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A new regulation in Austrian wine law changes the classification details of the Leithaberg, Weinviertel and Kremstal DAC growing regions as well as the three Styrian DAC areas. Accordingly, the red wine profile will be sharpened in the Leithaberg DAC: The wine from there must now be produced 100 per cent from Blaufränkisch; the previous blending partners St. Laurent, Zweigelt and Pinot Noir are no longer permitted.
In the new regulations for Südsteiermark DAC, Vulkanland Steiermark DAC and Weststeiermark DAC), stricter requirements are also imposed on Rieden wines that do not come from demarcated DAC local wine regions. In addition, the ordinance limits the residual sugar content for Muskateller Rieden wines .The traditional term "reserve" is now also defined in more detail for Styrian DAC wines, and in Vulkanland Steiermark, "Gleichenberg" is defined as a new, cross-locational municipality. This will better specify the taste profile of Styrian DAC wines and emphasise the typicality of the individual origins, they say.
Those responsible have also further developed the Weinviertel DAC regulation. So far, it was stipulated that the indication of the grape variety is subordinate to the indication of the wine-growing region Weinviertel. The new regulation allows the grape variety to be indicated on the label in the same size as the region name "Weinviertel". This is to emphasise the variety Grüner Veltliner more strongly. In addition, the indication of large vineyards will be permitted in the future, and criteria for the category "large reserve" have been defined.
The provision in the Kremstal DAC that wines may only be produced from grapes harvested in the Kremstal has been deleted. Now, as in the case of quality wine, 15 percent of the grapes may also come from a municipality bordering the Kremstal.
(uka / Photo: ÖWM)