The DAC Family in Burgenland Continues to Grow
Eisenberg dac Confirmed
(AWMB, March 2010) - Region-typical quality wines from the Austrian administrative districts of Oberwart, Güssing and Jennersdorf (Südburgenland) can be marketed under the designation of Eisenberg dac as of September 1st, 2010, according to a decree issued recently by Austria’s Agriculture and Environment Minister Niki Berlakovich. With the Eisenberg dac, wines characterised by a distinctive spicy minerality while reflecting the terroir of the Südburgenland wine-growing area will be highly profiled. Moreover, the new DAC will help to further the reputation of not only the area’s wines, but also the wine-growing area overall.
Eisenberg dac - minerally & spicy
With Eisenberg dac, a new member has joined the Austrian DAC family; a member whose motto could be "small - but fine". Out of the Südburgenland’s entire vineyard area, only around 150 hectares comprise the Blaufränkisch variety, even though it is the region’s dominant grape.
Like all of the other DACs, Eisenberg dac is subject to the general conditions and requirements for Austrian quality wine. Specifically, Eisenberg dac wines must be produced from 100% Blaufränkisch grapes.
Eisenberg dac stands for the typical, fruity and mineral-spicy Blaufränkisch, which is further characterised by the loamy, mineral-rich soils of the Südburgenland wine-growing area. The wines can be matured either in steel tanks or in wooden barrels, but the wines should show no – or else barely noticable – wood tone.
Eisenberg dac wines also may be marketed with the additional designation of "Reserve". These are complex wines with great storage potential. They must be matured in large wooden barrels or in barriques, allowing for the aromas and flavours of Blaufränkisch to be complemented by wood notes.
The first Eisenberg dac vintage is 2009, and the wines can come on the market no earlier than September 1st of the year following the harvest. For Eisenberg dac Reserve, the first vintage is 2008; these wines can be released for sale no earlier than March 1st of the second year following the harvest. (For adjustment purposes regarding this introductory year only - the 2008 vintage Eisenberg dac Reserve wines must not be released for sale before September 1st, 2010).
The DAC-Family
WEINVIERTEL dac, Grüner Veltliner, since 2002, also category as of 2009 vintage
MITTELBURGENLAND dac, Blaufränkisch, since 2005, also Reserve category
TRAISENTAL dac, Grüner Veltliner, Riesling, since 2006, also Reserve category
KREMSTAL dac, Grüner Veltliner, Riesling, since 2007, also Reserve category
KAMPTAL dac, Grüner Veltliner, Riesling, since 2008, also Reserve category
LEITHABERG dac: Takes effect as of September 1st 2010:
white: Grüner Veltliner, Weißburgunder, Chardonnay, Neuburger with 2009 vintage
red: Blaufränkisch with 2008 vintage
EISENBERG dac: Takes effect as of September 1st 2010:
Blaufränkisch, with 2009 vintage, Reserve category with 2008 vintage
Further Information:
Map Austria (with Eisenberg dac),( jpg, 300 dpi, 1,9 MB)
Press information, March 2010
AWMB, Susanne Staggl
Tel.: +43 1 503 92 67
Fax: +43 1 503 92 68
E: info@austrianwine.com
