Austria
There is archaeological evidence of grape growing in Austria 4000 years ago. Grape seeds have been found in urns dating back to 700 BC, whilst bronze wine flagons dating to the 5th century BC have been found. Viticulture thrived under the Romans, once Marcus Aurelius Probus (Roman emperor 276–282) had overturned the ban on growing grapes north of the Alps. Both Grüner Veltliner and Welschriesling appear to have been grown around the Danube since Roman times.
Vines
Vineyard
Vineyard
Scenery
Vines
Classification
Districtus Austriae Controllatus (DAC) Districtus Austriae Controllatus, Latin for "Controlled District of Austria", is the geographical appellation, similar to the French AOC or the Italian DOCG. Regional wine committees award the DAC to wines typical of their region.
The Banderole (red-white-red) must be visible on the capsule of the bottle for all wines above Quality Wine (Qualitätswein) and displays the registered producer number. It is the most prominent indication for Quality Wine status, and is usually incorporated into the design of the capsule or crown cork closure. The banderole is not permitted for “Wein”, “Landwein” and foreign wines.
Map Key
1) Cool air from the North
2) Warm Pannonian climate
3) Temperate Mediterranean climate