Austrian - Wachau Classifications Flashcards
1
Q
Wachau Classification
A
“Vinea Wachau Nobilis Districtus” has three categories, all for dry wines:
Steinfeder (“Stone feather”—named after a grass, Stipa pennata, that grows in the vineyards): maximum 11.5% alcohol, mostly for local quaffing.
Federspiel (named after a falconry device): 11.5% to 12.5% alcohol and a minimum must weight of 17° KMW, roughly equivalent to Kabinett.
Smaragd (named after an ‘emerald’ lizard that lives in the vineyards): minimum 12.5% alcohol, with a maximum 9 g/litre residual sugar; some of the best dry whites in Austria.
