Austria – a mountainous, landlocked country in Central Europe – is enjoying a renaissance as a wine-producing nation. It has worked its way free from decades-old controversy caused by a careless few and has emerged as a role model for modern European wine – a leader in quality and innovation. Balancing the traditional with the modern, the Austrian wine industry has retained such classics as sweet Ausbruch and Strohwein, while actively developing modern, consumer-friendly wines such as its signature style: crisp, white, aromatic Gruner Veltliner.
Officially, 35 grape varieties are permitted for use in Austrian quality wine, of which almost two-thirds are white-wine varieties. In terms of volume, Gruner Veltliner is by far the most important, followed by Riesling. The finest wines made from these two varieties come from the famous Wachau, Kamptal and Kremstal regions.
Located right at the heart of Europe, between the latitudes of 46°N and 48°N, Austria lies parallel with central France and south of Germany. Logically, the climate is slightly warmer than that of Germany, and this is reflected in the wine styles; Austria has a much greater focus on red wines than its cooler northern neighbour. But there is far more to the Austrian climate than just latitude; topography plays a pivotal role. Much of the country – particularly the western half – is dominated by the chilly Eastern Alps, and to the east lies the vast, warm Pannonian Plain. Austria's wine regions can be found primarily in the north-east of the country, in the state of Niederosterreich bordering Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Slovenia.
