Austria, famous as the country of Mozart, is a small country in central Europe surrounded by seven countries. Although the production volume of wine is not very large worldwide, winemaking has a long history, and the distinctive wines made from Austria's unique grape varieties are of high quality and unique, and have attracted attention from all over the world. Masu.
In addition, Austrian wine is said to be one of the most food-friendly wines in the world, making it easy to pair with a variety of meals, and is popular as a drink to accompany meals as it goes well not only with European cuisine but also with Japanese cuisine. .
This time, we will introduce the charm of Austrian wine's unique grape varieties, which are familiar to Japanese people.
Characteristics of Austrian wine
Mostly small wineries
Most Austrian wineries are small, family-run wineries, and there are not many large-scale wineries. Approximately 9,000 small-scale wineries have been making wine for generations, with strict manual yield controls to maintain high quality wine. Despite this, the secret to its popularity is its high cost performance, which allows you to purchase wines from wineries that are highly rated around the world at relatively reasonable prices.
Austria's main wine producing regions
Austria's wine producing regions are concentrated in the east, with four main regions producing wine. Austria's two major wine producing regions are Lower Oestreich and Burgenland, and these two regions produce approximately 90% of Austria's wine.
Lower Oestreich
Lower Oestreich is Austria's largest wine region, accounting for more than half of Austria's wine production. A wide variety of wine styles are produced, including clear white wines made from Grüner Veltliner and Riesling, as well as elegant red wines and noble rot wines.
Burgenland
Burgenland is located in the easternmost part of Austria, along the border with Hungary, and is a wine region with the oldest wine history in Austria. It is also known as the center of Austria's red wine, producing many red wines mainly based on Blaufränkisch and Zweigelt. It also has a reputation for sweet dessert wines such as noble rot wine.
Styria
Styria is a wine-producing region with beautiful vineyards located in southern Austria, near the borders of Slovenia and Italy. The area produces a large amount of white wine, growing a variety of varieties including high-quality Sauvignon Blanc, full-bodied Chardonnay, and mineral-rich Pinot Blanc.
canton of vienna
Vienna, the capital of Austria, is famous as the capital of music, and also produces a wide variety of wines. The city is also famous for its unique wine called ``Gemishter Satz,'' which is made by randomly blending various grape varieties. There are also many wine taverns called Heuriger, where not only tourists but also local patrons can casually enjoy wine and food at Heuriger.
Austria's representative grape varieties
Austria is a wine producing region with a cool climate, producing many dry white wines with a hint of minerality and red wines with a spicy impression. Although the region is ideal for growing internationally popular varieties such as Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Austria is especially famous for its unique grape varieties.
Synonymous with Austrian wine: Grüner Veltliner
It is a local variety that has been cultivated in Austria for a long time, and can be said to be Austria's flagship white grape variety, accounting for about 1/3 of the total grape cultivation area. Various types of white wine are produced, from light-bodied types with citrus aromas and white pepper flavors to full-bodied types with aromas of ripe fruits such as tropical fruits and richness aged in oak barrels. It is said that the lighter type goes well with Japanese cuisine, while the thicker type goes well with ethnic dishes.
Recommended producer of Grüner Veltliner: Nikolai Hof
Nikolaihof/Grüner Veltliner [2017] White wine 750ml
Nikolai Hof is a biodynamic producer that boasts Austria's highest quality in Wachau, a famous white wine producing region in Lower Oestreich. He is also known as a pioneer of natural wine who was one of the first in the world to adopt biodynamic farming methods. He makes natural wines without using any pesticides or chemical fertilizers. In addition to Grüner Veltliner, he also grows Riesling.
This wine is a light-bodied Grüner Veltliner with a pleasant fresh acidity. A casual class wine from Nikolai Hof, with an impressive spicy aroma of white pepper, which is a characteristic of the variety.
Fruity taste with berry flavor: Zweigelt
It is the most cultivated black grape variety in Austria. It is often cultivated in cool regions, and in Japan it is also cultivated in regions such as Tohoku and Hokkaido. Produces light-bodied red wines with aromas of red berries such as cherries. The acidity is smooth, with a hint of grassy green bitterness. Rosé wine made from Zweigelt is also very popular due to its rich fruit flavor. It goes well with simple chicken or pork dishes.
Recommended producer of Zweigelt: Geselmann
Geselmann/Zweigelt [2017] 750ml
Geselmann is a family-run winery in Burgenland. Owner Einbert Geselmann and his father, Einbert, visited wine growing regions around the world to learn about winemaking, and are currently focusing on making wine that takes full advantage of the individuality of the grapes.
This red wine is a light and fruity Zweigelt. It has a soft and smooth style and is recommended to be drunk slightly chilled.
Characterized by spicy and firm fruit flavor: Blaufränkisch
Blaufränkisch is said to be the most premium of Austria's local red wine grape varieties. It is a black grape variety with a smoky flavor, characterized by aromas of violets and red berries, and spicy nuances such as black pepper. Purple in color, with strong tannins and acidity, and a long finish. It goes well with meals, and is especially suitable for elegantly flavored red meat dishes such as beef and lamb.
Recommended producer of Blaufränkisch: Krutzler
Krutzler/ Blaufränkisch (SC) [2014] 750ml
Krutzler is a winery that has a high reputation worldwide and has a winery in Burgenland. Gurtzlar's flagship wine "Pellwolf", made from 100% Blaufränkisch, is also famous as one of Austria's leading red wines. It has a reputation for producing wine that fully expresses the charm of Austrian Blaufränkisch.
This wine is a Blaufränkisch, a casual class of Grutzlar, with aromas of red fruits such as cherries, a hint of spice, and a rich mineral flavor. A well-balanced red wine that is pleasant to drink.
Austrian wines are characterized by their unique flavor, which is light yet has a unique spiciness. The white wine Grüner Veltliner is especially popular among Japanese people for its familiar taste. Why not enjoy some elegant and unique Austrian wine with your meal while listening to wonderful classical music?
