E S S E N T I A L A U S T R I A

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Meryl Rose
6 years ago
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1 ESSENTIAL AUSTRIA

BURGENLAND Burgenland is the gently rolling stretch of farmland that begins just south of the city of Vienna and continues southward along the Hungarian border all the way to the northern reaches of

2 BURGENLAND Burgenland is the gently rolling stretch of farmland that begins just south of the city of Vienna and continues southward along the Hungarian border all the way to the northern reaches of Slovenia. The vineyards of Burgenland surround Europe s shallowest lake, the famous Neusiedl, and populate the DAC zones of Mittelburgenland, Neusiedlersee, Leithaberg, and Eisenberg. This picturesque countryside is home to one of the warmest climates in all of Austria. Burgenland s position at the edge of the Pannonian Plain, which stretches east through Hungary, means that winds carrying warm air from the heart of central Europe are a factor throughout the growing season. For this reason, the Burgenland region is able to fully ripen hardy red grapes and has become known as the source for Austria s finest red wines as well as extraordinary dessert wines made on the shores of the Neusiedlersee. C R A F T + E S T A T E E S S E N T I A L A U S T R I A

HeINrich Burgenland, Austria Red wines are the focus at Heinrich Leading producer of the Leithaberg DAC and committed to biodynamic viticulture Founding member of Respekt; Member of Pannobile

Gernot and Heike Heinrich founded their winery in 1990 with a total of 2½ acres.

3 HeINrich Burgenland, Austria Red wines are the focus at Heinrich Leading producer of the Leithaberg DAC and committed to biodynamic viticulture Founding member of Respekt; Member of Pannobile Association The Heinrich winery is located in the village of Gols near Lake Neusiedl in the red-wine focused region of Burgenland. Gernot and Heike Heinrich founded their winery in 1990 with a total of 2½ acres. They now farm 200 acres of land with an appreciation for the farm as a holistic entity, promoting biodiversity, harmony, and healthy plants. The classic Austrian red varietals, Zweigelt, Blaufränkisch and St. Laurent, are the specialty here, produced as both varietal wines and top-quality blends that balance elegance with power. Paul Achs Burgenland, Austria Family-owned winery located near Lake Neusiedl Benchmark producer of Blaufränkisch Member of Respekt; Member of Pannobile Association Paul Achs wines are impossible to resist and represent a benchmark for red winemaking in Austria. Respectful adaptation of traditional winemaking, paired with carefully chosen innovations and a farming philosophy that contributes to the holistic balance of nature, is core to the work at the Achs cellar. A focus on Blaufränkisch has evolved over the years and today the Austrian and international press celebrate Achs mastery of terroir and vinification. Szigeti Burgenland, Austria Sparkling wine specialists Austria s only family-owned winery dedicated entirely to sparkling wines All wines made by Méthode Traditionelle combining clear varietal expression with superior quality Brothers Peter and Norbert Szigeti (pronounced ZIG-it-ee ) took over their family s business in Sourcing a wide range of grape varieties from strictly managed local vineyards, the Sektellerei Szigeti (or Sekt House of Szigeti) yields a spectacular diversity of sparkling wines that are both distinctive and renowned for their purity of fruit and elegant mousse as well as their ability to age in bottle.

Plain, and the foothills of the central European Alps.

4 Once the seat of power for the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the city of Vienna is as majestic as it is storied. The only European capital to boast a thriving and substantial wine industry, Vienna stands at the confluence of Austria s major climatic influences: the valley of the Danube River, the Pannonian Plain, and the foothills of the central European Alps. The result is a variety of geologies and microclimates that produces an array of wines that serve as a microcosm of the entire Austrian wine industry, from mineralic Rieslings and Grüner Veltliners, to the classic Austrian field blend known as Gemischter Satz, to muscular reds that rival the best of Burgenland. Vienna is a central part of Austria s wine identity and should not be missed either when visiting the country or constructing a wine program that will include Austria. VIENNA C R A F T + E S T A T E E S S E N T I A L A U S T R I A

WienINger Vienna, Austria Multi-generational family winery in Vienna Leader of movement to elevate Viennese Gemischter Satz Member of Respekt; Member of WienWein The Wieninger family are Viennese

Fritz Wieninger s mother was the first woman to matriculate through Austria s prestigious winemaking school at Klosterneuberg and Fritz has endeared himself on the city of Vienna and its wine

5 WienINger Vienna, Austria Multi-generational family winery in Vienna Leader of movement to elevate Viennese Gemischter Satz Member of Respekt; Member of WienWein The Wieninger family are Viennese winemakers through and through. Fritz Wieninger s mother was the first woman to matriculate through Austria s prestigious winemaking school at Klosterneuberg and Fritz has endeared himself on the city of Vienna and its wine industry to become known locally as the Wine Mayor of Vienna. Since taking the reins of his family s wine business in 1987, Fritz has become an evangelist for Viennese wine. Though passionate about all the wines his estate produces (all from vineyards within Vienna city limits), it is the traditional Viennese co-planted, co-harvested, and co-fermented blend known as Gemischter Satz or mixed set that he has done the most to revitalize. From his cru vineyards on the Bisamberg and Nussberg hills, situated on either side of the Danube, Fritz Wieninger produces wines that have placed Viennese Gemischter Satz firmly among the world s most captivating white wines.

6 KAMPTAL Austria s Kamptal is named for the river Kamp, which crosses the region from north to south where it meets the Danube. As one travels west from Vienna into Austria s Kamptal, the landscape changes from low and rolling to steeply hilly and strikingly green with deep woodlands and deftly manicured vineyards. The winelands of Austria s Kamptal experience significant diurnal temperature variation similar to the Wachau in fact the Kamptal was at one point considered part of the Wachau. These temperature shifts are important for slowing the ripening of fruit and allowing complex sugars to develop in the berries whilst preserving acidity. But unlike the Wachau, Kamptal soils tend to be dominated by Loess and intermixed with sand and clay bestowing the region s world-class Riesling and Grüner Veltliner wines with a pleasant sense of broadness on the palate. C R A F T + E S T A T E E S S E N T I A L A U S T R I A

LOIMER Kamptal, Austria Classic expressions of Kamptal Grüner Veltliner, Riesling, and Pinot Noir Wines of purity, finesse, and elegance Founding member of Respekt; Member of

Pinot Noir. Fred is a founding member of Respekt, an association initiated in 2005 that applies biodynamic principles and rigorous quality standards to viticulture.

7 LOIMER Kamptal, Austria Classic expressions of Kamptal Grüner Veltliner, Riesling, and Pinot Noir Wines of purity, finesse, and elegance Founding member of Respekt; Member of Österreichische Traditionsweingütter Fred Loimer s winery is located near the village of Langenlois in Kamptal and produces classic expressions of Kamptal Grüner Veltliner, Riesling, and Pinot Noir. Fred is a founding member of Respekt, an association initiated in 2005 that applies biodynamic principles and rigorous quality standards to viticulture. Fred Loimer s estate is made up of some of the Kamptal s top erste lage vineyards including Käferberg and Heiligenstein. His wines are singular and individual, expressing lithe nuances of Kamptal s terroir with precision and beauty.

KREMSTAL The region of Kremstal straddles both the right and left banks of the Danube River and is home to a tremendous amount of geological and topographic diversity.

8 KREMSTAL The region of Kremstal straddles both the right and left banks of the Danube River and is home to a tremendous amount of geological and topographic diversity. From the south side of the Danube toward the western end of the region where soils are dominated by Loess and gravel, the Kremstal crosses to the river s north bank and climbs into the steep, primary rock-based hills that form the eastern border of the Wachau. Here, just beyond the urban development of the City of Krems, terraced vineyards climb up precariously steep hillsides and are held in place by dry stone walls, which are built and maintained by hand. Although some vineyards in the neighboring Wachau may be better known outside of Austria, a number of these hillside vineyards surrounding Krems are recognized by critics and connoisseurs as producing some of Austria s most thrilling Riesling and Grüner Veltliner wines. C R A F T + E S T A T E E S S E N T I A L A U S T R I A

Stadt Krems Kremstal, Austria Round, pure, appetizing Grüner Veltliners and Rieslings 650+ year-old winery given new life by dynamic, young

other wineries in existence can claim continual operation since the year 1452!

the Kremstal region s top growing sites.

instituting a new team and installing improved equipment.

SteINig Kremstal, Austria Project from one of Austria s youngest all-star winemakers Beautifully simple, delightfully fresh Steinig is the

9 Stadt Krems Kremstal, Austria Round, pure, appetizing Grüner Veltliners and Rieslings 650+ year-old winery given new life by dynamic, young winemaking team Pure Kremstal in style; Member of Österreichische Traditionsweingütter The history of the Stadt Krems winery is staggering few other wineries in existence can claim continual operation since the year 1452! Originally founded with the intention of supplying revenue to the hospital in the city of Krems, the Stadt Krems winery is guardian to some of the Kremstal region s top growing sites. In 2003 Fritz Miesbauer, one of Austria s most energetic and accomplished winemakers, had the opportunity to take the helm at Stadt Krems instituting a new team and installing improved equipment. In the years following, Stadt Krems quickly earned a reputation as one of Austria s most serious producers. SteINig Kremstal, Austria Project from one of Austria s youngest all-star winemakers Beautifully simple, delightfully fresh Steinig is the brainchild of Fritz Miesbauer, Austria s famed and prodigious winemaking superstar. During the course of his impressive career, Fritz has overseen a multitude of growers at the famed Domaine Wachau and, more recently, he has rebuilt the historic winery of the City of Krems as one of Austria s most watched producers. A master at showcasing high quality fruit by vinifying cleanly and simply, Fritz talents and energy are beautifully expressed through Steinig.

10 For any admirer of Austrian wine, the fabled region of Wachau needs little introduction. Here, in the westernmost reaches of Austria s winelands, the Danube River narrows and the alpine foothills rise up so steeply on either side that it almost seems more appropriate to call this geological formation a gorge rather than a valley. The well-exposed south-facing vineyards of the Wachau accumulate heat extremely quickly during the day and, despite reliably cool nights, Wachau producers are permitted to use selective irrigation to keep their vines from shutting down completely in drought years. The resulting healthy vines dig their roots deep into the volcanic and metamorphic primary rock and continue ripening their fruit oftentimes into November. For this reason, Wachau wines particularly Riesling and Grüner Veltliner are characterized by significant ripeness and extract along with bracing acid and minerality. High alcohol levels are not uncommon and, in fact, the Wacahu is Austria s only region to use a classification system (Steinfeder, Federspiel, Smaragd) that distinguishes between wines based on the grapes degree of ripeness at harvest. WACHAU C R A F T + E S T A T E E S S E N T I A L A U S T R I A

PRAGER Wachau, Austria Founding member of the elite Vinea Wachau growers association Champion of biodiversity (clonal work) and re-establishing abandoned high terraces World-class wines of power,

expression of the complicated geology that lies just beneath the topsoil. Toni is legendary for his charisma.

11 PRAGER Wachau, Austria Founding member of the elite Vinea Wachau growers association Champion of biodiversity (clonal work) and re-establishing abandoned high terraces World-class wines of power, precision and clear expression of terroir The wines of Toni Bodenstein at the Prager estate in Weissenkirchen are legendary in the world of Austrian wine for their purity, their depth, and their expression of the complicated geology that lies just beneath the topsoil. Toni is legendary for his charisma. One of the few examples of a superlative Wachau winemaker to have come from outside the Wachau, Toni was first the husband of Franz Prager s daughter Ilse before he became the winemaker for the Prager estate. But Toni s brilliance, his curiosity, and his passion have upheld the exacting standards of the Prager family and even pushed further to bring the Prager name into an echelon of wineries made of few peers. Rudi Pichler Wachau, Austria Top Wachau estate and member of the prestigious Vinea Wachau Powerful wines of depth and substance Razor-sharp expressions of terroir The Pichler family has been making wine in the village of Wösendorf in Austria s Wachau since In 1989, while studying for a career in economics, Rudi (officially Rudi III) traveled to California where he visited the Napa Valley. In Rudi s words it was precisely this moment which inspired him to return home and work not in the world of corporate business, but in the world of vines along the Danube River in Wösendorf. On returning home, Rudi expanded his family s 4.5 hectares of vineyard to 12.5 hectares, choosing sites carefully and leaving the vines that were already there rather than replanting. Many locals thought he was crazy. Today, the wines his estate yields prove that he was anything but crazy. -

AUSTR I A S WINE APPELATIONS The DAC System DAC stands for Districtus Austriae Controllatus and is the official Romanic style (i.e. geography/terroir-based) appellation system of Austria.

Below is a map indicating the regions and wine styles controlled by the Districtus Austriae Controllatus system. Not all Austrian regions participate in the DAC system.

12 AUSTR I A S WINE APPELATIONS The DAC System DAC stands for Districtus Austriae Controllatus and is the official Romanic style (i.e. geography/terroir-based) appellation system of Austria. Each DAC is governed by regional growers associations identifies specific grape varietals and wine styles that are deemed classic of, and approved for, the region. Below is a map indicating the regions and wine styles controlled by the Districtus Austriae Controllatus system. Not all Austrian regions participate in the DAC system. At the time of writing the following Austrian wine producing regions are not DAC appellations: Wachau, Wagram, Thermenregion, Carnantum, Steiermark (Südoststeiermark, Südsteiermark, Weststeiermark) KAMPTAL DAC KREMSTAL DAC TRAISENTAL DAC WEINVIERTEL DAC WIENER GEMISCHTER SATZ DAC LEITHABERG DAC NEUSIEDLERSEE DAC MITTELBURGENLAND DAC EISENBERG DAC

13 Österreichische TraditiONsweINgütter The Österreichische Traditionsweingütter or Traditional Austrian Winemakers Association was formed in 1990 by a group of Kamptal and Kremstal vintners. Their goal was to identify and define differences in soil type, geology, and microclimate in a way that would help them to classify Austria s best vineyard sites something which had never been formally done before. Members of the Traditionsweingütter are now able to label wines from 62 exceptional sites as Erste Lage (Premier Cru). VINea Wachau The Vinea Wachau Nobilus Districtus is an association that includes and represents the majority of wine producers in the Wachau Valley. The organization was founded in 1983 and categorizes the white wines of the Wachau into three tiers of ripeness: Steinfeder (wines with maximum 11% ABV), Federspiel (wines between 11% and 12.5% ABV), and Smaragd (wines achieving more than 12.5% ABV). Many of the nation s most celebrated and influential winemakers sit on the board of the Vinea Wachau. In 2006, the association released a Wachau Codex stipulating the specifics about winemaking procedures and ultimate styles that are permitted in the group. For example, the group roundly rejects must manipulation efforts like concentration and discernable aromas of new wood in finished wines. AUSTRIAN GROWER ASSOCIATIONS Respekt AssociATiON The Respekt group was founded in 2007 by a group of 11 Austrian winemakers and one winemaker from South Tyrol who were influenced by the teachings Rudolf Steiner (the father of Biodynamics) and who were committed to achieving the highest quality wines above all. Since then Respekt has become a prominent leader of both Biodynamic agricultural philosophy and unparalleled quality throughout Austria. In 2015 the group had the pleasuring of welcoming four new members, all part of Germany s prestigious VDP. W IENWeIN AssociATiON The WienWein group was formed in 2006 to set new measures of quality for Viennese wine; to show wine lovers both in Vienna and beyond the Austrian borders that wine from Vienna has its own very unique character. The association s six members represent the great diversity of Viennese wine. - Pannobile AssociATiON Pannobile is a 9 member growers' association in the Burgenland village of Gols. The members are dedicated to developing wines of high quality with character typical for the area. A wine labeled Pannobile may be either white or red and must be made from local varietals. Pannobile wines are nominated by its members and voted on as a group, not unlike Special Club in Champagne.

14 Loimer Stadt Krems Prager Steinig Rudi Pichler Wieninger Szigeti Paul Achs Heinrich E S S E N T I A L A U S T R I A 2016 Selected and Imported by Winebow, Inc., New York, NY

15 thewinebowgroup.com

Weingut Wieninger, Weiner Gemischter Satz (2014)

Weingut Wieninger, Weiner Gemischter Satz (2014) al Brand Manager Austria Greece Spring 2016 Loimer, Grüner Veltliner Lois (2014) Grüner Veltliner SKU 30145271 UPC 98709300507 Loimer, Rosé (2015) Wine Still Rosé Zweigelt SKU 30179173 UPC 98709300606