Austria

Question 1

Which three countries border most of Austria’s winegrowing areas?

Answer 1

Czech Republic to the north, Slovakia to the east, and Hungary to the southeast. (Additionally, Slovenia is directly south.)

Question 2

What are the four major Austrian wine regions?

Answer 2

1) Lower Austria (Niederösterreich), 2) Vienna (Wien), 3) Burgenland, 4) Styria (Steiermark).

Question 3

Which of Austria’s four major regions produces the majority of its wine?

Answer 3

Lower Austria (Niederösterreich) is Austria’s largest winegrowing region by production.

Question 4

Name two major subregions in Lower Austria known for high-quality Grüner Veltliner and Riesling.

Answer 4

Wachau and Kamptal are world-renowned subregions for top GV and Riesling.

Question 5

What is the climate influence on Austria’s eastern wine regions?

Answer 5

A mix of Pannonian (warm, from the east) and Central European continental influences. Varying degrees of cool Alpine air moderate temperatures.

Question 6

Which variety is most famously associated with Austrian white wines?

Answer 6

Grüner Veltliner, accounting for roughly one-third of Austria’s vineyard area.

Question 7

What are typical tasting notes for Grüner Veltliner?

Answer 7

Fresh green/white pepper, lentil, radish, citrus, stone fruit, and minerality. Often shows moderate spice and crisp acidity.

Question 8

Besides Grüner Veltliner, name two key Austrian white grape varieties.

Answer 8

Riesling (particularly in Wachau, Kamptal, Kremstal) and Welschriesling (in Burgenland, often for sweet wines).

Question 9

Which red grapes are most widely planted in Austria?

Answer 9

Zweigelt (a cross of Blaufränkisch x St. Laurent) is the most planted red, followed by Blaufränkisch, Blauer Portugieser, and St. Laurent.

Question 10

What does “DAC” stand for in Austrian wine law?

Answer 10

DAC = Districtus Austriae Controllatus, an appellation system granting regionally typical wines a specific “DAC” designation.

Question 11

Name a notable DAC for Grüner Veltliner.

Answer 11

Weinviertel DAC (the first Austrian DAC, established 2003), known for spicy, fresh Grüner with crisp acidity.

Question 12

Which DAC is famous for top Riesling and GV from terraced vineyards along the Danube?

Answer 12

Wachau is not a DAC but an iconic wine district in Lower Austria. The formal DAC subregions are Wachau DAC (approved in 2020) and smaller areas. Kamptal DAC and Kremstal DAC are also top-tier for Riesling and GV.

Question 13

What is the Vinea Wachau classification system for dry wines?

Answer 13

Steinfeder (lightest), Federspiel (middle-weight), and Smaragd (fullest-bodied) – historically a local classification, now used in tandem with Wachau DAC rules.

Question 14

Which Austrian region includes Vienna’s vineyards?

Answer 14

Vienna (Wien) is its own federal state and wine region. It’s unique as a major city with notable vineyards (e.g., the Wiener Gemischter Satz DAC).

Question 15

What is Gemischter Satz?

Answer 15

A traditional Viennese field blend of multiple grape varieties grown, harvested, and fermented together, recognized as Wiener Gemischter Satz DAC.

Question 16

Which region borders Hungary and is known for red wines and dessert wines?

Answer 16

Burgenland, particularly the area around Lake Neusiedl. Ideal for noble rot and sweet styles (e.g., Ruster Ausbruch).

Question 17

Name two DACs in Burgenland focusing on red wines.

Answer 17

Mittelburgenland DAC (Blaufränkisch-based) and Eisenberg DAC (Blaufränkisch).

Question 18

What is Ruster Ausbruch?

Answer 18

A historic sweet-wine classification from Rust in Burgenland, produced from botrytized grapes with intense concentration.

Question 19

What is the focus of Styria (Steiermark)?

Answer 19

A cooler, more hilly region, focusing on aromatic whites (Sauvignon Blanc, Morillon/Chardonnay, Welschriesling), often in a fresh, crisp style.

Question 20

What are the main subregions of Styria?

Answer 20

Südsteiermark, Südoststeiermark, and Weststeiermark, each with its own DAC or DOP sub-areas focusing on distinct white varieties and styles.

Question 21

What typical style and grape are found in Weststeiermark DAC?

Answer 21

Schilcher, a rosé from the native Blauer Wildbacher grape, known for high acidity and bracing style.

Question 22

What is the fundamental difference between Qualitätswein and DAC in Austria?

Answer 22

DAC denotes regionally typical styles with stricter regulations; Qualitätswein is a broader legal category allowing multiple varieties and styles as long as minimum quality standards are met.

Question 23

Which grapes are included in the Austrian Prädikat system for sweet wines?

Answer 23

Similar to German designations, but can be from various grapes – Welschriesling and Chardonnay are common for Trockenbeerenauslese in Burgenland. Noble rot (botrytis) is frequent.

Question 24

What is Ausbruch, specifically in Austrian wine terms?

Answer 24

A sweet wine category historically used in Rust (Burgenland), bridging Beerenauslese and Trockenbeerenauslese in sugar levels, typically with botrytis influence.

Question 25

Which mountain range affects Austria’s western climate, creating cooler influences?

Answer 25

The Austrian Alps. Vineyards mostly lie on the eastern side, benefiting from warmer Pannonian plains or moderate influences rather than extreme alpine conditions.

Question 26

When was phylloxera introduced to Austria?

Answer 26

Late 19th century. Austrian vineyards, like other European regions, had to replant on American rootstocks to survive phylloxera’s devastation.

Question 27

How does Austria’s minimum alcohol content for DAC wines typically compare to Germany’s QbA?

Answer 27

Austria often requires slightly higher alcohol minimums for DAC wines (e.g., 12%+ for many) due to the country’s warmer growing areas compared to many German regions.

Question 28

What yields typical Austrian dessert wines?

Answer 28

Burgenland’s Lake Neusiedl area fosters fog and sunshine, encouraging botrytis. Wines labeled Beerenauslese, TBA, Eiswein, or Ruster Ausbruch highlight sweet production.

Question 29

Name an example of a “classic” Austrian Grüner region if searching for peppery style.

Answer 29

Weinviertel DAC is known for its classic peppery and crisp style of Grüner Veltliner.

Question 30

Why is Kamptal particularly suited for Riesling?

Answer 30

Steep, stony slopes along the Kamp River produce concentrated, minerally Riesling, with warm days and cool nights retaining acidity.

Question 31

Which Austrian red variety is a crossing of Blaufränkisch and St. Laurent?

Answer 31

Zweigelt, Austria’s most planted red grape, known for bright red fruit and moderate tannins.

Question 32

What is the approximate grape variety breakdown in Austria’s vineyards?

Answer 32

About two-thirds white grapes (Grüner Veltliner leading ~30% of total), one-third red (Zweigelt, Blaufränkisch).

Question 33

Which broader Austrian category ensures authenticity and typicity beyond the DAC system?

Answer 33

The Austria Qualitätswein categories, requiring tasting panel approval and a unique state control number (Prüfnummer).

Question 34

How are the sugar levels in Austrian Prädikat wines labeled?

Answer 34

Similar to Germany: Spätlese, Auslese, Beerenauslese, Trockenbeerenauslese, Eiswein. Also includes Ausbruch in Rust. Must weight and production rules are strictly enforced.

Question 35

Name two major vineyard areas within the Wachau.

Answer 35

Famous sites include Loibenberg, Kellerberg in Dürnstein, Achleiten near Weissenkirchen, and Singerriedel in Spitz. The region is known for terraced slopes along the Danube.