Austrian Wine Essentials: A Comprehensive Guide for Aspiring Level 1 Sommelier
Welcome to our comprehensive guide on Austrian wine, tailored specifically for those who aspire to become Level 1 sommeliers or simply want to refresh their knowledge of this fascinating wine-producing country. By the end of this blog, you'll have a solid understanding of Austrian wine, including its history, production, and key characteristics. Additionally, we'll provide you with a list of essential facts and sample questions to test your newfound knowledge.
The History of Austrian Wine
Austrian wine has a rich history dating back to the Celts and Romans. The country's wine industry thrived during the Middle Ages, particularly under the Habsburg rule, which encouraged viticulture. Austrian winemaking has evolved into a modern, quality-driven industry despite facing several challenges over the centuries, including phylloxera and the infamous 1985 "antifreeze" scandal.
Climate Overview
Austria experiences a continental climate with cold winters, warm summers, and moderate precipitation. The Danube River and its tributaries significantly influence the microclimates in various wine-growing regions, providing essential water sources and temperature-regulating effects. Additionally, the Alps and other mountain ranges create diverse terrains and microclimates, contributing to Austrian wines' unique characteristics. This climatic variation allows cultivating a wide range of grape varieties and styles across the country's wine regions.
Location/Geography
Austria, situated in Central Europe, shares borders with Germany to the northwest, Italy to the southwest, the Czech Republic to the north, Slovakia to the northeast, and Hungary to the east. While the western part of Austria is dominated by the Alpine mountain range, the eastern region, where most wine production occurs, features more moderate topography. The Pannonian Plain's climatic influence extends into eastern Austria, bringing warm, dry air that benefits the ripening of grapes, particularly in regions such as Burgenland and parts of Niederösterreich. This Pannonian effect plays a vital role in shaping the unique characteristics of Austrian wines.
Grape Varieties
Austria's vineyards are predominantly planted with white grape varieties, accounting for over 70% of the country's wine production. The most famous white grapes include:
Grüner Veltliner: The most widely planted variety in Austria, known for its unique flavors of white pepper, citrus, and green apple.
Riesling: Aromatic and versatile, Austrian Rieslings often display flavors of stone fruits, citrus, and pronounced minerality.
Grüner Veltliner Shop
Though fewer in number, red grape varieties play an essential role in Austrian wine production, making up 30% of plantings. Key red grapes include:
Zweigelt: A cross between Blaufränkisch and St. Laurent, Zweigelt produces fruity, medium-bodied wines with flavors of red berries and soft tannins.
Blaufränkisch: Known for its spicy character and structured tannins, Blaufränkisch wines often exhibit dark fruit flavors and an underlying minerality.
St. Laurent: This grape variety creates elegant, medium-bodied wines with flavors of red and dark fruits, often accompanied by herbal or earthy notes.
Viticulture
Austrian viticulture presents a diverse landscape, with some regions featuring steep, terraced vineyards that overlook the Danube River and its tributaries. These terraced vineyards are particularly prominent in areas like the Wachau and Kremstal. In contrast, lower-lying areas showcase vast plains stretching vineyards across the gentle slopes and flatlands.
Vinification
Austrian winemakers predominantly produce very dry or sweet wines, as there is little tradition for off-dry styles. This approach results in distinctively crisp, refreshing whites and rich, luscious dessert wines. When it comes to white wine production, new oak is rarely used, allowing the inherent characteristics of the grape varieties to shine through. This minimal oak influence contributes to the purity of fruit and vibrant acidity that Austrian white wines are known for.
Classification
Austrian wines can be categorized into four main groups. First, there are wines without geographic indication, known simply as "Wein." These basic table wines do not specify their geographic origin. Second, wines with geographic indication are called "Landwein" (PGI), similar to France's Vin de Pays or Italy's IGT. These wines have a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) and generally offer higher quality than basic table wines.
The third category, regional wines, includes "Qualitätswein" (PDO), which are Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) wines that follow strict production regulations. Within this category, there's a terroir-based system called "Districtus Austriae Controllatus" (DAC), akin to France's AOC or Italy's DOC. DAC wines come from specific, demarcated regions and focus on designated grape varieties and dry wine styles.
Lastly, there's "Prädikatswein" (PDO), a classification system similar to Germany's, based on grapes' ripeness level at harvest. This system is less frequently used today, except for sweet wine styles like Beerenauslese (BA), Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA), and Eiswein. These dessert wines are highly regarded for their concentrated flavors and complexity.
Regions
Niederösterreich (Lower Austria):
Niederösterreich, the largest and most diverse of Austria's wine regions, is in the country's northeastern part. This region is known for producing a wide range of grape varieties, with Grüner Veltliner and Riesling taking center stage. Some notable sub-regions within Niederösterreich include the Wachau, Kamptal, Kremstal, and Weinviertel, each offering unique terroir and microclimates that contribute to the distinctiveness of their wines. Niederösterreich's wines are celebrated for their lively acidity, minerality, and expressive fruit character.
Burgenland:
Situated in eastern Austria along the border with Hungary, Burgenland is renowned for its red and sweet wines. The region's warm, Pannonian climate and diverse soils create optimal conditions for grape varieties like Blaufränkisch and Zweigelt. Burgenland is also home to Neusiedlersee, a large, shallow lake that contributes to producing some of the world's finest botrytized sweet wines, such as Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA). Key sub-regions within Burgenland include Neusiedlersee, Leithaberg, and Mittelburgenland.
Steiermark (Styria):
Located in the southeastern part of Austria, Steiermark is known for its aromatic and vibrant white wines. The region's steep slopes and diverse soils provide an ideal environment for grape varieties like Sauvignon Blanc, Morillon (Chardonnay), and Welschriesling. Steiermark is divided into three main sub-regions: Südsteiermark, Weststeiermark, and Südoststeiermark, each producing distinctive wines due to variations in climate, elevation, and soil types.
Wien (Vienna)
As the only capital city in the world with significant vineyards, Vienna boasts a long-standing winemaking tradition. Located along the banks of the Danube River, Vienna's vineyards primarily produce white wines from grape varieties such as Grüner Veltliner, Riesling, and Gemischter Satz (a traditional field blend). Vienna's wines are known for their bright acidity, aromatic intensity, and food-friendly nature, often enjoyed at the city's famous Heurigen or wine taverns.
Wachau Dry Wine Classification Based on Ripeness at Harvest:
Austria's Wachau region, located within Niederösterreich, has a unique classification system for its dry wines based on the ripeness of grapes at harvest. This system comprises three categories:
Steinfeder: With a maximum alcohol content of 11.5%, Steinfeder wines are the lightest of the three styles. The name "Steinfeder" is derived from a local grass found in the vineyards. These wines are characterized by their delicate, refreshing nature and lower alcohol levels, making them perfect for casual sipping.
Federspiel: Federspiel wines have an alcohol content ranging between 11.5% and 12.5%. The term "Federspiel" is inspired by a falconer's tool, reflecting the region's historical connection to falconry. These wines balance fruit, acidity, and minerality, showcasing the terroir while maintaining a moderate alcohol level.
Smaragd: The richest and most full-bodied category within the Wachau classification, Smaragd wines have a minimum alcohol content of 12.5%. Named after the emerald-colored lizard that basks in the sun in Wachau vineyards, these wines are made from very ripe grapes, resulting in intensely rich and concentrated dry white wines that age well and pair beautifully with a variety of dishes.
Strohwein & Ausbruch
Strohwein: Strohwein, or "straw wine," is made by drying harvested grapes on straw mats or racks for an extended period before pressing. This process results in a loss of water content and concentrates the sugars and flavors within the grapes. The final wines are sweet and luscious, with rich fruit character and balanced acidity.
Ausbruch: Ausbruch is a traditional sweet wine from the Burgenland region, particularly associated with Rust. Made from grapes affected by noble rot (Botrytis cinerea), it shrivels the grapes and concentrates their sugars. "Ausbruch" refers to breaking or sorting these botrytized grapes from the healthy ones. The resulting wines are intensely sweet and complex, showcasing flavors of dried fruits, honey, and spices and a lively acidity that balances the sweetness.
Key Facts
Austrian wine has a rich history dating back over 4,000 years, with evidence of viticulture since the Celtic and Illyrian times.
Grüner Veltliner is Austria's signature white grape variety, accounting for about one-third of the country's vineyard area.
Austria has a predominantly continental climate, with cold winters, warm summers, and moderate precipitation levels.
The Danube River and its tributaries are crucial in moderating temperatures across wine-growing regions.
Austria's vineyards are mostly planted with white grape varieties, making up over 70% of the country's wine production.
Austria's most famous red grape varieties are Zweigelt, Blaufränkisch, and St. Laurent.
Austrian wines are typically dry or sweet, with no strong tradition for off-dry styles.
New oak is rarely used for white wine production in Austria, resulting in pure fruit flavors and vibrant acidity.
Austrian wines are classified into four main categories: Wein, Landwein (PGI), Qualitätswein (PDO), and Prädikatswein (PDO).
Austria has four main wine regions: Niederösterreich (Lower Austria), Burgenland, Steiermark (Styria), and Wien (Vienna).
The Wachau region in Niederösterreich has a unique classification system for dry wines based on ripeness at harvest: Steinfeder, Federspiel, and Smaragd.
Burgenland is famous for its red and sweet wines, particularly those made from Blaufränkisch and Zweigelt.
Steiermark is known for its aromatic and vibrant white wines, including Sauvignon Blanc and Morillon (Chardonnay).
Vienna, the only capital city with significant vineyards, primarily produces white wines from grape varieties such as Grüner Veltliner, Riesling, and Gemischter Satz.
Strohwein, or "straw wine," is made by drying grapes on straw mats or racks, producing sweet, concentrated wines with rich fruit.
Ausbruch is a traditional sweet wine from Burgenland, made from grapes affected by noble rot (Botrytis cinerea), which concentrates their sugars and flavors.
The Pannonian Plain's climatic influence extends into eastern Austria, bringing warm, dry air that benefits the ripening of grapes.
Austria's vineyards feature diverse landscapes, from steep, terraced vineyards overlooking the Danube River to vast plains in lower-lying areas.
Austrian dessert wines like Beerenauslese (BA), Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA), and Eiswein are highly regarded for their concentrated flavors and complexity.
Austrian wines are celebrated for their lively acidity, expressive fruit character, and food-friendly nature, making them popular choices for pairing with various dishes.
Questions
What is Austria's signature white grape variety?
What percentage of Austria's vineyard area is planted with white grape varieties?
What type of climate does Austria have?
Which river is crucial in moderating temperatures in Austria's wine-growing regions?
Name two of the most famous red grape varieties in Austria.
What are the two predominant styles of Austrian wines in terms of sweetness?
What is the reason behind Austrian white wines' pure fruit flavors and vibrant acidity?
Name the four main categories of Austrian wine classifications.
What are the four main wine regions of Austria?
In which Austrian wine region is the unique classification system for dry wines based on ripeness at harvest?
What are the three classifications for dry wines in the Wachau region?
Which Austrian wine region is famous for its red and sweet wines?
What grape varieties are typically associated with the Steiermark region?
Which capital city has significant vineyards and primarily produces white wines?
What is the process of making Strohwein?
What is Ausbruch, and how is it produced?
How does the Pannonian Plain's climatic influence affect grape ripening in eastern Austria?
Describe the two different types of landscapes found in Austrian vineyards.
What three types of Austrian dessert wines are known for their concentrated flavors and complexity?
What is the primary characteristic of Austrian wines that makes them popular choices for a food pairing?
