Austrian Wine Law

Question 1

What chemical was responsible for the Austrian wine scandal of 1985?

Answer 1

Diethylene Glycol (often called the Antifreeze Scandal, although antifreeze is Ethylene Glycol)

Question 2

Most cultivated white grape in Austria?

Answer 2

Gruner Veltliner (30%), followed by Müller Thurgau (25%)

Question 3

What is Morillon?

Answer 3

Chardonnay

Question 4

What is Feinburgunder?

Answer 4

Chardonnay

Question 5

Most cultivated red grape in Austria?

Answer 5

Zweigelt (14%)

Question 6

What is required for Qualitätswein?

Answer 6

From permitted grapes from a single weinbaugebiete. Must pass a tasting panel and chemical analysis, resulting in a Prüfnummber (state control number).

Question 7

What does the red and white banderole indicate?

Answer 7

Qualitätswein

Question 8

What is permitted for Wein? What category does it replace?

Answer 8

Vintage and varietal are permitted; area may not be more specific than “Österreich.”
Replaces Tafelwein as of 2009.

Varieties that imply geographic origin (ie Blaufränkisch) may not be labeled by variety.

Question 9

What are the requirements for Landwein?

Answer 9

Same varietals as Qualitätswein, but labeled by Weinbauregionen.

Question 10

What are the three Weinbauregionen of Austria?

Answer 10

Weinland (Niederösterreich, Wein, and Burgenland)
Steierland (Styria)
Bergland (scattered areas in the Alps).

Question 11

What are the regions of Bergland?

Answer 11

Vorarlberg, Tirol, Salzburg (West to East)
Oberösterreich (N of Salzburg)
Kärnten (S of Salzburg)

Question 12

Which is likely to be sweeter in profile: German Auslese or Austrian Auslese?

Answer 12

Austrian Auslese (while most Qualitätswein is dry, Prädikatswein in Austria is generally sweeter than that in Germany).

Question 13

Is Austrian Kabinett part of Prädikatswein?

Answer 13

No, it is a subset of Qualitätswein

Question 14

Which categories in Austria prevent chaptalization and süssreserve?

Answer 14

Kabinett Qualitätswein

All Prädikatswein

Question 15

What is strohwein?

Answer 15

A dried grape wine of Beerenauslese ripeness, dried for 3mos

Question 16

What is ausbruch?

Answer 16

Essentially Austrian Tokaji

Question 17

What does KMW stand for?

Answer 17

Klosterneuberger Mostwaage: the ripeness scale of Austria, in which 1º = 1% sugar content of the must

Question 18

Wein KMW

Answer 18

10.6º

Question 19

Landwein KMW

Answer 19

14º

Question 20

Qualitätswein KMW

Answer 20

15º

Question 21

Kabinett KMW

Answer 21

17º

Question 22

Spätlese KMW

Answer 22

19º

Question 23

Auslese KMW

Answer 23

21º

Question 24

Beerenauslese KMW

Answer 24

25º

Question 25

Strohwein KMW

Answer 25

25º

Question 26

Eiswein KMW

Answer 26

25º

Question 27

Ausbruch KMW

Answer 27

27º

Question 28

Trockenbeerenauslese KMW

Answer 28

30º

Question 29

What does the suffix -tal denote (for both Germany and Austria)?

Answer 29

Valley

Question 30

What does Ried indicate?

Answer 30

A top vineyard site, which can be so-labeled without listing the village (essentially an Ortsteil)

Question 31

What districts contain the Erste Lage sites elevated by Österreichischen Traditionsweingüter in 2010?

Answer 31

Kamptal, Kremstal, Wagram, and Traisental

Question 32

Which grapes are permitted to carry the Erste Lage designation?

Answer 32

Riesling

Grüner Veltliner

Question 33

What are the new tiers of quality for Austrian Sekt? When did this legislation come to pass?

Answer 33

Klassik
Reserve
Grosse Reserve
2015

Question 34

What are the requirements for Klassik Sekt?

Answer 34

Harvested in a single state; must be vinified in Austria.
Minimum 9mos on the lees; not released before Oct 22nd the year following the harvest.
All methods of fermentation, styles, and dosage levels permitted.
May be released as vintage.
Max 12.5% abv

Question 35

What are the requirements for Reserve Sekt?

Answer 35

Harvested and vinified in a single state.
Hand harvested, whole cluster press.
Traditional method, 18mos on the lees, not released before Oct 22nd the second year following the harvest.
May be released as vintage. May not label commune or village.
Must be Brut, Extra Brut, or Brut Nature.
No blending for rose.

Question 36

What are the requirements for Grosse Reserve Sekt?

Answer 36

Harvested and vinified in a single commune.
Hand harvested, whole cluster press.
Traditional method, 30mos on the lees, not released before Oct 22nd the third year following the harvest.
May be released as vintage.
May designate a vineyard.
Must be Brut, Extra Brut, or Brut Nature (max 12g/L)
No blending for rose.