Austria has a new designation of origin: As of the 1. September 2010, wines of the Eisenberg DAC appellation can be launched on the market. The wines must consist entirely of the Blaufränkisch variety, while oaky notes are considered undesirable, at least for some of the wines.

As per the regulations promulgated by the minister of agriculture, and effective 1 September 2010, quality wines with typical regional characteristics, sourced from the political districts of Oberwart, Güssing and Jennersdorf may be marketed under the Eisenberg Districtus Austriae Controllatus (DAC) designation. Eisenberg DAC wines must consist entirely of Blaufränkisch grapes (Lemberger in Germany, Kekfrankos in Hungary). Wines may be matured in either stainless steel tanks or oak barrels, but should not show any or only a very slightly oaky note.

Eisenberg DAC may also be marketed with the additional term „Reserve“, these wines may be matured in large oak barrels or in barriques, supplementing the aromas of the Blaufränkisch grape with oak aromas.

The first vintage to be affected by the Eisenberg DAC rules is the 2009 vintage, the first date for marketing this is the 1st of September of the year following the vintage. The Eisenberg DAC Reserve is affected as from the 2008 vintage, in that this category of wine may be sold as of the 1st of March of the second year following the vintage. In order to implement all the new rules at the same time, an exception has been made for this first vintage, so that this may also only be sold as of the 1st of September 2010. (WF/press release)