Wachau
Wachau, one of Austria's most fascinating wine-growing regions, has unique geological terrain, soil, and climate that provide ideal conditions for Riesling and Grüner Veltliner. The viticultural landscape is shaped by stone terrace walls constructed in the Middle Ages, which enable favorable hillsides to be exploited for wine.
Wines with regional typicity have been produced in three categories since the 2020 vintage. The Wachau winegrowers' association "Vinea Wachau" has classified the dry white wines of the Wachau into three categories according to their natural alcohol content. Seeking out good addresses serving local food and wine in the historic wine-growing villages is another exciting pastime.
The steep slopes of the Danube valley in Wachau, Austria, are formed from ancient, hard crystalline rocks, such as gneiss, amphibolite, marble, and quartzite. Dark amphibolite and paragneiss alternate frequently, and consolidated granodiorite gneiss is found around Spitz. A slide mass composed of weathered rocks and boulders can be found on the lower flanks of the valley, while loess often covers the older rock.
The area developed from the Molasse zone, crossed by rivers and flooded by seas between 30 and 15 million years ago. Today, the Danube valley floor comprises coarse river gravel covered by a layer of fine sediment from floods.
Listicle:
The Danube valley in Wachau, Austria, has steep slopes formed from ancient, hard crystalline rocks.
The rocks include gneiss, amphibolite, marble, and quartzite.
Dark amphibolite and paragneiss alternate frequently, and consolidated granodiorite gneiss is found around Spitz.
A slide mass composed of weathered rocks and boulders can be found on the lower flanks of the valley.
Loess often covers the older rock.
The area developed from the Molasse zone, which was crossed by rivers and flooded by seas between 30 and 15 million years ago.
The Danube valley floor today is made up of coarse river gravel covered by a layer of fine sediment from floods.
Wachau is a wine-growing region in Austria known for its unique geological terrain, soil, and climate.
The Wachau DAC designation is given to wines produced in the region with regional typicity.
Wachau DAC wines are produced in three categories: Gebietswein (regional wine), Ortswein (“villages” wine), and Riedenwein (reserved for Grüner Veltliner and Riesling wines).
The Wachau winegrowers' association "Vinea Wachau" has classified the dry white wines of the Wachau into three categories according to their natural alcohol content: Steinfeder, Federspiel, and Smaragd.
Steinfeder wines have an alcohol content up to 11.5% ABV, Federspiel wines have an alcohol content of 11.5-12.5% ABV, and Smaragd wines have a minimum alcohol content of 12.5% ABV.
Wachau DAC wines are known for their exceptional quality and aging potential, particularly those in the Riedenwein and Smaragd categories.
The alcohol content of a wine is determined by the ripeness of the grapes at harvest and the fermentation process.
The Wachau region is particularly well-suited for growing Riesling and Grüner Veltliner grapes.
Wines from the Wachau region often exhibit multi-faceted aromatics and a balance of cool fruit and occasional exotic appeal.
Seeking out good addresses serving local food and wine in the historic wine-growing villages is a popular pastime in the Wachau region.
Wachau is a wine-growing region primarily situated along the north bank of the Danube River in Austria. The region is known for its steep terraces, with the best sites facing south for maximum sunlight interception. Riesling and Grüner Veltliner are the most planted grape varieties that never blend. The soils are varied but generally, Riesling is planted on gneiss-based soils, and Grüner Veltliner is planted on loess. The wines produced in Wachau are almost exclusively very good to outstanding in quality and tend to be premium in price.
The region is dominated by family-owned estates and is home to a large quality-driven cooperative, Domäne Wachau. From 2020, wines have been able to be labeled as Wachau DAC if they meet the set requirements. Only Grüner Veltliner and Riesling are permitted for single vineyard wines, while a range of grape varieties can be used for regional and village wines. All DAC wines must be harvested by hand.
Wachau also has an association of producers, called Vinea Wachau, that have classified single vineyards based on soil and climate. They have also created registered trademarks for three different classifications of dry white wine:
Listicle:
Wachau is a wine-growing region in Austria primarily situated along the north bank of the Danube River.
Riesling and Grüner Veltliner are the most planted grape varieties that never blend.
The region is known for its steep terraces, with the best sites facing south for maximum sunlight interception.
The wines produced in Wachau are almost exclusively very good to outstanding in quality and tend to be expensive.
The region is dominated by family-owned estates and is home to a large quality-driven cooperative, Domäne Wachau.
From 2020, wines have been able to be labeled as Wachau DAC if they meet the set requirements.
Wachau also has an association of producers, called Vinea Wachau, that have classified single vineyards based on soil and climate.
They have created registered trademarks for three different classifications of dry white wine: Steinfeder, Federspiel, and Smaragd.
The body of the wine ranges from light in the case of Steinfeder to full in Smaragd, and all three styles have medium to high acidity levels.
The most outstanding wines, normally found in the Smaragd category, can improve with bottle age for decades.
Domäne Wachau
Domäne Wachau, a large winegrowers' cooperative based in Dürnstein in Lower Austria's winegrowing region of Wachau, has a rich history dating back to 1938. Founded by purchasing the former vineyard of the Starhemberg family under the name "Winzergenossenschaft Wachau", the cooperative was renamed "Freie Weingärtner Wachau" in 1990 and finally "Domäne Wachau" in 2008.
The cooperative is managed by Roman Horvath, a Master of Wine, who is responsible for ensuring that Domäne Wachau's wines reflect the authentic character of the Wachau region and its individual vineyards. Heinz Frischengruber is responsible for oenology and works to ensure that the fruit remains stable over time, developing into complex ripeness notes after a few years in high-quality wines. The high storability of selected Smaragden is a key goal of the winemaking process.
Domäne Wachau's philosophy emphasizes certified sustainable production methods and a commitment to expressing the unique qualities of the Wachau region and its vineyards. At the heart of this philosophy is a focus on authenticity and precision in winemaking, with a goal of creating wines that showcase the region's terroir while also being long-lasting and complex. Johann Martin was elected as the new chairman at the 2009 general assembly, and under his leadership, Domäne Wachau continues to be a leader in sustainable wine production and high-quality winemaking.
