Austria Flashcards
What happened in Austria in 1985?
Austria’s industry was marked by the 1985 “antifreeze” scandal. Though the practice of sweetening wines with diethylene glycol, or DEG, hardly represented the majority of Austrian winemakers, all were implicated. Impressively, the industry banded together over the following years and developed stricter regulations and practices. Today, Austria has not only redeemed its reputation, but its wine industry is recognized for a proportionately high level of quality and rigorous standards.
Who were the first to settle in Austria and when?
Late Bronze Age through the early Iron Age (1200–500 BCE), among the earliest of Celtic peoples, was first to significantly settle this area, landing just southeast of what is today Salzburg
Who were responsible for significantly expanding viticulture?
Romans were responsible for significantly expanding viticulture from 15 BCE though the fifth century CE
Who played a pivotal role in terms of viticulture and winemaking in Austria during the Middle Ages?
During this time, many monasteries populated Krems, Vienna, Styria, and Burgenland. Krems, then the largest town in Wachau, was home to 16 monasteries by the end of the 12th century. The Cistercians had a tremendous impact on wine quality, bringing grapegrowing and winemaking knowledge from Burgundy.
Which Austrian wine was famous during the 16th century late Middle Ages?
In Burgenland, the free city of Rust was also gaining popularity among royals both near and afar for its distinctive Ruster Ausbruch, a sweet botrytized dessert wine that was made in a style similar to Tokaji.
Who was influencial in terms of viticulture after the WW2?
Lenz Moser, born into a family of winemakers, would come to play a primary role in the improvement of Austrian viticulture, particularly for his introduction of high-stake training
After the scandal Austria developed strict laws and regulations when?
Winemakers quickly set out to improve their image by establishing some of the strictest regulations in Europe through the Austrian Wine Act of 1986
Which are the countries that border Austria?
It shares borders with seven other countries: Switzerland (and Liechtenstein) on its western edge, the Czech Republic to the north, Slovakia to the northeast, Hungary to the east, and Slovenia to the south
Which are the federal states of Austria?
Austria contains nine federal states. Together, Lower Austria (Niederösterreich in German), Burgenland, and Vienna (Wien) compose one large winemaking region known as Weinland. A second region, Steirerland, includes the federal state of Styria (Steiermark). Weinland and Steirerland collectively contain 17 of Austria’s 18 winemaking regions. The final growing area is Bergland, which comprises vineyards found in the five remaining federal states: Carinthia (Kärnten), Upper Austria (Oberösterreich), Tyrol (Tirol), Vorarlberg, and Salzburg. While these states don’t have any DACs, they have a long winemaking tradition and are beginning to experience a kind of renaissance
Define the soils of Lower Austria
The northern massif hills of the Bohemian Forest form a natural border with the Czech Republic and contain the oldest rock formations in Austria, dating back over 500 million years. Together, these geological features are responsible for some of the most diverse soils in all of Central Europe. Granite and sedimentary silty windblown loess characterize the soils of Lower Austria that are most often discussed, but millennia of tectonic and glacial activity produced a complex range of types and sizes, including schistose paragneiss, amphibolite, and granulite soils.
Define the soils of Burgenland and Styria
Many of Burgenland’s soils are informed by Danubian deposits of calcareous sandy gravels. There are also pockets of silty loam and non-calcareous clays throughout Central Burgenland, while Leithaberg is home to a unique limestone composed of sea fossils as well as schist and gneiss. The Styria Basin forms the patchwork of soils in the south, influenced by several distinct mountain ranges. It includes silt, marl, sand, gravel, sandstone, conglomerates, gneiss, amphibolite, and limestone, with a small amount of volcanic basalts.
Generally, there are two major soil types; thin soils over rock (granite or gneiss, crystalline bedrock material known locally as Urgestein) and richer soils such as loess.
Other soil types include limestone and schist (such as on
the Leithaberg hills) as well as gravel and volcanic material (such as in Steiermark and parts of
Kamptal).
Danube is Europe’s longest river and flows to?
second longest and flows in the Black Sea
Define the climate of Austria
Lower Austria’s climate is affected by various mesoclimates. In addition to the Danube River’s warming effect on its nearby wine regions, Lower Austria experiences considerable shifts in temperature during the growing season.
Burgenland is significantly affected by the warm Pannonian climate. The growing season can get quite hot, allowing for robust red wines.
Uniquely, Styria has a Mediterranean influence from the Adriatic in the south, causing longer, warmer days than experienced by its northern counterparts. The nights, though, feel more alpine and cool in the steeply planted vineyards.
Rainfall levels in Austria?
Lower Austria is the driest region, with roughly 450 to 550 millimeters of rainfall per year
Further east, in Vienna, the average is closer to 700 millimeters annually, while Burgenland has about 600 millimeters and Styria nearly 900
When did Austria join the EU?
1995
When was Districtus Austriae Controllatus (DAC) established?
Approved in 2002, with Weinviertel named the first DAC region in 2003. Austria has 18 DACs, with 15 throughout Weinland, and 3 in Steirerland
Austrian wine law identifies three levels of quality
Wein, Landwein, and Qualitätswein
Qualitätswein represents how much of the total production?
About 85%
Landwein’s regulations?
Landwein is equivalent to the EU’s Protected Geographical Indication (PGI). These wines must be produced from grape varieties that are approved for Qualitätswein, and 100% of the grapes must come solely from one of the three winegrowing areas: Weinland, Steirerland, or Bergland.
Qualitätswein’s regulations?
Qualitätswein, which makes up 84% of production, corresponds with the EU’s Protected Designation of Origin (PDO). To qualify, grapes must be harvested in a single winegrowing region and produced in a facility within or bordering that region. There are 40 approved varieties, and wines must show typicity of region, meet the minimum must weight requirement of 15 degrees KMW, adhere to maximum yields of 65.7 hectoliters per hectare, and have a minimum 9% ABV (5% for Prädikatswein). Qualitätswein must be inspected and approved by a government tasting official and given a Federal Inspection Number. This number, along with the banderole capsule, verifies strict measures of quality.
Which are the four overarching designations that can be labeled as Qualitätswein?
Kabinett, DAC wines, Prädikatswein (which has its own style categories), and Sekt Austria g.U. All build upon the basic rules laid out for Qualitätswein.
DACs must adhere to the rules established by the protected region, which typically reflect stricter guidelines for viticulture, accepted grapes, winemaking, and labels.
DAC wines can be labelled as?
klassik and reserve. The former is an unofficial term that refers to dry, unchaptalized, medium-bodied styles that are often crisp, fruity, unoaked, and moderate in alcohol. Conversely, the latter is an official term given to fuller styles; it requires higher must weight and minimum alcohol (13%). DAC Reserve wines often exhibit more extract on the palate and frequently experience oak aging.
Name the categories of Prädikatswein which is included in Qualitätswein
Spätlese, Auslese, Beerenauslese, Eiswein, Strohwein (Schilfwein),Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA) and Ausbruch
Austrian sparkling wine can be traced back to ?
1842, when Robert Alwin Schlumberger came to Vienna after working as Ruinart’s cellar master and head of production. His expertise at one of the finest Champagne houses of the era gave him confidence in Austria’s potential—and particularly in Vöslau, just south of Vienna. In chalky white soils that reminded him of France, he began to plant vines in 1844. By 1859, the first Austrian sparkling wine brand was born. Called Goldeck, it was named after the Goldeggen Vineyard and remains one of the largest sparkling wine brands in Austria, today owned by the Schlumberger Wine and Sekt Company.
When was the Austrian Sekt Committee formed?
In 2013, the Austrian Sekt Committee formed to enhance the image of Sekt and work for more organization to differentiate high-quality sparkling
In 2022, three distinct Sekt Austria PDOs representing different quality levels were established
Sekt Austria g.U., Sekt Austria Reserve g.U., and Sekt Austria Grosse Reserve g.U.
Austrian Sekt regulations?
No PDO
Produced from the 40 grape varieties permissible for Qualitätswein
“Austrian Sekt” allowed on label if grapes or base wine comes from Austria
“Produced in Austria” allowed on label if production takes place in Austria
Sekt Austria PDO g.U. regulations?
All sparkling methods, dosage levels, styles, and colors permitted
Minimum nine months on the lees for traditional method or six months in the case of tank method
Grapes must be harvested within a single state
Sekt Austria Reserve PDO g.U. regulations?
Hand-harvested and whole-cluster pressed
Grapes must be grown and pressed within a single state that must appear on the label
Only traditional method
Minimum 18 months on the lees
Maximum Press Yield of 60%
Village source may be stated on the label
Maximum dosage 12 g/l
Sekt Austria Grosse Reserve PDO g.U. regulations?
Hand-harvested and whole-cluster pressed
Grapes must be grown and pressed within a single village that must appear on the label
Same methods, dosage levels permitted as for Reserve
Minimum 36 months on the lees
Vineyard source allowed on the label
Maximum Press Yield of 50%
Grapes used for Sekt, where is produced mainly and how much they represent of the total production?
Grüner Veltliner and Welschriesling are the preferred varieties, but Riesling, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir are also utilized.
Nearly 75% of the fruit is grown in Lower Austria, particularly the northern part of the Weinviertel, and Vienna, with just under 20% from Burgenland. Over half of production takes place in Vienna.
Sparkling wine represents about 5% of Austria’s production
Name some top producers for Sekt
Hugl Weine, Weingut Steininger, Weingut Bründlmayer, Weingut Schloss Gobelsburg, and Weingut Stift Klosterneuburg (the abbey’s estate production).
Field blends in Austria are called?
Gemischter Satz
For DAC status, the grapes must be grown within a contiguous vineyard site, with each variety confined to its own area. Nevertheless, Gemischter Satz is regaining importance throughout Lower Austria and was recently acknowledged as a permitted style for regional Wachau DAC wines.
Which grape is Traminer?
Savagnin
Which are the most planted white grape varieties of Austria?
Gruner Veltliner
Welschriesling
Riesling (Weisser Riesling, Rheinriesling)
Weissburgunder (Klevner, Pinot Blanc)
Müller-Thurgau
Chardonnay (Morillon)
Sauvignon Blanc
Other Varieties: Additional white grapes in Austria include Rotgipfler, Sämling 88 (Scheurebe), Neuburger, Traminer, and Muskateller (Gelber Muskateller, Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains).
Who created Müller-Thurgau and when?
Müller-Thurgau was created by Hermann Müller in 1882 at the Geisenheim Research Institute in the Rheingau. His original intent was to cross Riesling with Sylvaner for the latter’s early-ripening tendencies. Recent DNA studies have revealed, however, that Müller-Thurgau has no relation to Sylvaner. Rather, it is a cross between Riesling and Chasselas de Courtillier (Madeleine Royale)
Name the two styles of Sauvignon Blanc in Austria
klassik and lagen. Unoaked, zippy klassik versions are grassy and youthful, with a mouthwatering acidity. Lagen (site-specific) wines are more ageworthy and often experience barrel aging as well as partial or full malolactic fermentation. Lagen wines offer more texture and nuanced aromatics
Name the most planted red grapes of Austria
Zweigelt
Blaufränkisch
Blauer Portugieser
Blauburger
St. Laurent (Sankt Laurent)
Other Varieties: Austria’s other red grapes include Merlot, Blauburgunder, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Blauer Wildbacher
Zweigelt is a crossing of?
Blaufränkisch and St. Laurent produced by Fritz Zweigelt at the research center at Klosterneuburg in 1922 and originally called Rotburger
Blaufränkisch is a crossing of?
Gouais Blanc with Zimmettraube
What does Fränkisch means?
Fränkisch is a term for high-quality grapes that dates back to the Middle Ages
Where is Blaufränkisch produced?
Blaufränkisch varies in its expressions, as Burgenland offers a plethora of mesoclimates and soils. Some of the most complex, site-specific examples arguably come from the limestone and schist hills of the Leithaberg DAC. In more recent years, the Eisenberg DAC has been offering equally impressive examples, where leaner, mineral-driven expressions are attributed to the iron-rich soils. Still, in Mittelburgenland DAC, producers such as Velich, Weninger, and Moric have shown that their Blaufränkisch can rival the best in the market.
Early to bud and late to ripen, Blaufränkisch needs warm sites and soils to reach its fullest potential. It thrives in Burgenland, the warmest region in Austria, where all but 150 hectares are planted.
Blauburger is a crossing of?
Blauer Portugieser and Blaufränkisch created in 1923 by Fritz Zweigelt
St. Laurent is mainly found in?
Thermenregion
Name the 8 DACs of Niederösterreich
Wachau, Kremstal, Kamptal, Wagram, Weinviertel, Thermenregion, Traisental, and Carnuntum.
Name 6 DACs of Burgenland
Neusiedlersee
Leithaberg
Rosalia
Mittleburgenland
Eisenberg
Name the 3 DACs of Styria
Südsteiermark
Vulkanland Styria
Weststeiermark
Wachau referred only to the area from the villages of?
Spitz, Weissenkirchen; Dürnstein, Loiben, and Mautern
Wachau’s three-tier hierarchical system?
At the base of the system are regional wines called Gebietsweine (allowing 17 grapes including Gemischter Satz blends; they can be presented as monovarietal wines or blends and often represent a youthful, crisp style)
Ortswein, must be produced in a recognized village (there are 23), with a more focused selection of permissible grapes including Grüner Veltliner, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Weissburgunder, Neuburger, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Muskateller, and Traminer.
Riedenwein, or single-vineyard wines, and can only be made from Grüner Veltliner and Riesling grown in 1 of 157 exceptional named vineyards.
What is Vinea Wachau?
Vinea Wachau, a regional protection association formed in 1983, and classify their wines using the stylistic categories of Steinfeder, Federspiel, and Smaragd in addition to, or instead of, applying DAC on the label
It has 200 members and represents 90% of Wachau’s production
Regulations of Vinea Wachau’s tier system?
The lightest style is Steinfeder, named for the long wispy grasses that can be found near vineyards. Typically fermented in stainless steel, Steinfeder wines are fruity and youthful, with a maximum of 11.5% alcohol and must weight of at least 15 degrees KMW.
Federspiel, a name that references bait used to lure falcons to the falconer’s glove, replaced Kabinett wines. These wines have more pronounced varietal character yet still possess a youthful, fruit-driven style, as they too are commonly fermented in stainless steel. Federspiel requires alcohol levels between 11.5 and 12.5% and a minimum must weight of 17 degrees KMW.
The final category, known as Smaragd and named for the sun-bathing lizards often found on stones throughout the region, was not introduced until 1986 and replaced dry wines of Spätlese ripeness. These wines come from the warmest and, arguably, best sites and tend to be long lived, powerful, and concentrated. Grapes for Smaragd are last to be harvested and may show signs of botrytis, with more honeyed and mushroom-like aromas, also resulting in a deeper golden hue in the glass. While the wines must reach a minimum of 12.5% ABV (with a minimum must weight of 18.2 degrees KMW), many can achieve over 14% alcohol in warm years.
No new oak in any category
for dry white wine (less than 9g/L residual sugar)
Riesling and Gruner Veltliner
Producers in Wachau mature their wines in?
Stockinger barrels made from wood from the nearby forests
Name 2 top vineyards in Weissenkirchen and the top producers
Rieden Achleiten and Klaus to its north are two of the most well-known sites. The west-facing Achleiten extends from about 200 to 400 meters, and soils go from mica schist to Gföhl gneiss, which characterizes Klaus soils as well.
Prager and Rudi Pichler offer bottlings from Achleiten, and the site’s Grüner Veltliner and Riesling are known to carry a kind of petrichor minerality referred to locally as stinkerl
Name the top vineyard of Dürnstein
Ried Kellerberg
wines offer more weight on the palate
with sandy loess soils over crystalline gneiss and slate
Name the top vineyard of Loiben and the top producers
Some of the most powerful wines come from Loibenberg, a huge south-facing hill to the north of the village that offers a wide range of expressions, as the soils, elevation, and producers vary
Knoll, Dömaine Wachau, Pichler and Alzinger
