AUSTRIAN WINES(1)

READING BETWEEN THE WINES:

If you are new to the flavors of Austrian wines, the range of styles and quality currently available is better than ever, so there's plenty to try.
— Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator

Austria is slowly coming into its own in the international wine market. In the past few years, the country has made great strides in not only quantity but quality, introducing a new classification system similar to that of France and Italy in 2003. This system is bound to keep quality climbing higher.

Most of all, its wines boast a variety of styles, characters, and terroirs. While Austria is really white wine country, like other worldly relatives, its vintners have been busting out more than a few great reds.

Fans of Austrian whites love to sip the dry to sweet variations, particularly the eclectic Riesling. The Blaufränkisch and Blaufränkisch blends front the red wine scene. Exports of Austrian’s finest have been steadily increasing each year, which can only mean the interest is peaking. Get it while you can!

MAJOR AUSTRIAN WINE REGIONS

Austria’s wine producing regions cover the country far and wide. The major regions in Austria are Burgenland, Niederösterreich, Steiermark, and Vienna.

THE GRAPES

The top grapes used in Austria are as follows:

AUSTRIAN REDS:

Blaufränkisch

These reds are grown mostly in Mittleburgenland, which is Austria’s warmer red wine region. The Blaufränkisch grape delivers fruit forward light-bodied reds with black cherry and spicy oak nuances.

Blauer Zweigelt

The number two produced red grape in Austria, the Blauer Zweigelt beams full-bodied wines with deep red color and red and black currant flavors.

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