Best Austrian Wine Variety Types
This famed dry white wine is produced mostly in Austria and, in a smaller part, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. It is believed to date back to Roman times while its name is derived from Veltlin—German for Valtellina valley in the north of Italy.
Veltliner wines do not have a significant shelf life and are best enjoyed within two years of bottling. Dry and delicate, with flavors of green pepper and lime, Grüner Veltliner has a reputation of being a particularly food-friendly wine and is a popular offering on restaurant wine lists.
THE BEST Grüner Veltliner Wine Varieties
Zweigelt is the most planted red grape variety in Austria that can be incorporated into blends, but it is mostly used in the production of light and young or aged varietal wines. The grape was created in 1922 as a cross between Blaufränkisch and St. Laurent, and it was initially named Rotburger.
The best expressions of varietal Zweigelt are fruity, lively, and aromatic. They will typically have bright acidity and aromas of red berries that are usually accompanied by spicy and peppery nuances. The wine is a perfect accompaniment to grilled meat and vegetables, white meat, and it may also be an excellent match to seafood, especially if made with a tomato sauce.
THE BEST Zweigelt Wine Varieties
Gebrüder Nittnaus Gols
Nittnaus - Zweigelt Selection
Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold 2019
Krug Gumpoldskirchen
Weingut Krug - die Rote Versuchung
Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold 2019
Blaufränkisch is an Austrian grape variety that is mostly used in the production of fruit-forward varietal wines. This late-ripening grape is cultivated in several wine regions, but Burgenland remains its stronghold. The best expressions of Austrian Blaufränkisch are medium-bodied wines with spicy notes of red and dark berries, refreshing acidity, and firm, but not overpowering tannins.
These wines pair well with a variety of dishes such as roasted or grilled white meat, beef, game, mushrooms, tomato-based sauces, and various cheese varieties. Although it was first identified in Austria, the origin of Blaufränkisch has not yet been discovered.
THE BEST Blaufränkisch Wine Varieties
Gemischter Satz, rooted in Austrian viticulture (particularly within Vienna's wine region), is a distinctive wine defined by its blend of grape varieties. Unlike the modern trend of cultivating and producing single-varietal wines, this traditional approach intermingles different grape types in one vineyard.
When the harvest season arrives, these varied grapes are plucked collectively and then co-fermented, leading to the creation of this multifaceted wine. The practice of growing multiple grape varieties together harks back to a time when diversifying crops was a hedge against potential loss.
Rotgipfler is a native Austrian grape variety that is now mostly cultivated in Thermenregion. The grape was traditionally used in blends—most commonly with Zierfandler—but many producers now see its potential as an excellent varietal grape that can produce aromatic dry and off-dry wines.
It is a pale-skinned grape with vibrant acidity and aromas reminiscent of yellow and tropical fruit, such as peach, pear, melon, and mango. The wines will often have subtle floral, spicy, and almond nuances. They usually have great aging potential.
Rotgipfler is a natural cross between Traminer and Roter Veltliner.
THE BEST Rotgipfler Wine Varieties
Krug Gumpoldskirchen
Weingut Krug - Ried Kreuzweingarten
Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold 2017
Zierfandler is a native Austrian grape from Thermenregion that is used in varietals and blends. It is believed that this late-ripening grape is a cross between Roter Veltliner and an unidentified variety, which is possibly related to the Traminer family.
The grape is thick-skinned, high in sugar, and sensitive to frost and botrytis. It is also known as Spätrot (translates as late red), a name that refers to the distinctive red hue the grapes attain before harvest. Zierfandler can produce excellent quality wines, including dry and off-dry styles.
St. Laurent is a grape whose origin is highly disputed. It is often suggested that it might have originated in France and was brought from Bordeaux through Alsace to Central Europe. Although there are significant plantings in both Germany and the Czech Republic, St. Laurent is one of the key grape varieties in Austria, found mainly in Thermenregion (Lower Austria) and Burgenland.
Austrian St. Laurent are usually age-worthy wines with typical floral, herbal, and cherry aromas. Believed to be a descendant of Pinot Noir, the wines made from St. Laurent grapes will also typically be medium-bodied with well-structured tannins. They are also food-friendly wines that would match dishes made with mushrooms, roasted game birds, primarily duck, or truffles.
Roter Veltliner is an old Austrian grape that produces bright white wines with good acidity and exotic fruit notes. Although the name suggests otherwise—roter translates as red—the grape produces white wines, and its name was probably inspired by the pinkish color of their skin.
Most plantings are found in Lower Austria (Niederösterreich), mainly in Wagram and Weinviertel. Roter Veltliner is a demanding, late-ripening grape that can produce lighter, medium-bodied wines, but it also has potential for full-bodied, rich, aromatic styles.
Portugieser is a red grape that typically produces light and easy-drinking red wines. The grape most likely originated in Austria, and it was later introduced to several Central European countries, namely Germany, Hungary (used in Egri Bikaver), Slovenia, Croatia, Romania, and the Czech Republic.
In Austria, it is mainly found in Niederösterreich (Lower Austria). Portugieser typically has low acidity. It is usually not suitable for longer aging, and most examples should be enjoyed young. These wines are light-bodied and approachable, with a fruity and floral nose and hints of spice.
Neuburger is an Austrian white grape variety. It is a natural cross between Roter Veltliner and Silvaner, and it probably originated in Wachau. Neuburger is now mainly cultivated in Lower Austria and Burgenland, and though it is declining in popularity, it can produce high-quality white wines.
It is mainly made into a dry wine, but it can also be used in off-dry and dessert styles. The wines produced from Neuburger are pale, soft, and full-bodied. They have a distinctive floral and spicy character, with nutty notes that tend to develop with age.
Best Austrian Wine Varieties
FX Pichler's Riesling Ried Kellerberg 2023 is a distinguished white wine from Austria's Wachau region, sourced from the esteemed Kellerberg vineyard. This vineyard is renowned for its unique terroir, characterized by weathered gneiss soils and steep terraces that contribute to the wine's exceptional quality.
On the nose, the wine reveals a complex bouquet of peach, mango, and subtle herbal notes, underscored by a pronounced minerality. The palate is fresh and electrifying, with a seamless integration of fruit and acidity, leading to a long, mineral-driven finish.
AWARDS
James Suckling - 100 points
2024
Hirtzberger Riesling Ried Singerriedel Smaragd 2023 is a premium white wine from the Wachau region in Austria, crafted by the esteemed Hirtzberger winery. The Singerriedel vineyard is renowned for its steep terraces with slopes up to 70%, composed of paragneiss with a sparse sandy overlay, providing ideal conditions for cultivating elegant Riesling grapes with significant aging potential.
The 2023 vintage showcases a radiant pale yellow-green hue with silver reflections. On the nose, it offers a mineral-driven bouquet with notes of white peach, lime zest, floral hints, and underlying yellow tropical fruit, creating an inviting aroma profile.
AWARDS
James Suckling - 100 points
2024
The wine is a light green-yellow with silver reflections. On the nose it is delicately spicy with delicate nuances of anise and tobacco notes, complemented by subtle yellow fruit, a hint of mango and blossom honey. On the palate it unfolds a full-bodied, juicy white apple fruit, supported by a well-integrated, silky acid structure.
Rich in finesse and long-lasting, it delights with a saline aftertaste that lingers for a long time.
AWARDS
Falstaff - 100
AWARDS
Falstaff - 100
AWARDS
Falstaff - 100
AWARDS
Falstaff - 100
AWARDS
Falstaff - 100
AWARDS
Falstaff - 100
The 2019 Riesling Ried Zöbinger Heiligenstein Alte Reben from Weingut Bründlmayer is a refined and expressive white wine from the prestigious Heiligenstein vineyard in Austria's Wachau region. Made from old vines, it offers a complex bouquet of citrus, ripe stone fruits, and delicate floral notes, with a distinct minerality reflecting the vineyard's unique terroir.
On the palate, it is vibrant, fresh, and well-balanced, with a lively acidity and a long, mineral finish. This Riesling has excellent aging potential and pairs beautifully with seafood, poultry, Asian dishes, and creamy cheeses.
AWARDS
Falstaff - 100
The 2019 Riesling Ried Zöbinger Heiligenstein Alte Reben from Weingut Bründlmayer is a refined and expressive wine from one of Austria's most prestigious wine regions, Kamptal. This Riesling comes from the renowned Ried Zöbinger Heiligenstein vineyard, which is known for its ideal terroir and ancient, deep soils rich in minerals.
The term "Alte Reben" indicates that the vines used for this wine are old, often more than 30 years, contributing to greater complexity and concentration of flavors.
AWARDS
Falstaff - 100
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