2021, a dream vintage for Austria

After a winter that saw less precipitation than usual, spring kept us all waiting. April was cool and much too dry, while a gloomy, wet May was far from the traditionally expected warmer weather. However, it did at least bring with it the much-awaited precipitation, even if the amount varied considerably from one region to the other. This naturally delayed bud burst and flowering, which, however, was not without its benefits. Unlike the wine-growing countries to the south and west of the main Alpine ridge, Austria did not fall victim to late frosts.

June finally ushered in some sunshine and warmth. The vines eventually blossomed at the end of the month – during a hot spell – which inevitably resulted in coulure in some vineyards. The warmer weather also brought storms with it. On 24 June, the northern Weinviertel was battered by a huge storm cell accompanied by violent hail that caused serious damage to around 1,000 hectares of vineyards here – even destroying some of themcompletely. At the end of July, a hail storm also hit the Wachau wine-growing villages of Rührsdorf and Rossatz, certain vineyards in Dürnstein and Loiben, as well as some near Göttweig and in the Traisental. The main red wine-growing centres in Mittelburgenland also suffered severe damage due to hail. Some Rieds (single vineyards) on the Nussberg (Wien), in the Vulkanland region (Steiermark) and in Südsteiermark were also affected, albeit not so badly.

Apart from the localised incidences of hail, July was the type of summer month that dreams are made of, but even this gave way to a dull, rainy and cool August. Thankfully, right on cue on 1 September, the weather took a sudden turn for the better. A bright, sunny phase took hold, lasting six whole weeks with only two days of rain. By the middle of September, the nights had already turned cool, which meant that there was a marked difference between daytime and night-time temperatures. This promoted the formation of outstanding aromas in the white wines and vitality in the reds. A period of föhn winds followed at the end of October, ensuring a final burst of ripening for the Riesling vineyards north of the Danube.

Oidium, Peronospora and unwanted Botrytis cinerea didn’t stand a chance against these perfect conditions, and in some regions, veteran winegrowers reported having never before seen such beautiful, completely healthy grapes at harvest. Reports from the key wine-growing villages in Burgenland and Steiermark claimed that 2021 was the quickest main harvest of all time, completed in one go. Indeed, the best time to harvest could be predicted very easily and precisely.

With a harvest volume of around 2.4 million hectolitres, the 2021 vintage is in line with the long-term average. This is grounds to celebrate, because the rest of Europe enjoyed somewhat less success in 2021. Many German wine-growing regions suffered drastic drops in harvest volumes and the major wine-producing countries of Italy, France and Spain also had to cope with painful losses, largely caused by late frosts.

Analyses have shown that the acidity is notably higher than in previous good vintages. However, the acid is almost entirely tartaric, with hardly any malic acid present. As a result, the acidity does not appear sharp or immature, but harmonises well with the overall character of the wines.

In the Thermenregion and Carnuntum, outstanding red wines have been produced from all grape varieties and at all levels of maturity. The late harvest and long vegetation period were particularly beneficial for the delicate Pinot Noir and St. Laurent grape varieties, as this time around there was no issue with premature sugar ripeness and no risk of rot. Just like the white Riedenwein (single-vineyard wines) and Reserve wines, they are expected to have a superb structure and good ageing potential.

In the sweet sector, winegrowers were able to make Eiswein again – the first time in several years. In the Weinviertel, the harvest took place just before and shortly after Christmas; in the Kamptal, Kremstal and Wagram regions, between 12 and 16 January 2022.

The red wines also benefited from these optimum conditions, especially the two flagship varieties Zweigelt and Blaufränkisch. The long vegetation period and late harvest, not to mention the analytical data, promise a red wine of the same calibre as in 2019, with an elegant structure and trenchantly defined fruitiness holding the foreground despite the high degree of maturity. Some winegrowers even believe they have the most promising red wine of all time ageing in their barrels – wines that will compete with those from the exceptional 2011 and 2017 vintages, renowned for their density and sweet extracts. When it comes to the French grape varieties, Cabernet, in both its Sauvignon and Franc varieties, excited considerable attention this year.

After the long, dry autumn, a wonderful Botrytis cinerea formed in November, blessing winegrowers in the Seewinkel area and on the western shore of Lake Neusiedl around Rust with high-quality dessert wines that also show great promise.

In Vulkanland Steiermark and in Südsteiermark, the main harvest was completed swiftly, and thanks to the perfect grapes, no further selection was necessary after the preliminary harvest. The combination of sugar gradation and acidity values is optimally balanced and the distinct fruitiness, elegance and zestiness of the young wines is already impressive. We can also expect great things of the Pinot varieties, as well as of the fully ripe and multi-faceted Sauvignon Blancs. The same holds true for the Gelber Muskatellers, which on this occasion have a rose fragrance that makes them almost Traminer-like, promising a first-class vintage.

Holding off on the main harvest was likewise important in Weststeiermark. For the Schilcher Riedenwein (single-vineyard wines), harvesting primarily only started in November. This has resulted in pink elixirs full of juice and power, displaying a rare elegance. The Pinot varieties and the Sauvignon Blancs also grew into expressive wines in which the influence of the terroir is clearly discernible.

No other federal state has witnessed such a rapid growth in area under vine over the last decade as Kärnten (Carinthia), and the quality of the wines has improved at the same impressive rate. Carinthian winemakers were spoilt in 2021, which brought ideal weather for blossoming and a warm, dry autumn that resulted in healthy, ripe grapes. We can expect juicy, powerful wines with a typically delicate fruitiness from both the Lavanttal and the area around St. Veit, as well as from the sloping banks of the Wörthersee and Längsee lakes.

The growing season proved rather more difficult to the west of the main Alpine ridge in Tirol (Tyrol) and Vorarlberg. Budding came later than usual and a short hot spell in June was followed by two extremely rainy summer months. In order to counter the significant presence of fungal disease, it was essential to ensure a well aerated canopy; but even so, the yield was down by 30 to 50%. Luckily, September and October were also at their best around Lake Constance and in the Walgau region and ensured a concentrated structure and exceptional aromatic depth in the wines.

Further information about Austrian vintages from 1992 is available here.

• Press photographs (JPG)
• Press release as a PDF file
• Austrian vintages from 1992
• From 2 March: Wine harvest and inventory 2021, Statistics Austria