Austrian wine is extremely popular. It is mainly small family businesses that have been making excellent wine with great care and dedication for generations. The quality is actually high across the board, it is hard to find a bad Austrian wine. They stand out because of their fruit, purity and minerals. The white is crisp and fresh, the red Austrian wine is elegant and fruity.
The Grüner Veltliner is the national pride of Austria. It accounts for a third of the vineyards. The Riesling is the other great white grape of Austria. The white Muskat Ottonel is on the rise. The spicy wine from this grape is often made tight and dry by Austrian winegrowers. Ever heard of Neuburger, Welschriesling or Rotgipfler? Also typical Austrian white grapes and well worth tasting. Better known are the Chardonnay and the Sauvignon Blanc. The latter produces mineral white wines in Styria that are among the best in the world.
The Zweigelt, Sankt Laurent, and Blaufränkisch grapes are the Austrian 'blue trinity'. They have more than one thing in common! The St. Laurent and Blaufränkisch had a relationship at the beginning of the twentieth century. From that the Zweigelt was born. The entire family is elegant and above all very fruity. In addition, French grapes are grown, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Merlot.
In 2018, the Austrian authorities approved four more grape varieties for the production of quality wines: Blütenmuskateller, Muscaris, Souvignier Gris and Goldmuskateller. The first three are so-called hybrids that are almost resistant to diseases such as mildew. You don't see many wines from these grapes on the market yet, but that will certainly change in the coming years.
Were you born before 1975? Then you may remember the 'antifreeze scandal' of 1985. A handful of fraudulent producers were found to be artificially sweetening wines. The scandal was widely reported in the international press. The export of Austrian wine came to a standstill. Paradoxically, the scandal gave an enormous boost to quality. Strict new wine laws were introduced. Winegrowers started making dry white and red quality wine. Many started working 'naturnah' or even organically.
Austrian winemakers strive to express the character of the grape as purely as possible in the taste of the wine. For example, Chardonnay is rarely matured in wooden barrels. That would obscure the specific character of the grape. Many winemakers have planted a large number of grape varieties. For each part of the vineyard, great care is taken to determine which grape thrives best.
Austrian wine families sell their wine in the area and to loyal customers. A new generation of highly trained winegrowers has taken over the management in recent years. With an eye for detail, they make high-quality wines. They apply modern knowledge based on their specific Austrian wine philosophy. They want to distinguish themselves with their own, unique wines with a recognizable character.
Finally, we must not forget the Austrian sweet wines. Together with Sauternes and Tokaj, they belong to the absolute world top. A fascinating diversity of Spätleses, Beerenausleses, Trockenbeerenausleses and Eisweinen is made in the vineyards around the large Neusiedlersee. The most special is the Ruster Ausbruch. A tiny appellation of a very large sweet dessert wine.
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