WINES OF THE WORLD 🇦🇹 Austria Flashcards
Climate of Austria
Cool continental with different influences. Cool winds in the north, Adriatic in the south (warmer), Pannonian climate in the east (warmer), cool breezes from the Alps in the west. Moderate precipitation (low disease pressure).
Main sub-regions of Austria
Niederösterreich, Burgenland, Steiermark, Wien.
Type of soils in Austria
Mainly thin over rock (granite or gneiss, crystalline bedrock material) and richer (loess). Other soils include limestone and schist, as well as gravel and volcanic material.
Hazards in Austria
Spring frost. Hail in Steiermark. Winter freeze only in the coldest years. Water stress in some regions if low rainfall.
Main grape varieties of Austria
Grüner Veltliner, Zweigelt, Welschriesling, Blaufränkisch, Riesling.
Harvest for wines from Austria
Machine harvest on flatter lands (Weinviertel and Burgenland). Hand harvest where steep slopes (Wachau, Kremstal, and Kamptal).
Key winemaking operations for white wines in Austria
Possibility of skin contact to maximize the aromas. Fermentation in a neutral vessel at temperature controlled (most to dryness). No malo for Grüner Veltliner and Riesling. Winemaking for white wines is made to preserve the primary fruit and varietal characteristics.
Key winemaking operations for red wines in Austria
Fermentation in large open-top vessels (punch down or pump overs). Some producers use ambient yeast.
Key maturation practices for white wines in Austria
Ageing in old wood or stainless steel. Wine on the lees for 6+ months to add texture.
Key maturation practices for red wines in Austria
Ageing in stainless steel or old oak vessels (300-600 L). Some producers use barriques.
DAC
Districtus Austriae Controllatus system. To promote regional typicity through the wine style. Origin on the label, otherwise large area if the wine does not conform to legislation. First DAC was Weinviertel in 2003. 17 DAC winegrowing regions.
Only specific permitted grape varieties are allowed in each DAC. Rejection of the wine if it doesn’t meet the typicity of the region. No synonym of quality level but typicity (possibility to have high-quality wines). Possibility to use a quality hierarchy for regional (Gebietswein), village (Ortswein) and single-vineyard wines (Riedenwein).
Number of DACs in Austria
17
Types of wines made in Austria
Mainly dry white wines. Then sweet white wines and reds from local grape varieties. 90% Qualitätswein, 10% Wein and Landwein.
AWMB
The Austrian Wine Marketing Board was founded in 1986 to improve the international image of Austrian wine. Its founding followed the discovery of diethylene glycol use in Austrian wine.
The quality levels defined by the DAC
- Tafelwein (wine without geographic indication)
- Landwein (Protected Geographic Indication)
- Qualitätswein (Protected Denomination of Origin)
Which additional terms can be found on Austrian Qualitätswein labels
- Klassik (vintage declared and varietal character)
- Reserve (dry wine, alcohol 13+% abv, released later than standard wine)
Qualitätswein in Austria
Have to undergo a government inspection (number on the label) to ensure it meets min quality standards. Possibility to be: Klassik (vintage declared and varietal character) or Reserve (dry wine, alcohol 13+% abv, released later than standard wine).
Prädikatswein in Austria
Within Qualitätswein (levels are based on must weight at time of harvest). Kabinett is outside Prädikatswein system. The levels are Spätlese, Auslese, Beerenauslese, Eiswein and Trockenbeerenauslese (Ausbruch for TBA from Rust).
The quality hierarchy within the Austrian DAC
The system is similar to Burgundy and German wine hierarchies. It includes regional (Gebietswein), Village (Ortswein), and vineyard (Riedenwein).
Qualification of the wine into any category of the DAC hierarchy requires adherence to permitted grape varieties, submission to a quality assurance tasting, and possible vinification rules such as limits on enrichment.
Österreichische Traditionsweingüter
1992, a group of producers mainly from Kamptal, Kremstal, Wagram, and Vienna who have classified their vineyards in a similar fashion to Burgundy, based on soil type and climate. 81 vineyards as Erste Lage (dry wine) can use a designated 1ÖTW logo on their labels, and the two most traditional grape varieties from the wine region. Waiting for that this classification could be part of Austrian Wine Law.
Vinea Wachau
Group of quality-minded producers based in Wachau that have a classification system for their region.
The three classification levels defined by Vinea Wachau
- Steinfeder - fruity and dry wine, max 11.5% abv, the lightest style.
- Federspiel - more concentrated, 11.5-12.5% abv.
- Smaragd - highly concentrated, ripe fruit flavours, 12.5+% abv.
Steinfeder
Level of classification of wines from Wachau. Fruity and dry wine, max 11.5% abv, the lightest style.
Federspiel
Level of classification of wines from Wachau. More concentrated than Steinfeder, 11.5-12.5% abv.
Smaragd
Level of classification of wines from Wachau. Highly concentrated, ripe fruit flavours, 12.5+% abv.
Heurigen
Small inns or taverns in Austria that serve simple food and local wine and many of which have outdoor spaces for eating and drinking. They play an important part in domestic sales.
The three sub-regions within Niederösterreich
- North: Weinviertel.
- Along the Danube, west of Vienna: Wachau, Kremstal, Kamptal and Wagram.
- Southeast: Pannonian plain.
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.
Main grape varieties of Wachau
Riesling and Grüner Veltliner.
Blending regulations for wines from Wachau
No blending of different varieties if Riesling or Grüner Veltliner.
Where Wachau is located
Along the north bank of the Danube River.
Where Kremstal is located
Around the town of Krems and borders Wachau to the west.
Main grape varieties of Kremstal
Grüner Veltliner, Riesling. Zweigelt is also present due to the warmth offered by the Pannonian Plains.
Where Kamptal is located
Surrounds the town of Langenlois.
Climate of Kamptal
Similar to Kremstal, less humidity. Warm breezes from the Pannonian plain and cooling air from the Bohemian Massif.
Climate of Kremstal
Warmer than Wachau due to the Pannonian plan influence.
Main grape varieties of Kamptal
50% Grüner Veltliner, Zweigelt, Riesling. Small plantings of Pinot Noir.
Key maturation practices for red wines in Kamptal
Possibility to age in large oak casks for 12 months.
Location of the vineyards in Wagram
Vineyards on gently rolling hills both north and south of the Danube. Mainly loess soil.
Climate of Wagram
Warming influence from the Pannonian plain.
Main grape varieties of Wagram
Grüner Veltliner, Roter Veltliner
Types of wines made in Wagram
Mainly dry wines. Grüner Veltliner (Klassik and Reserve), then Eiswein and late harvest.
Climate of Weinviertel
Fairly dry with 400-600 m rainfall. Cooling breezes from the north allow high acidity and peppery aromatics.
Types of wines made in Weinviertel
Reserve wines have 13+% abv, some oak ageing and inclusion of some botrytis-affected grapes (dry wines).
Climate of Thermenregion
Warm air from the Pannonian plain.
Where Thermenregion is located
Close to Vienna.
Main grape varieties of Thermenregion
Pinot Noir, Sankt Laurent, Neuburger, Rotgipfler, Zierfandler.
Types of wines made in the Thermenregion
Mainly red wines from Pinot Noir and Sankt Laurent. The local speciality is wine from Rotgipfler and Zierfandler.
The three sub-regions within Burgenland
- Neusiedlersee
- Leithaberg
- Mittelburgenland
Main grape varieties of Burgenland
55% blacks, mainly Blaufränkisch and Zweigelt. Grüner Veltliner and Welschriesling.
Climate of Burgenland
One of the warmest areas in Austria, warm air from the Pannonian plain.
The topography of Burgenland
One of the flattest areas in Austria.
Types of wines made in Burgenland
Reds are made from easy drinking and fruity to full bodied and intense. Botrytised wines from Welschriesling.
Types of wines made in Neusiedlersee
TBA wines from Welschriesling. Dry reds from Zweigelt or blend of Zweigelt and Blaufränkisch (Klassik and Reserve).
Where Neusiedlersee is located
Around the eastern shores of the Neusiedlersee lake. Flat land.
Climate of Neusiedlersee
The warmest area in Austria. Humid conditions and warm autumn sunshine in the afternoon are ideal for the development of noble rot (every vintage).
Main grape varieties of Neusiedlersee
Welschriesling, Zweigelt.
Where Leithaberg is located
To the west of Neusiedlersee.
Types of wines made in Leithaberg
Large number of styles. Ausbruch (TBA).
Climate of Leithaberg
High humidity and fog on the western shores of Neusiedlersee, less humidity to the west of the lake.
Main grape varieties of Leithaberg
Blaufränkisch, Weissburgunder, Chardonnay, Grüner Veltliner, Neuburger.
Where Mittelburgenland is located
To the south of Leithaberg.
Climate of Mittelburgenland
Warm influence from the Pannonian plain.
Main grape varieties of Mittelburgenland
Blaufränkisch
Where Steiermark is located
In the south-eastern corner of Austria. Many vineyards on steep hills, terraced.
Climate of Steiermark
Cold winters. High acidity due to high diurnal range.
Hazards in Steiermark
Winter freeze, spring frost and hail.
Main grape varieties of Steiermark
Welschriesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Weissburgunder.
Main sub-regions of Steiermark
Vulkanland Steiermark DAC, Südsteiermark DAC, Weststeiermark DAC.
Types of wines made in Wien
Early drinking style.
Types of wines made in Steiermark
Crisp, dry, white wines.
Gebietswein
Quality indicating labelling term for regional wines in Austria.
Ortswein
Quality indicating labelling term for village wines in Austria.
Riedenwein
Quality indicating labelling term for single-vineyard wines in Austria.
The most famous DACs for Blaufränkisch
Leithaberg DAC and Mittelburgenland DAC.
Main training systems in Austria
Traditionally, Lenz Moser system as training method (vines are cordon trained at 1.2-1.4 m), ideal for high volume production and little maintenance. It was superseded by single or double Guyot with VSP trellising.
Lenz Moser
Training system developed by Dr Lenz Moser III in the 1920s. Vines are cordon trained at 1.2-1.4 m, ideal for high volume production and little maintenance. In addition, low cost of production due to the possibility of mechanisation.
Preferred soils for Riesling and Grüner Veltliner in Austria
Gneiss soils for Riesling and loess for Grüner Veltliner.
Grape varieties allowed for Wachau DAC
Only Riesling and Grüner Veltliner.
Types of businesses that operate in Wachau
Largely dominated by family-owned estates (F.X. Pichler and Franz Hirtzberger), but also large quality-drive cooperative (Domäne Wachau).
Grape varieties allowed for Kremstal DAC
Only Riesling and Grüner Veltliner. Reds are labelled as Niederösterreich.
Grape varieties allowed for Kamptal DAC
Only Riesling and Grüner Veltliner. Reds are labelled as Niederösterreich.
Main grape varieties of Weinviertel
Grüner Veltliner
Grape varieties allowed for Weinviertel DAC
Grüner Veltliner
The first established DAC
Weinviertel in 2003
Ruster Ausbruch DAC
DAC for TBA wines from the Rust municipality.
Mittelburgenland DAC styles
85+% Blaufränkisch
- DAC, ageing in stainless steel or large oak casks.
- DAC + vineyard, higher alcohol, ageing in large oak casks or barriques.
- DAC Reserve, higher alcohol, longer ageing in large oak casks or barriques.
Location of the vineyards in Wien
Vineyards are around and in the capital city.
Wiener Gemischter Satz DAC
DAC from Wien. White wine, blend, 20 varieties allowed, dry, unoaked.
The name of Wien’s DAC
Wiener Gemischter Satz DAC
Types of businesses that operate in Austria
Highly fragmented. Increasing number of small producers.
