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Austria is getting an official nationwide classification system for single vineyards (Rieden). With the recently adopted collective ordinance on wine law, wine-growing regions will be able to award the designations "Erste Lage" and "Große Lage" according to a uniform system. Previously, there were only private initiatives by winegrowers' associations such as Österreichische Traditionsweingüter (ÖTW) or Steirische Terroir- und Klassikweingüter (STK), which classified their top sites in this way. Now the classification will be open to all wineries on a legal basis.
The requirements for the use of the terms Erste and Große Lage are strict. They may only be used for DAC wines. In the wine-growing region concerned, the three DAC levels Gebietswein - Ortswein - Riedenwein must be defined. Hand harvesting and yields per hectare lower than those prescribed by law are obligatory.
In addition, detailed documentation is required for each classified site. For example, on its historical importance, its homogeneity in terms of soil, geology, climate and exposure, but also on the marketing quantity and value of the single vineyards. In addition, national and international wine evaluations are to be used as factors for the quality potential. At the earliest five years after classification as Erste Lage, a Ried can be designated as a Große Lage and must fulfil further conditions for this.
The managing director of Österreich Wein Marketing (ÖWM), Chris Yorke, speaks of a challenging undertaking in a statement. "We will therefore go through the process with the areas step by step over the next few years and continuously exchange the experience gained. The decision to classify vineyards is up to each area itself, because the importance of single vineyards is different in each area." The first classifications of vineyards as "Erste Lage" are not expected before 2025.
(al / Source: ÖWM)