Austria

Question 1

In what part of Austria is the main wine region?

Answer 1

Eastern Austria

Question 2

Climate of wine regions in Austria?

Answer 2

Continental. Some Mediterranean climates (warm air from the east).

Question 3

Physical features?

Answer 3

Foothills of the Alps Mountains
Danube River

Question 4

Grape growing info?

Answer 4

Steep hillsides overlooking the Danube River and its tributaries.

Question 5

Name white grape varieties.

Answer 5

Grüner Veltliner, Riesling.

Question 5

What kinds of wine made here?

Answer 5

Very dry or very sweet white wine, no current production of off-dry styles.
New oak is rarely used for white wine production.

Question 6

Name red grape varieties.

Answer 6

Zweigelt, Blaufränkisch

Question 7

In Austria, wines without geographical indication are called:

Answer 7

Wein

Question 8

Wines with geographical indication are called:

Answer 8

Landwein: Regional wines, rarely exported

Qualitätswein
DAC (Districtus Austriae Controllatus):
Quality Wine/Appellation of Origin, similar to AOC or DOC system, specific grape varieties and styles are permitted, the focus is on dry wines.

Prädikatswein: Like Germany but rarely produced in Austria.

Question 9

Where’s Wachau on a map?

Question 10

Explain Wachau’s individual classification system.

Answer 10

System based on grape ripeness at harvest.
Example: Smaragd: Highest level of ripeness, named for green lizards in the vineyards.

Wachau Classification Levels:
From the least ripe to most ripe

Steinfeder: Named for the feathery grass grown in the area.

Federspiel: An ancient term for a tool used in falconry.

Smaragd: Highest level of ripeness, named for green lizards in the vineyards.

Question 11

The region of Niederösterreich means:

Answer 11

Lower Austria

Question 12

What are the Sub-Regions of Niederösterreich? Describe them.

Answer 12

• Burgenland
  – Mittelburgenland
• Steiermark (Styria)
  -Wein

Niederösterreich:

• Kamptal DAC
  Along the Kampt River (a tributary of the Danube). Dry whites using Grüner Veltliner and Riesling.
• Kremstal DAC
  Along the Krems River (tributary to the Danube). Dry whites from Grüner Veltliner and Riesling.
• Wachau DAC
  Dry whites from Grüner Veltliner and Riesling. Located along the Danube River. Vinea Wachau “Codex Wachau” Wachau has another separate classification system based on ripeness/natural alcohol potential.

Question 13

What does an Austrian wine capsule look like?

Answer 13

The name for the Austrian wine capsule indicating the wine Qualitätswein level or higher.

Question 14

Producer/proprietary brands?

Answer 14

Emmerich Knoll, Rudi Pichler, FX Pichler, Prager, Schloss Gobelsberg, Bründlmayer

Question 15

Food and beverage pairings?

Answer 15

Grüner Veltliner is an unoaked, crisp, dry white wine. Its purity of flavor is great with fresh seafood, smoked fish, fresh vegetables, dishes with fresh herbs. It is a great contrast to fresh cheeses, schnitzel, and hard-to-pair foods like asparagus and artichokes.