The 2022 vintage
great quality after a challenging year

The weather conditions described above essentially applied to the whole of the region, yet some of the autumnal precipitation in the western part of the Niederösterreich wine-growing regions was heavy, which necessitated a rapid counteractive response. In general, the wineries in Niederösterreich are expected to deliver ripe white wines with fine fruit aromas and a little less acidity than in the previous two years. Dense single-vineyard and Reserve wines could also be produced without complication.

The flagship variety Grüner Veltliner expresses a pronounced varietal typicity, albeit slightly less peppery than usual, as do the surprisingly racy Rieslings and the Pinot family, which has benefited from the season’s conditions. Although the wines have slightly less acidity, there was no reason to fear flat or flabby wines. The undesirable effect of the heat, which was seen in the 2000 and 2003 vintages, as well as in certain wines from 2011 and 2018, was not encountered anywhere, regardless of the region or grape variety.

Aromatic varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc, Muskateller and Traminer also showed their true colours. This was also the case for regional varieties such as Roter Veltliner in Wagram and Rotgipfler and Zierfandler in the Thermenregion.

Red-wine growers also have reason to be delighted. In the red-wine centres of Carnuntum and the southern Thermenregion, winemakers turned unusually small-berried grapes into powerful reds with good structure and mature tannins. These wines should have a promising future ahead of them.

Several cold nights in December also enabled the rare Eiswein to be harvested.

In Burgenland, the precipitation that preceded the harvest was not as pronounced as it was in Niederösterreich and Wien (Vienna), but it was still extremely welcome and benefited the ripening process, which put on the desired spurt here, too. Very dry conditions prevailed, especially in the wine villages alongside Lake Neusiedl. There were no late frosts or hail damage, and winegrowers were ultimately able to harvest very healthy grapes with the desired level of acidity.

The majority of white wines have unusually deep, distinctive notes of fruit and clear varietal characteristics, with Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc having come off particularly well.

The season had all the makings of an outstanding red wine vintage, especially due to the optimal ratio between the flesh and skins of the very small grapes. Furthermore, the main harvest period was accompanied by some very cool nights. Powerful and dense red wines with a fine structure and mature tannins, which have also retained a lot of pigment, can therefore be expected in all red-wine strongholds. This meant that the prerequisites for high-quality rosé wines were likewise met in full.

Repeated rain in late August and early September also provided perfect conditions for the development of noble rot. Botrytis formed slowly and constantly, much to the delight of winegrowers as it ensured a good juice yield and the resulting Prädikatswein was juicy with a pronounced display of fruit. Finally, a few ice-cold December nights enabled an unexpectedly early Eiswein harvest.

All three wine-growing regions in Steiermark seem to be heading towards a very good vintage – probably one that will frequently be compared to the outstanding 2021 vintage, although they differ slightly. The amount of precipitation was average by Styrian measures. Repeated rain shortly before the main harvest was considered essential here, too, so that grapes could continue developing. However, the grapes needed some picking over as a result. The harvest period was relatively short and, for the most part, already over in September – which is almost unprecedented. The main reason for this was the fact that most grape varieties reached perfect ripeness almost simultaneously.

Sauvignon Blanc, which has now become the flagship variety in Steiermark, is expected to have fared particularly well, but Gelber Muskateller, Morillon (Chardonnays), Pinot Blanc and Welschriesling wines should also satisfy the most discerning palates. High must weights have enabled white wines to develop plenty of juice and strength, while also displaying impressive fineness and structure. All components are in perfect balance from the outset this year, which means that even the young wines are juicy, rounded and harmonious. The rare Traminer variety in Vulkanland also benefited from the very good conditions, while the Schilcher rosé from Weststeiermark displays a clear texture and distinct aromas of red berries.

The Viennese vineyards located on the outskirts of the city (e.g. on the Nußberg, in Grinzing, Neustift as well as on the Bisamberg and in Mauer) produced grapes with good sugar ripeness and lower acidity. After an unusually dry period, the much-needed rain finally arrived in this region, too. This was good for the ripening process, which meant that grapes were harvested a little earlier than the previous year and the harvest was already over by the start of October.

Today’s forecast predicts rounded, well-balanced Wiener Gemischter Satz wines as well as harmonious, fruit-driven Rieslings that will be ready to drink a little earlier than in recent years.

Wineries in Kärnten (Carinthia) are delighted with an outstanding year, where the climatic conditions were almost identical to those in Südsteiermark. Precipitation also arrived in early September, which meant that it made sense to delay the harvest a while. The grapes reached very high must weights in October, which subsequently led to ripe wines with a deep, fruity mellowness and early harmony. This holds true for all the region’s grape varieties, which means that 2022 could prove to be the best vintage since 2011.

In Oberösterreich (Upper Austria), the blisteringly hot summer and accompanying drought was followed by a cool and humid period in September, which created difficult conditions for winegrowers. However, by meticulously picking over the clusters and harvesting quickly, winegrowers were able to obtain good quality grapes. The trend towards PIWI (fungus-resistant) grape varieties is continuing: Donauriesling and Cabernet Blanc – to name but two – have once again proven that they can deliver good results despite difficult conditions.

Winemakers from Vorarlberg and Tirol (Tyrol) can look back on a thoroughly successful vintage. The autumn precipitation was less pronounced here; the much-needed foehn periods gave the ripening process a final boost and resulted in more than satisfactory must weights. As a result of these favourable conditions, white and red wines produced equally positive results.