Austria - CMS Intro Somm Flashcards
How long has grape growing existed in Austria?
Thousands of years
What percentage of the world’s fine wine is produced by Austria?
Less than 1%
Quality is exceptionally high for such a small country.
Where is Austria located geographically?
Central Europe, southeast of Germany and northeast of Italy
What geographical feature covers much of Western Austria?
The Alps
Where is the wine-growing area of Austria located?
On the eastern edge of the country along the borders of the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary.
What type of climate does Austria have?
Continental
The climate features cold winters and very warm summers.
What moderates the climate in Austria?
The Danube River and its tributaries
What is the topography of the wine-growing area in Austria?
Rolling foothills east of the Alps
What percentage of grape variety plantings in Austria are white?
Over 70%
Name two white grape varieties planted in Austria.
- Grüner Veltliner
- Riesling
What percentage of grape variety plantings in Austria are red?
30%
Name three red grape varieties planted in Austria.
- Zweigelt
- Blaufränkisch
- St.-Laurent
Describe the geography of Austrian viticulture.
Steep, terraced vineyards overlooking the Danube River and its tributaries, but also vast plains in lower-lying areas
What are the two main styles of Austrian wines?
- Very dry
- Very sweet
There is no tradition of off-dry styles.
True or False: There is a tradition of off-dry styles in Austrian wine production.
False
What type of oak is rarely used in the production of Austrian white wines?
New oak
How are Austrian wines without geographic indication labeled?
Wein
How are Austrian wines with geographic indication labeled?
- Landwein (PGI)
- Qualitätswein (PDO)
- Prädikatswein (PDO)
What are Landwein (PGI) wines in the context of Austrian wine labeling?
Regional wines; rarely exported.
What are Qualitätswein (PDO) wines in the context of Austrian wine labeling?
– Districtus Austriae Controllatus (DAC)
This terroir-based system of quality wines with appellation of origin is similar to AOC or DOC. Only specific grapes and wine styles are permitted in these demarcated regions. The focus is on dry wines.
What are Prädikatswein (PDO) wines in the context of Austrian wine labeling?
Similar system and use of terms as in Germany, with wines categorized by ripeness level at harvest. This system is rarely used today, aside from the very sweet styles such as BA, TBA, and Eiswein.
What is the largest wine-growing region in Austria?
Niederösterreich (Lower Austria)
This region has many sub-zones along the Danube River and its tributaries.
What types of wine does Niederösterreich, Austria primarily focus on?
Dry, unoaked, high-quality expressions of Grüner Veltliner and Riesling
What are the important sub-regions of Niederösterreich, Austria?
- Kremstal DAC
- Kamptal DAC
- Wachau
