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The former Großlage "Rosalia" south of the Leithagebirge becomes Austria's next DAC wine-growing region. In the future, "Rosalia DAC" and "Rosalia DAC Reserve" red wines as well as rosé wines under the designation "Rosalia DAC Rosé" will be produced on 297 ha of vineyards in the district of Mattersburg.
According to the Austrian Winegrowers' Association, the typical grape varieties of the region, Blaufränkisch and Zweigelt, may be vinified in single-varietal Rosalia DAC wines retroactively from the 2017 vintage onwards on the basis of the DAC ordinance that has now been signed, provided that the wines have an alcohol content of at least 12 per cent and a residual sugar content of no more than 4 g/l. The wines must be vinified in steel tanks. They must be matured in steel tanks or wooden barrels, and the wines should have a multi-layered and regionally typical bouquet as well as a finesse-rich, fruity and spicy taste.
Only from the Rosalia DAC Reserve level onwards is the indication of a site (Ried) permitted on the label. As far as the alcohol content is concerned, the legal regulations for the designation "Reserve" apply, i.e. it must be at least 13 percent.
The second category of the regulation is Rosalia DAC Rosé. This must be vinified from one or more red quality wine grape varieties. The indication of a grape variety on the label is not permitted, but that of a vineyard designation. Dry vinified in steel tanks or wooden barrels, Rosalia DAC Rosé is characterised by its bouquet of red berries and a fresh, fruity and spicy taste.
The Rosalia wine-growing region owes its name to the Rosalien Mountains, which rise up to 750 metres on the Lower Austrian-Burgenland border. Due to the Pannonian climate in combination with fertile brown earth soils on loess subsoil, the Rosalia is predestined for the cultivation of Blaufränkisch and Zweigelt.
(uka / Photo: Austria Wine)