Austria’s has approved its sixth DAC appellation.

Leithaberg in Burgenland is the latest addition to the Districtus Austriae Controllatus system, which was launched in 2003 to distinguish wines that reflect an area’s typical wine style.

To qualify for DAC status, a Leithaberg DAC white must be made from Grüner Veltliner, Weissburgunder (Pinot blanc), Chardonnay or Neuburger while a Leithaberg red must be produced from Blaufränkisch.

Winemaker Silvia Prieler, who helped draw up the Leithaberg DAC legislation said: ‘Leithaberg DAC is so regional-specific because of its special slate and limestone soils and the climatic influences of the hill as well as Lake Neusiedl below.

‘The white and red wines here are fruity, but not overly-fruity, and have a distinct elegance and minerality.’

The first wines Leithaberg DAC wines will hit the shelves in September 2010. The first white wines released will be from the 2009 vintage; the first reds will be from the 2008 vintage.

The Leithaberg comprises 1800 hectares covering approximately 50% of the Neusiedlersee-Hügelland wine-growing area.

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Written by Darrel Joseph

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Darrel Joseph
Darrel Joseph
Decanter Magazine, Wine Writer & DWWA Judge

Darrel Joseph is based in Vienna and began writing about the wines of Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe in 1995, after his palate was captured by Hungarian Tokaji and Austrian Grüner Veltliner and Riesling. Since then his interests have broadened to include Croatia, Slovenia and all Balkan wine countries, plus Georgia and Russia, as well as the aforementioned Austria and Hungary. Joseph's writing has appeared in Decanter, Wine Spectator, Wine Business International and Harpers Wine & Spirit, and he has also contributed to Hugh Johnson's Pocket Wine Book and wein.pur's Best of Austria, and Guide to Grüner Veltliner. He was also the English language editor of Lászlo Alkonyi’s book, Tokaj, The Wine of Freedom. When he's not writing, Joseph conducts wine tastings and seminars internationally, and translates a wide range of wine texts from German to English.