Damon Mcknight
Austrian wines are considered one of the best-kept secrets in Europe, with a strong and historic wine-drinking culture. The country's cool, continental climate influenced by the neighbouring Alps, and its wealth of indigenous grapes, make it a treasure trove for wine lovers. While Austrian wine was once known primarily for its sweet varieties, the country is increasingly producing excellent dry wines. The most famous Austrian export is Grüner Veltliner, a white grape that makes up over a third of Austria's total vineyard acreage. Other notable Austrian wines include Riesling, Welschriesling, Blaufränkisch, Zweigelt, and Pinot Noir.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Country | Austria |
| Wine Type | Red and White |
| Grape Variety | Grüner Veltliner, Riesling, Blaufränkisch, Zweigelt, Saint Laurent, Welschriesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, Frühroter Veltliner, Roter Veltliner, Silvaner, Weisser Burgunder, Müller-Thurgau |
| Wine Region | Wachau, Kamptal, Kremstal, Burgenland, Vienna, Carnuntum, Traisental, Langenlois, Neusiedlersee |
| Wine Style | Dry, Sweet, Crisp, Fresh, Minerality, Aromatic, Complex, Fruity, Spicy, Balanced, Light, Savory, Floral, Silky, Full-Bodied, Juicy, Vibrant |
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What You'll Learn
Grüner Veltliner, Austria's most famous export
Grüner Veltliner has a long history, believed to date back to Roman times. It is the most-planted grape variety in Austria, with 17,151 hectares of plantations recorded in 2008, accounting for 32.6% of all vineyards in the country. The grape thrives in the northeast of Austria, particularly along the Danube River west of Vienna, in regions such as Wachau, Kremstal, and Kamptal. These regions are known for their steep slopes, producing very pure, mineral Grüner Veltliners with excellent aging potential.
The wine is known for its versatility, with a range of styles from sparkling to still, dry to sweet, and young to aged. It is often described as food-friendly, pairing well with dishes like sashimi, salads, light meats, and seafood. The flavours of Grüner Veltliner can include crisp apple, key lime zest, green melon, Asian pear, elderflower, ginger, and a touch of pepper.
In recent years, Grüner Veltliner has gained international recognition, with wineries in the United States, Australia, and Canada beginning to grow and bottle this variety. This expansion showcases the growing appreciation for Austria's flagship grape variety on the world stage.
Overall, Grüner Veltliner is a quintessential Austrian wine, offering a unique combination of freshness, minerality, and food-friendly versatility. Its rise to fame has contributed to Austria's reputation as a modern and prestigious wine-producing nation.
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Zweigelt, the most prestigious Austrian red grape
Austrian wine is best known for its white grape varieties, such as Gruner Veltliner and Riesling. However, the country also produces excellent red wines, including Saint Laurent, Blaufrankisch, and Zweigelt.
Zweigelt, formerly known as Rotburger, is widely regarded as the most prestigious Austrian red grape. It was created in 1922 by Fritz or Friedrich Zweigelt, a hybrid of two Austrian grapes, Blaufränkisch and St. Laurent. The grape variety was recognised by Austrian viticulturist, Dr. Laurenz (Lenz) Moser, in the 1950s, who advocated for its current name. Zweigelt is known for its dependability, with a later budbreak in the spring and mid-season ripening, reducing the risk of frost and weather damage.
Zweigelt is predominantly found in the Burgenland District of Austria, known for its high-quality wines. It is commonly bottled as a single varietal but is also blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot to create an Austrian twist on classic Bordeaux blends. When served lightly chilled, it pairs well with grilled red meat, fish, shellfish, and chicken, making it a versatile and approachable choice for wine enthusiasts.
The grape produces fruity wines with a unique capacity to evolve in bottles, resulting in fine textures and finesse when crafted by skilled winemakers. The Neusiedlersee DAC, a narrowly defined region, is known for its Zweigelt wines, with a generous, creamy, soft, and full-bodied profile. The Weingut Pöckl Zweigelt Neusiedlersee DAC 2021, for example, showcases intense cherry fruit flavours with a muscular, powerful, and richly spiced profile.
Zweigelt has gained a dedicated following due to its consistent quality and the dedication of vintners and winemakers who recognise its potential. While it may not be heavily promoted by large wineries, its reputation as an "insurance" grape and its ability to thrive in Austria's cool climate make it a notable variety in the world of wine.
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Best wine-producing areas of Austria
Austria has a strong and historic wine-drinking culture, and its wines are considered some of the best in Europe. The country's wine-growing area spans 44,210 hectares, with the federal states of Lower Austria, Burgenland, and Styria defined as distinct wine regions. Lower Austria (Niederösterreich) is the country's largest wine-producing region, with 24,145 hectares of vineyards responsible for approximately half of the total wine output. The notable subregions within Lower Austria include Wachau, Kamptal, and Kremstal. Wachau, in particular, is known for its world-famous winemaking.
Burgenland, the second-largest wine-producing region, is located on the eastern border of Austria and is known for producing the most opulent and authoritative red wines in the country, along with complex whites and fine sweet wines. The region benefits from the hot, continental Pannonian climate and shares a border with Hungary, resulting in wines similar to those of its neighbour. The Zweigelt grape, arguably the most prestigious Austrian red, is particularly at home in Vienna's Neusiedlersee region. In the areas of Leithaberg, Mittelburgenland, and Eisenberg, the Blaufränkisch grape is predominantly grown, favoured for its ability to cultivate in the region's clay, sand, and rubble soils.
Styria (Steiermark), the third-largest wine-growing region, is known for its fresh and elegant wines. All three Styrian wine-growing regions offer their own specialties. The western region is dominated by Schilcher Rosé, while Sauvignon Blanc and Gelber Muskateller are typical in the south, and the southeast traditionally produces Traminer. While Styria may not produce the weightiest wines, its wines are celebrated for their brilliant expression of origin, with their fresh, brilliant, and elegant flavours.
Finally, Vienna (Wien) is often described as a principal wine region, despite its smaller vineyard area and wine output. The city's vineyards play a crucial role in the local economy and help preserve the green belt surrounding the city. The unique Wiener Gemischter Satz, a field blend added to the list of Austrian DAC wines in 2013, has become the quintessential symbol of Vienna's wines.
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Austrian wines: red vs white
Austrian wines are considered one of the best-kept secrets in Europe. The country has a strong and historic wine-drinking culture, with evidence suggesting that vines were in existence in Austria over 60 million years ago. Austrian wines have enjoyed recent international success, particularly with their dry white wines.
Austria's most famous wine export is Grüner Veltliner, a white grape variety that accounts for more than a third of Austria's total acreage under vine. Grüner Veltliner is known for its crisp, fresh taste with notes of ripe apple and a characteristic twist of white pepper. It pairs well with classic Austrian dishes like schnitzel and potato salad, as well as seafood, chicken, pasta, and lightly spiced aromatic dishes.
Riesling is another key white grape variety in Austria, particularly in the regions west of Vienna along the Danube. Austrian Riesling tends to be dry and can develop more depth and complexity with ageing. It often has high acidity and can improve in the bottle for many years, making it a great choice for fans of this enigmatic grape.
While Austria is best known for its white wines, the country also produces excellent red wines. The key red grape varieties in Austria are Blaufränkisch, Zweigelt, and St. Laurent. Blaufränkisch, also known as Blaufrankisch, is a dark ruby garnet-coloured wine with hints of violet. Zweigelt, created as a cross between Blaufränkisch and St. Laurent in 1922, is considered the most prestigious Austrian red grape. It has a deep colour and aromas of ripe berries, sweet vanilla, and rose petals.
Overall, Austrian wines offer a diverse range of flavours and styles, from crisp and dry whites to juicy and vibrant reds, making them a great choice for wine enthusiasts looking to expand their horizons.
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Austrian sweet wines
Austrian wine is best known for its white grape, Gruner Veltliner, and its excellent Riesling. However, the country also has its fair share of sweet wines. In fact, most vines cultivated in Austria are suitable for the production of sweet wines.
The history of nobly sweet wines in Austria dates back almost 500 years. The first Trockenbeerenauslese in the Pannonian region was produced as early as 1526. A large quantity of shrivelled, raisin-like berries was harvested from the Baron of Leisser’s vineyard in Donnerskirchen and used to produce an excellent wine.
Other varieties of grapes used for Austrian sweet wines include Welschriesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Bouvier, and the "Schmeckerte" varieties such as Muskateller, Muskat Ottonel, Traminer, Sauvignon Blanc, and Scheurebe.
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Frequently asked questions
Austrian wine is best known for its white grape, Gruner Veltliner, and its excellent Riesling. However, the country also has several tasty red varieties, including Saint Laurent, Blaufrankisch, and Zweigelt. The most prestigious Austrian red grape is arguably Zweigelt, a deeply coloured wine with ripe berry and sweet vanilla oak notes.
The most revered Austrian wines are the Gruner Veltliner and Riesling wines from Wachau, Kremstal, and Kamptal.
The key red grapes of Austria are Blaufrankisch, Zweigelt, and St Laurent.
The key white grapes of Austria are Gruner Veltliner and Riesling.
Stone, Vine & Sun published a list of the top five Austrian wines for 2021, including a Riesling from a high, terraced vineyard, and a 100% Blaufrankisch from Burgenland.
The best-known Austrian wine regions are Wachau, Kamptal, and Kremstal.
