Press Releases 2006

2006-12-05  –  As of December 31, 2006, Michael Thurner will leave the Austrian Wine Marketing Board after 8 years as executive manager and will turn with the new year towards new tasks. Starting January 1, Willi Klinger will step forward as his successor, one able to draw upon many years of broad national as well as international experience in the field of wine marketing. Read more

2006-11-24  –  Since 2002, all of the wine growing areas in Austria have the opportunity to market their typical wines under a system of controlled designation of origin (Dac). And now, the first Austrian red wine growing area to adopt the DAC strategy, the Mittelburgenland, is introducing - with the 2005 vintage - typical Blaufränkisch wines under the name Mittelburgenland Dac. There are more powerful variations of these wines as well, and these bear the additional specification of "Reserve". With Mittelburgenland Dac, the Austrian wine economy continues to implement its strategy of emphasizing wines of origin with clear taste messages. Read more

2006-11-22  –  Everything from immense satisfaction to traces of euphoria is being expressed throughout all of Austria ’s wine growing areas. That’s the beginning-of-November verdict for the 2006 harvest, which is nearing completion. The last of the grapes to be harvested – those mainly used for premium category wines - will be brought to the cellars within a short time. In every Austrian wine region, there are references to the high sugar levels, which - unlike vintages such as 2000 or 2003 – are balanced by equally generous acidity. And with this, optimal development potential and longevity can be confidently predicted for the wines. Of course, the harvest volume, between 2.2 million and 2.3 million hectoliters, is a bit under the annual average, with that of Grüner Veltliner markedly lower. Read more

2006-11-06  –  Since 1971, the Austrian Wine Growers Association has been awarding the Bacchus Prize to people who have performed outstanding services to Austrian wine. This year, the Bacchus Prize 2006 was awarded to Arne Ronold MW at a ceremony held on November 6th at the OldUniversity of Graz in Austria. Also given the prize was Franz Fischler, the former EU Commissioner for Agriculture. Following a long-practiced custom, the prize winners bestowed a name on a young wine prior to its official St. Martin’s Day blessing. Read more

2006-10-24  –  Every year the same questions arise: Too much sun for our vineyards? Or perhaps too little? Is there sufficient water and are our grapes resilient enough? Read more

2006-06-12  –  Austrian wines performed brilliantly at a blind tasting of 50 of the world’s best Sauvignon Blanc. Not only with the younger vintages, but among the mature wines, the winners were Austrian. Austria, and in particular Styria, was able to secure its image as producer of elite world class Sauvignon Blanc. Read more

2006-06-01  –  VieVinum is Austria’s most important wine exhibition. Every other year, over 400 native winemakers present their wines during an impressive presentation in the Vienna Hofburg. The Austrian Wine Marketing Board (AWMB) takes care of the international flair and has invited over 500 opinion leaders from the wine distribution market, journalism and gastronomy from 31 nations to Austria. In addition to visiting the exhibition, the AWMB has organized excursions into the Austrian wine country. For Austrian winemakers this is a unique opportunity to introduce one’s products to a community of international specialists. Read more

2006-02-15  –  The extremely variable weather challenged many vintners to their limits, but diligent vineyard management was rewarded in the end. The white wines of the new year are fruit-driven and precisely defined, displaying wonderful harmony. The reds are characterized by a sleek, charming “Austrian” bouquet and clear varietal expression, comprising wines which offer drinking pleasure in their youth. The desert wines display monumental intensity and impressively brilliant fruit. The harvest volume of 2.2 million hl is far below the long-term average and is the single bitter result in a year full of surprises. Read more