Austria is located in the heart of Europe and is known for incredibly dry whites of exceptional quality. Lesser known to the United States are Austria’s red wines which range from classic fruity reds to powerful Reserves. In past years, Austrian wines have been lumped in with their neighbors Germany and Alsace, but recently the Austrian Wine industry has taken America by storm, gaining headway with its most popular grape: Grüner Veltliner a.k.a. GruV, an acidic white grape characteristically described by white pepper, green apple and citrus. Twenty-five years ago, Austria is said to have been a different wine country. In 2008, the country exported more than ever before and is expected to increase steadily for a number of years to come. Austria’s wines are produced in the Weinland Österreich in the far Eastern corner of the country surrounding Vienna and is divided into sixteen key winemaking regions. Each region varies in climate from hot to cool and is made up of a combination Read more »
Austria is located in the heart of Europe and is known for incredibly dry whites of exceptional quality. Lesser known to the United States are Austria’s red wines which range from classic fruity reds to powerful Reserves. In past years, Austrian wines have been lumped in with their neighbors Germany and Alsace, but recently the Austrian Wine industry has taken America by storm, gaining headway with its most popular grape: Grüner Veltliner a.k.a. GruV, an acidic white grape characteristically described by white pepper, green apple and citrus. Twenty-five years ago, Austria is said to have been a different wine country. In 2008, the country exported more than ever before and is expected to increase steadily for a number of years to come. Austria’s wines are produced in the Weinland Österreich in the far Eastern corner of the country surrounding Vienna and is divided into sixteen key winemaking regions. Each region varies in climate from hot to cool and is made up of a combination of soils: slate, sand, clay, gneiss, loam, fields, fertile loess and some others. While the world of wine as a whole seems to be trending toward commercialism and mass production, Austria has substantiated its roots in artisanal practices and specialized resources. Although Austria has few to no big brands due to low yields and artisanal winemaking practices, consumers can depend on quality wines from the least expensive to the most. One of the unique characteristics of Austrian wine country is its young and dynamic wine scene. Family owned vineyards and natural viticulture techniques set Austria apart from many of its competing nations. Within these sixteen regions, five have gained Districtus Austriae Controllatus (DAC) status: • Weinviertel DAC - Grüner Veltliner - since 2002 • Mittelburgenland DAC – Blaufränkisch - since 2005, classic and Reserve • Traisental DAC – Grüner Veltliner, Riesling - since 2006, classic and Reserve • Kremstal DAC – Grüner Veltliner, Riesling - since 2007, classic and Reserve • Kamptal DAC – Grüner Veltliner, Riesling - since 2008, classic and Reserve • Leithaberg DAC – White and Red - From 2009 - White: Grüner Veltliner, Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, Neuburger or Cuvée - Red: Blaufränkisch (min 85%), Zweigelt or Sankt Laurent (max 15%) For those that are not made in accordance with the DAC standards, Austria classifies its wines in accordance with EU standards: 1. Wein (Wine without indication of origin) 2. Landwein (corresponds to EU‘s PGI) Protected Geografical Indicatio(geschützte geografische Angabe) from a designated portion of the country 3. Qualitätswein (corresponds to EU‘s PDO) Protected Designation of Origin (geschützte Ursprungsbezeichnung) from a specigic origin a. Qualitätswein from generic specified regions b. Qualitätswein from specific specified regions Like Germany, Austria classifies its wines via a sugar pyramid, but they seldom use the Kabinett and Spatleses categories as the classifications are more important for their sweet wines which are measured on a scale of KMW, which is similar to a Brix rating. These classifications are: Auslese: 21°KMW, bad grapes removed Beerenauslese: 25°KMW, bad grapes removed Ausbruch: 27°KMW, botrytised grapes with potential addition of grape juice and/or late harvest wine Trockenbeerenauslese: 30°KMW, completely botrytised grapes Eiswein: 25°KMW, further concentrated by being harvested and pressed when frozen. Schilfwein/Strohwein: 25°KMW, made from grapes dried on straw mats Austrian wine culture is unlike most others throughout the world. Wine is not a compliment to lifestyle, it is part of Austrian culture and has been for over two millenia! Austrian wine culture includes both good food and good wine and additionally, a good time to match! Austria does not have a major producing winery like many other countries, but instead is made up of over 9000 family-owned wineries all of which incorporate their own family traditions with contemporary techniques new generation winemakers have learned abroad. Austria is also set apart by their ability to produce such diverse wines and, of course, their indigenous grape varietals: • Grüner Veltliner • Welschriesling • Zierfandler/Rotgipfler • Zweigelt • Blaufränkisch • St. Laurent • Blauer Wildbacher However, Austria has also seen great success with many international grape varietals: • Riesling • Sauvignon Blanc • Muskateller • Pinot Blanc • Chardonnay • Pinot Noir Wine & Food Austrians are known for having some of the most food-friendly wines in the world that are great for pairing with both their native cuisine but also for foods from around the world. For example, Grüner Veltliner is an excellent choice for both sushi and other Asian inspired dishes and was voted the best wine pairing by the Congress for Chinese Cuisine and Wine
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