Wine General Discussion

We continue the Wines of the World Series with a spotlight on Austria. In June, we’ll explore key regions and wine styles with resources from Austrian Wine, who have generously agreed to share their content with the Berlin Wine School Community.

📖 Key facts:

• Niederösterreich is Austria’s largest Qualitätswein wine-growing region with 26,732 ha under vine.*

• Niederösterreich is a general Qualitätswein region identical to the federal state.

• Within Niederösterreich there are 8 specific Qualitätswein regions: Carnuntum, Kamptal, Kremstal, Thermenregion, Trainsental, Wachau, Wagram, and Weinviertel.

• All 8 regions have their DAC status denominations.

• Certain regions further classify DAC denomination into 3 levels: Gebietswein (region), Ortswein ("village"), and Riedenwein (single vineyard), which also specifies the permitted varieties and criteria for winegrowing and winemaking.

• It has diverse soils and climates resulting in variety of wine styles produced. Both indigenous and international varieties are grown.

• 79% of wine produced is white, 21% red.*

• The most planted varieties are: Grüner Veltiner, Zweigelt, Riesling, Welschriesling, Müller-Thurgau.

*As of 2023/2024 Austria Wine Statistics Report.

📍Specific regions and DACs:

Niederösterreich specific regions can be grouped into 3 climatic zones, that impact the wine varieties and styles:

1.Weinviertel in the north:

• Austria’s largest specific wine region (~14,000ha).

• Grüner Veltliner is the flagship variety and since 2002, can be produced under Weinviertel DAC.

• Since 2009, Weinviertel DAC Reserve and Große Reserve (full-bodied wines matured over a longer period of time) are also produced.

• Green and white pepper notes combined with a fresh fruit and acidity are typical for these DAC wines.

• Other styles include refreshing white wines, fruity reds and a selection of sweet wines.

  
  

  

2.Danube region and its tributary valleys:

• Riesling and Grüner Veltliner are key varieties in these regions. Steep slopes and terraced vineyards are common.

• Kamptal: DAC status for Grüner Veltliner and Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc or Pinot Gris. From 2025 all DAC wines must be organic-certified.

• Kremstal: DAC status for Grüner Veltliner and Riesling.

• Treisental: DAC status for Grüner Veltliner and Riesling.

• Wachau: 3 levels of DAC status (Gebietswein, Ortswein, Riedenwein) determine the permitted variety. All DAC wines must be hand-harvested.

• Wagram: known for the  Roter Veltliner indigenous variety. 3 levels of DAC status (Gebietswein, Ortswein, Riedenwein) determine the permitted variety.

3.South-east regions with Pannonian climate:

• Warm summers, the river Danube and the temperature-regulating Lake Neusiedl create great conditions for grapes to reach full ripeness.

• Carnuntum: known for some of Austria’s most outstanding red wines from Zweigelt and Blaufränkisch. DAC status for both whites (Chardonnay, Weissburgunder, Grüner Veltliner) and reds (Zweigelt and Blaufränkisch)

• Thermenregion: the "youngest" DAC (2023) for both red and white wines. It is known for the Zierfandler (Spätrot) and Rotgipfler autochtonous varieties.

🔎Did you know?

• Weinviertel was the first Austrian region to establish the DAC denomination in 2023 to market its flagship, peppery Grüner Veltliner.

• Heiligenstein in Kamptal is a 270-million-year-old slope, formed of desert sandstone and volcanic particles, considered one of the best Riesling sites in the world.

• The term “Klassik” is often used for DAC status wines to distinguish from the “Reserve” and “Große Reserve” denominations.

• Buschenschank is a traditional “wine tavern” found all across Austrian countryside. Winemakers serve their own wines and simple, cold food directly to guests. Traisental region is particularly known for its picturesque and charming taverns and Buschenschank wines.

• Traisental is one of Austria’s regions with the highest Grüner Veltliner proportion - 60% of the area under vine are dedicated to Grüner Veltliner.

• Wachau’s landscape and the stretch of the Danube Valley between Krems and Melk is a UNESCO heritage site.

• Carnuntum was a significant and strategic region of the Romans.

🎓Learn more:

• Read more about Niederösterreich.

• Browse the list of Niederösterreich producers.

• Learn more about Austrian white wine varieties.

• Learn more about Austrian red wine varieties.

• Discover all Austrian winegrowing regions including an interactive map.

💬Share your thoughts!

Have you ever visited Lower Austria and any of the specific regions? Have you ever tried a Heiligenstein Riesling or the autochtonous varieties from Roter Veltliner, Zierfandler, and Rotgipfler? Have you ever visited a Buschenschank? How would you describe Buschenschank wines? Share your thoughts!

All resources, maps, images and data courtesy of Austrian Wine.

Coming up: Burgenland