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
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
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
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
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