Austria - CMS Intro Somm

Question 1

What are the sections of Austria?

Answer 1

• Niederösterreich
• Wien
• Burgenland
• Styria

Question 2

How long has grape growing existed in Austria?

Answer 2

Thousands of years

Question 3

What percentage of the world’s fine wine is produced by Austria?

Answer 3

Less than 1%

However, quality is exceptionally high for such a small country.

Question 4

Where is Austria located geographically?

Answer 4

Central Europe, southeast of Germany and northeast of Italy

Question 5

What geographical feature covers much of Western Austria?

Answer 5

The Alps

Question 6

Where is the wine-growing area of Austria located?

Answer 6

On the eastern edge of the country along the borders of the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary.

Question 7

What type of climate does Austria have?

Answer 7

Continental

The climate features cold winters and very warm summers.

Question 8

What moderates the climate in Austria?

Answer 8

The Danube River and its tributaries

Question 9

What country does the Danube river and its tributaries influence?

Answer 9

Austria

Question 10

What is the topography of the wine-growing area in Austria?

Answer 10

Rolling foothills east of the Alps

Question 11

What percentage of grape variety plantings in Austria are white?

Answer 11

Over 70%

Question 12

Name the primary white grape(s) planted in Austria.

Answer 12

• Grüner Veltliner
• Riesling

Question 13

What percentage of grape variety plantings in Austria are red?

Answer 13

30%

Question 14

Name the primary red grape varieties planted in Austria.

Answer 14

• Zweigelt
• Blaufränkisch
• St.-Laurent

Question 15

Describe the geography of Austrian viticulture.

Answer 15

Steep, terraced vineyards overlooking the Danube River and its tributaries, but also vast plains in lower-lying areas

Question 16

What are the two main styles of Austrian wines?

Answer 16

• Very dry
• Very sweet

There is no tradition of off-dry styles.

Question 17

True or False: There is a tradition of off-dry styles in Austrian wine production.

Answer 17

False

Question 18

What type of oak is rarely used in the production of Austrian white wines?

Answer 18

New oak

Question 19

How are Austrian wines without geographic indication labeled?

Answer 19

Wein

Question 20

How are Austrian wines with geographic indication labeled?

Answer 20

• Landwein (PGI)
• Qualitätswein (PDO)
  -DAC (Districtus Austriae Controllatus)
• Prädikatswein (PDO)

Question 21

What are Landwein (PGI) wines in the context of Austrian wine labeling?

Answer 21

Regional wines; rarely exported.

Question 22

What category often falls within the Austrian Qualitätswein (PDO) system?

Answer 22

DAC (Districtus Austriae Controllatus)

This system is similar to AOC or DOCG.

Question 23

What is the DAC (Districtus Austriae Controllatus) system in the context of Austrian wines?

Answer 23

A terroir-based system of quality wines with appellation of origin that is similar to AOC or DOCG. Only specific grapes and wine styles are permitted in these demarcated regions. The focus is on dry wines.

These wines fall under the Qualitätswein (PDO) category.

Question 24

What are Prädikatswein (PDO) wines in the context of Austrian wine labeling?

Answer 24

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.

Question 25

What is the largest wine-growing region in Austria?

Answer 25

Niederösterreich (Lower Austria) ## Footnote This region has many sub-zones along the Danube River and its tributaries.

Question 26

What types of wine does Niederösterreich, Austria primarily focus on?

Answer 26

Dry, unoaked, high-quality expressions of Grüner Veltliner and Riesling

Question 27

What are the important sub-regions of Niederösterreich, Austria?

Answer 27

* Kremstal DAC * Kamptal DAC * Wachau

Question 28

Where is Kremstal DAC located?

Answer 28

In the valley of the Krems River ## Footnote Niederösterreich, Austria

Question 29

What is the location of Kamptal DAC?

Answer 29

Located in the valley of the Kamp River ## Footnote Niederösterreich, Austria

Question 30

Which region is known for many of Austria’s best vineyards?

Answer 30

Wachau ## Footnote These vineyards are located on a narrow band of steep slopes along the banks of the Danube.

Question 31

What has the Wachau region (Niederösterreich, Austria) instituted for its dry wines?

Answer 31

Its own system of quality

Question 32

List the classifications for Wachau Dry Wines based on ripeness at harvest (Niederösterreich, Austria), from lightest to heaviest.

Answer 32

* Steinfeder * Federspiel * Smaragd

Question 33

What are Steinfeder wines in the context of the Austrian Wachau classification system?

Answer 33

* 11.5% maximum alcohol * The lightest of the three styles * Named for a local grass found in the vineyards

Question 34

What are Federspiel wines in the context of the Austrian Wachau classification system?

Answer 34

* 11.5% to 12.5% alcohol * Named for a falconer’s tool

Question 35

What are Smaragd wines in the context of the Austrian Wachau classification system?

Answer 35

* 12.5% minimum alcohol * Often made from very ripe grapes and produce intensely rich, dry white wines. * Named for an emerald-colored lizard that suns itself in the vineyards