We sell gift vouchers - for more details call us on 0115 911 0555 or email us at eann@gauntleys.com
We sell gift vouchers - for more details call us on 0115 911 0555 or email us at eann@gauntleys.com
Historically in the shadow of its neighbouring countries, Austria is a hidden gem amongst European wine producing nations, whose star continues to shine brighter on the international wine scene with each passing year. It’s astonishing range of indigenous grape varieties, styles and small-scale, quality-oriented family wineries make it a treasure trove for adventurous wine enthusiasts who crave exquisite, food-friendly wines.
Whilst its wine heritage dates back thousands of years, it is the recent generation of small family producers that is responsible for the country’s growing international reputation. They take pride in producing characterful wines that showcase the unique qualities of the grapes and the vineyards where they are grown, and many of them are at the forefront of environmentally responsible viticulture. In fact, Austria is becoming increasingly known for its commitment to biodiversity and dedication to natural winemaking.
Austria is one of the most captivating wine regions in the world right now, with quality and diversity that is just too good to ignore. Overlook it at your peril! For example, Buried deep in the heart of Austria’s largest wine growing region, Weinviertel, wine maker Friedrich Rieder and his family, go about hand crafting some of the finest white wines around. Make sure to check out the remarkable white and sweet wines of Weinrieder!
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Austria’s wine industry is heavily influenced by the country’s geography and climate. The majority of vineyards are located in the eastern part of Austria, bordering Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. The wine regions are mostly situated along the Danube Valley and its tributaries.
The climate is continental, with hot summers and cold winters. Vineyards can often be found planted on steep terraced slopes, allowing for maximum sun exposure and optimal drainage. The cool nights and continental climate in the Austrian wine regions help to preserve acidity, a crucial component for producing high-quality white wines such as Grüner Veltliner; and generally, produces racy, dry white wines and lighter, more elegant and fruity reds.
The growing season in good vintages is long and steady, contributing to the balanced wines with fresh acidity that balance the ripeness of the fruit. The wine-producing areas in Austria can broadly be divided into two categories based on climate. The cooler-climate regions in the north generally produce white wines and light-bodied reds, influenced by cooling winds due to the proximity to the Alps and more of an Atlantic influence. The warmer-climate areas in the south and east, on the other hand, produce fuller-bodied red wines, influenced by the warmth of the Mediterranean.
Grüner Veltliner remains the most recognizable Austrian export, and represents 30% of the overall wine production of the country, producing crisp, fresh-tasting whites with flavours of ripe apples and a characteristic white pepper twist. However, this is but scratching the surface as Austria produces a vast spectrum of remarkable artisan wines from indigenous and international varieties, that effortlessly run the gamut from dry to intensely sweet, at prices representing brilliant value across the spectrum, from weekday wines to fine wines for laying down.
In Austria, 40 grape varieties are officially classified, with 26 of them being white and 14 being red. While some of these grapes, such as Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, may be familiar to lovers of international wine, others are autochthonous, unique to the region. Grüner Veltliner is Austria’s premium white grape, while Zweigelt is the top red wine grape. Additionally, Riesling, Welschriesling, Müller-Thurgau, and Sauvignon Blanc are among the popular white varieties, and Blaufränkisch, Sankt Laurent, and Merlot are among the well-regarded reds. White wine grapes account for about two-thirds of Austria’s vineyards, while the remaining third is devoted to red wine cultivation, which has doubled in the last 20 years.
From dry, mineral-driven Rieslings to rich, concentrated reds made from Blaufrankish and Zweigelt, to vibrant sweet dessert wines from regions such as Neusiedlersee, Austrian wines are diverse, exciting, and often underrated.
Austria boasts several wine-growing regions, with the majority located in the eastern part of the country. Among these are Niederösterreich (Lower Austria), Burgenland, Styria, and Vienna.
Niederösterreich, the largest regional wine-growing area, has 28,145 hectares under vine and is home to eight wine-growing regions. This area in the northeast of the country and borders Czechia and Slovakia and surrounds the Wien region which includes Vienna as its cultural hub. Niederösterreich boasts Austria’s most popular and important wine varieties such as Grüner Veltliner and Riesling. Notably, the wine regions of Wachau, Kremstal, Kamptal, and Weinveirtel within Lower Austria create some of the highest-rated wines in the region.
Burgenland lies further east, bordering Hungary, and has a total of 13,100 hectares under vine. This region is Austria’s red wine country, focusing mainly on Blaufränkisch, St Laurent, and Pinot Noir. Although this region’s warmer temperature allows for high-quality red wines, some Grüner Veltliner can also be found here. Burgenland has five sub-regions, including Leithaberg DAC, Neusiedlersee DAC, Mittelburgenland DAC, Eisenberg DAC, and Rosalia DAC, each providing different terroirs for winemakers.
Styria, located in the southeast, has a cooler climate and is known for its international varieties, such as Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Blanc, and Chardonnay. The region offers a distinct fragrant quality that sets it apart from other regions, and there are also some incredible examples of Sauvignon Blanc, a spicy rosé called Schilcher, and Muskateller (an aromatic but dry Muscat Blanc wine).
Finally, there is Vienna, an urban landscape that includes a historical wine designation called Wiener Gemischter Satz, a field blend of various grapes from local vineyards, tied to Viennese culture. The Austrian capital boasts a miniscule 621 hectares of vineyards within its city limits. Wine production has been a part of Vienna’s landscape since the Middle Ages and the limestone soils towards the town of Klosterneuburg provide the perfect environment for the growth of Riesling, Chardonnay and Pinot blanc grapes.
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