Explore Austrian Wine: Why You Should Give It a Try Most people have heard of wines from France, Italy, or Argentina, but Austrian wine is still a hidden gem. Austria only makes about one percent of the world’s wine, so you don’t see it much in most wine shops or restaurants—especially in the U.S. If you do spot an Austrian wine, it’s probably Gruner Veltliner, their most famous white grape. But there’s much more to Austrian wine than just Gruner! Austria: A Place With Deep Wine Roots Winemaking in Austria is no recent trend—it goes back more than two thousand years. There are five main wine regions in the country, and they all turn out high-quality wines. Austria sits at the same latitude as France’s Burgundy region, but its climate is a bit different, with more temperature variation. This helps give Austrian wines a fresh, lively taste and rich mineral flavors. Plus, nearly all wineries in Austria are run by families (about 95%), and they focus on eco-friendly practices. Austrian wines are not only delicious, but their variety makes them a great match for many types of food. Whether you want wine with snacks or a full meal, you’ll find something from Austria to fit. Tasting Adventure: Master Class in Austrian Wines Recently, a group of wine experts and writers attended a special master class in Washington, DC, to learn about Austrian wines—beyond just Gruner Veltliner. Guests sampled flights of Austrian wines paired with tasty dishes to show just how much these wines have to offer. Here’s what they tried and learned: <b>1. Sparkling Wines and Gruner Veltliner</b> The event began with sparkling wines and Gruner Veltliner, served with appetizers like charcuterie and artichokes. These wines are crisp, easy to drink, and great for starting a meal. <b>2. Sauvignon Blanc From Styria</b> In the first major tasting flight, the focus was on white wines from Styria, Austria’s southern wine region. Sauvignon Blanc here isn’t like the citrusy versions from New Zealand or France—think more soft, Italian style. These wines went perfectly with white asparagus. <b>3. Aged Rieslings</b> Next, attendees sampled Rieslings that were at least six years old. While many drink Riesling young, aging brings out incredible complexity and richness. These wines, some from vineyards centuries old, paired well with skewered yellowtail fish. <b>4. Austrian Red Wines</b> Austria is now producing more red wine—about one-third of all its wine is now red! Guests enjoyed reds like Blaufrankisch and St. Laurent, which are fruity, smooth, and a bit earthy—delicious with sausage. <b>5. Dessert Wine</b> To finish, there was a sweet dessert wine (similar to ice wine) served with custards and cookies. This “liquid gold” comes from near the Hungarian border and gave the meal a perfect ending. The Verdict: Try Austrian Wine! The biggest takeaway? Austrian wines wowed everyone at the tasting session with their quality, style, and food-friendliness. Even seasoned wine buyers wanted to add Austrian bottles to their restaurant lists. So, if you want to surprise your tastebuds, challenge yourself to try more Austrian wine. They offer something for everyone, from crisp whites to bold reds and luscious dessert wines. Next time you’re shopping for wine—give Austria a shot. Prost! (That’s how you say “cheers” in Austria.)
