Niederösterreich

Austria · PDO · Niederösterreich · 573 commune(s)

Styles

Natural factors

The vineyard sites range from steep crystalline-rock (Urgestein) slopes in the western part to loess terraces in the eastern part, including the Kremstal, Traisental, Kamptal, and Wagram.
In the Kamptal, volcanic soils are additionally present.
The climate is shaped by the hot Pannonian influence from the east and by cool air currents from the Waldviertel, resulting in pronounced diurnal temperature variation.
Crystalline-rock weathering soils and volcanic soils yield mineral, spicy wines, while loess deposits on terraces tend to define a rounder, fuller wine style.
The cool nights brought by Waldviertel air currents impart a pronounced acidity structure to the wines.

Human factors

In the Niederösterreich wine-growing region, almost 80 percent of production is white wine, while red wine is grown mainly in the Pannonian southeast.
The production structure is characterised by family-run estate growers who process grapes from their own vineyards and often sell direct from the cellar door.

Facts drawn from the cahier's terroir-link section (Lien au terroir) by automatic interpretation — see the source.