What was the impact of Probus’s repeal on Austrian winemaking?
Austrian winemaking began to flourish in the Roman era
Which historical figures influenced the development of vines in Austria?
Charlemagne and the Cistercian monks
By what century had Vienna become a major center for wine trade?
The 13th century
What was a significant milestone for Austrian wines in 1526?
The first record of Trockenbeerenauslese
What events in the 17th century affected Austrian wine production?
War and taxes
What challenges did Austrian vines face after the arrival of American diseases?
Fungal diseases (oidium, peronospora) and root louse
What institution focused on grape crossings and higher yields in Austria?
A viticultural research institute at Klosterneuburg
Who developed the Hochkultur system, and when did it gain popularity?
Dr. Lenz Moser in the 1920s, gained popularity in the 1950s
What was a major consequence of the shift to high-volume winemaking?
A toll on quality and body of wines
What scandal decimated Austria’s wine industry in 1985?
The antifreeze scandal involving diethylene glycol
What was diethylene glycol used for in the wine scandal?
To give a light wine some added texture
What was the public reaction to the antifreeze scandal?
Customers cancelled orders worldwide
What new measures did Austria take after the 1985 scandal?
Drafting some of the strictest wine laws in Europe
What is the most cultivated white variety in Austria?
Grüner Veltliner
What percentage of Austria’s vineyard acreage is occupied by white varieties?
67%
What are the four major winemaking regions in Austria?
Niederösterreich, Wien, Burgenland, Steiermark
What red grape variety leads in plantings in Austria?
Zweigelt
Fill in the blank: The indigenous white variety that occupies 31% of Austria’s vineyard acreage is _______.
Grüner Veltliner
What are the three levels of quality defined by Austrian wine law?
Wein, Landwein, Qualitätswein
Qualitätswein is the highest caliber, while Wein is a generic category and Landwein is a regional wine classification.
What percentage of Austria’s total wine production is Qualitätswein?
About 80%
Qualitätswein is sourced from specific wine regions and must meet strict quality standards.
What is required for a wine to be labeled as Qualitätswein?
Must pass a tasting panel and chemical analysis
Indicated by a State Control Number (Prüfnummer) and the inclusion of a banderole.
What does Wein refer to in Austrian wine classification?
A generic category that replaced Tafelwein
It may carry a vintage date and a variety on the label.
What geographic areas are encompassed by Landwein?
Weinland, Steirerland, Bergland
Each corresponds to specific regions within Austria.
What is the maximum yield for all three levels of quality in Austrian wine?
9,000 kg/ha (75 hl/ha)
Minimum must weights increase with each level of quality.