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