VINUM NORICUM

Austria's wine laws are so draconian and strictly enforced that the following might be stated: While other countries forbid certain additives and methods, Austria's wine laws forbid everything -- unless it is specifically approved. All of this has served to guarantee the superb quality of Austrian wines while helping to preserve the country's natural resources.

Austria's varied topography as well as climate modifiers such as the river Danube, lakes and forests are the cause for the astounding range of varieties among Austrian wine.

By Reinhard Kargl AUSTRIA is a small but significant wine producer. The entire country makes only about the same amount of wine as the Bordeaux region of France. But Austria produces most of the world’s best sweet wines, crisp and unique dry white wines, and lately, highly acclaimed and unusual red wines. The country in the heart of Europe contains several of the world's oldest wine growing regions and takes great pride in thousands of years of wine making history. We know from archeological finds that the first grapes were cultivated as early as Celtic times. The Celtic kingdom of Noricum was later conquered by the Roman Empire, along with Pannonia to the east.
	The Romans were major wine lovers and strongly encouraged systematic wine cultivation in the area. Barbarian invasions from the north and east led to some decay after the fall of the Roman Empire. But by the end of the first millennium, Charlemagne’s armies had established Christianity on both side of the Danube. And in their wake came the great monasteries, and with the monks came more great vineyards and systematic cultivation. One might wonder why it was the Romans and the ancient Christian monasteries who were instrumental in wine making and beer brewing. The explanation is that these arts were considered to be vital for the public good. In those days, few people had access to fresh and sanitary drinking water. The lack of refrigeration made it impossible to keep unfermented liquids for more than a few days before harmful bacteria and molds would cause spoilage. For everyone who did not have access to a natural spring, wine, beer and fermented milk were the only safe things to drink!
Today, Austria has the world's strictest wine laws, which encompass rules on hygiene and stringent regulations on clean and sound wine making, as well as a mandate to perform sustainable agriculture. This includes mandatory capped yields, controlled origin, quality designations and official quality controls. Every single vintner is tested twice annually, and every bottle must have an official seal of approval before it can be sold.
	Austria's wine laws are so draconian and strictly enforced that the following might be stated: While other countries forbid certain additives and methods, Austria's wine laws forbid everything -- unless it is specifically approved. All of this has served to guarantee the superb quality of Austrian wines while helping to preserve the country's natural resources. Austria's varied topography as well as climate modifiers such as the river Danube, lakes and forests are the cause for the astounding range of varieties among Austrian wine.
Grapes grow on a variety of soils. There is loess in the Danube valley and the Wineviertel, primary rock soil around Krems, in the Kamp valley and the Wachau. There is loamy, chalky soil in the Burgenland around Lake Neusiedl. Warm, sunny summers and long, mild autumn days with cool nights are characteristic for the wine growing regions which are located at the same latitude as Burgundy in France.
	Another reason for the great variety is that most vineyards are small and family controlled. Each vintner produces a traditional, but unique local wine in relatively small quantities. If you are ready to try something unique and different from the beaten track, Austria is the destination for you. We would be pleased to be your guide.
Last Update: January 2, 2007 © Vinum Noricum 2007 Web Design by: