Austria

A modest but high quality production ranking 17 in the world, mainly dry and sweet whites.

Surface : 45 900ha   Production : 1,7 Mhl   Consumption: 2,5 Mhl

Terroir

  • soils :  granit, basalt, limestone, alluvium, silt
  • climate: continental with a contrasted seasonality between cold winters and warm summers
  • main grape varieties : whites (approx. 70%): grüner veltiner, welschriesling, riesling and reds (approx. 30%) : zweigelt, blaunfränkisch, pinot noir

Main wine regions

Three main wine regions at the east of the country :

  • South : Steiermark
  • South-east : Burgenland, famous for its sweet wines from Rust and Lake Newsiedl
  • North-east : Nierderösterreich, representing some 50% of the production

Legislation

Regulation and classification similar to those of Germany :

  • Tafelwein
  • Landwein
  • Qualitätswein
  • Predikatswein

There are 7 levels according to the sugar content.

There is also a classification derived from the French AOC model : Districtus Austriae Controllatus ou DAC.

Site : www.austrianwine.com/