Last year we again tasted our way through the wine regions of Austria. For the first time, there were longer summary comments on the tastings in addition to the introductory articles. Here you will find links to all the current texts:
Carnuntum stretches in the east of Vienna along the right bank of the Danube to the Slovakian border. In the south of Vienna, the area reaches as far as the Leithagebirge and the Burgenland region of Neusiedlersee-Hügelland, and in the southeast it borders on the wine-growing area of Neusiedlersee. The fact that Carnuntum forms the link between Lower Austria and Burgenland is also evident in the wines. First-class Grüner Veltliner wines are still produced here, which are hardly ever found in Burgenland; at the same time, however, the region has long been red wine country.
The Thermenregion is so little known outside Austria that it is difficult to judge whether it has any reputation at all. One can speculate for a long time about the reasons, because it can hardly be due to the quality of the wines. Perhaps more to do with the fact that two of the most important varieties are not only hardly known, but also have strange names: Zirtfandler and Rotgipfler. But there is no reason for disdain here, quite the opposite!
Especially in the Weinviertel, where rather light and drinkable wines dominate the scene, the fear was great that we would get mostly thin and green drops in the glass from this vintage, which is anything but easy. The surprise was all the greater: the Veltliners, in particular, often turned out very pleasantly and were remarkably cheap. And more and more wineries are drawing attention to themselves with first-class wines.
Styria is a paradise for Sauvignon, Muscat, Traminer and Burgundy varieties. All these varieties regularly produce wines that can compete with the best representatives of their kind in the world. First, however, we have dealt with the "classics", i.e. the entry-level wines, which can already be surprisingly good and are almost always a pleasure to drink. The top wines will follow shortly.
The Wagram, often a little overlooked next to its more famous neighbours Wachau, Kamptal and Kremstal, is home to a whole series of first-class producers whose wines often remain extraordinarily inexpensive even at the top end.
In recent years, the Kremstal has increasingly emerged from the shadow of the neighbouring Wachau. In the meantime, word has spread outside of Austria that Krems wines are not inferior to those of the famous neighbouring region. Even the less familiar names often have excellent wines to offer, which are also frequently available at very reasonable prices. The difficult 2014 vintage in particular made it clear how well the "second series" is now positioned.
The Kamptal is not only the second largest wine-growing region in Lower Austria, it is also geologically one of the most varied. This is also reflected in the diversity of varieties. Not only do the two DAC-classified varieties Riesling and Grüner Veltliner produce wines of undeniable world class here, but also the white Burgundies, Sauvignons and even reds can be outstanding.
While the Rieslings in the Wachau often struggled in 2014 and could not always maintain their usual standard, the Veltliners turned out excellent almost across the board. The Burgundies are also impressive.
The current results from Burgenland will follow shortly, as will the tasting results of the Styrian single vineyards.