Neuburger is particularly found in drier areas such as the Thermenregion. In Burgenland it may be used alongside Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay and Grüner Veltliner for white Leithaberg DAC .

probably Wachau, Austria

Natural crossing of Roter Veltliner x Sylvaner

245.43 ha; 0.6%

White wine grape variety


Origin

The former Neuburger memorial (now the Niederösterreich wine memorial) in Arnsdorf in the Wachau region commemorates the origin of this autochthonous variety.

Vineyard area

Neuburger is a significant variety in the Wachau, the Thermenregion and on the Leithaberg. Between 1999 and 2020, the area planted with this variety decreased significantly.

A picture shows grapes of the grape variety Neuburger.

Important ampelographic features

© Austrian Wine / Oberleithner

Important ampelographic features

Leaf

large, three to five lobes; main leaf vein is red

Grape cluster

small to medium, very densely berried, cylindrical; berries are yellowish-green in colour, thick-skinned, spotted and meaty

Ripening

Ripening

very early
early
early to middle
middle
middle to late
late
very late

Significance & conditions

There are two reasons for this variety seeing a significant decrease in area under vine. Firstly, while Neuburger delivers excellent wine quality, it still cannot really compete with Grüner Veltliner. Secondly, it can be weakened easily by disease, particularly the grapevine fanleaf virus, which threatens survival of the vines. Fortunately, however, vines of this variety have very strong shoot growth and are able to tolerate dry, meagre soils. Deep, fertile soils are a common cause of coulure. This variety is also highly sensitive to late frosts and winter frosts, and is somewhat susceptible to oidium and Peronospora. It is very susceptible to botrytis due to the compact grape cluster.

Area under vine in Austria
(as a proportion of the variety’s total area)

Click on the wine origin in the list for a breakdown into more specific regions of origin.

Total area in Austria:

The Leithaberg and Neusiedlersee wine-growing regions overlap by almost 160 ha (Rieds Hausberg and Neuberg), according to the Austrian Wine Law. This means that the listed area under vine in Burgenland is 160 ha less than the actual total area across all wine-growing regions in Burgenland.

 A picture shows a hand holding a glass of white wine.

Characteristics of the wine

© Austrian Wine / Blickwerk Fotografie

Characteristics of the wine

Neuburger delivers mostly dense, full-bodied yet mild wines with a subtle flavour. Young wines are spicy and flowery, with a nutty flavour developing with age. This variety is very well suited for Qualitätswein and Prädikatswein.

Link

Autochthonous Varieties

Source varietal specifications: Höhere Bundeslehranstalt und Bundesamt für Wein- und Obstbau (Federal College and Federal Office for Viticulture, Oenology and Fruit Growing) in Klosterneuburg, “Austria’s Qualitätswein grape varieties and their clones“ („Österreichische Qualitätsweinrebsorten und deren Klone“), 2nd, reviewed edition, September 2015

Source area under vine: Calculation by Austrian Wine based on data from BML/IACS (as at 28 June 2023). Moving annual total (MAT) from June 2022 to June 2023.

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