Traisental

One of the eight specific wine-growing areas in the Austrian province or generic wine-growing region of Lower Austria. Incidentally, it is the only wine-growing region in the Mostviertel. It lies to the west of Wien, borders the Danube to the north and is bordered to the south by the Lower Austrian capital St. Pölten. The current extent was created in 1995 by separating it from the wine-growing region of Donauland (now Wagram). The name was given by the Traisen River, which flows through it from Herzogenburg in the south to Traismauer in the north and then flows into the Danube at Krems. The Traisental is an ancient wine-growing region. A grape seed find from the Bronze Age 2,000 B. C. and a Celtic bronze bucket from 450 B.C. with drinking scenes at a festival identify it as one of the oldest wine-growing areas in Austria. The town of Traismauer was an old Roman town; the Limes, the wall against the Germanic tribes invading from the north, ran through here. According to legend, the Nibelungs were served wine in Traismauer on their way to King Etzel. In 1673, at a wine tasting, Inzersdorf wines were rated higher than those from the Wachau.

The predominant soil type consists of dry, sandy and gravelly-loamy layers. The climate and weather are subject to Pannonian and continental influences, the Danube has a thermoregulating effect. The largest wine-growing community is Traismauer with about 200 hectares of vineyards. In Inzersdorf, some monasteries such as Passau and Salzburg already owned vineyards around the year 1000. Other municipalities are Ambach, Angern, Atzenbrugg, Getzersdorf, Herzogenburg, Inzersdorf, Nasenberg, Nussdorf, Oberndorf, Oberwölbling, Reichersdorf, Sitzenberg-Reidling, Statzendorf, Waldlesberg and Würmla. The best-known vineyards are Engelreich, Gießgraben, Grillenbühel, Hausberg (first mentioned in 950), Händlgraben, Pletzengraben, Rafasetzen, Wöbling and Zwirch.

Grape variety list

In 2015, the vineyards covered a total of 815 hectares of vines. Compared to 2009 with 789 hectares, this was an increase of 3%. The share of red wine varieties is 17.6%, the share of white wine varieties 82.4%. The dominant grape variety is Grüner Veltliner, followed by Zweigelt and Riesling.

DAC system

Starting with the 2007 vintage, the origin-controlled quality level Traisental DAC was introduced. All other quality wines must be marketed with the origin Lower Austria, the Land wines under the winegrowing region designation Weinland. In addition to the generally valid DAC conditions, special rules apply.

The quality wine grape varieties Grüner Veltliner and Riesling are permitted. The wines must be vinified dry. Starting with the 2016 vintage, a three-tier system was introduced to emphasise the origin more strongly. There are lower limits for alcohol content, but no upper limits compared to before. The date for the application to obtain the State Assay Number is staggered. If the decision is positive (usually within one week), the wine may be marketed:

• Traisental DAC, to. 11.5% vol; 1 January
• Traisenstal DAC with indication of place; at. 12% vol; 1 January
• Traisental DAC with indication of place and vineyard (indication of "Ried" and vineyard name); at. 12.5% vol; 1 January
• Traisental DAC Reserve; at. 13% vol; 1st July

The wines must have a characteristic typicity in terms of taste. For Grüner Veltliner are: fruity, fine spiciness, no botrytis note, no perceptible wood tone (toast aroma), balanced, not alcohol-heavy. For Riesling: fragrant, aromatic, elegant, mineral, no botrytis dominance, no woody note, balanced, not alcoholic. For Reserve: strong style, distinctive regional and varietal aromas, dense and long finish, a delicate botrytis and woody note is permissible.

Producers

Well-known wineries are Brindlmayer Karl, Dockner Thomas, Hauleitner Herwald, Herzinger Reinhard, Hofmann Rudolf, Holzer Andreas, Huber Markus, Kreimel Herbert, Neumayer Ludwig, Nolz Josef, Ott Thomas, Pernikl Walter, Preiß Friedrich, Schöller Hans and Steyrer Bernhard. Many businesses are members of the Traisentaler Weingärtner association. Another large WV is Traditionsweingüter Österreich. A selection of the best wines are available for commented tasting and sale at the Schlossvinothek Traismauer.

Pictures: © ÖWM - Marcus Wiesner