1. Amazing Austria
Most people correct me when I mention my love of Austrian wines; ‘Oh, you mean Australian’, they say. Correcting them, I also remind them that wines have been made in Austria well before Australians decided to call Syrah, Shiraz.
Wine has been produced in Austria since Roman times but there has been a huge resurgence in quality wine production over the past two decades and wine lists around the world are now made more complete with the listing of several Austrian wines.
There are now a dozen recognised wine regions in Austria with the sweet dessert wines produced around Neusiedler See in Burgenland considered among the world’s best.
Grapevines growing in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Wachau along the banks of the Danube River are considered some of the world’s most picturesque. Danube River cruises stop along this narrow and steep section of the river between Melk and Krems especially in the scenic towns of Spitz and Dürnstein.
Like the wines of German, those of Austria have to compete with more recognisable global wines. Sadly, some consumers baulk at grape varieties like Grüner Veltliner and Zweigelt and styles ranging from Spätlese, Auslese to Beerenauslese, Trockenbeerenauslese, Eiswein, and Strohwein. My advice (the same can be said of the wines of the Mosel) is; do a little homework in order to enjoy the fruits of the vines. For example, Grüner Veltliner is one of the finest white wines to accompany most Asian cuisines, so don’t be afraid to order a bottle (is the pronunciation any more challenging than Cabernet Sauvignon?).
Wachau Grape Varieties
- Grüner Veltliner
- Neuberger
- Gelber Muskateller
- Weissburgunder (Pinot Blanc)
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Zweigelt
Red wine cheat sheet: The varietals you need to know
Respected Wachau Wineries
- Alzinger
- Domaine Wachau
- Josef M. Högl
- F.X. Pichler
- Rudi Pichler