The indigenous Roter Veltliner plays a vital role within the Veltliner Family, and is the parent variety of Neuburger, Zierfandler and Rotgipfler. The Roter Veltliner is predominantly in Wagram
Origin
probably brought from the Valtellina to Austria
Parentage
Unknown
Vineyard area
190.56 ha; 0.4%
Parentage
Roter Veltliner is actually the parent variety of the Veltliner family and can be found in numerous forms (Weißroter Veltliner, Brauner Veltliner, Silberweißer Veltliner and Gelbling). As an autochthonous variety, it holds a special position within the Veltliner family as a natural crossing partner for Neuburger, Zierfandler and Rotgipfler.
Vineyard area
This variety is only grown in a few regions of Niederösterreich, mainly in Wagram, the Kamptal and the Kremstal, although it can also be found occasionally in the Weinviertel and Wien. Between 1999 and 2020, the area under this variety decreased noticeably in size.
Important ampelographic features
Leaf
large, five lobes, deeply sinuated
Grape cluster
medium to large, very densely berried, cone-shaped; berries are greenish-yellow to flesh-red in colour, thick-skinned and exhibit uneven ripening.
Ripening
Ripening
Significance & conditions
The area under this variety used to be on the decline, due to the vineyards where it was grown providing excellent conditions for Grüner Veltliner. However, the situation has since become more settled. These vines need sites that warm up early and loess soils that allow deep rooting. It is extremely sensitive during flowering and susceptible to damage from late frosts. It is also very prone to botrytis and Peronospora. Overall, the characteristics of this variety are not particularly favourable, which limits its appeal.
Area under vine in Austria
(as a proportion of the variety’s total area)
Characteristics of the wine
Roter Veltliner is a high-yielding variety, which is why yield management is necessary to achieve high quality. Restricting the yield enables the production of very original, elegant, extract-rich wines with fine, spicy aromas and great ageing potential. Without yield management, the wines are somewhat thin and lacking in complexity.
Link
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: Austrian Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Regions and Tourism according to IACS (as at 31 May 2022)
