Carnuntum is the newest DAC winegrowing region

Oct 19

The region has reached agreement on the three levels Gebietswein (regional wine),
Ortswein (‘villages’ wine) and Riedenwein (single-vineyard wine), and continues to
emphasise the traditional and highly prized varieties: white wine vinified from Chardonnay,
Weissburgunder or Grüner Veltliner, red wine from Zweigelt and Blaufränkisch.
                                                                               

The family of Austrian winegrowing regions with DAC status continues to grow: after thorough consideration and
regional consensus, the winegrowing region Carnuntum submitted a draft DAC regulation, which has now been signed
by the Federal Minister for Sustainability & Tourism Maria Patek. This makes Carnuntum the fourteenth Austrian
winegrowing region with specific protections in place for regionally typical wines.

Three levels, regionally typical grape varieties

Like the Steiermark, Kamptal, Kremstal and Traisental, the region Carnuntum – located in the eastern part of Austria
between Vienna and the Slovak border, encompassing an area of 906 hectares under vines – will henceforth
implement a three-level DAC regulation: Gebietswein (regional wine), Ortswein (‘villages’ wine) and Riedenwein
(single-vineyard wine). The varietal palette focuses on the region’s marquee players: for white wines Chardonnay,
Weissburgunder and Grüner Veltliner, and the reds Zweigelt and Blaufränkisch. Monovarietal Carnuntum DAC wines
must be vinified exclusively from these varieties, while blends must contain at least two thirds of one of them. This
means that cuvées can also contain up to a third of other approved Qualitätswein (quality wine) varieties – for
example, in a red wine, Sankt Laurent, Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot.

Flavour profile
Carnuntum has been showing very well now for quite some time, with distinctive red wines and robustly structured
whites. The new DAC regulation stipulates that all wines must conform to the flavour profile ‘dry’, and that red wines
must also have an alcohol content of at least 12%. In addition, Ortswein and Riedenwein must be given adequate time
to develop their distinctive and expressive character: the application for obtaining a Federal Inspection Number may
not be submitted before 15 March for white wine and not before 1 November in the year following the harvest for red
wine.

Rubin Carnuntum will remain

The established brand Rubin Carnuntum will remain in place parallel to the DAC regulation, and will continue to
provide a guarantee of special and regionally typical wines vinified from the variety Zweigelt.              

Facts
Permitted grape varieties:

 White: Grüner Veltliner, Weissburgunder

(Pinot Blanc), Chardonnay
 Red: Zweigelt, Blaufränkisch
 Cuvées: at least 2/3 from these varieties, rest:
Qualitätswein varieties

Flavour profile: dry

Alcohol level: min. 12,0 % vol.

Pyramid of origin:

 Gebietswein (regional wine)

 Ortswein ("villages" wine)
 Riedenwein (single-vineyard wine)