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Categories of Wine according to Origin

The grapes for Qualitätswein (quality wine) or regionally-typical Qualitätswein (DAC) must grow in an Austrian winegrowing region. Landwein (land wine), generally comes from the larger winegrowing area.

The wine label must contain the following information; origin, variety, vintage, quality designation, alcohol content by volume, reference to its residual sugars (i.e. dry, etc), as well as the official Federal Inspection Number and name of the producer or bottler.

The Austrian wine law defines a maximum yield of 10,000 kg of grapes or 7,500 litres of wine per hectare for Landwein (land wine), Qualitätswein (quality wine) and Prädikatswein (classed quality wines). If the yield is larger, then the total volume must be declassified as a wine without origin. Such examples may only be sold without any reference to their origin, variety or vintage. Wine without protected geographical indication may only be sold if there is no declaration of origin, variety or vintage on the wine label (If wine without defined origin has a declaration of variety and vintage, it must fulfil the requirements for Landwein).

Wine without geographical indication

Wein: The term “Wein” replaces the formerly used term “Tafelwein" ("table wine”). „Wein“ may be offered on the market when certain conditions are met (e.g. minimum alcohol level, minimum must weight etc.).

Austrian Sekt: “Österreichischer Sekt” (“Österreichischer Qualitätsschaumwein”) may be offered on the market under this designation only when it is produced exclusively from the 40 grape varieties permissible for the production of Qualitätswein in Austria, and is free from defects in appearance, smell and flavour.

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Wine with protected geographical indication

Landwein: In the Austrian Wine Law, the traditional term “Landwein” replaces the Community law term “Wine with Protected Geographical Indication”. Any indication of a more detailed geographic entity than the winegrowing area or a product designation other than Landwein (in particular “Wine with Protected Geographical Indication”) is not permitted.

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Wine with protected designation of origin

Qualitätswein: The term “Qualitätswein” (quality wine) is a traditional Austrian usage for wine with a designation of origin, and replaces the Community law product designation "Wein g.U." (“Wine with Protected Designation of Origin”). The areas of origin for Qualitätswein are the winegrowing regions. The indication of the product designation “Wine with Protected Designation of Origin” or its abbreviation on the label is not permitted.

Various designations for Qualitätswein (specific requirements have to be met): Kabinett, regionally typical Qualitätswein (DAC), Prädikatswein (Spätlese, Auslese, Beerenauslese, Eiswein, Strohwein/Schilfwein, Trockenbeerenauslese)

Sekt with protected designation of origin (Sekt Austria): In principle, the regulation applies that Sekt Austria (PDO) may be offered on the market exclusively in connexion with the supplemental terms Sekt Austria (PDO), Sekt Austria Reserve (PDO) or Sekt Austria Große Reserve (PDO) (Grande Reserve), under the appurtenant conditions laid down by decree.

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