Niederösterreich (Lower Austria) (30,500 ha): Diversity Has a Name
Niederösterreich (Lower Austria) is the largest quality wine-growing area in Austria. It is home to a rich assortment of origins and styles of not only domestic wine rarities, but also international grape varieties as well. The eight specific wine-growing areas of Niederösterreich, which include well-known names such as Wachau, Kamptal and Carnuntum, can be divided into three climatic zones: the Weinviertel in the north, the Danube area to the west of Vienna and the Pannonian Niederösterreich in the southeast.
The large Weinviertel area made headlines in 2003 when its flagship wine, the peppery Grüner Veltliner, was introduced to the market under the Weinviertel name. Since then, the Weinviertel DAC designation on the label guarantees fresh, peppery-spice Veltliner in the glass. Still, the Weinviertel´s diversified palette - fresh white wines, fruity red wines and even sweet wine specialities – bear the Niederösterreich designation of origin.
The Danube river, from Melk to Klosterneuburg, and the nearby rivers of Krems, Traisen and Kamp, are beautiful wine villages lined like pearls on a string. Here, Riesling joins Grüner Veltliner in the rank of flagship varietal. Both of these grape varieties reflect characteristic typicity also in Kamptal DAC and Traisental DAC wines. The steep primary rock sites of the Wachau evolve into loess terraces in the eastern part of neighbouring Kremstal; this marks the character of not only the wines of the Kremstal, but also those of the Traisental and the Wagram. In the Kamptal, volcanic soils impart a distinctive character to the wines. Specialities such as Weißburgunder (Pinot Blanc) and Chardonnay, plus elegant red wines, complete the wine tableau of this part of Niederösterreich.
Pannonian Niederösterreich, south of Vienna, is home to some of Austria´s most outstanding red wines – with Zweigelt in Carnuntum and St. Laurent in the Thermenregion setting the tone. Moreover, specialities can be found everywhere: Zierfandler and Rotgipfler thrive around Gumpoldskirchen; Pinot Noir as well as modern cuvée blends are continuously gaining in importance. Niederösterreich - that means diversity from the big land of great wines.
