Weinviertel DAC – whose name translates as "wine quarter" – is an appellation in Niederösterreich (Lower Austria). It is by far the largest Districtus Austriae Controllatus wine region in Austria. It was also the first Austrian wine region to be given that title, in 2002, with a DAC Reserve designation added in 2009.
The designation applies only to white wines from the Grüner Veltliner Grape variety.
There are around 6700 hectares planted to the variety in this zone, just under half the total of Weinviertel Vineyards. It is also about half the national (and therefore global) total for the grape variety.
- Minimum 12 percent Alcohol by Volume vs 13 percent
- Maximum 6 grams per liter residual sugar vs completely dry
- No Botrytis or oak aromas allowed vs subtle botrytis or oak aromas allowed
- Submission to Tasting commision from January 1 of year after harvest vs from March 15
Weinviertel is Austria's most important wine region in terms of both its area under vine and the quantity of wine it produces. With more than 13,800 hectares (34,100 acres) planted, its Vineyard area is 10 times that of Austria's most famous region, Wachau, and about the same as the entire state of Burgenland.
Outside of the DAC title, the region also produces fresh, citrusy white wines made from Riesling, and increasing quantities of bright, spicy red Zweigelt. However, non-DAC wines are labeled with the Niederösterreich designation.
Zweigelt holds a distant (but steadily closer) second place in the DAC, outnumbered four to one by Grüner Veltliner. Third equal are Welschriesling and Blauer Portugieser – both as traditional as they are unfashionable, and both declining rapidly as they are replaced with more internationally popular varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc and, particularly, Muscat.
Müller-Thurgau shows the character of its noble origins. This Swiss white grape variety is a cross between the royal madeleine and the riesling. The idea that the latter was crossed with the sylvaner is irrelevant. The variety can be recognized by its vigorous character and its semi-erect habit. Preferring rich soils and short prunings, the plant sees its buds open quite early. The buds are cottony and soft green in color. The slightly embossed and tormented blade, with 5 to 7 lobes, makes it possible to distinguish the adult leaves. The clusters appear compact, pyramidal or cylindrical in shape and small to medium in size. The flavour of the Müller-Turgau berries is reminiscent of Muscat. The juicy and crunchy pulp is revealed under a greyish skin. When ripe, the fruit has a mottled shell on a golden yellow background. Switzerland prefers to extract the juice from this variety. The wine made from it is rather heavy and does not keep well.
white wines from the region of Weinland go well with generally quite well with dishes of pork, shellfish or spicy food such as recipes of baked dumplings, barbecued lobster or sheep's feet with mountain honey.
On the nose in the region of Weinland often reveals types of flavors of pineapple, dried fruit or straw and sometimes also flavors of cheese, almonds or baked apple. In the mouth in the region of Weinland is a with a nice freshness.
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