Archive 2006

„Mittelburgenland dac“ - Austria’s next appellation wine

(AWMB, November 2006) - Since 2002, all of the wine growing areas in Austria have the opportunity to market their typical wines under a system of controlled designation of origin (Dac). In 2003, the white wine growing area Weinviertel established the Weinviertel DAC appellation with their flagship varietal Grüner Veltliner. And now, the first Austrian red wine growing area to adopt the DAC strategy, the Mittelburgenland, is introducing - with the 2005 vintage - typical Blaufränkisch wines under the name Mittelburgenland Dac. There are more powerful variations of these wines as well, and these bear the additional specification of "Reserve". With Mittelburgenland Dac, the Austrian wine economy continues to implement its strategy of emphasizing wines of origin with clear taste messages.

The necessity of clear positioning

"Because of the increasing commercialization of the international wine economy, Austria must have a clear positioning", states Michael Thurner, managing director of the Austrian Wine Marketing Board. Region-specific appellation wines (Dac) are one of Austria’s answers to the commercialization strategies implemented by other countries. "In Austria, terroir, handwork and wine origin are of premiere importance", emphasizes Thurner.

dac - the frame for an appellation profile

Since July 2002, the Austrian wine law has allowed quality wines with a typical regional origin and a clear taste profile to be marketed under the name of the wine growing area along with the denomination "DAC" (Districtus Austriae Controllatus). And with this, the Regional Wine Committee Burgenland has decided to bring to the market typical regional red wines from the Mittelburgenland wine growing area. The first Mittelburgenland Dac wines are from the 2005 vintage. Bearing the Mittelburgenland Dac label means that these wines are comprised of the Blaufränkisch varietal, which grows in more than 55 percent of the Mittelburgenland’s vineyards. Also, it is a confirmation that the wines have met vigorously-defined taste requirements. All other non-DAC wines can be sold under the Burgenland denomination, but still remain quality wines.

Emphasising regional identity

For a long time, there were several discussions in the Burgenland wine region about creating an overall Burgenland dac appellation. But because of the region’s heterogeneity and its many wine styles, such a designation would likely limit proper communication of such numerous and diverse identities. However, with Mittelburgenland dac, the true character of a specific area and wine is highlighted. Plus, the interests of area winemakers and wine trade professionals are looked after as well.

„Mittelburgenland dac“: fruity, spicy - unmistakably Blaufränkisch

"Blaufränkisch is our grape variety!" says an enthusiastic Anton Iby, chairman of the Regional Wine Committee Burgenland. "Nowhere else in Austria does this indigenous variety thrive like it does in Mittelburgenland. And that’s why it is only logical - and out of tradition - that we position ourselves on the market with this varietal." Iby estimates that the 2005 vintage will yield 800,000 bottles of Mittelburgenland dac wines produced by 42 winemakers.

Mittelburgenland dac wines must be produced with the Blaufränkisch variety, and have a minimum alcohol content of 12.5% and a maximum residual sugar content of 2.5 grams per liter. Wines with the designation Mittelburgenland dac, which are released on the market on the 1st of March following the harvest, can be matured in steel tanks or traditional large wooden barrels. They must have no barrique flavour tone. These wines also may have an additional designation of "Classic". With this first level of Mittelburgenland dac wines, site or brand names are permitted. These signify a more bodied style of wines; maturation in used barriques is permitted. The second level - Mittelburgenland Reserve dac – features wines with a more powerful expression of Blaufränkisch. They can be matured in new, small wooden barrels, and must not be sold before March 1st of the second year following the harvest.
Style-wise, Mittelburgenland dac wines are characterized by a bouquet of blackberries and cherries which harmonise with a palate of distinct fruitiness and spicy undertones.

Truly unique: analytical classification of origin possible

In a broad study of grape varietal characteristics, conducted by the Federal Institute for Viticulture (Bundesamt für Weinbau) in Eisenstadt, Austria, Mittelburgenland dac was evaluated. The analysis and statistical evaluation of the wine contents, especially flavour components and mineral compounds, revealed that the origin of the wine (the Mittelburgenland wine growing area) could be determined clearly and precisely. Particularly remarkable - even on an international basis – was the finding that a very high content of Resveratrol is found in the Mittelburgenland dac.

Download:

>>> Logo Mittelburgenland dac (jpg, 150dpi/120 kB)

Wine Growing Area	total area	contains Blaufränkisch	Share in total area
Blaufränkisch in Burgenland
Mittelburgenland	2.096	1.165	55,56 %
Südburgenland	505	176	34,92 %
Neusiedlersee-Hügelland	4.147	975	23,51 %
Neusiedlersee	9.081	797	8,77 %
Burgenland	15.829	3.113	19,66 %

Presentation Mittelburgenland dac

Nikolaus Berlakovich (Agrarlandesrat), BM Josef Pröll, Managing Director of the AWMB Michael Thurner, Anton Iby (Chairman of the Regional Wine Committee Burgenland). Foto-Download: jpg, 300 dpi, 2,1 MB	Michael Thurner, BM Josef Pröll, Nikolaus Berlakovich, Anton Iby Foto-Download: jpg, 300 dpi, 1,7 MB	BM Josef Pröll Foto-Download: jpg, 300 dpi, 1,3 MB

Michael Thurner, Download: jpg, 300 dpi, 1,9 MB	Nikolaus Berlakovich, Download: jpg, 300 dpi, 1,8 MB	Anton Iby, Download: jpg, 300 dpi, 1,8 MB

Walter Flak (Federal Institute for Viticulture) Download: jpg, 300 dpi, 1,8 MB

Fotos: © AWMB

>>> go Image Gallery "Mittelburgenland dac"

Press information / November 2006
AWMB/Susanne Staggl
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