Austria Flashcards
Learn the geography, grape varieties, climate, soil, wine styles, and producers of Austria.
What is the climate of Austria?
Cool Continental
Why are the winemaking regions in Austria clustered in the eastern part of the country?
Because the Alps in western Austria are unsuitable for viticulture.
Which river runs through Niederösterreich (Lower Austria)?
The Danube River
Why are summers generally warmer in Austria than in
Germany?
Because Austria opens up to the Pannonian Plain, which is a large flatland (and former sea) that helps usher in warm air that accumulates between the Alps and Carpathian Mountains.
This warm air helps eastern Austrian reds achieve full ripeness and gives Austrian whites greater body and alcohol compared to their German counterparts.
How are the warm growing days in Austria counterbalanced to maintain acidity and freshness in the wines?
Cool winds originating in the north (Poland, Czech Republic) that cool down everything at night, which creates a big diurnal shift, especially for more northerly regions.
What are the main white grapes of Austria?
- Grüner Veltliner - most planted
- Welschriesling - second most planted
- Riesling
Besides Grüner Veltliner and Welschriesling, what two other white grape varietals are found in Burgenland?
- Chardonnay
- Pinot Blanc (Weissburgunder)
Sauvignon Blanc is experiencing a burgeoning reputation in which Austrian wine region?
Steiermark in the south
What are the main red grapes of Austria?
- Zweigelt - most planted black/red grape
- Blaufränkisch
- St Laurent
International grape varieties that are on the rise:
- Pinot Noir
- Merlot
- Cabernet Sauvignon
What are the parent grapes for Zweigelt?
Blaufränkisch x St Laurent
Fill in which red Austrian grape best matches the following descriptions:
- _______ is deeply colored with soft tannins and brambly fruits.
- _______ has high acid, medium tannins, with flavors of sour cherry and pepper.
- _______ behaves similarly to Pinot Noir.
- Zweigelt
- Blaufränkisch
- St Laurent
Fill in which Austrian white grape best matches the following descriptions:
- _______ displays white pepper, high acidity, and citrus/stone fruits in its youth and honey + toast flavors as it ages.
- _______ makes simple, citrusy wines with green apple flavors (and make better dessert wines).
- _______ shows ripe, peachy fruits, and are usually dry and medium- to full-bodied.
- Grüner Veltliner
- Welschriesling
- Riesling
In Austria, what are the 4 most important generic wine regions?
- Niederösterreich (Lower Austria)
- Burgenland
- Wien (Vienna)
- Steiermark (Styria)
Of the 4 generic winemaking regions in Austria, which two account for the majority of wine production?
- Niederösterreich
- Burgenland
Wines from the 4 Austrian generic wine regions can make wine from how many permitted grape varieties and in what styles?
- 40 permitted grape varieties;
- Any style.
What are the 3 quality levels for wine in Austria?
From lowest quality to highest:
- Wein (no GI)
- Landwein (PGI)
- Qualitätswein (PDO)
What geographical indication may bottles of Wein, the lowest quality level of wine in Austria, carry?
Wines labeled ‘Wein’ may not have a specific geographical indication.
The labels will simply state that the wine is from Austria by using the term “Österreich” or “österreichischer Wein,” an equivalent to ‘Vin de France’.
What is Landwein’s geographic designation?
PGI, or Protected Geographic Indication