Austrian Wine

Austria is well known for Mozart, schnitzel, Sacher torte, and The Sound of Music, but are you aware of its viticulture? During the 19th century, Austria’s wine industry boomed, but many setbacks in the 20th century almost eradicated it. However, like the phoenix from the ashes, it has reemerged riding on the back of its unique and popular grape: Grüner Veltliner. Over the last decade, wines produced from Zweigelt and Blaufränkisch have made waves in the United States, bolstering Austria’s place in viticulture. But to take a closer look, we need to start at the beginning: a perfect place to start.

History of Austrian Wine

Wine came to Austria via the Celts in 700 BCE. In the first century BCE, the Romans further advanced winemaking by improving production techniques. After the fall of the Roman Empire, however, winemaking stagnated.

In the 9th century, Charlemagne encouraged winemaking and instituted new guidelines. Cistercian monks further advanced wine production by introducing Burgundian methods in the Dark Ages, and by the 15th century, vineyards covered most regions of Austria.

Phylloxera

Austrian winemaking continued to thrive until the late 1800s when mildew and phylloxera devastated the vines throughout the country. Further decline occurred after World War I and the collapse of the Habsburg Monarchy when 30% of Austrian vines were lost as portions of Austria were annexed to other countries.

The Soviets further plundered winemaking with the collapse of Nazi Germany after World War II. As a result, the wine industry started making low-quality, mass-produced wine.

Ethylene Glycol

The most significant embarrassment to Austrian wine culture occurred in the mid-1980s when the government found that some winemakers had added ethylene glycol to their wines to increase complexity. As a result, the Austrian industry fell into chaos, and exports dropped substantially.

Renewal

So, how do you solve a problem like a bad reputation? In 1986, the Austrian Wine Marketing Board was established. After that, strict wine laws were increasingly put in place, culminating in 2009 with the passage of the Austrian Wine Act. The government guaranteed wine regulation and quality, and the results have exceeded expectations.

Austrian Wine Today

Austrian wine is now synonymous with Grüner Veltliner, their native grape. This grape represents their most planted and exported wine. However, sales of Grüner have grown stagnant. New and exciting red wines made from Zweigelt and Blaufränkisch receive rave reviews and may indicate the start of the second wave of exports from Austria. Let’s dive further into this beautiful country and the grapes they use.

Austrian Wine Regions

The land of Austria evokes thoughts of the Alps and great skiing (primarily in the western part of the country). Austria’s east and south regions are perfect for Vitis vinifera and are where most of the country’s wine is produced.

Niederosterreich

Austria’s largest wine region is Niederösterreich, located in the northeast part of the country. This area lies along the Danube and contains the capital city, Vienna. It is the heart of white wine production, mainly Grüner Veltliner comprising 44% of the planted grapes.

Eight specific DAC (Districtus Austriae Controllatus) are located in this region. Six of the eight DACs focus on white wine: Wagram, Traisental, Wachau, Kremstal, Kamptal, and Weinviertel. These regions focus not only on the outstanding Grüner Veltliner but also on other white grapes, including Riesling, Pinot Blanc, and Chardonnay. In addition, reds rule in the southern regions of Carnuntum and Thermenregion.

Burgenland

South of Niederösterreich is Burgenland, where the red wines from Blaufränkisch, St. Laurent, and Zweigelt reign supreme. Five DACs exist in this region. The DAC of Mittelburgenland leads to full-bodied, dark fruit-driven reds while the DACs of Neusiedlersee, Leithaberg, and Eisenberg produce more minerally and tannic wines. Within Neusiedlersee lies the extraordinary region of Seewinkel. This region has a unique humid microclimate due to its proximity to Lake Neusiedl, which leads to the development of botrytis on the grapes. Also called noble rot, botrytis causes evaporation in the grape, concentrating sugar levels and giving rise to the production of quality dessert wines called Ausbruch. These are coveted Austrian sweet wines.

Steiermark

Located just southwest of Burgenland is Steiermark (Styria), which contains three DACs. Vulkanland Steiermark makes spicy white wines due to its volcanic soils. Südsteiermark is known for its Sauvignon Blanc production, and Weststeiermark makes red wines from Blauer Wildbacher.

Vienna

As the only country capital globally that makes high-quality wines, Vienna is known for its table wine called Wiener Gemischter Satz: a field blend of white grapes.

Austrian Grape Varietals

A Classic Blend

Wiener Gemischter Satz is a field blend grown in Vienna and is served in every tavern across the city as a table wine. It is made from many varietals, including Grüner Veltliner, Riesling, Traminer, and other whites. Recently, this blend has been produced for exportation into the USA market. Other white wine varietals planted throughout Austria, but mainly in Niederösterreich and Steiermark, are the international grapes Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay.

Gruner Veltliner

Grüner Veltliner makes the essential wine in Austria and accounts for 31% of all grapes planted. This grape is a crossing between Traminer and an unconfirmed second grape. The grape is easily grown throughout Niederösterreich and is regulated by the Austrian government to limit production and maintain quality. The Grüner grown in the region of Weinviertel is the most well-known and of the highest quality. These wines are the spiciest and pepperiest, with higher acidity than other Grüners. Grüner made in the rest of Niederösterreich is generally riper with stone fruit notes and a fuller body.

Zweigelt

Red grapes are mainly grown in lower Niederösterreich, throughout Burgenland, and in Steiermark. The Zweigelt grape was created in the 1920s by Professor Fritz Zweigelt when he crossed Blaufränkisch and St. Laurent. Zweigelt is Austria’s most widespread red grape, accounting for 14% of grapes planted. It is mainly grown in Burgenland. Wines produced from this grape are usually well-structured and balanced with dark fruit notes. Consequently, these wines are sometimes compared to Pinot Noir.

Blaufrankisch

Blaufränkisch is a traditional Austrian grape mainly grown in Burgenland and southern Niederösterreich. This grape accounts for 6.5% of all vines in the country. It was first known to be produced in the 1700s and tends to make wines with high acidity and tannins characterized by cherry or berry notes.

St. Laurent

This red grape is named for St. Lawrence’s day: the day that grapes begin to change color while ripening. Wines made from this grape are usually dark and big-bodied with cherry notes. The final red grape, Blauer Wildbacher, is closely related to Blaufränkisch and traditionally made into rosé wines called Schilcher, the signature wine in Weststeiermark.

Austrian Wine Laws

As you can see, outstanding wines are being made in Austria from unique grapes that grow very well throughout the country. Furthermore, Austria’s wine industry is well-regulated and guarantees that high-quality wines are produced here.

It is also important for the wines to be delicious, and as you explore them, you will agree that they indeed are! So before I say so long, farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, goodbye, you should get your schnitzel, play a little night music, and enjoy some genuinely fantastic Austrian wines. Imagine finishing your night with a Sacher torte, watching The Sound of Music, and enjoying amazing Ausbruch. You will agree that the Austrian hills are indeed alive with the sound of viticulture!