Austrian Wine
Austrian wine here means mostly Grüner Veltliner and riesling from Kamptal, Kremstal and the Wachau.
Shop all Austrian Wine
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Huber Zweigelt 2024 (750ml)$48.00
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Austrian wine questions
What is Austria's most famous wine?
Grüner veltliner is Austria's signature grape, covering about a third of the country's vineyards. It makes dry whites with citrus, green apple, white pepper and a green bean or lentil note. Lighter versions are crisp and easy, while those from the Wachau, Kamptal and Kremstal can be rich and age for years. Austrian riesling and the red grapes blaufränkisch and zweigelt are also important.
Is Austrian wine good?
Yes, Austria makes some of the most precise, food-friendly wines in Europe. After a scandal in 1985, the country introduced some of the strictest wine laws in the world, and quality has been very high since. It's known for dry, mineral whites, elegant reds and some excellent sweet wines, often at fair prices.
What does Smaragd mean on a Wachau label?
The Wachau region uses three categories for its dry wines. Steinfeder is the lightest, under 11.5% alcohol. Federspiel is medium bodied, between 11.5 and 12.5%, and Smaragd is the ripest and fullest, above 12.5%, named after a green lizard that lives in the vineyards. Smaragd wines are richer and age well.
Is Austrian riesling sweet?
Most Austrian riesling is dry. Unlike Germany, where riesling ranges from dry to sweet, Austria built its reputation on fully dry, powerful rieslings from regions like the Wachau, Kamptal and Kremstal. They taste of peach, citrus and stone. Austria does make sweet wines too, but those are usually labeled Auslese, Beerenauslese or Ausbruch.