2012-05-23
A widespread spell of frost, that brought temperatures as low as minus 5°C overnight from 17th to 18th May 2012, has caused significantly more serious damage than originally estimated.
2012-06-04
Between the 2nd and 4th of June, Vienna's Hofburg Palace was transformed by the Austrian Wine Marketing Board and VieVinum into an international stage for Austrian wines.
2012-07-06
AWMB Continues its Role as Principal Supporter
2012-08-30
Earlier this year, frosts and hailstorms caused millions of euros worth of damages. Josef Pleil, president of the Austrian Winegrowers' Association (Österreichischer Weinbauverband) and vice president of the Provincial Chamber of Agriculture of Lower Austria (Landwirtschaftskammer Niederösterreich) stated: “Because of the severe natural events, such as the Winter frost, the late frosts and massive…
2012-10-24
Österreichische Post AG, the Austrian postal system, has introduced the first postage stamp of its special stamp series, “Austria's Wine Regions”. The series comprises stamps that highlight specific Austrian wine-growing regions, their landmarks and region-typical grape varieties; every year, a different stamp featuring a particular region will be printed and released. The Weinviertel region and…
2012-10-31
The 2012 vintage is bringing lovers of Austrian wine exciting, fruity and full-bodied wines. Beautiful weather conditions nurtured healthy and ripe grapes, even though the dry Summer heat created the need for plenty of attention later on in the cellar in order to ensure clean fermentation as well as fresh, pure aromatics and flavours. Also, the moderate acidity is requiring a certain sensitivity…
2012-11-12
Austria's favourite young wine brand - the "Junge Österreicher" (young Austrian wines) - joined forces with the "Junker" young wines from the Steiermark. The tasting, held in the MAK Museum of Contemporary Art on Wednesday 7 November 2012, marks the beginning of the 2012 vintage wine tasting season.
2012-11-09
The new position of “AWMB Sommelier” has been created to intensify activities in the restaurant on-trade and retail off-trade channels / Katharina Papst is now Marketing Manager for Germany.
2012-12-11
Have you finished your Christmas shopping yet? Or maybe you're not so thrilled with the same old ideas à la ties, perfumes & Co. Have you perhaps thought about giving something different – truly different - something that's clever, special and tasteful, and fits every occasion? Something with style and spirit, and can describe the one who receives it? There is nothing better than giving a fine…
2016-02-03
It’s happening again this year in springtime: anybody in the world of wine who wishes to be noticed will be present from 13–15 March at ProWein in Düsseldorf. As was the case in 2015, Austria will once more have Hall 17 to itself, fielding more than 360 exhibitors. Hours of operation will be adjusted slightly this year, from 10.00 am – 07.00 pm, in order to spare more than 50,000 expected trade…
2018-01-09
The Austrian wine sector saw export volumes remain steady in 2012 despite the tight supply, while revenues actually increased. According to provisional figures from Statistik Austria and the Austrian Wine Marketing Board (AWMB), exports in 2012 totaled 46 million liters with revenues reaching € 128.5 million. Because of the limited wine supply, however, there was a decline in the low-end price…
2013-02-14
This winter, Ski amadé and Austrian Wine Marketing (AWMB) are launching the third initiative under the slogan "Austria's greatest ski paradise presents the best in Austrian wine", with the aim of promoting gourmet culture in the mountains. Ambitious ski hut landlords, who are connoisseurs of quality wines and thus offer a diverse range of high-quality Austrian wines, will be recognised and…
2013-02-28
With all of the figures in, the total volume of Austria's 2012 wine vintage is 2,154,800 hectoliters, which is well below the long term average. This is due mainly to last May's late frost – an unusual event that brought heavy losses, especially in Niederösterreich (Lower Austria). But because overall weather conditions during the year were quite favourable, the quality of the wine is very high,…
2013-03-06
Austria's group presentation at the ProWein wine fair in Düsseldorf, Germany (March 24th – 26th) is the biggest for the Austrian wine sector. The ever-increasing number of Austrian participants underscores the international importance of the fair. This year, in the Österreich-Halle (Austria Hall) – Hall 7 – there will be 350 domestic producers presenting their products and new vintages. The head…
2013-03-15
When the first asparagus dishes are featured on restaurant menus and signboards, and the vineyards are showing their first fresh green hues, wine and asparagus lovers are in total bliss. Because there is nothing like the right wine with the right asparagus dish to create one of Spring's most unforgettable palate pleasures.
2013-11-27
This winter, Ski amadé and Austrian Wine Marketing (ÖWM) are launching the third initiative under the slogan "Austria's greatest ski paradise presents the best in Austrian wine", with the aim of promoting gourmet culture in the mountains. Ambitious ski hut landlords, who are connoisseurs of quality wines and thus offer a diverse range of high-quality Austrian wines, will be recognised and…
2014-05-07
Österreichische Post AG, the Austrian postal system, has released the third series of special stamps with the “Austria's Wine Regions” theme. This new series, issued on May 3rd, focuses on one of Austria's smallest wine regions, the Wachau. The two previous series showcased the Südsteiermark and Weinviertel regions. For the new Wachau series, the Wachau Kellerschössl – the region's landmark…
2013-08-02
The Wiener Gemischte Satz is one of Austria's most traditional wines. And over the last ten years, this special field blend has undergone a long-deserved renaissance, thanks to the strict quality policy and new cultivation regulations mainly pushed by the group of Viennese winemakers known as WienWein. The significance of Wiener Gemischter Satz as the showpiece of Vienna's wine sector combined…
2013-07-12
When the days are sunny and the evenings pleasantly mild, gardens are wafting with the scents of a barbeque, seducing the appetites of outdoor epicureans. Grilling is not only one of the gentlest ways of cooking delicious foods, but it's also an excellent reason for bringing good friends together. And wines to match make it all complete! For the grill-meister, there is a wide range of Austrian…
2013-07-30
After a long period of negotiations, Austria's National Council approved, by necessary majority, the modifications to be made to the Agramarkt Austria law and the national wine law regarding wine marketing funding. The approvals were made at the beginning of July, on the last day of the current legislative period.
2014-09-19
Persistent rain and fewer hours of sunshine during the first weeks of September have left Austrian winemakers with even more work to do in the vineyards. The harvest volume estimate of 2.5 million hl made at the end of August can no longer be expected.
2014-10-16
It's young, fresh, fruity and so alive! The Junger Österreicher, Austria's most famous young wine brand, is once again in season, and offers tremendous diversity in the glasses of the Austrian wine scene.
2014-11-06
Difficult weather conditions, persistent rainfalls and fewer sunshine hours demanded scrupulous care and extensive work in the vineyards from Austria's winemakers this year, so that healthy and ripe grapes could be harvested. The wine grape volume will be once again below the long term average, but we can look forward to an Austrian 2014 vintage with fresh, very fruity and pleasantly drinkable…
2014-11-04
Amidst the inspiring splendour of the Stift Klosterneuburg abbey, the new wine of the 2014 Austrian vintage was officially blessed by Abbot Primate and Provost Bernhard Backovsky on November 4th. The Taufwein, or blessed wine, was bestowed with the name Samtosha* by the recipients of the Austrian Bacchus Prize 2014, Herbert Prohaska and Regina Meij. Federal Minister Andrä Rupprechter, Regional…
2014-11-10
Under the motto “The Ski amadé Trilogy of Enjoyment: tasty regional specialities, Austrian wines and magnificent pistes”, selected mountain lodges and restaurants in Ski amadé from now on are offering typical local dishes made from regional products. These tasty regional specialities are complemented by Austrian wines.
2015-10-30
The Day of Austrian Sekt 2015 brought with it a cause for celebration. The three levels of the Austrian Sekt quality-pyramid are to be henceforth identified with the designations Klassik, Reserve and Große Reserve (Grand Reserve). With this comes not only the guarantee that – in purchasing an Austrian Sekt with protected designation of origin – the consumer is receiving a wine with a documented…
2015-11-06
This year’s christening of the vintage took place on 3 November in Lannach, Weststeiermark. The presiding clergyman, Styrian minister Franz Brei, christened the consecrational wine ‘Gustl 58’, named after a social initiative for spiritual development originating in the region. At the centre of the presentation stood this year’s winners of the Bacchus Prize, August Schmölzer and the San Francisco…
2015-11-16
Finally! Following the problematic and intensively demanding 2014 vintage, 2015 brought happy faces to the Austrian winegrower population.
2015-11-23
New: The highest farmers’ market in the Alps immediately next to the pistes
2016-07-27
Following eight years of uninterrupted growth, Austria’s wine export revenues declined slightly for the first time in 2015. According to Statistik Austria, the wine exports 2015 amount to 48 million liters and 143 million €. This comes as no surprise to professionals, because the problematic 2014 vintage – and its reduced volume – did affect export statistics, even if the decrease in sales of 1.1%…
2016-11-11
Due to devastating frost damage last spring, a small crop is expected.
2016-10-27
The 22nd of October, the Day of Austrian Sekt, brought elegant sparkling wines out for a curtain call once more this year. The introduction of the three-tier quality pyramid for Austrian Sekt with Protected Designation of Origin (Sekt g.U.) manifests the effort of Austrian Sekt producers to communicate clear information to consumers purchasing Austrian Sekt g.U., concerning point of origin as well…
2016-11-07
On 3rd November, the Esterházy baroque castle in Eisenstadt was the magnificent setting for the Austrian Wine Blessing to celebrate this year’s vintage, and it was officially blessed by Eisenstadt diocesan Bishop Ägidius J. Zsifkovics. The consecrational wine was a Grüner Veltliner from Burgenland, which was baptised “Xuntos”. As part of the ceremony, the coveted Bacchus Prize was awarded in both…
2016-12-21
There is hardly any way that a wine harvest in Austria could have more variation to it than this year’s vintage. While in the Steiermark and Burgenland, harvest shortfalls from 50 to 80 per cent due to late frost at the end of April can be lamented, in large parts of Niederösterreich the yields were good, even above average. The combination of factors caused grape and bulk wine prices, especially…
2016-12-07
Bordeaux will soon be wearing red, white & red. Why is this? From 16–18 December, Austrian wine will be paying a visit to the brand-new Bordelais wine museum and culture centre ‘Cité du Vin’, presenting its many diverse shimmering facets. Wine tastings under the tutelage of two of the world’s best sommeliers, concerts on the theme of wine, and a talk about the unique nature of Austrian wine –…
2016-12-09
The highest farmer’s market in the Alps, in Ski amadé, is expanding its product range. With its 760 kilometres of slopes, Ski amadé is not only the largest ski organisation in Austria, but also nothing can compare to its vast range of culinary options which it has on offer. 260 mountain huts and restaurants situated in the middle of the ski resorts serve everything which the skier’s heart desires…
2017-09-14
The very first Vinexpo Explorer, which took place in Vienna (Austria) on 11 & 12 September, was a hit with all participants. The new concept, combining business and tastings focused on one winegrowing region, proved successful, paving the way for a new approach to business networking.
2017-12-05
As of this date, Austria has a tenth specific DAC winegrowing region: Schilcherland DAC – in the west of the federal state of Steiermark (Styria), formerly known as ‘Weststeiermark’. Here, the red wine variety Blauer Wildbacher is vinified into a rosé wine called Schilcher. Following an extended political process of discussion, pending changes to the DAC regulations were announced on 11.10.17. The…
2017-12-05
The waiting has come to an end! To mark the Day of Austrian Sekt on 22 October, the sparkling wine categories Sekt g.U. Klassik and Sekt g.U. Reserve are making their market debut (‘g.U.’ standing for geschützte Ursprungsbezeichnung meaning protected designation of origin). Geschützter Ursprung, geprüfte Qualität –protected designation of origin and certified quality – is the official quality seal…
2017-12-05
While worldwide 2017 saw the lowest level of wine production in years, Austria was able to record a harvest that was very good in terms of quality and also blessed by abundant volume. The yield of 2.6 million hl (according to October’s third harvest estimate) amounted to a quarter above the five-year average, which will go a long way to filling cellars that in many places have been rather empty.…
2018-01-03
We’ve got another year just about behind us, a really good one. In the wine cellars of Austria, there’s plenty of wine resting peacefully, produced from the fully ripened grapes of this year’s harvest, and filling the growers’ hearts with joy on account of its fine quality.
2018-01-16
This is a great honour for Austria. The Steiermark (Styria) has been chosen by the organisers as the venue for this year’s edition of the Concours Mondial du Sauvignon, one of the world’s most influential white wine competitions. On the 2nd and 3rd of March 2018, this annual event will take the stage in Graz, and is certain to reinforce the Steiermark’s status as a prestigious place of origin for…
2018-03-08
This year’s edition of ProWein is right on time for Austria’s winegrowers. While most of western Europe’s major wineproducing nations were suffering (in some cases severe) reductions in harvest volume in 2017, Austria was able to rejoice in a vintage that was quite convincing in terms of both quality and quantity. From 18–20 March in Düsseldorf, Germany, Europe’s biggest trade fair for wines and…
2018-03-12
Despite a slight decline in volume, the export year 2017 exceeded all expectations: with a steep increase in the value of exports, to 158.6 million Euros, Austria cracked the 150-million-Euro barrier for the first time – in addition to which, average price per litre reached a new all-time high of 3.39 Euros.
2018-03-14
In contrast to most major European winegrowing nations, which are lamenting the lowest production volume in many years, Austria was able to record a 2017 harvest that surpassed the five-year average by 25%, with approximately 2.5 million hectolitres. But the excellent quality of the current vintage is even more satisfying. The combination provides something that proved elusive during the last few…
2018-04-19
The former Grosslage (large collective vineyard site) ‘Rosalia’, located south of the Leitha Range in Burgenland, is set to become Austria’s next DAC winegrowing region. There are 297 hectares under vines in the administrative district Mattersburg, which will henceforth yield regionally typical ‘Rosalia DAC’ and ‘Rosalia DAC Reserve’ red wines, as well as distinctively conceived rosé wines bearing…
2018-05-23
The twentieth-anniversary jubilee of the wine festival VieVinum is setting new marks to measure by: more than one thousand wine professionals from all over the world will be attending Austria’s greatest wine fair at the invitation of the Austrian Wine Marketing Board (AWMB) – a historical number of visitors. For Austria’s winegrowers this offers a unique opportunity to open and develop new…
2018-06-15
From 9–11 June, Vienna’s Hofburg Palace once more became the pilgrimage destination for friends of Austrian wine, as well as for those individuals headed in that direction. 15,000 attendees from nearly fifty countries met up with some 550 Austrian winegrowers, augmented by the viticultural contingent from this year’s guest country Switzerland. The initial feedback from the international trade…
2018-08-06
A great honour for Austria: for the first time in its history, the highly respected Court of Master Sommeliers will conduct its examination for membership outside the UK or the US – and nowhere else but in Austria! The Master Sommelier Diploma, which will be awarded at Klosterneuburg Abbey in August, is considered the highest honour to which a sommelier can aspire.
2018-08-27
‘For the most part, Austria’s grapevines were able to withstand the enormous heat and lack of moisture that characterised the 2018 vegetation cycle. So we have a very early and very ripe vintage on our hands, one in which persistently high temperatures have led to consistently higher levels of alcohol and lower levels of acidity. Volume will in any event be just above average: we are looking…