Austria: Grape Varieties Flashcards

1
Q

Austria: Gruner Veltliner

A
  • 33 % of all plantings in Austria
  • Does not thrive in dry soils and better suited to clay and Loess (water retaining)
  • Can be vigorous on the right soils so careful canopy management is needed
  • Skins are thick and must be removed from the juice to avoid bitterness
  • Skins contain Rotundone that gives a peppery aroma
  • Wines are Med + to high acid, simple citrus and green fruit aromas made for early drinking
  • Acceptable to good -
  • Very good to outstanding
  • also pronounced citrus and peach complexity which can be aged in bottle
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2
Q

Austria: Zweigelt

A
  • Most planted black variety
  • Croos between Sankt Laurent and Blaufrankisch
  • High yielding and vigorous needs canopy management
  • Potassium deficiency can lead to withering of the grapes before they ripen
  • Not susceptible to rot or frost
  • Wines are Med+ acid, medium tannins , red fruit, cherry
  • Styles range from easy drinking to full bodied oaked styles with some ageing
  • potential - very good and prem prices
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3
Q

Austria: Welchriesling

A
  • Second most planted variety -not related to Rielsling
  • High acid and neutral aromatics
  • Mainly found in Steiermark as a simple unoaked dry wine of acceptable to good quality
  • Large plantings around humid Neusiedl.erseee - thin skins can be affected by noble rot and used for sweet wines labelled Beerenauslese or TBA
  • High acid, tropical aromas , dried fruit
  • Very good to outstanding and prem priced
  • Also used in Sekt production
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4
Q

Austria: Blaufrankisch

A
  • Second most planted black variety
  • Wines with med+to high tannins , high acid, deep colour and black fruit flavours
  • Buds early, susceptible to frost in spring
  • Warm climate needed to ripen eg. Burgenland
  • Thick skin , high yielding , left alone will struggle to ripen
  • When yields are managed, can prodcue full bodied age worthy wines
  • Simple or fruity with no aok to very good /outstanding wines with pronounced black fruit and spice , high tannins and prem priced
  • Best DAC are Mittelburgen land and Leithaberg DAC
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5
Q

Austria: Rielsling

A
  • Most prized variety
  • Found in Niederosterreich on warm , thin soils (needs less water )
  • Full bodied, Med abv%, High acid, can improve over 10-20 yrs where they become nutty with petrol and honey notes
  • Very good to outstadning , prem prices
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