DEAR READERS, DEAR FRIENDS OF AUSTRIAN WINE

We are delighted to present the English edition of the Falstaff Wine Guide, which is now in its 29th edition and once again highlights the high quality of Austrian wine culture. The international, but also domestic, economic climate is currently presenting winemakers with major challenges in the face of weakening demand, which they are meeting with the best possible response: producing wines of unmistakable quality and style, products that can only be found in Austria. Thanks to its multitude of grape varieties and appellations, the country can offer a diverse range characterised by many different terroirs, microclimates and styles. Each of the major regions boasts true standout wines. Lower Austria is the home of the Grüner Veltliner, a white wine variety capable of producing world-class dry wines. In small quantities, but of all the higher quality, the Rieslings complement the range. Vienna scores highly with its unique Gemischter Satz, whilst in Burgenland, Blaufränkisch, with its incomparable varietal profile, stands at the pinnacle of quality, a position it shares with the superb noble sweet wines. Styria produces white wines rich in finesse; here, Sauvignon Blanc takes centre stage and reaches a standard that easily rivals the world’s finest examples from France or New Zealand.