Austrian - Climates

Question 1

Overall

Answer 1

There are four major climate zones (Danube Area, Weinviertel, Pannonian Area, Steiermark and the Bergland), that are salient in the character of the wines, three of these climates intersect in Vienna.

Question 2

Danube - Kamptal, Kremstal

Answer 2

From the Wachau to the west to Vienna, Grüner Veltliner and Riesling with great backbone are dominant. And they are marked by the streams of warm Pannonian air wafting across the Wagram into the side-valleys of the Danube (Strassertal, Kamptal, Kremstal, Traisental…) and finally through the narrow valley of the Wachau, carved deeply by the Danube over thousands of years into the primitive rock of the Bohemian Massif.

Danube wines are the result of the big temperature difference which occur during the day and night. These are generated especially during sunny Septembers, whose evenings are blanketed with cool air that makes its way down from the north. The alluring charm of these wines lies in the freshness of the aromas along with the high physiological ripeness resulting from the long vegetation cycle that keeps harvests going well into November.

Question 3

Pannonian Area - Burgenland

Answer 3

Southeast of the Austrian capital, Vienna, the continuous influences of the warm Pannonain climate help define the character of the wines. In contrast to other areas, a fuller, rounder body is characteristic of the wines from Carnuntum, the Thermenregion and Burgenland. The Pannonian area is where Austria shows off its prowess in red wine production - Zweigelt, Blaufränkisch and St Laurent.