C23 - Austria (reviewed) Flashcards

1
Q

Where in Austria is the grape-growing area?

A

The eastern part

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2
Q

Describe the climate of eastern Austria

A
  • Cool continental
  • Short summers and very harsh winters
  • Cooling northerly winds in the north
  • Warming easterly winds near the Hungarian border
  • Less variation in weather than in northern Europe
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3
Q

What is the most widely planted variety in Austria? Dicuss

A

Grüner Veltliner

At high yields: Fresh but unexciting

Grown with care:

  • Full-bodied
  • Concentrated
  • High acidity
  • In youth; citrus or stone fruit with some hints of white pepper
  • With age; honey and toast

Majority is fermented and matured in stainless steel, but old oak casks are common

Some maturation may occur in new oak barriques

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4
Q

What is the second most planted white variety in Austria? Discuss

A
  • Welschriesling
  • Fresh but simple, displaying citrus and green apple flavours
  • High acidity
  • Well suited for botrytised dessert wines
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5
Q

What is the third most widely planted white variety in Austria? Discuss

A

Riesling

Best examples from: Wachau, Kamptal and Kremstal

Dry Medium to full-bodied

Ripe, peachy primary fruit

Best examples can bottle-age

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6
Q

What are the ‘other’ white varieties of Austria?

A
  • Chardonnay
  • Müller Thurgau
  • Sauvignon Blanc - growing in reputation
  • Steiermark (a southern region) - growing in reputation
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7
Q

What is the most widely planted black variety in Austria?

A

Zweigelt

  • Cross between Blaufränkisch x St Laurent
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8
Q

Discuss Blaufränkisch

A

Deeply coloured, soft tannins, flavours of bramble fruit

Most highly regarded of the Austrian black varieties

Wine: Medium tannin, High acidity, Peppery, sour cherry flavour

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9
Q

Discuss St Laurent

A

Austrian speciality grape with wines similar to Pinot Noir in character

Usage of oak is common

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10
Q

What red wine movement is taking place in Austria?

A

Local varieties are being blended with international varieties such as Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot

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11
Q

What are the four federal states of production for PDO wines?

A

Niederösterreich (Lower Austria)

Burgenland

Steiermark (Styria)

Wien (Vienna)

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12
Q

In which states of Austria is the vast majority of production?

A

Niederösterreich and Burgenland

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13
Q

Discuss Niederösterreich

A

Largest of Austrian regions for production and exports

Majority of plantings are on the banks of the Danube and further north towards the Slovak border

Eight sub-regions - most famous

  • Wachau
  • Weinviertel DAC
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14
Q

Discuss Wachau

A
  • Most renowned for high quality dry wines made from Riesling or Grüner Veltliner
  • has chose not to be a DAC and uses its own classification
  • Vineyards on steep terraced south facing, next to the Danube
  • Kamptal DAC Kremstal DAC lie north of Wachau and prodiuce wines in sumilar style/quality from Riesling or Grüner Veltliner
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15
Q

Discuss Weinviertel DAC

A

Largest vine-growing area of Austria

First Austrian DAC

Grüner Veltliner only

Two levels

  • Klassik - Light, fresh and fruity No discernible oak
  • Reserve - Higher min alcohol than Klassik, can be matured in oak
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16
Q

Discuss Burgenland

A

Located to the east of Austria along the border with Hungary

Known for top quality sweet wines and Red wines

Dry whites also made from Pinot Blanc, Welschriesling, Grüner Veltliner and Chardonnay

Key area for sweet wine production around Neusiedlersee

  • A vast shallow lake in the north of Burgenland
  • Sweet wine production on low-lying ground near the lake
  • To benefit from autumn mists that come in from the lake and the wetland regions on its margins ⇒ promotes noble rot
  • Welschriesling most used grapes for sweet wine
  • Botrytis is almost guaranteed every year

Best Austrian red wines come from higher ground away from Neusiedlersee and in the hills further south

  • Most planted: Zweigelt
  • Others: Blaufränkisch, St Laurent, Pinot, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon
17
Q

Discuss Austrian wine law

A

PGI wines labelled Landwein

GI: Wein

PDO:

  • 20 (four states and 16 smaller areas)
  • Satus: Qualitätswein or Districtus Austriae Controllatus (DAC)

Qualitätswein

  • 11 (the four federal states and seven of the smaller areas)
  • can be made in any style
  • can be labelled with Prädikat level (as in Germany)
  • Same as in Germany, but with two more; Ausbruch (between BA and TBA) and Strohwein/Schilfwein
  • Strohwein/Schilfwein - grapes dried on straw beds during the winter, to concentrate sugars

Districtus Austriae Controllatus (DAC)

  • Wine producers in a region must agree on grape varieties, a style of wine and a set of regulations to go with it to get DAC
  • Outside of DAC, wine labelled with only the name of the relevant federal-state