| Wineries of Austria |
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Austrian wines are mostly dry white wines (often made from the Grüner Veltliner grape) with some luscious dessert wines made around the
Neusiedler See. About 30% of the wines are red, made from Blaufränkisch (also known as Lemberger, or as Kékfrankos in neighbouring
Hungary), Pinot Noir and locally bred varieties such as Zweigelt.
4000 years of winemaking history counted for little after the 'antifreeze scandal' of 1985, when it was revealed that some wine brokers had been
adulterating their wines with diethylene glycol. The scandal destroyed the market for Austrian wine, but in the long term has been a force for
good, compelling Austria to tackle low standards of bulk wine production, and reposition herself as a producer of quality wines that stand
comparison with the best in the world. The country is also home to Riedel, makers of some of the most expensive wine glasses in the world.
There is archaeological evidence of grape growing in Traisental 4000 years ago. Grape seeds have been found in urns dating back to 700BC in
Zagersdorf, whilst bronze wine flagons of the Celtic La Tène culture dating to the 5th century BC have been found at Dürrnberg in Salzburg
state. Viticulture thrived under the Romans, once Probus (Roman Emperor 276–282) had overturned the ban on growing grapes north of the
Alps. Both Grüner Veltliner and Welschriesling appear to have been grown around the Danube since Roman times.
Viticulture suffered with the invasions of Bavarians, Slavs and Avars after the fall of the Roman empire, but from 788 the rule of Charlemagne
saw considerable reconstruction of vineyards and introduction of new grape presses. Once Otto the Great had seen off the threat from Magyar
incursions in 955, Austrian viticulture was nurtured by the Church and encouraged among the populace at large. The first vineyard names
recorded are Kremser Sandgrube in 1208, and Steiner Pfaffenberg in 1230. Rudolf IV introduced the first wine tax, Ungeld, in 1359, as Vienna
established itself as a centre for wine trading on the Danube.
The wine business boomed in the 16th century, but the Thirty Years War and others of the 17th century took their toll, as much due to the
heavy taxation of the period as the direct disruption of war. Various drink taxes were unified in 1780, as part of a drive by Maria Theresa and
Joseph II to encourage viticulture. An imperial decree of 17 August 1784 gave birth to the distinctive Austrian tradition of inns called Heurigen.
Derived from the German for 'new wine', the decree allowed all winemakers to sell home-grown food with their wine all year round. Fir trees
hung above the door alerted customers to the arrival of the new season's wine.
Article from www.wikipedia.com.
Neusiedler See. About 30% of the wines are red, made from Blaufränkisch (also known as Lemberger, or as Kékfrankos in neighbouring
Hungary), Pinot Noir and locally bred varieties such as Zweigelt.
4000 years of winemaking history counted for little after the 'antifreeze scandal' of 1985, when it was revealed that some wine brokers had been
adulterating their wines with diethylene glycol. The scandal destroyed the market for Austrian wine, but in the long term has been a force for
good, compelling Austria to tackle low standards of bulk wine production, and reposition herself as a producer of quality wines that stand
comparison with the best in the world. The country is also home to Riedel, makers of some of the most expensive wine glasses in the world.
There is archaeological evidence of grape growing in Traisental 4000 years ago. Grape seeds have been found in urns dating back to 700BC in
Zagersdorf, whilst bronze wine flagons of the Celtic La Tène culture dating to the 5th century BC have been found at Dürrnberg in Salzburg
state. Viticulture thrived under the Romans, once Probus (Roman Emperor 276–282) had overturned the ban on growing grapes north of the
Alps. Both Grüner Veltliner and Welschriesling appear to have been grown around the Danube since Roman times.
Viticulture suffered with the invasions of Bavarians, Slavs and Avars after the fall of the Roman empire, but from 788 the rule of Charlemagne
saw considerable reconstruction of vineyards and introduction of new grape presses. Once Otto the Great had seen off the threat from Magyar
incursions in 955, Austrian viticulture was nurtured by the Church and encouraged among the populace at large. The first vineyard names
recorded are Kremser Sandgrube in 1208, and Steiner Pfaffenberg in 1230. Rudolf IV introduced the first wine tax, Ungeld, in 1359, as Vienna
established itself as a centre for wine trading on the Danube.
The wine business boomed in the 16th century, but the Thirty Years War and others of the 17th century took their toll, as much due to the
heavy taxation of the period as the direct disruption of war. Various drink taxes were unified in 1780, as part of a drive by Maria Theresa and
Joseph II to encourage viticulture. An imperial decree of 17 August 1784 gave birth to the distinctive Austrian tradition of inns called Heurigen.
Derived from the German for 'new wine', the decree allowed all winemakers to sell home-grown food with their wine all year round. Fir trees
hung above the door alerted customers to the arrival of the new season's wine.
Article from www.wikipedia.com.
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