Damon Mcknight
Austria has a long and rich history of winemaking, with archaeological evidence suggesting grape growing in the country over 60 million years ago. Today, Austria is known for its dry white wines, notably the Grüner Veltliner, which accounts for around two-thirds of plantings. The country also produces some sweeter wines, such as dessert wines made around the Neusiedler See. In addition to its white wines, Austria also produces red wines, with Blaufränkisch, Zweigelt, and St Laurent being the key red grape varieties. The country's wine industry is centred in the east and south, with vineyards in Niederösterreich (Lower Austria), Burgenland, and Steiermark. Vienna, notably, is the world's only capital with a significant wine industry within its city limits. Austrian wines are highly regarded for their quality, with a focus on artisanal production by small, family-owned estates.
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What You'll Learn
- Austrian wine is considered one of Europe's best-kept secrets
- Austria's wine country is divided into three parts: Niederösterreich, Burgenland, and Steiermark
- Vienna is the world's only capital with a significant wine industry within its city limits
- Austria's most significant grape variety is Grüner Veltliner, a white grape
- Austrian wines are mostly dry whites, with around 30% being reds
Austrian wine is considered one of Europe's best-kept secrets
Austria is considered one of Europe's best-kept secrets when it comes to wine. While the country is more recognised for its skiing, it has the perfect conditions for wine production. Austria has a long and fruitful history of winemaking, with evidence suggesting that vines were in existence in Austria more than 60 million years ago and were also cultivated by the Celts and the Romans.
Austrian wine is some of the most quality-focused in Europe. For wine lovers, this means you can find well-made artisan wines at brilliant prices, from weekday wines to fine wines. Austria's most famous export is Grüner Veltliner, a delicious crisp, fresh-tasting white wine with notes of ripe apple and a characteristically intriguing twist of white pepper. Grüner Veltliner also has an affinity with classic Austrian dishes such as schnitzel and potato salad, as well as seafood, chicken, pasta dishes and lightly spiced aromatic dishes.
The key red grapes of Austria are Blaufränkisch, Zweigelt and St Laurent. Blaufränkisch accounts for just 6.5% of Austria's total plantings, so despite its synonymy with quality Austrian red wine, it is still produced on a relatively small scale. Zweigelt, on the other hand, is the most-planted red grape variety in Austria, at 13.8% of the total land under vine. It tends to be red-fruited and juicy, with some top-end, oak-aged examples being fuller-bodied.
Austria's wine regions showcase a great diversity of varieties. While the country focuses on white wine production (with two-thirds of its wines being white), there are also some exciting reds being made from native varieties. Austria has some of the world's oldest soils, with its landlocked position providing soil from ancient seabeds. The country also has one of the oldest wine regions in central Europe yet has one of the youngest appellation systems.
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Austria's wine country is divided into three parts: Niederösterreich, Burgenland, and Steiermark
Niederösterreich (Lower Austria)
Located in Austria's northeastern corner, Niederösterreich is the largest wine-growing area in the country. It consists of eight wine-growing regions, including Wachau, Kremstal, Kamptal, Traisental, and Wagram, and accounts for 60% of Austria's vineyards. The region has three major climatic zones: the Weinviertel in the north, the region along the river Danube, and the warmer Pannonian part in the south-east. The Weinviertel, or "wine quarter", has been supplying Austrian wine for centuries. Niederösterreich is known for its Grüner Veltliner and Riesling wines, but it also offers a wide range of different varieties, including fresh, aromatic white wines, fruit-driven red wines, and dessert wines.
Burgenland
Burgenland is located in the warmer east of Austria and accounts for 28% of the country's vineyard surface. It is known for its red wines, particularly Blaufraenkisch and Blauer Zweigelt, and its sweet wines, including Beerenauslese and Trockenbeerenauslese. The region has a hot, continental Pannonian climate and is divided into four sub-regions: Burgenland, Mittelburgenland, Sudburgenland, and Neusiedlersee DAC. The latter is known for its juicy, dry reds made from Zweigelt. Burgenland has slightly more rainfall than Lower Austria, and many of its best wines come from water-retaining clay or loam sites.
Steiermark (Styria)
Located at the southeastern curve of Austria, Steiermark is known for its aromatic white wines, including Chardonnay (known locally as Morillon) and a locally famous rosé. The region makes up only about 10% of Austria's vineyard area, but it offers a range of unique wines thanks to its volcanic soils. Steiermark is divided into three sub-regions: Weststeiermark, Vulkanland Steiermark, and Südsteiermark. In Südsteiermark, on the border with Slovenia, Sauvignon Blanc reaches world-class complexity.
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Vienna is the world's only capital with a significant wine industry within its city limits
Vienna, the capital of Austria, is the biggest wine-producing city in the world. Home to 647 hectares of vineyards and more than 276 wine producers, Vienna is the only capital to produce so much wine within its city limits. This includes famous wine-producing destinations like France's Bordeaux and Italy's Tuscany.
Wine production in Vienna is a long-standing tradition, dating back to the 12th century. The first vines were planted and cultivated in Vienna as far back as 1132 AD. The traditional wine made in Vienna is Gemischter Satz, which is made by blending the different white grapes grown in a single vineyard. The grapes are grown, harvested, and fermented together. This is considered the typical Vienna wine.
Vienna's wine scene is a lively one, with the city's bars and restaurants playing a big part in it. Creative young winemakers bring a contemporary twist to its heuriger heritage, with new bars pairing wine with locally produced food. The farm-to-table lifestyle, along with the city's buzzing nightlife and rich cultural history, make Vienna a must-visit destination for anyone who enjoys sustainably sourced fresh produce.
The city's vineyards have also become a popular meeting place, particularly on weekends, with people walking, running, or cycling through the vines. Visitors can also taste the wine at the wineries themselves and even in the vineyards. For instance, Wieninger am Nussberg serves plates of cured meats, cheeses, and freshly made bread at the top of the Wieninger vineyards, where benches are set among the vines outside, perfect for an al fresco drink.
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Austria's most significant grape variety is Grüner Veltliner, a white grape
Austria is considered to have some of the best-kept wine secrets in Europe. It has a wealth of indigenous grapes and small family producers, making it a great place for wine lovers to expand their horizons. Austrian wine is also some of the most quality-focused in Europe, with well-made artisan wines at brilliant prices.
Grüner Veltliner is believed to date back to Roman times, with its name derived from Veltlin (Valtellina) in northern Italy. However, ampelographers and wine historians have not yet found a link between the grape and the Italian commune. The grape is likely indigenous to Austria, and until the Second World War, it was regarded as just another Austrian grape variety. After the introduction of Lenz Moser's Hochkultur system of vine training, it expanded quickly in plantation from the 1950s and later became Austria's most planted variety. In 2008, Grüner Veltliner plantations in Austria stood at 17,151 hectares (42,380 acres), accounting for 32.6% of all vineyards in the country.
In recent years, Grüner Veltliner has seen an increase in interest, with an uptick in plantation following the results of a 2002 wine tasting organized by Masters of Wine Jancis Robinson and Tim Atkin. It is also a very versatile grape, with wines ranging from dry, light-bodied, and peppery fresh with lots of pear and citrus fruit notes, to more concentrated examples with ageing potential. In special years, there might also be dessert wines made from Grüner Veltliner, such as Eiswein, made from frozen grapes harvested in the winter, or Beerenauslese and Trockenbeerenauslese (BA and TBA), made from grapes shrivelled by noble rot.
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Austrian wines are mostly dry whites, with around 30% being reds
Austrian wines are predominantly dry whites, with around a third of wine production being reds. The country is considered by many to be one of the best-kept wine secrets in Europe, with its indigenous grapes and quality-conscious, small family producers. Austrian wine is some of the most quality-focused in Europe, with well-made artisan wines at brilliant value prices.
The most famous Austrian export is Grüner Veltliner, a white wine with notes of ripe apple and a twist of white pepper. Grüner Veltliner is also known for its affinity with classic Austrian dishes such as schnitzel and potato salad, as well as seafood, chicken, pasta, and aromatic dishes. It is grown mainly in the Lower Austrian region (Niederösterreich) and some vines in northernmost Burgenland, holding 30% of the country's vineyard area. Other important white varieties include Riesling, Pinot Blanc, and Weissburgunder (Pinot Gris).
Red wines from Austria, which make up about 30% of production, are gaining attention, especially those made from Blaufränkisch (also known as Lemberger or Kékfrankos in Hungary). This grape is particularly associated with the region of Mittelburgenland and is a late-ripening red grape that produces medium to full-bodied wines with notes of black cherry, plum, and blackcurrant. Zweigelt, a cross between Blaufränkisch and St. Laurent, is another key red grape variety, accounting for nearly half of Austria's red wine production.
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Frequently asked questions
Driving under the influence of alcohol is illegal in Austria. The permissible blood-alcohol level is very low—two beers or 8 ounces of wine can put you over the limit. The minimum fine is 350€ ($560) and you may lose your driver's license.
Austria's wine country is divided into three parts: Niederösterreich (Lower Austria) to the northeast, Burgenland to the east, and Steiermark (Styria) in the south. Vienna, the capital, is the world's only capital with a significant wine industry within its city limits.
Austrian wines are mostly dry white wines, made from the Grüner Veltliner grape. Other famous Austrian wines include Blaufränkisch, Zweigelt, St Laurent, Riesling, and Welschriesling.
Travellers aged 17 and above may carry up to 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, or 250 grams of tobacco, plus 1 litre of distilled liquor and either 2 litres of wine or 3 litres of beer, duty-free.
