The Austrian Grape Varieties

Austria's varietal mix reflects the country's geographical position between Germany, Hungary and Slovenia. As well as Chardonnay (also called Morillon in Styria) and a number of other international varieties there are specific, indigenous varieties which are planted:

Grüner Veltliner

Grüner Veltliner (also called Veltlin Zelene, Veltlinske Zelene and Zöldveltelini), a national speciality, is particularly important to the area around Vienna and Lower Austria. The vine is productive and relatively hardy, but ripens too late for most of Northern Europe. The wine produced from it is typically dry, peppery and spicy, and with time can begin to taste almost Burgundian.

Welschriesling

Welschriesling (also called Walschriesling, Riesler and Welsch Rizling) can produce sweet wines of good quality from Burgenland, and dry wines, notably from Styria. A late ripening vine whose grapes keep their acidity well and produce light-bodied, aromatic wines.

Zweigelt

Zweigelt (also called Zweigeltrebe and Blauer Zweigelt) is an indigenous grape to Austria. It is a Blauer Frankish X St Laurent cross developed relatively recently. It is popular with growers because its yields are generous. Most examples of the wine are drunk young but it is possible to create wines from it which age well.

Neuburger

The specifically Austrian, Neuberger is grown in every wine district with the exception of Styria. The white grape variety is the product of an accidental crossing of Weissburgunder (Pinot Blanc) and Sylvaner which makes wine that tastes like an even fuller-bodied Weissburgunder. It is also grown in Transylvania.

Zierfandler

Zierfandler (or Spatrot) is a white grape variety traditionally associated with Gumpoldskirchen, the dramatically full-bodied spicy white wine of the Thermenregion. Most Zierfandler grapes are blended (usually with Rotgipfler) but they can, in some instances, make late harvest wines. A variety of this grape known as Cirfandli, is grown in Hungary.

Wildbacher

Wildbacher (or Blauer Wildbacher) is a dark skinned grape which is the speciality of Styria. The variety has become increasingly popular with growers and almost all of it is made into the local pink, Schilcher wine.

There are a number of other, less common, vine varieties and these include Frühroter Veltliner, Bouvier, GoldBurger, Samling 88 and Furmint.

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