Austria

Wines of AUSTRIA

Although Austrians consume almost 75% of their wines, exporting only 25%, they have several indigenous varietals that are gaining credit here in the states: producing dry, food friendly wines (and some impressive sweet wines). In Lower Austria, the Wachau, Kremstal and Kamptal regions along the Danube River west of Vienna are collectively known as the source of many of the high quality dry Rieslings and Grüner Veltliners. The easy to drink Grüner Veltliner is the most widely planted grape in Austria. Grüner, for short, comes on fruity but finishes bone dry and shows distinct white pepper, tobacco, lentil and citrus flavors and aromas, along with high acidity, making it an excellent partner for food. Riesling, second to Grüner in terms of quantity, can offer lush wines with enticing and racy notes of white, fleshy fruit: peaches, pineapples, and crunchy, tart, hard candy. While dry, it has less stringent acidity than you’d find in a similar style German wine, yet remains refreshing and moderate in alcohol. The special microclimate of the Seewinkel region, is ideal for firm, red wines and internationally renowned sweet wines. With the climate change favoring cooler regions and with advancements in winemaking, these regions now produce also great, lesser-known reds such as Zweigelt and Blaufrankish.

Lower Austria/ NIEDEROSTERREICH
Wachau/ Kremstal/ Kamptal
The main grapes of the region are the fruity Grüner Veltliner – a spicy little green grape yielding medium- to full-bodied wines with bright acidity and hints of herb, citrus and pear – and Riesling – having a mineral character. The Kremstal region produces strong, spicy Grüner Veltliner and Riesling with mineral finesse and good ageing potential. Traisental makes Grüner and Riesling in many styles, ranging from racy & spicy to fine and well-balanced to full-bodied and fully matured. Donauland is known for Grüners with a nutty-spicy taste; and Roter Veltliner, an indigenous grape. Weinviertel produces basic wines for the production of sparking wines; as well as elegant, charming red wines. In Carnuntum , the weather conditions allow the red grapes to mature fully, creating sexy, elegant red wines from both Zweigelt and Blaufränkisch. In Thermenregion, Zierfandler and Rotgipfler are the typical whites of the hot, dry area; and St. Laurent and Blauburgunder (Pinot Noir) are the reds. Here Blauer Zweigelt is full bodied, often spicy with moderate tannin and vivid fruit, deep in color and featuring bold flavors of red and black currants.
Key Red Grape Varieties Most commonly labeled as…				Key White Grape Varieties Most commonly labeled as…
Blaufränkisch St. Laurent Blauer Zweigelt Blauburgunder (Pinot Noir) Cabernet/ Merlot Gemischter Satz				Grüner Veltliner Riesling Weissburgunder (Pinot Blanc) Zierfandler Rotgipfler Neuburger

Vienna / WIEN
There are 700 hectares of vineyards that form the basis for this sound industry around the belt of Vienna, all producing quite high quality wines. Burgundy style varietals do predominantly well in this region. You may also find “Gemischter Satz,” a wine made of a field blend and can be found produced from the traditional “local vitners” to high quality reserve wines. You can also find crisp Rieslings and several indigenous, medium to full bodied, fresh red wines.
Key Red Grape Varieties Most commonly labeled as…				Key White Grape Varieties Most commonly labeled as…
Blauburgunder (Pinot Noir) Merlot Zweigelt Gemischter Satz				Riesling Weissburgunder (Pinot Blanc) Chardonnay Grüner Veltliner Traminer

BURGENLAND
On both the east and west of Lake Neusidel, the wine range comprises dry, fresh wines, full bodied and aromatic whites, mature reds, as well as the area’s best sweet wines, namely Ruster Ausbrush. Neusiedlersee (around Lake Neusidl) produces a diversity of wines from dry to sweet; its red wines, mainly Zweigelt show a mellowness of fruit. The Neusiedlersee-Hugelland region makes well rounded complex white wines; strong red wines; and traditional sweet wines. Mittelburgenland, home of Blaufrankish, shows a great diversity of styles; fresh and fruity to rich and mature. The Sudburgenland region is known for the producing fruit-forward Blaufrankish: light- to medium-bodied reds, typically showing mineral based spicy flavors of black cherry and spice. They’re perfectly suited to food pairing situations that might otherwise call for Pinot Noir or even Cabernet Franc. Welschriesling is the main white.
Key Red Grape Varieties Most commonly labeled as…				Key White Grape Varieties Most commonly labeled as…
Zweigelt Blaufrankish Blauburgunder (Pinot Noir) St. Laurent Cabernet and Merlot				Weslchriesling Weissburgunder (Pinot Blanc) Morillon (Chardonnay) Sauvignon Blanc Grüner Veltliner

Syria/ STEIERMARK

Warm, humid Mediterranean climate with cool nights help bring out the aromas that generate a richness of nuances in these white wines. The winemakers make elegant wines from fruity, young wines, as well as mature wines rich in extracts. Fine, spicy white wines such as Welschriesling, Chardonnay, Weissburgunder and Grauburgunder, as well as red wines like Zweigelt, St. Laurent and Blauburgunder are completely at home here. The Sud-Oststeiermark region, with its volcanic slopes and soil offers a particularly wide range of grapes, all possessing spicy and mineral aromas, especially the aromatic Traminer. There are a great diversity in the white wines (Weissburgunder, Morillon (Chardonnay)) and elegant, fruity red wines (Blauer Zweigelt). The Sudsteiermark region also produces a diversity of grapes, especially Sauvignon Blanc, Welschriesling, Morillon (Chardonnay), Weissburgunder and Muskateller. Weststeiermark makes Blauer Wildbacher in many styles; and produces a great rose made from Schilcher, with racy acidity and spicy fruit that can range from a fruity aperitif to a refined sweet wine.
Key Red Grape Varieties Most commonly labeled as…			Key White Grape Varieties Most commonly labeled as…
Zweigelt St. Laurent Blauburgunder (Pinot Noir) Blauer Wildbacher Schilcher (rose)			Sauvignon Blanc Welschriesling Morillon (Chardonnay) Weissburgunder (Pinot Blanc) Grauburgunder (Pinot Gris) Riesling Muskateller Traminer