2 Minute Guide ➺ Austrian Wine
Austria is quickly establishing itself one of the most exciting wine producing countries in the world. With over 1000 years of winemaking history, a recent new wave of Lo-Fi winemakers and indigenous grape varieties it's not hard to see why the world is becoming ever increasingly fascinated with the vast variety of wine styles and unique expressions pouring out of Austria’s wine scene.
THE GUIDE
REGIONS
Austria’s major winemaking regions are Niederösterreich where racy, dry and aromatic whites are king - showcasing the free draining, mineral rich, sedimentary soils. Burgenland - Famous for its vibrant, rich red wines made from local varieties such as Zweigelt, Blaufränkisch and St Laurent. Styria, a region of rolling limestone hills, you find international varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay alongside Austrian varieties like Welschriesling.
VARIETIES
There is a wealth of grape varieties indigenous to Austria including Gruner Veltiner one of the most planted white grapes whose wines show heaps of white pepper and grapefruit aromas. Welschriesling which is mainly found on richer soils and produces luxurious whites with stone fruit and tropical flavors.
Austria’s major winemaking regions are Niederösterreich where racy, dry and aromatic whites are king - showcasing the free draining, mineral rich, sedimentary soils. Burgenland - Famous for its vibrant, rich red wines made from local varieties such as Zweigelt, Blaufränkisch and St Laurent. Styria, a region of rolling limestone hills, you find international varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay alongside Austrian varieties like Welschriesling.
VARIETIES
There is a wealth of grape varieties indigenous to Austria including Gruner Veltiner one of the most planted white grapes whose wines show heaps of white pepper and grapefruit aromas. Welschriesling which is mainly found on richer soils and produces luxurious whites with stone fruit and tropical flavors.
Zweigelt, a popular red variety with Lo-Fi producers making pet-nats, light chilled reds alongside more traditional full bodied styles. Finally, Blaufränkisch which thrives on clay rich soils found throughout Burgenland - producing structured, age worthy reds.
STYLES
Austrian wine as a whole is often described as ‘the New old world’, this has been lead by a group of younger winemakers rewriting centuries old winemaking traditions and sharing a common purpose - making wines with a natural slant that are an honest reflection of the place and the people that make them. As a result Austrian wine, both traditional and Lo-Fi have exploded onto the international stage in the last 10 years and shows no sign of slowing down.
STYLES
Austrian wine as a whole is often described as ‘the New old world’, this has been lead by a group of younger winemakers rewriting centuries old winemaking traditions and sharing a common purpose - making wines with a natural slant that are an honest reflection of the place and the people that make them. As a result Austrian wine, both traditional and Lo-Fi have exploded onto the international stage in the last 10 years and shows no sign of slowing down.
As a result Austrian wine, both traditional and Lo-Fi have exploded onto the international stage in the last 10 years and shows no sign of slowing down.