Austria - WSET L3 in Wines

Question 1

What is Austria best known for in winemaking?

Answer 1

High-quality dry white wines, particularly from Grüner Veltliner and Riesling.

Question 2

What is Austria’s climate for grape growing?

Answer 2

Cool continental, with short summers, harsh winters, and less variation in annual weather patterns than northern Europe.

Question 3

Where are Austria’s vineyards located?

Answer 3

Mainly in the eastern part of the country, as the Alps cover most of the west.

Question 4

What are the four federal states producing Austrian PDO wines?

Answer 4

Niederösterreich (Lower Austria), Burgenland, Steiermark (Styria), and Wien (Vienna).

Question 5

What is the most widely planted white grape variety in Austria?

Answer 5

Grüner Veltliner.

Question 6

What are the key characteristics of Grüner Veltliner?

Answer 6

High acidity, flavors of citrus, stone fruit, white pepper, and honey with age.

Question 7

What is the second most planted white grape variety in Austria?

Answer 7

Welschriesling.

Question 8

What is Austria’s most planted black grape variety?

Answer 8

Zweigelt.

Question 9

What are the characteristics of Blaufränkisch?

Answer 9

Medium tannins, high acidity, and flavors of pepper and sour cherry.

Question 10

What is St. Laurent, and what does it resemble?

Answer 10

A black grape variety similar in character to Pinot Noir.

Question 11

What other white grape varieties are important in Austria?

Answer 11

Riesling, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Müller-Thurgau.

Question 12

Which variety is used for Austria’s best sweet wines?

Answer 12

Welschriesling.

Question 13

What are the two PDO categories in Austria?

Answer 13

Qualitätswein and DAC.

Question 14

What are the three levels of Austrian wine without PDO status?

Answer 14

Landwein, Sekt, and Wein.

Question 15

How does Austria’s Prädikatswein classification differ from Germany’s?

Answer 15

Similar system but includes two additional levels: Ausbruch and Strohwein.

Question 16

What is Strohwein?

Answer 16

Sweet wine made from grapes dried on straw mats to concentrate sugars.

Question 17

What is Ausbruch?

Answer 17

A classification between Beerenauslese and Trockenbeerenauslese.

Question 18

What is Niederösterreich known for?

Answer 18

Austria’s largest wine region, producing high-quality Grüner Veltliner and Riesling.

Question 19

What are the three most notable sub-regions of Niederösterreich?

Answer 19

Wachau, Kamptal, and Kremstal.

Question 20

What distinguishes wines from Wachau?

Answer 20

Dry wines from steep, terraced vineyards, with concentrated flavors and high acidity.

Question 21

What is the unique classification system in Wachau?

Answer 21

Steinfeder (light), Federspiel (medium-bodied), and Smaragd (rich, full-bodied).

Question 22

What is Weinviertel DAC known for?

Answer 22

Austria’s first DAC, producing light, fresh Grüner Veltliner.

Question 23

What distinguishes Burgenland wines?

Answer 23

Top-quality sweet wines and red wines from Blaufränkisch and Zweigelt.

Question 24

What makes Lake Neusiedl important for sweet wine production?

Answer 24

Autumn mists around the lake create ideal conditions for noble rot.

Question 25

What is Mittelburgenland DAC known for?

Answer 25

High-quality Blaufränkisch wines.

Question 26

What is the focus of Steiermark (Styria)?

Answer 26

Sauvignon Blanc, producing wines with high acidity and green fruit flavors.

Question 27

What is special about Wien (Vienna)?

Answer 27

The only capital city in the world with significant vineyards, known for Gemischter Satz (field blends).

Question 28

What are the typical flavors of Austrian Riesling?

Answer 28

Ripe peach, citrus, and sometimes mineral notes, with medium to full body.

Question 29

What distinguishes Austrian Grüner Veltliner from Riesling?

Answer 29

Grüner Veltliner is more peppery and often fuller-bodied.

Question 30

What is the typical style of Welschriesling?

Answer 30

Fresh and simple when dry, but capable of producing high-quality sweet wines.

Question 31

What is the style of Zweigelt wines?

Answer 31

Deeply colored, soft tannins, and flavors of bramble fruit.

Question 32

What is a key characteristic of Blaufränkisch wines?

Answer 32

High acidity, medium tannins, and peppery, sour cherry flavors.

Question 33

What are the main characteristics of St. Laurent wines?

Answer 33

Juicy red fruit, soft tannins, and often oak-aged for complexity.

Question 34

What is the significance of the Kamptal DAC?

Answer 34

Produces high-quality Grüner Veltliner and Riesling, with a focus on elegance and minerality.

Question 35

What are the main DAC regions in Niederösterreich?

Answer 35

Wachau, Kamptal, Kremstal, Traisental, Weinviertel, and Wagram.

Question 36

What are two styles of Weinviertel DAC wines?

Answer 36

Gruner Veltliner only. Klassik is light, fresh, no oak. Reserve is higher alcohol level and aged in oak.

Question 37

What are the characteristics of Steiermark Sauvignon Blanc?

Answer 37

High acidity with flavors of green apple, gooseberry, and white flowers.

Question 38

How does Lake Neusiedl influence Burgenland wines?

Answer 38

Provides humidity for noble rot in sweet wines and moderates temperatures for red wine production.

Question 39

Name white grapes used in Burgenland?

Answer 39

Pinot Blanc, Welschriesling, Gruner Veltliner, Chardonnay.

Question 40

Which are DAC for Zweigelt and Blaufrankisch in Burgenland?

Answer 40

Neusidlersee and Mittelburgenland respectively.