Austria

Question 1

Austria - what are the four main wine regions?

Answer 1

1. Niederosterreich
2. Wien
3. Burgenland
4. Styria

Question 2

What percentage of plantings are red wine in Austria?

Answer 2

Only 30%

Question 3

Where is the Danube River located?

Answer 3

Austria

Question 4

What are the three classifications for dry wine in Wachau?

Answer 4

1. Steinfeder
2. Federspiel
3. Smaragd

Question 5

What characterizes a Federspiel wine?

Answer 5

• 11.5 - 12.5% alcohol

- Name for a falconer’s tool

Question 6

Austria - list the hierarchy of classification.

Answer 6

1. Wein
2. Landwein (PGI)
3. Qualitatswein (PDO)
4. Pradikatswein (PDO)

Question 7

Austria - topography?

Answer 7

Rolling foothills east of Alps

Question 8

Austria - climate?

Answer 8

Continental (cold winters, very warm summers)

Question 9

Austria - what characterizes the vinification?

Answer 9

• Wines are either very dry or very sweet

- New oak rarely used in WHITE wine production

Question 10

Which wine classifications do not have a geographic indication in Austria?

Answer 10

Wein

Question 11

Austria - what characterizes the geography?

Answer 11

• Much of Western region covered by Alps

- So most vineyards are located in the east along borders of Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary

Question 12

Austria - how long has wine been produced there and what characterizes the quality?

Answer 12

• Thousands of years
• Produces less than 1% of world’s fine wine
• Quality is exceptionally high

Question 13

Austria - red grape varieties?

Answer 13

1. Zweigelt
2. Blaufrankisch
3. St. Laurent

Question 14

What percentage of plantings are white wine in Austria?

Answer 14

Over 70%

Question 15

What characterizes a Steinfeder wine?

Answer 15

• 11.5% or less alcohol
• Lightest of three styles
• Named for local grass found in vineyards

Question 16

Define a Qualitatswein (PDO) in Austria. (4)

Answer 16

1. Districtus Austriae Controllatus (DAC)
2. Terroir-based system of quality wines with appellation of origin (like AOC or DOC)
3. Only specific grapes and styles allowed
4. Focus on dry wines

Question 17

Which wine classifications have a geographic indication in Austria?

Answer 17

1. Landwein (PGI)
2. Qualitatswein (PDO)
3. Pradikatswein (PDO)

Question 18

What characterizes a Smaragd wine?

Answer 18

• 12.5% or more alcohol
• Named for emerald-colored lizard found in vineyards
• Typically made from very ripe grapes and produce intense dry white wines

Question 19

Which region in Austria instituted its own system for quality dry wines?

Answer 19

Wachau

Question 20

Name the three important sub-regions of Niederosterreich.

Answer 20

1. Kamptal
2. Kremstal
3. Wachau

Question 21

Austria - location?

Answer 21

• Central Europe
• Southeast of Germany
• Northeast of Italy

Question 22

Austria - primary climate moderator?

Answer 22

Danube River

Question 23

Where is Wachau located?

Answer 23

Narrow band of steep slopes along Danube River

Question 24

Austria - white grape varieties?

Answer 24

1. Gruner Veltliner

2. Riesling

Question 25

Define a Pradikatswein (PDO) in Austria.

Answer 25

- Wines categorized by ripeness at harvest | - Rarely used today except for very sweet styles such as TBA, Eiswein, BA

Question 26

What river is the Kremstal DAC located on?

Answer 26

Krems River

Question 27

What river is the Kamptal DAC located on?

Answer 27

Kampt River

Question 28

What is the wine classification system for Wachau dry wines based on?

Answer 28

Ripeness at harvest

Question 29

Which region in Austria contains the best vineyards?

Answer 29

Wachau

Question 30

Austria - what characterizes the viticulture?

Answer 30

- Steep, terraced vineyards over Danube | - Vast plain in lower lying areas

Question 31

Define a Landwein (PGI) in Austria.

Answer 31

Regional wines; rarely exported