Cabernet Sauvignon: Ripening potential more than 40 years

30 Apr 2023 – Press

It was only 40 years ago that Cabernet Sauvignon was first cultivated in Austria. This was thanks to Anton Kollwentz who received a special permit and was the first to grow the variety in Austria. Soon others followed. Initially, Cabernet Sauvignon was mainly produced as a single-variety wine, later as a blend. In Austria it is nowadays mainly grown in Pannonia as well as in Thermenregion and Carnuntum (both Lower Austria).

Now Vinaria tasted the wines of around 60 winegrowers from the years 2018 to 1983. Most of them were from 2018, 2017 and 2015. The first Cabernet Sauvignon ever harvested in Austria–our vintage 1983–was among the top scoring ones, proving that it has a high ripening potential.

As a late-ripening variety, Cabernet Sauvignon requires the best vineyard sites but suffers when there is too much lime in the soil. It tolerates the Pannonian climate, but has problems with extreme drought. On the other hand, increased precipitation in autumn is not a problem.