alc. Named for a local falcon.
Smaragd: 12.5% min. alc. Named for an emerald green lizard that suns itself in the vineyards.
Kamptal DAC is located in which region?
White & Red Grapes most planted?
- Niederosterreich
- Riesling / Gruner Veltliner
- Zweigelt (25% plantings)
The DAC level of classification is on par with which level of classification in France?
AOP
Which geographical feature separates Austria and Germany?
The Alps
Order the following regions from coolest to warmest
(1 = coolest, 3 = warmest).
A. Kamptal
B. Weinviertel
C. Mittelburgenland
Weinviertal = 1
Kamptal = 2
Mittelburgenland = 3
Match the sub-region to its larger Weinbaugebiet.
B. Neusiedlersee
C. Kremstal
B. Burgenland
C. Niederosterreich
Thermenregion is located within which weinbaugebiete?
Which 2 rare white grapes are cultivated here?
It feels the full force of the ____ Summer.
- Niederosterreich
- Rotgipfler and Zierfandler.
- Pannonian
Which weinbaugebiete is also known as “Lower Austria”?
Niederosterreich
The majority of wine in Austria is produced under the DAC designation.
True or False?
False
Riesling and Welschriesling are varieties that are genetically related to each other.
True or False?
False
What is the minimum alcohol by volume required for Kamptal Reserve Riesling?
13%
In Austria, which grape is likely to undergo carbonic maceration?
Zweigelt
Riesling in Austria, details?
Riesling:
o 4 % of all plantings in Austria
o Prized variety
o Mainly found in Niederosterreich, where it’s the 2nd most planted variety
o Planted in warmest sites, on thin soils, as less water is needed
o Wines
o Almost always dry; Full body; Medium Alcohol;
o ripe stone fruit: Some tropical ; High Acidity
o Allowing many to improve in bottle over 10-20 years becoming nutty, honeyed with petrol notes
o Very Good to Outstanding: Premium prices
Gruner Veltliner? As many details.
Gruner Veltliner: (~1/3rd of Plantings)
o 31% of plantings - signature variety
o Best in Niederosterrich & Wachau
o Late ripening
o Dry, full bodied wines w vegetal aromas, white pepper & grapefruit
o Does not thrive in dry soils: better suited to clay, Loess , which retain higher levels of water
o Vigorous on fertile soils; canopy management essential in producing ripe grapes
o Thick skinned: if left in contact with juice for long, can contribute a phenolic, bitter taste
o Skins contain chemical compound that gives a characteristic peppery aroma
o Wines:
o Medium( +) to high Acidity ;Typically not Oaked
o Simple wines with Citrus, Green fruit for early drinking that’s Acceptable to Good ; Inexpensive
o Premium wines with pronounced citrus, Peach; Greater complexity of aroma/flavour; can be aged : Very good to Outstanding; Premium
Welschriesling
Welschriesling:
o 2nd most planted white variety – not related to Riesling….
o High Acidity and Neutral aromatics
o Mainly found in Steiermark
o Fresh, Neutral, Unoaked, dry wines; Acceptable to Good; Inexpensive
o Plantings are in decline due to decreased consumption of variety
o Large plantings in Burgenland, near humid Neusiedlersee
o Thin skins can be affected by noble rot; used or sweet wine; labelled as Beerenauslese or Trockenbeerenauslese
o These wines have high Acidity; Pronounced tropical fruit, dried fruit, ability to develop in bottle
o Very Good to Outstanding: Premium
o Because of its High Acidity & Neutral aromas, used in Sekt
Blaufrankisch is Austria’s second most planted black grape, what other details do you know?
Blaufrankisch:
o Early Budding: Vulnerable to Spring frosts
o Late Ripening: Needs warm climate; found in Burgenland
o Thick Skinned: not prone to rot; imp. in humid Neusiedlersee
o High yields so will struggle to ripen providing green aromas/flavours
o Low yields - most age worthy & intense reds
o Generally Medium (+) to High Tannins; High Acidity; Deep colour; Black fruit
o Wine styles
o Simple, fruity, Little or No Oak; Good quality, mid priced
o Premium: pronounced Black fruit; Spicy oak; High Tannins; Very good to Outstanding; Premium pricing
o Main area – Burgenland
o Leithaberg DAC & Mittlelburgenland DAC areas
o Plus shores of the Neusiedlersee
Under EU law what are the terms used for Austrian wine?
o Tafelwein : Wine without GI
o Landwein: Wine with Protected GI
o Qualtatswein: Wine with Protected Designation of Origin;
- Has to undergo govt inspection ensuring min quality standards; Inspection number must be stated on label
what percentage of Austrian wine falls under these two designations; Tafewein and Landwein?
12% of all Austrian wine production
White winemaking in Austria - describe the aim and techniques used to achieve this.
White Wines:
- Aim is to preserve primary fruit & varietal characteristics
- Short Skin contact; Ferment in neutral vessel
- Temp control common to preserve delicate, volatile aromas
- Gruner & Riesling typically do not go through MLF (maintaining varietal cha & freshness & difficulty in achieving due to low PH of wines)
- Stored in old Wood or SS for fresh
- Many will leave wine on fine Lees for 6 mths or longer for greater texture
- Most fermented to dryness
Red winemaking - describe the techniques employed
Red Wines:
- Fermented in large Open top vessels; Punch downs Or pump overs
- Some use Ambient yeasts
- Stored in SS or Matured in Old Oak vessels: 300-600 L or larger, to soften tannins without new oak flavours
- Few Premium aged in New oak
- Some use Acacia Vats for maturation of White & Red, as it gives small amt of Oxygenation without Vanilla Ch of Oak
Niederosterreich - largest federal state for wine production - describe it
Niederósterreich
- Largest region
- Whites = 66% with ~half of total plantings - Grüner Veltliner
- 3 key sub-regions:
a) Weinviertel in North
b) Wachau, Kremstal, Kamptal, Traisental and Wagram along the Danube
c) warmer Pannonian Plain in South East
Weinviertel DAC - how much Gruner Veltliner is grown as a percentage ?
50%
Weinviertel DAC rules?
-
The DAC rules
- Gruner Veltliner only
- Reserve wines
- min 13%ABV;
- some Oak;
- and /or some botrytis
- wines still dry
Neusiedlersee DAC is for what type of wine? and then describe the two categories under this
- Dry red wines
- Zweigelt or blends of Zweigelt and Blaufrankisch
- DAC is red wines only
-
DAC Klassik wines
- 100% Zweigelt
- Red Cherry
- Little or no Oak
- Medium Acidity
- Medium to Full Body
- Good to Very Good quality and Mid-priced
-
DAC Reserve wines
- Min 60 % Zweigelt;
- can blend with Blaufrankisch, PN or Sankt Laurent
- Aged in Oak;
- Good to Very Good quality; Mid to Premium priced
Wine sales in Austria are different to most markets - describe the two key channels.
-
Wines sales
- Hospitality sector
- 50% of total sales in value
- “Heurigen” (heurige – means ‘This years”)
- plays major part in domestic sales
- small informal inns and taverns – simple food and local wine
- small vineyard owners sell to Heurigen
- Retail sector
- 2/3rds of sales in volume terms
- Austrian wines are sold at higher prices per bottle than imports
- Hospitality sector
