Lower Austria/Niederösterreich

The DAC (Districtus Austriae Controllatus) controlled origin designation was introduced in 2008 for the Kamptal region in Lower Austria. The wines must be produced from the quality varietals Grüner Veltliner or Riesling; blends are only tolerated tot he extent that they would not change the legal varietal designation. The wines must be fermented dry, with an upper limit of 9 g/l of unfermented sugar, and there are two levels of quality. The classical level must have an alcohol level of 12,0 or 12,5% vol, this may be altered in exceptional vintages. Wines made from Grüner Veltliner must be fruit-driven, and have an elegant, spicy taste, those made from Riesling must have an aromatic, elegant, mineral taste, and may not be dominated by botrytis. In both cases, no evident oak is permitted, and the alcohol content may not be noticeably high.

If they have an alcohol content of a minimum of 13% vol, wines of both varieties may carry the additional designation Reserve. They must have a „full-bodied taste“, as well as „prominent varietal and regional character”, and a „concentrated, long finish“. In this category, delicate oak and botrytis notes are permissible. The wines may be bottled only in bottles of 0,75 litre contents (or multiples thereof). Regional vineyard sites may not be stated, only a commune of a single vineyard may be stated on the label as smaller geographic origins. The classical wines may be sold as of the 1st of January of the year following the vintage, the Reserve wines may be sold as of the 15th of March of the year following the vintage.