For more than ten years, Austrian viticulture has made an enormous leap in terms of wine quality. Today, Austrian winemakers no longer produce cheap wines for mass consumption, but refined and complex wines. Austria produces 65% white wines. From a fairly global point of view, Austrian wines are more powerful and richer than those of its German neighbor. The great national grape variety and the most widely planted is Grüner Veltliner (native white grape variety). Red wine production continues to increase in volume, intensity and quality. Especially in Burgenland, producers make the most of an original grape variety combining local (Blaufränkish, Saint-Laurent, Zweigelt) and French (Cabernet-Sauvignon, Merlot and Pinot Noir) grape varieties.
Austria's climate is predominantly continental with cold winters and warm summers. The country is subject to 4 main influences. To the east, continental influences coming from Pannonia, to the west Atlantic influences but also cold winds coming from the north and to the south Mediterranean influences. The Danube, which meanders languorously through many vineyards, brings numerous microclimates to the vineyards.
