Austria

Question 1

What is Austria’s general climate?

Answer 1

Continental – hot summers and cold winters.

Question 2

How does continental climate benefit vines?

Answer 2

Promotes sugar development in summer, allows vine rest in winter, preserves acidity.

Question 3

What is the Pannonian effect?

Answer 3

Warm, dry air mass from Hungary that ripens grapes and extends the growing season.

Question 4

How does the Pannonian effect influence Burgenland?

Answer 4

Warmer temps, lower humidity = ripe grapes and favorable conditions for Botrytis.

Question 5

What is the role of the Danube River?

Answer 5

Moderates temperature, extends growing season, aids even ripening and air circulation.

Question 6

How does diurnal shift affect grapes?

Answer 6

Maintains acidity by cooling down vines at night.

Question 7

What are the three categories of Austrian wine law?

Answer 7

Wein, Landwein, Qualitätswein.

Question 8

What is ‘Wein’ in Austria?

Answer 8

Basic table wine from anywhere in Austria with minimal restrictions.

Question 9

What does Landwein (PGI) mean?

Answer 9

Regional wine from Weinland, Steirerland, or Bergland.

Question 10

What is Qualitätswein (QbA)?

Answer 10

Quality wine from a specific region with stricter regulations.

Question 11

What does DAC stand for?

Answer 11

Districtus Austriae Controllatus – denotes regional typicity.

Question 12

Are all DAC wines Qualitätswein?

Answer 12

Yes, but not all Qualitätswein are DAC.

Question 13

Can Kabinett wines be chaptalized?

Answer 13

Yes, in Austria.

Question 14

Can Prädikatswein be chaptalized?

Answer 14

No – chaptalization is prohibited.

Question 15

What grape is the focus of Weinviertel DAC?

Answer 15

Grüner Veltliner.

Question 16

Describe the style of Weinviertel DAC wines.

Answer 16

Dry, light to medium-bodied, peppery, citrusy, crisp.

Question 17

What grapes are allowed in Kamptal DAC?

Answer 17

Grüner Veltliner and Riesling.

Question 18

What’s the style of Kamptal DAC Riesling?

Answer 18

Dry, elegant, mineral, peach, citrus.

Question 19

How does Kremstal DAC differ from Kamptal?

Answer 19

Warmer, rounder wines with richer body.

Question 20

Can DAC Reserve wines see oak?

Answer 20

Yes, and they have higher alcohol and structure.

Question 21

Where are most of Austria’s vineyards located?

Answer 21

In the east, away from the Alps.

Question 22

What is Austria’s largest wine region?

Answer 22

Niederösterreich (Lower Austria).

Question 23

What grapes dominate Wachau?

Answer 23

Grüner Veltliner and Riesling.

Question 24

Describe Wachau’s wine style.

Answer 24

High acidity, mineral-driven, grown on steep, rocky terraces.

Question 25

What are the Wachau ripeness classifications?

Answer 25

Steinfeder, Federspiel, Smaragd.

Question 26

What region is known for sweet wine and Zweigelt?

Answer 26

Burgenland.

Question 27

What is Neusiedlersee DAC known for?

Answer 27

Dry red wines. Botrytised sweet wines are also common but they do not fall under the DAC, they fall under Pradikatswein.

Question 28

Which region borders the Pannonian Plain?

Answer 28

Burgenland.

Question 29

What is the key climate feature of Styria?

Answer 29

Cooler, alpine-influenced, ideal for aromatic whites.

Question 30

Austria’s most planted white grape?

Answer 30

Grüner Veltliner.

Question 31

Austria’s most planted red grape?

Answer 31

Zweigelt.

Question 32

Describe Grüner Veltliner’s flavor profile.

Answer 32

White pepper, citrus, green apple, herbs.

Question 33

What is Zweigelt a cross of?

Answer 33

Blaufränkisch and St. Laurent.

Question 34

Is Austrian white wine oaked?

Answer 34

Generally no – usually fermented and aged in stainless steel.

Question 35

What wine styles dominate Austria?

Answer 35

Bone dry or intensely sweet.

Question 36

What is Ausbruch?

Answer 36

Sweet botrytised wine made by blending high-sugar grapes with less concentrated must.

Question 37

Where is Ausbruch primarily made?

Answer 37

Ruster Ausbruch DAC in Burgenland.

Question 38

What is Strohwein?

Answer 38

Sweet wine from grapes dried on straw mats for at least 3 months.

Question 39

Which grapes are used in Strohwein?

Answer 39

Zweigelt, Grüner Veltliner, Muskateller.

Question 40

What classification do Ausbruch and Strohwein fall under?

Answer 40

Prädikatswein.