Climate Zones Flashcards
Which are the 4 (+1) primary climate zones of Austria?
Briefly describe them, and for which grapes and style are renowned.
(In order: 1. Geography -position-; 2. Factors; 3. Grape varieties and styles)
• Danube Region: situated around Wachau, west to Vienna, this regional district is influenced by both, the warm Continental Pannonian climate from the east, and by the cool air from the north, factors which contributes (especially in sunny Septembers) at substantial temperature-swings between day and night, and of course to an elongation of the growing season still perhaps November, and that results in the alluring charm of the wines produced there, that makes together extra concentration with vibrant freshness. The dominant expression of the Danube (in which the homonymous river flows and had carved, over countless thousands of years, deeply the region into the primordial rock of the Boehemian Massif) are Grüner Veltliner (which, thanks to the loess soil, assume a creamy texture, well melted with the characteristic regional acidity) and Riesling with firm structure (the latter, with a steely, peachy or green apple profile) . Then, also very representative are the nutty scent of the long-lived Neuburger, the intense grapey bouquet of the Muskateller, the fresh, floral delicacy of the Weissburgunder, and the piquant, honked note of the Roter Veltliner. More more often, the Danubian winegrowing regions also yield elegant and fruity red wines.
• Weinviertel: the northernmost Austrian wine region, due to its great size and clearly established boundaries (Danube region to the south, Manhartsberg to the west, and the Austrian/Czech border surrounding the north to the east) has a variety of soils and microclimate. Even if, it is the home of its benchmark style of wine: peppery, rustic Grüner Veltliner, which made the history as Austria’s very first wine of origin in the new DAC appellation system. Compared with Danubian ones, Weinviertel Grüner Veltliner are more rustic in aroma and character, although in more favourable sites, the Reserve category can shows the same density and finesse that characterise the Danubian wines. The Weinviertel’s climate promote as well the cultivation of the refreshing Welschriesling, Weissburgunder and Riesling. There is a pocket of red wine production, also, for example, around Haugsdorf.
• Pannonian Region: southeast of the Austrian capital Vienna, due to the influence of the warm Pannonian climate to the east, is responsible for a fuller, rounder, bodied wine style, especially from Carnuntum, Thermenregion, Burgenland. The Pannonian area is the flagship for Austria’s red wine production, and the full-bodied Zweigelt is dominant from Carnuntum to the Seewinkel. Analysing grape by grape, zone by zone, the velvety Sankt Laurent (with its typically Morello cherry nose) is the ideal variety for the Thermenregion. Blaufränkish is instead the varietal calling card of the established Burgenland DAC (which express a unique forest berry bouquet thanks to the partially loamy soil present there). Eisenberg to the south, starts to shows the typical Steiermark freshness. In Rosalia, thanks to the combination between climate (warm Pannonian influences) and the soil (young), produces a powerful and spicy style of Blaufränkish, whereas, a completely different profile of Blaufränkish, mineral-driven and tannin-rich is produce in Carnuntum (between the Hügelland -on the western shore of Neusiedlersee- and the Spitzerberg).
Regarding white wines, the cooler sites of the chalk-rich Leithaberg held particularly expressive, sophisticated and multilayered Weissburgunder and Chardonnay. On the Wienerwald slopes (around Gumpoldskirchen), the traditional white wine production is blooming again with the indigenous Zierfandler and Rotgipfler.
The sweet wine production is also a speciality there, particularly in Seewinkel (which with its countless lakes, is characterised by a surrounding high humidity suitable for the development of Botrytis Cinerea -noble rot-, the key factor for the production of supreme world-class Prädikats Wein) and in the renowned Ruster Ausbruch DAC (on the other side of the Nusiedler See), the flagship for that wine typology.
• Steiermark: the southernmost hilly wine region of Austria, is typical for the apotheosis freshness, smooth precision, aromatic brilliance and robust piquancy of its wines. Here, the determining factor is the temperature’s play between night and day, influenced by both the Illyrian Mediterranean climate which spires to the south, and of course by the fact that around 2/3 of the are under wine is located on the so-called “Mountain Wine Zone”. The focus of the production is white, although Steiermark is the home for the traditional Schilcher, a racy rosé from the red grape Blauer Wildbacher, terroir-wine par excellence which has earned increasing appreciation. The key white grapes (that links the are between Hartberg from the east still Deutschlandsberg to the west) are Welschriesling (apple-refreshing, fragrance and spicy), Gelber Muskateller (in a dry, grapey, “steirische” version) and Traminer (from the volcanic terroir around Klöch). Then remain Weissburgunder and Chardonnay (locally named Morillon), Pinot Gris (slightly weightier), Sauvignon Blanc (which in the recent year is considerably growing in production and appreciation, particularly if coming from the top calcareous sites embracing the steep hills of Südsteiermark, by assuming a special dimension and style).
• Bergland: even if the Austrian wine industry is concentrated in the two major winegrowing areas Weinland (the Danube area, Weinviertel and the Pannonian Area) and Steirerland (the winegrowing regions in the Steiermark, which are the Vulkanland Steiermark DAC, Weststeiermark DAC, Südsteiermark DAC), vineyards are located in the federal states of Carinthia, Upper Austria, Salzburg, Tyrol and Vorarlberg. Due to the cool climate present there, vineyards are situated in the warmer, southern slopes. The character of these wines has been influenced substantially by the Atlantic climate and the nearby Alps. However, nowadays, due to the climate change, this zone is enjoying a renaissance, particularly in Kärnten (Carinthia), where are cultivated both local, domestic grapes, as well as some internationals.
Overall, which is the climate in Austria?
Which can be the possible issues?
Cool continental climate, with a lot of influences: indeed, it is a landlocked country characterise by cool winter and hot summers, low levels of rainfall, high diurnal range, cooling northern influences and warmer eastern winds from the Pannonian Plains. More over, the Donoa and its tributary and the Lake Neusiedl contribute to mitigate the climate (moderation influence).
Drought during the harvest period, or frosts.
