Winemakers honored

Fine wines: these are the best wines in Carinthia

The Trippelgut winery won in two categories.(Bild: Trippelgut)

Our province is becoming more and more of a wine country - the areas under cultivation are getting bigger and bigger, the quality of the wines better and better. The best wines have now been chosen!

With a cultivation area of 135 hectares, Carinthia is in fifth place in a comparison of federal states. The vines of our winegrowers are now thriving not only in Lower and Central Carinthia, but also in Upper Carinthia, and the fine wines are even appreciated throughout Europe.

The Maltschnig family winery in Liebenfels won in a total of four categories.(Bild: MIAS PHOTOART _MICHAELA PFLEG)

Even though 2023 was a challenging year, Carinthian winegrowers are expecting a promising vintage. "In addition to the abundant rainfall, which promoted the growth of the vegetation, the winegrowers unfortunately also had to contend with storms, which led to yield losses. However, the mild and sunny autumn ensured that the grapes ripened excellently," said Winegrowers' Association President Horst Wild, who presented awards to the best Carinthian wines of 2023 in nine categories together with Provincial Governor Peter Kaiser and Deputy Governor Martin Gruber.

The provincial wine winners were chosen this week in the Spiegelsaal of the Carinthian provincial government.(Bild: Dietmar Wajand)

The best "PIWI wine" was also awarded a prize. "PIWI" stands for "fungus-resistant" grape varieties - these are varieties that have a high resistance to fungal attack despite organic cultivation methods.

The winners in the various categories:

• Varietal diversity white: Cabernet Blanc, Maltschnig winery
• Varietal blend white: Luitwinde, Karolinger Weinbau
• Classic Burgundy wines: Chardonnay, Maltschnig winery
• Burgundy wines strong: Chardonnay Reserve 2021, Vinum Virunum
• Sauvignon Blanc: Trippelgut
• Tasty: Gelber Muskateller, Trippelgut
• Rosé: Maltschnig winery
• Red wines: Roesler Barrique 2021, Weinbau Köck
• Sparkling wines: Frizzante Rosé, Strutz winery
• PIWI wine of the year: Cabernet Blanc 2023, Maltschnig winery