Austrian Wine Regions Flashcards
How many federal states are there in Austria? Which are the only to have significant viticultural production?
There are nine federal states, but only four are important for wine production.
Niederösterreich
Burgenland
Steiermark
Wien
What are the three regions within Niederösterreich?
Weinviertel in the north
The Danube river valley west of Wien comprising Kamptal, Kremstal, and Wachau
The Pannonian plain in the southeast
What plantings comprise the majority of Niederösterreich’s wine viticulture?
67% are white varieties. Gruner Veltliner accounts for nearly half of all plantings.
Where is Wachau situated in Niederösterreich?
At the western most part of the region along the Danube River. Although the region extends south of the river, most of its vineyards are on the northern side facing south.
Describe the typical vineyard site in Wachau.
Steep stone terraces facing south that ensure high sunlight interception. The stone soils radiate heat to the vine and the Danube reflects heat, ensuring ripe fruit. Sites are irrigated due to low rainfall.
What types of soils are present in Wachau? How does this affect cultivar selection?
The soils are varied. Gneiss and loess are important, as Riesling is generally planted on gneiss soils and Gruner Veltliner on Loess.
How much rainfall does Wachau experience annually?
460mm
Is noble rot a problem in Wachau?
In some vintages, yes. Some winemakers do not want to produce sweet wines.
What are the principle grapes of Wachau? What type of wines do they produce?
Riesling and Gruner Veltliner are the main grapes and are used to produce varietal wines. They are NEVER blended in Wachau.
What is the typical quality and pricing of Wachau wines?
Almost exclusively very good to outstanding with premium pricing.
True or False
Wachau is not a DAC
False. As of the 2020 vintage, all wines from Wachau are DAC classified.
Are there any DAC restrictions on residual sugar in Wachau DAC wines?
No, however Vinea Wachau requires that qualifying wines have a maximum of 6 g/L RS
What is the typical character of wines from Wachau DAC?
The character of the wine depends on the Vinea Wachau classification being produced. Steinfeder is generally lighter and less ripe than Smaragd.
What is the typical character of Steinfeder? Where in Austria does this wine come from?
Steinfeder is a dry, light bodied white wine from Wachau. It will show medium (+) to high acidity with citrus and stone fruits. It will always show no oak influence.
What is the typical character of Federspiel? Where in Austria does this wine come from?
Federspiel is a dry, medium bodied white wine from Wachau. It will show medium (+) to high acidity with citrus and stone fruits. It will always show no oak influence.
What is the typical character of Federspiel? Where in Austria does this wine come from?
Smaragd is a dry, full bodied white wine from Wachau. It will show medium (+) to high acidity with ripe tropical fruits. It will always show no oak influence.
What is the highest ABV that is typically found in Wachau white wines?
14%. Rieslings will rarely go over this but Gruner Velitliner may exceed it in hit vintages.
Are the wines of Wachau age worthy?
Yes, the most outstanding examples typically in the Smaragd category.
What types of wine producers dominate winemaking in Wachau?
Family owned estates, though Domäne Wachau is a large quality driven cooperative.
Where is Kremstal situated in Austria?
Around the town of Krems, between Wachau DAC and Kamptal DAC along the Krems River
How does the weather in Kremstal compare to Wachau?
Kremstal is warmer than Wachau as it is closer to the Pannonian Plains
Beyond the Syllabus
What is the Pannonian Basin? Where is it located?
The Pannonian Basin, aka Pannonian Plains, is a large area formed by an ancient sea comprising rolling hills and relatively flat land. The soil comprises sedimentary deposits left during the Pilocene era. Its general boundaries are Wien (Vienna), Austria in the northwest, Košice, Slovakia in the northeast, Satu Mare, Romania in the east, Novi Sad, Serbia in the south, and Zagreb, Croatia in the southwest.
Where in Austria can parts of the Pannonian Plains be found?
South of Wien and almost all of Burgenland
What grapes are cultivated in Kremstal?
Gruner Veltliner, Riesling, and some Weissburgunder
Zweigelt is also present due to the warmth offered by the Pannonian Plains
What grapes are approved for Kremstal DAC wines?
Gruner Veltliner
Riesling
Where in Kremstal are you most likely to find Zweigelt plantings?
In the southern part of the denomination, located south of the Danube river
What percentage of plantings in Kremstal are white varieties? Black varieties?
75% white, 25% black
How is red wine from Kremstal DAC labeled?
As Niederösterrech. The only permitted varieties to be labeled as Kremstal DAC are Gruner Veltliner and Riesling.
What is the style of Kremstal DAC wines?
Still, dry, and white made from Gruner Veltliner or Riesling with medium (+) to high acidity. They can be medium to full bodied depending on the site.
What is the quality and pricing of Kremstal DAC wines?
Good to outstanding
Mid to premium
What is the typical character of Niederösterreich red wines from Kremstal?
Dry Medium (+) to high acidity Medium tannins Medium body Aromas of red and black fruit
Are the red wines of Kremstal typically oaked?
These wines have minimal oak influence and are built in a fruity, easy drinking style
What is the quality and pricing of Niederösterreich red wines from Kremstal?
Very good
Mid priced
Where is Kamptal situated?
Northeast of Kremstal along the border of Weinviertel and Wien. It surrounds the town of Langenlois and the Kamp river runs north through it.
What varieties are planted in Kamptal?
Grüner Veltliner comprises 50% of plantings.
Zweigelt is the second most planted variety with Riesling in third. Blauburgunder (P. Noir) is seeing increased plantings.
What varieties are permitted in Kamptal DAC?
Grüner Veltliner and Riesling
How must the Zweigelt wines of Kamptal be labelled?
Niederösterreich
What climatic influences can be found in Kamptal?
Warm breezes from the Pannonian Plains to the southeast
Cooling air from the Bohemian Massif to the north
What is the effect of the various climatic influences on Kamptal DAC?
Due to the warm Pannonian air and the cool air from the Bohemian Massif, there is a large diurnal range that ensures high acidity and ripeness.
Black varieties are also able to be planted due to the Pannonian influence.
What is the typical quality and pricing of Kamptal DAC wines?
Very good to outstanding
Premium
What is the typical style and quality of Niederösterreich red wines from Kamptal?
Easy drinking and fruity of good quality
Some producers are using large oak casks for 12 months of maturation before bottling. These wines are typically more complex, of very good quality, and higher priced.
Where is Wagram situated?
On the north and south sides of the Danube, south of Wagram and Weinviertel and northeast of Wien.
What is the geology and climate of Wagram?
Gentle rolling hills with loess soils and a warming influence from the nearby Pannonian plains.
What grapes are cultivated in Wagram? Why?
Grüner Veltliner is dominant as it benefits from the loess soils.
Roter Veltliner is also widely planted
What is Roter Veltliner?
A grape variety local to Wagram. It has no relation to Grüner Veltliner.
It produces full bodied white wines that develop nutty aromas with age.
What varities are permitted in Wagram DAC?
There is no DAC in Wagram.
What is the typical style of Wagram white wines?
Grüner Veltliner is made in either Klassik or Reserve style. Most wines are dry with medium body and high acid.
Some Eiswein and later harvest styles are available.
What is the typical quality and pricing of Wagram white wines?
Good to very good
Mid to premium
Where is Weinviertel situated?
North of Wien, reaching from the Danube to the Czech border in the north.
It is the largest winegrowing region in Austria.
What is the most planted variety in Weinviertel?
Grüner Veltliner
How can we generally describe the climate of Weinviertel?
A fairly dry region with 400-600mm of rainfall per year. It receives cooling influences from the north that provide a high diurnal range.
What effect does the northerly cooling influence in Weinviertel have on Grüner Veltliner wines?
It ensures high acidity and offers the wines a peppery aromatic
What varieties are permitted in Weinviertel DAC?
Grüner Veltliner
What are the requirements for Weinviertel DAC Reserve wines?
100% Grüner Veltliner with a minimum 13% ABV. The wines must be dry but may permit some botrytized aromatics and oak aging.
What is the typical character of Weinviertel DAC wines?
Dry (max 6 g/L RS for non Reserve wines)
Medium to medium (+) body
High acidity
Citrus, green fruit, and peppery aromatics. These are typically the most peppery wines in Austria.
What is the typical quality and pricing of Weinviertel DAC wines?
Good to very good
Inexpensive to premium
Where is Thermenregion located?
South of Wien, west of Carnuntum DAC and Leithaberg DAC along the eastern edge of the Calcareous Alps
What grapes are grown in Thermenregion?
Black grapes account for almost 50% of all plantings.
Principle varieties (in no order) are Zierfandler, Rotgipfler, Neuberger, Sankt Laurent, and Pinot Noir
Are the red wines of Thermenregion successful? Why or why not?
Yes. The area receives considerable influence from the Pannonian plains to in the western most parts of its area. Black grapes are able to ripen sufficiently for good quality wines.
What grapes are permitted in Thermenregion DAC wines?
Thermenregion has no DAC.
What grapes are typically used to make high quality red wines in Thermenregion? What is their typical character?
Sankt Laurent and Pinot Noir
The wines are usually dry with high acid, red fruit and spicy oak aromas, and the ability to age.
What is the typical quality and pricing of Thermenregion red wines?
Good to very good
Mid priced
What is the most planted white grape in Thermenregion?
Neuberger, though plantings are falling dramatically due to its susceptibility to disease and the character of the wine compared to Grüner Veltliner.
What is the typical character of Thermenregion Neuberger?
Dry, white wine with full body and subtle spicy, floral aromas. These wines can sometimes be of excellent quality but are fairly neutral.
What is the white wine specialty of Thermenregion?
Varietal wines made from Rotgipfler or Zierfandler, and blends of the two
What is the character of Thermenregion Rotgipfler?
Dry, full bodied white wine with peach aromas
What is the typical character of Thermenregion Zierfandler?
Dry white with with pronounced peach, honey, and spice aromas
What is Burgenland?
A large area in the western part of Austria along the border with Hungary. It is some of the flattest viticultural area in the country and benefits greatly from warm Pannonian air.
What varieties are most cultivated in Burgenland? What types of wines are made there?
Black varieties (primarily Blaufränkisch and Zweigelt) comprise 55% of plantings in Burgenland. Grüner Veltliner and Welschriesling are the important white varieties.
White wines in both dry and sweet styles, as well as red wines ranging from easy drinking to intense and full bodied.
What is the quality of Grüner Veltliner wines from Burgenland compared to Niederösterreich?
Typically not as good due to the warmer weather found in Burgenland.
What role does Welschriesling play in Burgenland?
It is a major component in the sweet wines of the region, especially in TBA wines which can be of outstanding quality.
Where is Neusiedlersee located? What is its geography?
It is situated on the eastern edge of the Neusiedlersee, a large shallow lake at the northern most part of Burgenland. It is the flattest area in Austria with marshes and ponds near the lake.
What is the climate in Neusiedlersee compared to other Austrian wine regions?
It is the warmest region in Austria. The lake itself can reach temperatures of 30°C during the highest summer temperatures.
What is the most prized style of wine from Neusiedlersee? In which part of the region are they grown?
Sweet, very good to outstanding TBA wines made from Welschriesling or a blend of white grapes.
The grapes are typically grown near the lake, sometimes on or near the marshy soils found there, as fogs regularly form in the autumn and promotes the development of botrytis in every vintage.
What conditions in Neusiedlersee ensure that TBA style wines can be made in every vintage?
Regular fog development along the edges of the lake ensure mold develops on the thin skin Welschriesling.
Warm afternoon temperatures and sunlight burn the fog away and prevent the development of grey rot.
What grapes are permitted in Neusiedlersee DAC?
Zweigelt
For Neusiedlersee Reserve, Zweigelt may be no less than 60% of a blend that can include Sankt Laurent, Pinot Noir, and/or Blaufränkisch.
What is the typical character of Neusiedlersee DAC wines?
Dry red wines with medium acidity, medium to full body, and cherry aromas. Reserve wines will see some oak influence while Klassik wines will not.
What is the typical quality and pricing of Neusiedlersee DAC wines?
Good to very good
Mid to premium
Where is Leithaberg located?
West of Neusiedlersee (the lake and the region) centered around the Free City of Rust.
What types of wines are made in Leithaberg?
A wide range of styles from dry to sweet, white to red.
True or False
TBA wines are not common in Leithaberg
False. Leithaberg is known for Ruster Ausbruch, a trockenbeerenauslese traditional to the region.
Humidity, however, is actually lower here than on the eastern side of Neusiedlersee (in the region of the same name)
What varieties are more commonly planted in Leithaberg than in Neusiedlersee?
Black varieties, especially Blaufränkisch which comprises 20% of all plantings
What geographic feature of Leithaberg helps to ensure high levels of acidity in the grapes?
The Leithaberg hills
What percentage of plantings in Leithaberg is comprised of Blaufränkisch?
20%
What wines are permitted under Leithaberg DAC?
Dry white and red wines
What are the requirements for red Leithaberg DAC wines?
85% (min) Blaufränkisch and must be aged in oak barrels for 6 months (min). The wine can have no more than 2.5 g/L RS.
What are the requirements for white Leithaberg DAC wines?
Can be a varietal wine or blend of Weissburgunder, Chardonnay, Neuberger, and/or Grüner Veltliner. The wine must be dry.
What is the typical character of red Leithaberg DAC wine?
Medium (+) to high acid
Medium (+) to full body
What is the typical quality and pricing of red Leithaberg DAC wines?
Very good to outstanding
Premium
What is the typical level of acidity in white Leithaberg DAC wines?
It depends on the varieties used, but generally ranges from Medium (-) to Medium (+)
What is the general quality and pricing of white Leithaberg DAC wines?
Very good
Mid to premium
Where is Mittelbugenland located? What is its geographic location in regards to the Pannonian plain?
It is south of Leithaberg with open exposure to the Pannonian plain
What is the most planted variety in Mittelburgenland?
Blaufränkisch (50% of plantings)
What types of wines are made in Mittelburgenland DAC?
Varietal Blaufränkisch red wines made in three styles
DAC: 12.5-13% ABV, matured in stainless steel, large neutral oak, or small used barrels
DAC with vineyard designation: 13-13.5% ABV, matured in large neutral oak or small used barrels
DAC Reserve: minimum 13% ABV, matured in large oak or small barrels
What are the principle differences among the levels of Mittelburgenland DAC?
ABV range
Maturation times (Vineyard Designation and Reserve wines require longer maturation)
Maturation vessel (only Reserve wines may use newer oak)
What is the typical character of Mittelburgenland DAC wines?
Dry red wine
Fruit driven, spicy, full bodied. DAC Reserve may present oak aromas and pronounced primary notes.
What is the typical quality and pricing of Mittelburgenland DAC wines?
Good to very good and mid priced for DAC wines
Very good to outstanding and premium priced for DAC Reserve wines
Where is Steiermark located?
In the southeast corner of Austria on the border of Slovenia.
True or False
Many vineyards in Steiermark are situated on steep hills and terraces
True
True or False
Winter freeze, spring frost, and hail are all issues in Steiermark
True. Netting is used in Steiermark to prevent hail damage to vines.
What types of wine is Steiermark known for?
Dry, crisp white wines
What are the most planted white varieties in Steiermark?
Welschriesling
Sauvignon Blanc
Weissburgunder
What is the typical style of wines made in Steiermark?
Dry white wines with high acidity intended for early drinking.
What is the typical quality and pricing of Steiermark wines?
Good to very good
Mid priced
What is the system of origins in Steiermark? How does this affect the DAC system?
The “System of Origins” is a quality level system that affects which varieties can be used in the various DAC levels available to Steiermark regions. Hand harvesting is required at all levels, though maturation differs based on quality level.
What are the quality levels of the Steiermark system of origins?
Gebietsweine (Regional Wine)
Ortsweine (Village Wine)
Riedenweine (Single Vineyard Wine)
What are the three DAC areas within Steiermark?
Vulkanland Steiermark
Süd-Steiermark
Weststeiermark
In which part of the Steiermark system of origins is Sauvignon Blanc allowed to be released as a DAC wine?
In either Ortsweine or Riedenweine. Sauvignon Blanc wines are considered a local specialty.
Where are the vines grown in the state of Wien located?
Around and within the city of Wien (Vienna)
What is the typical style of wine made in Wien?
Dry white wines typically meant for early consumption and sold from the town’s Heurigen.
Are there any DAC wines made in Wien?
Wiener Gemischter Satz is an unoaked white wine that must be a blend (20 varieties are permitted)
Regional DAC wines must be dry though single vineyard wines do not need to be.
