Red grape varieties have increased by 27% in the years between 1999 and 2009. During the same time the share of white grape varieties fell by 18%.1
Although Austria lies at the same latitude as Burgundy it enjoys hotter summer temperatures due to the warming influence of the continental pannonian in the east and the moderate mediterranean climate from the south. The cooler northern air streams provide nights cool enough for Riesling to retain a crisp acidity.
- 1. Weingartengrunderhebung 2009. The report also shows that estates in Austria are growing in size, with an increase of 44% on average, despite the fact that the total vineyard area in Austria actually decreased from 48 496 ha in 1999 to 45 533 ha in 2009. More than half of the vines in Austria are 20+ years old.