Austrian Wine Law Flashcards
What chemical was responsible for the Austrian wine scandal of 1985?
Diethylene Glycol (often called the Antifreeze Scandal, although antifreeze is Ethylene Glycol)
Most cultivated white grape in Austria?
Gruner Veltliner (30%), followed by Müller Thurgau (25%)
What is Morillon?
Chardonnay
What is Feinburgunder?
Chardonnay
Most cultivated red grape in Austria?
Zweigelt (14%)
What is required for Qualitätswein?
From permitted grapes from a single weinbaugebiete. Must pass a tasting panel and chemical analysis, resulting in a Prüfnummber (state control number).
What does the red and white banderole indicate?
Qualitätswein
What is permitted for Wein? What category does it replace?
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.
What are the requirements for Landwein?
Same varietals as Qualitätswein, but labeled by Weinbauregionen.
What are the three Weinbauregionen of Austria?
Weinland (Niederösterreich, Wein, and Burgenland)
Steierland (Styria)
Bergland (scattered areas in the Alps).
What are the regions of Bergland?
Vorarlberg, Tirol, Salzburg (West to East)
Oberösterreich (N of Salzburg)
Kärnten (S of Salzburg)
Which is likely to be sweeter in profile: German Auslese or Austrian Auslese?
Austrian Auslese (while most Qualitätswein is dry, Prädikatswein in Austria is generally sweeter than that in Germany).
Is Austrian Kabinett part of Prädikatswein?
No, it is a subset of Qualitätswein
Which categories in Austria prevent chaptalization and süssreserve?
Kabinett Qualitätswein
All Prädikatswein
What is strohwein?
A dried grape wine of Beerenauslese ripeness, dried for 3mos
What is ausbruch?
Essentially Austrian Tokaji
What does KMW stand for?
Klosterneuberger Mostwaage: the ripeness scale of Austria, in which 1º = 1% sugar content of the must
Wein KMW
10.6º
Landwein KMW
14º
Qualitätswein KMW
15º
Kabinett KMW
17º
Spätlese KMW
19º
Auslese KMW
21º
Beerenauslese KMW
25º
Strohwein KMW
25º
Eiswein KMW
25º
Ausbruch KMW
27º
Trockenbeerenauslese KMW
30º
What does the suffix -tal denote (for both Germany and Austria)?
Valley
What does Ried indicate?
A top vineyard site, which can be so-labeled without listing the village (essentially an Ortsteil)
What districts contain the Erste Lage sites elevated by Österreichischen Traditionsweingüter in 2010?
Kamptal, Kremstal, Wagram, and Traisental
Which grapes are permitted to carry the Erste Lage designation?
Riesling
Grüner Veltliner
What are the new tiers of quality for Austrian Sekt? When did this legislation come to pass?
Klassik
Reserve
Grosse Reserve
2015
What are the requirements for Klassik Sekt?
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
What are the requirements for Reserve Sekt?
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.
What are the requirements for Grosse Reserve Sekt?
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.
