Ultimate Wine Guide 2018/19

AUSTRIA’S GRAPE VARIETIES
ROTGIPFLER
The rare Rotgipfler is a natural cross of Savagnin
x Roter Veltliner, most probably from Austria’s
Thermenregion, and is therefore a
half-sibling of Frühroter Veltliner, Neuburger
and Zierfandler.. Its oldest documentation is
from Styria in 1840. Together with Zierfandler,
it established the reputation of the famous
wines from Gumpoldskirchen. This variety
exists almost exclu sively in Austria,
particularly in its Thermenregion origin. It favours
fertile medium-weight lime soils and
warm hillside locations. It is sensitive to winter
frosts, prone to botrytis, and matures late.
The wine is golden-yellow and possesses a
pronounced bouquet. It is refreshing and
spicy, and for the most part, full-bodied, and
rich in extract and alcohol. It is vinified dry,
off-dry and sweet and is often paired with Zierfandler
in a blend.
ROTER VELTLINER
The origin of this very old variety has not yet
been clearly established. It is likely from Niederösterreich
(Lower Austria), where it is
grown today in small quantities in the
Kremstal and Wagram areas. The Roter Veltliner
places moderate demands on soil, but
high demands on location, requiring warm,
south ern hillside aspects. It is sensitive to frost
and yields are unreliable. Roter Veltliner matures
late. The wine is greenish-yellow, fruity
and fragrant, with a subtle spicy aroma, and
often exhibits racy acidity.
SAUVIGNON BLANC
In its present form, this variety probably
comes from the south of France where it has
been documented since the first half of the
18th century. It originates from a Traminer
crossing, but seems to have developed from a
preliminary stage. It is most common in Styria,
but due to its general popularity is now planted
in all regions. The name “Muskat-Sylvaner”
was permitted until 1999. The variety
places high demands on location and thrives
on fertile, not overly dry soils. High humidity
is important. It brings moderate, irregular
yields and is sensitive to winter frost. The wine
exhibits a green ish yellow colour and its
grassy spiciness reminiscent of fresh bell peppers
evolves into aromas of asparagus, elderflower
and cassis at high stages of maturity.
Sauvignon Blanc is an elegant, refreshing wine
with racy structure and inimitable, stim ulating
character. The variety is suit able for medium-term
ageing. More potent wines are sometimes
vinified in new oak.
SCHEUREBE
Synonym: Sämling 88
This variety is a cross of Riesling and an unknown
variety, but not Silvaner as was once
suspected. In terms of quality, this is perhaps the
most successful of all the German crossings and
was developed by Dr. Scheu in 1916. The variety
is valued in Burgenland for noble sweet wines
and in Styria for light, dry, crisp wines. Despite
its quality, the variety is currently declining. It
makes little demand on soil, but high demand
on location. The Scheurebe matures late and
provides moderate yields. Scheurebe wines are
usually golden-yellow, have a subtle, aromatic
bouquet, and exhibit elegant acidity and body.
WEISSBURGUNDER
Synonym: Pinot Blanc, Klevner
Burgundy is considered to be the home of this
highly acclaimed variety as it was documented
there in the 14th century. Pinot is quite prone
to mutation and its different colour variations,
– Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Noir – all
have a very similar genetic fingerprint. Weissburgunder
is mainly planted throughout Austria’s
wine regions and makes up 4.3 % of the
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22 falstaff WINE GUIDE 2018