AUSTRIA
The federal states of Lower Austria (Niederösterreich) covering 31 350 hectares, Burgenland 15 650 hectares, and Styria 3 700 hectares are defined as main wine-growing areas in Austria.
The wine producing areas are located in the Eastern part of the country and form a crescent around the capital Vienna. The wine region forms a bridge between the cooler north and warmer south climate zones of Europe.
Austrian vineyards are mainly influenced by the warm, dry climate of the Pannonian plain, to the east. Further to the west the climate becomes extreme and cold with the Central Alps.
The main white varieties planted in Austria are Grüner Veltliner and Riesling, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc are also planted but are less significant. Blaufränkisch, Zweigelt, St Laurent, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon are the red varieties and they are found in the warmer regions. Within these main wine growing areas there are also 16 other regions.
Markus Huber is located in the Traisental region that is a sub-region part of the Niederösterreich and Burgenland growing regions. Traisental is the youngest wine growing area in Austria, it was created in 1995. It is also the smallest appellation with only 700ha of vineyards where 63% is planted with Grüner Veltliner; that is the largest proportion in all Austrian wine growing regions. Riesling is also a specialty of the Traisental and bears the "Traisental D.A.C." appellation. Vineyards are found in the valley but also against the mountain. Many are planted on terraces. The soil is made of dry and very limy gravel soils on the mountain slopes. This specific soil gives the wines a very individual profile - a strong body and a solid backbone. Minerals provide flavor and support the acidity structure, which helps boost the longevity of the wines. The influence from the plain of the Danube paired with the cool air from the Alps result in warm days and cool nights - special climatic factors that lend to the development of very fine aromas and spicy finesse.
