Austria Flashcards
(17 cards)
What are the major climatic influences on Austrian wine regions?
- Continental climate with warm summers, cold winters
- Pannonian influence: Hot, dry air from the east (Hungarian Plain), especially in Burgenland, aids ripening and botrytis
- Alpine cooling: Provides diurnal variation and freshness
- Danube River & lakes: Moderate temperatures, especially in Wachau and Neusiedlersee
What is the Austrian wine quality classification structure (basic to highest)?
- Tafelwein – Table wine
- Landwein – Regional wine (like IGP)
- Qualitätswein (QbA) – Quality wine from 1 of 16 regions
- Prädikatswein (QmP) – Based on must weight; no chaptalization
What are the Prädikat levels used in Austrian wine law?
- Spätlese
- Auslese
- Beerenauslese (BA)
- Eiswein
- Strohwein/Schilfwein
- Ausbruch
- Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA)
What is Strohwein (Schilfwein)?
A sweet wine made from grapes dried on straw mats or reeds for at least 3 months before pressing.
What is Ausbruch and where is it traditionally made?
- A botrytised sweet wine, historically made in Rust, Burgenland
- Must weight between BA and TBA, made by adding shriveled berries to fermenting must
What are the four major wine-producing regions in Austria?
- Niederösterreich (Lower Austria) – largest region, includes Wachau, Kamptal, Kremstal
- Burgenland – known for red and sweet wines
- Steiermark (Styria) – aromatic whites
- Wien (Vienna) – smallest region, famous for Gemischter Satz
What is the DAC system in Austria?
DAC = Districtus Austriae Controllatus – a regional appellation system for dry Qualitätswein, similar to French AOC or Italian DOC.
What are the three DAC levels under Austrian law?
- Gebietswein – Regional wine
- Ortswein – Village-level
- Riedenwein – Single vineyard wine
(Only used in DAC regions. DAC regions specify allowed grapes and styles.)
What are the Wachau quality terms and their definitions?
- Steinfeder: Lightest, ≤11.5% abv
- Federspiel: Medium-bodied, 11.5–12.5% abv
- Smaragd: Full-bodied, ripe dry wines, ≥12.5% abv; most age-worthy
What are the principal white grape varietals of Austria and where are they best grown?
- Grüner Veltliner – Niederösterreich (Wachau, Kamptal, Kremstal, Wagram)
- Riesling – Wachau, Kamptal, Kremstal (steep, rocky sites)
- Welschriesling – Burgenland (used in sweet wines)
- Sauvignon Blanc – Südsteiermark (Styria)
- Weissburgunder (Pinot Blanc) – Widespread, especially in Styria
What are the principal red grape varietals of Austria and where are they best grown?
- Zweigelt – Most planted red, grown in Burgenland, Carnuntum
- Blaufränkisch – Best in Mittelburgenland DAC, Leithaberg DAC
- St. Laurent – Thermenregion, Neusiedlersee
- Pinot Noir (Blauburgunder) – Thermenregion, Styria
What do these Austrian labelling terms mean?
- Wein – Basic wine
- Landwein – PGI-level wine
- Qualitätswein – PDO-level; must come from 1 of 16 winegrowing regions
- Prädikatswein – Sweet wines classified by must weight (e.g., Auslese, TBA)
- Reserve – DAC dry wines with more ripeness and aging
- Smaragd / Federspiel / Steinfeder – Wachau dry wine classifications
What are some key DAC districts in Austria and their focus grapes?
- Wachau DAC (Niederösterreich) – Grüner Veltliner, Riesling
- Kamptal DAC – Grüner Veltliner, Riesling
- Kremstal DAC – Grüner Veltliner, Riesling
- Wagram DAC – Grüner Veltliner
- Weinviertel DAC – Grüner Veltliner
- Leithaberg DAC (Burgenland) – Blaufränkisch (red), Weissburgunder (white)
- Mittelburgenland DAC – Blaufränkisch
- Südsteiermark DAC – Sauvignon Blanc
What are the major wine styles produced in Austria?
- Dry whites – Grüner Veltliner, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc
- Sweet wines – Ausbruch, Strohwein, Eiswein (esp. Burgenland)
- Red wines – Blaufränkisch, Zweigelt, St. Laurent
- Sparkling wines – Sekt (including Klassik & Reserve tiers)
What is “Gemischter Satz”?
A field blend wine made from multiple grape varieties planted and harvested together; traditional in Wien (Vienna) and now a recognized DAC.
What is “Ried” on an Austrian label?
It indicates a single vineyard. Used primarily in DAC and high-quality wines, often shown as “Ried + vineyard name.”
What are the three tiers of Austrian Sekt classification?
- Klassik – Basic traditional or tank method, min. 9 months lees
- Reserve – Traditional method, min. 18 months lees
- Grosse Reserve – Traditional method, min. 30 months lees, single origin
