The Kremstal has become Austria's first internationally renowned wine-growing area to adopt the DAC appellation system.
Comprising less than 2,200 vineyard hectares, the Kremstal is known worldwide for its high-quality, minerally white wines, mainly Grüner Veltliner and Riesling. This reputation is shared with two other famous areas, Wachau and Kamptal – both of which neighbour the Kremstal. These two areas have not yet adopted the DAC (Districtus Austriae Controllatus) system.
‘Kremstal wines are as good, but not really as clearly defined as Wachau and Kamptal wines,’ Fritz Miesbauer, of Weingut Stadt Krems and Stift Göttweig wineries said. ‘Now, with the DAC, we think consumers will get to know exactly the grapes and styles of Kremstal wines.’
Kremstal DAC is a two-tiered system that utilises only the Grüner Veltliner and Riesling varietals. The wines can be produced either in the dry, light style, with alcohol levels of 12-12.5%, or the dry and robust Reserve style, with a minimum of 13% alcohol.
The Kremstal is the fourth of Austria’s 19 wine-growing areas to take DAC classification since the system was introduced in 2003. The other DAC areas are Weinviertel, Mittelburgenland and Traisental, all of which are seeking to grow their lesser-known reputations internationally.
The estimated production of Kremstal DAC wines is 1m bottles. The first wines, from the 2007 vintage, will arrive on the market in February 2008.
Written by Darrel Joseph in Vienna
