Austria´s Kamptal wine-growing area has just adopted the DAC appellation system.
The Kamptal, with 4,300 ha of vineyards, is now the second of Austria´s top three internationally renowned white wine-growing areas to acquire DAC classification.
Neighbouring Kremstal adopted the system just over a year ago, but the Wachau, another neighbour, has remained uncommitted to taking DAC status as it already has its own prominent, long-established quality system.
Kamptal DAC is defined by two tiers of quality white wines made from Grüner Veltliner and Riesling.
The first is a dry, light and fruity style with 12-12.5% alcohol, the second a dry, deep Reserve style with pronounced body and length and at least 13% alcohol.
'In five or ten years, the Kamptal and especially Grüner Veltliner will be even more recognised around the world,' Karl Jurtschitsch of the Jurtschitsch winery in Langenlois said.
'And we will probably see Grüner Veltliner make up more than 60% of the Kamptal´s vineyards. That´s 10% more than today.'
According to winemaker Fred Loimer, 3–4m bottles of the first Kamptal DAC wines (the 2008 vintage) will come on the market in 2009.
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