Austrian Vintage 2009

Mid Harvest Report: Low Quantity, High Quality

It was a very hectic time in Austria's vineyards during the last few

weeks. The warm and sunny weather until the beginning of October brought

healthy grapes with optimal ripeness and - thanks to the cool nights -

perfectly preserved aromas and flavours. Once again, a high quality

vintage can be expected, albeit this time with just a drop of

bitterness: because of bad weather during the flowering period as well

as widespread hailstorm damage, a lower harvest volume of – according

Josef Pleil, president of the Austrian Viticulture Association –

approximately 2.2 million hl or less is predicted.

Also in Niederösterreich (Lower Austria), the largest wine-growing area

in the country, winemakers are pleased with the high quality of the

grapes harvested. For now, total harvest yield estimates continue to

decline. Along with the difficult flowering period - cold weather and

rain lead to low pollination – fruit set, especially in the Weinviertel,

was lower than in previous years. Heavy rain in the Kremstal, Kamptal

and Wachau areas in mid-September resulted in a higher onslaught of

fungus, thus demanding rigorous selection during the harvest.

The conditions for grape ripening in Burgenland were ideal in recent

weeks. Most of Burgenland was spared from hailstorms this year, although

there were some occurrences of poor fruit set (couloure), resulting in

low harvest yields. The Fall season delivered warm, dry days and cold

nights, which promoted a very good aroma and flavour development in the

grapes and helped ensure that they were healthy and fully ripe. The dry

weather at the end of August and the beginning of September resulted –

just like in Niederösterreich – in a smaller quantity of juice for

vinification. Presently, most of the harvest here has been completed,

except for some red wine varieties and the sweet wines.

The Steiermark (Styria) delivers a resounding “less, but good” as well.

Especially here, heavy rain and cold temperatures during flowering lead

to a markedly reduced fruit set, above all for the varieties

Weißburgunder (Pinot Blanc), Morillon (Chardonnay) and Sauvignon Blanc.

Moreover, according to hail insurance firms, nearly 1,500 hectares were

affected in some way by hailstorms. After a wet Summer, the winemakers

enjoyed beautiful Autumn weather conditions, which promoted

physiological ripeness - the optimal condition of the grapes that

reflects not only the sugar and acidity content, but also the aromas and

the ripeness of the grape seeds (tannins) and grape skins.

In Vienna, hailstorms in July destroyed the majority of the grapes on

the Nussberg, the best site in the Vienna wine-growing area. Of course

this means that a low quantity is expected as well, although fruit set

complications here were far less extensive than in other areas of the

country. In the sites that were spared from hail, winemakers were able

to gather beautiful, healthy grapes with good acidity and aromas.

"Despite the hail and difficulties with the fruit set, we can look

forward to a highly interesting quality vintage of white wines as well

as red wines," said Willi Klinger, general manager of the Austrian Wine

Marketing Board.

AWMB, Susanne Staggl, October 21st

info@austrianwine.com, www.austrianwine.com