New Austrian wine region: Eisenberg DAC

The Austrian agriculture minister has signed a new “appellation“, what in Austria is called a DAC: Eisenberg DAC. The region is located in Südburgenland and includes the districts Oberwart, Güssing and Jennersdorf. Eisenberg DAC should be made from 100% blaufränkisch grapes and should have a spicy minerality. The soil type is the in Austria often seen sandy loess soil. The wine should be aged in tank or in barrel but must not have a pronounced oak character. There is also a “reserve” category for wines that have been aged in oak vats or barrels and that may have more barrel aging character. the first vintage is 2009 (2008 for reserve) and they can be put on the market as of 1 September 2010. These are the current Austrian DACs:

- Weinviertel DAC
- Mittelburgenland DAC
- Traisental DAC
- Kremstal DAC
- Kamptal DAC
- Leithaberg DAC
- Eisenberg DAC

www.winesfromaustria.com

(No, the photo is not really from Austria!)