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WSET Diploma > D3 Austria > Flashcards

D3 Austria Flashcards

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1
Q

What was bring added to some high volume export wines and discovered in 1985? Why was it being added?

A

Diethylene glycol
Antifreeze agent
To increase volume and simulate sweetness

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2
Q

What was created in 1986? Why?

A

AWMB
Austrian Wine Marketing Board
To help change the international image of Austrian Wine

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3
Q

Name of the plain, as the Alps flatten out?

A

Pannonian plain

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4
Q

Overall climate? Main influences?

A

Cool continental
With number of influences
North (Weinviertel): cool northerly winds
South (Steiermark): Adriatic Sea influence, so warmer
East (Burgenland): warmer Pannonian climate
West (like vineyards on the Danube): cooler breezes from the Alps

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5
Q

Main climatic hazards?

A

Spring frosts
Hail (Steiermark)
Occasional damage if winters get too cold
Water stress in low rainfall years in areas with thin free draining soils

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6
Q

What are the 2 major soil types? Which varieties are usually planted on each?

A

Thin soils over rock (granite or gneiss)
Riesling, because needs less water

Richer soils such as loess
Grüner Veltliner as needs more water
Will also be planted on clay where it’s present

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7
Q

What was the main training method in the 1980s? Why was it popular?

A

Lenz Moser
Vines are Cordon trained to the height of 1.2 to 1.4 m which is higher than other systems and which requires wider rows to avoid shading
Popular for high-volume production as once established it requires little maintenance and allows many Vineyard tasks to be mechanized

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8
Q

Which training method is mostly used today? Why?

A

Single or double guyot with VSP

Better suited to high-quality production

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9
Q

Where is machine harvesting more common? And hand harvesting? Why?

A

Machine harvesting more common on flatter lands in parts of Weinvertel and Burgenland

Hand harvesting in the Vineyards around the Danube such as Wachau, Kremstal and Kamptal
Vines are planted on hand built, steep stone terraces that mean all work is carried out by hand

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10
Q

What has led to 14% of all vineyards following organic practices with an additional 9% certified sustainable?

A

Disease pressure is low in many parts of Austria, because of moderate precipitation

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11
Q

How much more labor is required for vines growing on the step terraces?

A

Growers have indicated that it can take 3 to 5 times as many hours as those vines on flatter land

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12
Q

What are the maximum Yields per hectare legally capped at? What about average yields?

A

67.5 hL/Ha
49 hL/Ha

In line with Austrians modern image which is focused on creating high-quality wines rather than wines for bulk production

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13
Q

Mostly white or black grapes in Austria?

A

2/3 of all vineyards in Austria are planted with white grape varieties

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14
Q

Top five most planted grape varieties in order?

A 
Grüner Veltliner
Zweigelt
Welschriesling
Blaufränkisch
Riesling
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15
Q

Why does Grüner Veltliner require careful canopy management?

A

Because it can be vigorous if planted on fertile soil’s

In order to produce ripe grapes careful canopy management is therefore required

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16
Q

What can lead to bitterness in the wines made with grüner Veltliner?

A

It is a thick skinned variety

If you left in contact with the juice for too long, it can contribute a phenolic taste or bitterness to the wine

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17
Q

Apart from phenolics, what other important thing is found in the skins of Gruner Veltliner ?

A

Chemical compound rotundone

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18
Q

What is Zweigelt?

A

Crossing between Sankt Laurent and Blaufränkisch

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19
Q

Why is Zweigelt widely planted throughout Austria?

A

Because it is easy to ripen and it is not susceptible to Frost or Rot
It’s ripens more easily than Blaufränkisch
Can be high-yielding

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20
Q

What is essential with Zweigelt in order to produce quality grapes?

A

Leaf removal and canopy management

It is a vigorous variety

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21
Q

What type of deficiency isZweigelt prone to? What does it lead to?

A

Potassium deficiency

Can lead to withering of the grapes before they ripen, leading to lots of crops for that vintage

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22
Q

In which 2 region is Welschriesling mostly found? What style of wine?

A

Steiermark

Fresh, neutral, unoaked dry wines. High levels of acidity. Neutral aromatics.

Burgenland, around humid Neusiedlersee region
Sweet ones affected by Noble Road
Labeled as BA or TBA

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23
Q

Name 2 top DACs for Blaufränkisch.

A

Leithaberg DAC
Mittelburgenland

Both are in Burgenland

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24
Q

Why does Blaufränkisch need a warm climate?

A

It is late ripening and therefore needs a warm climate to become fully ripe

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25
What is a positive aspect of the Blaufränkisch grape which is handy for the area around Neusiedlersee?
Thick skins | Not as prone to rot us some other varieties
26
When/why can Blaufränkisch create wines with green aromas and flavours?
It can be high-yielding. If left to do so it will struggle to ripen.
27
Which black grapes variety, if the yields are managed, can produce some of Austria the most age worthy and intense red ones?
Blaufränkisch
28
Riesling represents what percentage of plantings?
4%
29
In which area is riesling mostly found? On what soils? Why?
Niederösterreich In the warmest sites on scene soil’s Because it needs less water than grüner
30
Typical steps of white wine making?
Aim is to preserve the primary fruit and varietal characteristic Many will use a short period of skin contact to maximize aromas and flavors Ferment the wine in neutral vessel Temperature control to prevent the loss of delicate and volatile aromas Grüner and riesling typically don’t go through malo Many will leave the ones on finally’s for up to six months or longer to add texture Most are fermented to dryness
31
Why do you Gruner and riesling typically not go through malolactic conversion?
Partly because it would be difficult to achieve because of the low pH of the wines Also because they want to retain the varietal character in fresh acidity
32
Typical red wine making?
Typically fermented in large open top vessels Either punch downs or pump overs Some will use ambient yeast Either stored in stainless steel or matured in old oak vessels often 300 to 600 L or larger, to help soften tannins without extracting the flavor of oak A few premium wines aged in barriques with some new oak Some producers choose Acacia vats over oak
33
What type of wood do some wine makers use instead of Oak? Why?
Acacia | Gives a small amount of oxygenation without the vanilla characters of oak
34
What does DAC stand for?
Districtus Austriae Controllatus
35
What is the PGI and PDO of Austria? What is a wine without geographic indication?
PGI Landwein PDO Qualitätswein Wein
36
What extra quality check/assurance does Qualitätswein have to go through?
I government inspection to ensure it meets the minimum quality standards Government inspection number will be stated on the label
37
What category of one mix up the majority of production?
Qualitätswein (including Prädikstswein) 90% Wein and Landwein only 10%
38
What does labeling term Klassik on a Qualitätswein mean?
Wines with a vintage declared and showing varietal character
39
What does labeling term Reserve on a Qualitätswein mean?
Dry wines with a minimum of 13% ABV, typically harvested and released later than the standard wines
40
What are TBA wines from the city of rust labeled as?
Ausbrusch
41
What is the difference between the Prädikstswein system in Austria versus Germany?
Kabinett does not fall into Prädikstswein
42
What was the amendment to the wine law legislation in 2002? What was the aim?
To create an appellation system which is aimed to promote regional typicity Only these wines are permitted to display their origin on the label Those that do not conform to the legislation have to use the larger area name on there label
43
What was the first DAC region to be validated in 2001?
Weinviertel
44
What is the potential disadvantage of the DAC system?
This may lead to a situation where new wave wines are not eligible for a DAC status even though their quality may be high (because of tasting panned assessing for regional typicity)
45
For DAC Wines, what are the terms which can be used for quality hierarchy?
Gebietswein (regional) Ortswein (village) Riedenwein (single vineyard)
46
Which requirements must be followed for one to be allowed into a DAC?
Only specific permitted grape varieties are allowed in each DAC Wines must meet the tasting panel criteria of what is deemed typical for that region
47
Name the two associations outside of the Austrian one law that classify quality and origin for Austrian wines.
Österreichische Traditionsweingüter Vinea Wachau
48
What is Österreichische Traditionsweingüter (ÖTW)?
A group of producers based in the Kamptal, Kremstal, Wagram and Vienna regions who have been classifying there vineyards in a similar fashion to burgundy based on soil type in climate. 81 vineyards were selected as Erste Lage in 2019 Dry wines from these vineyards can use a designated logo (1ÖTW) on their labels as long as the two main grape varieties of the region are used.
49
What is Vinae Wachau?
The name of a group of quality minded producers based in Wachau that have classification systems for the wines of the region
50
Name the four federal states in Austria that have viticulture.
Niederösterreich (Lower Austria) Burgenland Steiermark Wien
51
What is Austria’s largest grape growing region?
Niederösterreich
52
Main group varieties in Wachau?
Riesling and Grüner Veltliner | Never blended
53
What leads to very ripe fruit in Wachau?
Most of the vineyards are on steep terraces Best sites face south Stone terraces retain heat during the day and radiate back into the vine at night Danube River also reflects heat and sun into the terraces
54
Irrigation in a Wachau?
Often necessary Only around 460 mm of rain per year Irrigation is controlled
55
What is a disadvantage of the proximity to the Danube for the region of Wachau?
In some years, humidity from the Danube can cause noble rot formation, which may not be desired for a number of producers, because the style that is preferred is dry
56
What are the rules around Wachau DAC?
Range of varieties can be used for regional and village Wines Single Vineyard Wine’s only Gruner and Riesling are allowed All DAC ones must be harvested by hand
57
What are the three different classifications of dry white wines of Vinae Wachau?
Steinfelder (fruity, dry white, max 11.5%) Federspiel (more concentrated, dry white, 11.5-12.5%) Smaragd (highly concentrated dry wine, ripe fruit flavours, min 12.5%)
58
DAC rules for Kremstal?
Must be riesling or Gruner only | Red wines from the region are labeled as niederösterreich
59
Percentage of red wines in Kremstal? Grape variety?
25% red | Zweigelt
60
Describe the climatic influences in Kamptal. What does this lead to in the wines?
The region is subject to both warm breezes from the Pannonian plain, but also cooling air from the bohemian massif This results in a large diurnal range meaning that the wines have a high level of acidity Also means that black grapes can be ripe and successfully because of the warm breezes
61
DAC in Wagram?
There are no DAC’s
62
Topography and climate in a Wagram?
Vineyards planted both north and south of the Danube River on gently Rolling hills Strong warming influence from the Pannonian plain
63
Main grape variety in Wagram? Why?
Grüner | Loess soils
64
Which region is associated with Roter Veltliner? Style of wine?
Wagram | Local white grape variety producing full body what’s that develop nutty aromas with bottle age
65
What is the largest appellation in Austria?
Weinviertel
66
Main great variety in Weinvertel?
Grüner (half of plantings)
67
Describe the climatic influence on Gruner Veltliner in Weinvertel and what this means for the style of wine.
Cooling breezes from the north allow for a high diurnal range, meaning peppery aromatics are preserved as are high levels of acidity.
68
Which region has the most peppery grüner Veltliner?
Weinviertel
69
DAC rules in Weinvertel?
DAC ones must be made from Grüner
70
What style of one can be expected from a DAC Weinvertel Reserve Wine?
Grüner Minimum of 13% ABV Allows for some oak aging and/or the inclusion of some botrytis affected grapes which adds richness and complexity but the wines are still dry
71
Main grapes varieties in Thermenregion? Why?
50% black grapes Pinot noir Sankt Laurent Region benefits from the warm air coming from the Pannonian plain hence why black grapes can ripen consistently
72
What is the local specialty in Thermenregion?
Rotgipfler (full bodied with peach) Zierfandler (aromatic, peach, honey, spice) Or blend of the two Neuburger is most planted white
73
What is Neuburger?
Most planted white grape in Thermenregion Local white grape with subtle spicy and floral aromas
74
What is the climate in Burgenland?
One of the flattest and warmest areas in Austria | Warm air from the Pannonian plain
75
Main grape varieties in Burgenland?
Over 55% of all plantings are black grapes Blaufränkisch Zweigelt Grüner and welschriesling are most planted whites
76
Important style of wine produced from Welschriesling in Burgenland?
Botrytis | Some are outstanding in quality
77
What is the climate and topography in Neusiedlersee?
Warm and humid Warmest area in Austria Situated around the eastern shores of the large shallow lake of the same name Flat area
78
Why is Neusiedlersee a successful area for Noble Rot wines?
- The area is warm and the Vineyard land is flat - The shallow lake of the same name as the region can reach really warm temperatures during the summer months - in the autumn when the air temperature drops but the water of the lake is still warm, fog forms overnight, covering the surrounding vineyards - High humidity encourages noble rot - Warm autumn sunshine in the afternoon burns away the fog and prevents gray rot - The region has consistent noble right in every vintage
79
Why is Welschriesling planted near the lake in Neusiedlersee?
It has thin skins and is therefore prone to noble rot infections
80
Where are the black grapes varieties planted in Neusiedlersee?
Further away from the lake where the temperature is still warm but the humidity is lower.
81
Why are the TBA wines of Neusiedlersee premium priced?
The grapes are hand harvested over many weeks
82
Rules around DAC ones in Neusiedlersee?
Red ones only made from Zweigelt
83
What are the Noble Rot wines in Neusiedlersee labeled as? Why?
Burgenland Because the DAC winds are only Zweigelt
84
What are the rules around DAC for Leithaberg?
Red or white wine ``` Red must be minimum 85% Blaufränkisch Must be aged in oak Whites are also made can be a blend or single variety Weissburgunder, Chardonnay, Grüner , Neuburger ```
85
Where is Ausbrusch produced? What is it?
Liethaberg On the western shores of Neusiedlersee lake, around the town of Rust Very sweet TBA
86
What provides a much needed diurnal range in Leithaberg?
The Liethaberg hills
87
Style of wine in Mittelburgenland? Why?
Red wine Exposed to the Pannonian plain Warm climate means Blaufränkisch can easily ripen here and accounts for more than half of all plantings
88
What are the 3 DAC styles found in Mittelburgenland? Grape variety?
All must have minimum 85% Blaufränkisch DAC Typically aged in stainless steel or large oak DAC plus Vineyard designation Slightly higher minimum alcohol and typically aged in large oak or barrique DAC reserve Slightly higher alcohol, longer minimum time maturing and typically aged in large oak or barrique
89
What is the region of Steiermark also known as?
Styria
90
What are the climatic hazards in Steiermark?
Cold winters mean that winter freeze may be an issue Spring Frost and hail are problematic Netting is used to help prevent hail damage
91
Main style of one and grape varieties in the Steiermark?
Crisp dry white wines Welschriesling Sauvignon Blanc Weissburgunder
92
What are the sub region DAC in Steiermark?
Vulkanland Steiermark DAC Südsteiermark DAC Weststeiermark DAC
93
Grape variety rules for the DACs of Steiermark?
A range of grape varieties are permitted for the regional wines Local specialties (like Sauvignon Blanc) must be the focus of the village (Ostersein) and single Vineyard Wines (Reidsnweine)
94
DAC in Wien?
``` Seiner Gemischter Satz White wine Must be a blend Of which 20 different grape varieties are permitted Must be dry Must be unoaked ```
95
Style of wine in Wein?
Most Wines produced here are made to be consumed immediately in informal local premises that sell newly made wines from the current harvest
96
Where do most of the wine sales in Austria take place?
More than half of all sales of wine in Austria is sold in the hospitality sector (Heurigen)
97
What are Heurigen?
Small inns or taverns that serve simple good and local wine Many of these have outdoor spaces for eating and drinking They are most frequently open in the late summer and autumn but many operate you around
98
Percentage of production which is exported?
20%
99
Main export markets?
Germany which accounts for just under half Switzerland USA

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