Austria

Characteristics of Austrian wine

Austrian wines are generally dry and have a fresh taste. In the past decade, young winemakers have emerged with new ideas and often very interesting wines. Previously, the climatic conditions in Austrian wine-growing regions were more suitable for white wine. However, the slowly rising temperatures are increasingly expanding the possibilities for the production of red wines.

Varieties and growing regions

The wine-growing regions of Austria are almost exclusively concentrated in the eastern states of Lower Austria, Burgenland, Styria, and, to a lesser extent in terms of area, the federal capital Vienna. The mountainous west plays hardly any role in wine production.

Two-thirds of wine production is covered by white wines, the most famous of which is Grüner Veltliner. Other commonly grown grape varieties include Welschriesling, Riesling, Weißburgunder (Pinot Blanc), Müller-Thurgau, and Chardonnay. The conditions in Styria are particularly favorable for Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.

Among the red grape varieties, there are Zweigelt, Blaufränkisch, Blauer Portugieser, Blauburger, and St. Laurent. Pure Zweigelt wines are often perceived today as too “oaky” and alcoholic. They are rarely found at the top of rankings. However, this grape variety is often used as part of a blend to create very interesting wines. Blaufränkisch and St. Laurent are particularly suitable for this purpose, also because Zweigelt is a cross between these varieties.

The longest tradition of wine cultivation exists in the Wachau region of Lower Austria, where wine has been cultivated since the time of the Roman Empire. Since the High Middle Ages, large monasteries have been important wine producers. The Klosterneuburg Monastery still owns a significant wine brand today.

The DAC (Districtus Austriae Controllatus) designation

In Germanic wine law, the grape variety is traditionally specified, such as Riesling, while in Romanesque law, it is the wine-growing region, such as Bordeaux. With the DAC designation, Austria has been integrated into the Romanesque system. So far, 17 wine-growing regions have received such a DAC designation, which characterizes a wine with the typical taste of the region.