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The appellation system in Austria is known as DAC-Districtus Austriae Controllatus and is in existence since 2002. Besides the region, the grape varietals that may be used are also defined and controlled. So far, the DACs have been defined either for red or white wines only. This is the second DAC appellation in the country’s Burgenland region and the first one that encompasses both white and red wines along with the regional typicity.
‘Through Leithaberg DAC, the Terroir-influenced wines should gain stronger identities, broader recognition and prominence at home as well as internationally. The new DAC is expected to enhance the image of the entire Leithaberg wine-growing area,’ Willi Klinger, the effervescent MD of the Austrian Wine Marketing Board (AWMB), the organisation that aids marketing of Austrian wines, informs delWine.
Leithaberg DAC
Like other DACs, the Leithaberg DAC must conform to the general requirements for Austrian quality wines. Leithaberg white may be vinified only from the grape varieties Grüner Veltliner, Weißburgunder, Chardonnay and/or Neuburger. It may be either a single varietal or a blend from two or more of these varieties.
The red Leithaberg DAC must be produced from the Blaufränkisch varietal, although appellation law allows for a maximum of 15% of three other red varietals - Zweigelt, Pinot Noir and St. Laurent. Both the white and red styles are dry and marked by a characteristic mineral expression.
Leithaberg DAC wines will have great development and ageing potential. These will be ; structured wines for which the soil, not the wood, provides key definition.
The DAC Family
To date, the successfully established DAC members are:
1. Weinviertel DAC Grüner Veltliner, since 2002
2. Mittelburgenland DAC Blaufränkisch, since 2005-includes Reserve category
3. Traisental DAC: Grüner Veltliner, Riesling, since 2006-includes Reserve category
4. Kremstal DAC: Grüner Veltliner, Riesling, since 2007-includes Reserve category
5. Kamptal DAC: Grüner Veltliner, Riesling, since 2008 includes Reserve category
6. Leithaberg DAC: White: Grüner Veltliner, Weißburgunder, Chardonnay, Neuburger;
Red: Blaufränkisch- begins September 2010
Wine Regions of Austria
Austria has 4 wine-producing regions with a total of 16 sub-regions- all concentrated on the Eastern belt of the country. Niederösterreich (lower Austria) comprises of Weinviertel, Kamptal, Kremstal, Wachau, Traisental, Wagram (till recently known as Donauland), Carnuntum and Thermenregion.
Wien (Vienna) is a small region in and around the capital city.
The third region Burgenland is divided into Neusiedlersee, Neusiedlersee-Hügelland, Mittelburgenland and Südburgenland.
The Southernmost region Steiermark (Styria) is divided into Südost Steiermark (South-east Styria), Süd Steiermark (South Styria) and Weststeiermark (West Styria).
For more details, visit www.austrianwine.com |