Leithaberg DAC | Château Monty

The Leithaberg DAC is a wine region on the western shores of Lake Neusiedl in the Neusiedlersee region of Austria. The Leithaberg region is named after the Leitha Mountains (or Leitha Hills), the range of hills lying on the boundary between Lower Austria (Niederösterreich) and Burgenland. The range is an offshoot of the Alps and forms a connection to the Carpathian mountains to the north.

Production zone: The specific regionally typical wines, labelled with the Leithaberg DAC designation, also have a legally defined viticultural area, encompassing the political districts of the free town of Eisenstadt including its outskirts, ranging up to the smaller winegrowing towns of Jois and Winden.

Vineyard area: 3,097 ha.

Grape varieties: Weißburgunder, Chardonnay, Blaufränkisch.

Terroir: The Leithaberg is noted for its wide diversity of wine styles, a result of complex geology with shell limestone like in Burgundy, Champagne and Bordeaux’s right bank, and slate and quartzite like in the Rheingau, and Priorato. The vines face south towards Lake Neusiedl, an immense drainage basin which has a tempering effect (the lake covers 1.120 km2).

Soil: A single vineyard may have a number of different soils.The slopes of the Leitha Range comprise layers of acidic crystalline schist (mica-schist forces roots deep, checking vigour for deeper wines). Gneiss can be found in the carbonate-rich layers.

Meso-climate: High sunshine hours, cool nights, influence from nearbyLake Neusiedl and the forested slopes of the Leitha Mountains. “Leithakalk” is a unique regional marine limestone (shell limestone like in Burgundy, Champagne and Bordeaux’s right bank). Slate and quartzite like in the Rheingau and Priorato is found. South-facing slopes face towards Lake Neusiedl. This Lake, with its immense drainage basin of 1.120 km2 and its surrounding reed belt is climate-regulating and therefore one of the key factors for ripeness and aroma of the wines.

Wine styles: Complex. A single vineyard may consist of a huge number of different soils and rocks.

Main grape varieties: Chardonnay, Weissburgunder (Pinot Blanc) und Neuburger – three grape varieties that are grouped as “Burgundian” – are said to define Leithaberg DAC White wine. Blaufränkisch (r), Chardonnay (w), Pinot Blanc (Weissburgunder (w). | Neuburger (w).

Wines

Leithaberg DAC White is made from Pinot Banc (Weissburgunder), Chardonnay, Neuburger and Grüner Veltliner, as either as a monovarietal or as a blend of the permitted varieties. The white can enter the market a year after harvest.

Leithaberg DAC Red is made from Blaufränkisch as the main variety (which is well adapted here), with an optional 0-15% of Zweigelt, Sankt Laurent or Pinot Noir. Around 12.5% to 13.5% by volume. The red can enter the market two years after harvest.

Wineries

Certified Biodynamic: Weingut Birgit Braunstein.

Website: www.leithaberg.at/en/

Dry styles of wines exude aromas evoking the rich slopes of t

The Leitha Range, where layers of acidic crystalline schist and gneiss emerge through carbonate- rich layers. The specific regionally typical wines, labelled with the Leithaberg DAC designation, also have a legally defined viticultural area, encompassing the political districts of the free town of Eisenstadt including its outskirts, ranging up to the smaller winegrowing towns of Jois and Winden.

Leithaberg DAC white wine may be only produced using the varieties Weissburgunder (Pinot Blanc),Chardonnay, Neuburger and Grüner Veltliner, either as a monovarietal or as a blend of these varieties. Red Leithaberg DAC is produced using Blaufränkisch as the principal grape variety, yet the blend may contain up to fifteen per cent of Zweigelt, Sankt Laurent or Pinot Noir. The wines labelled as Leithaberg DAC display consistent mineral-driven characteristics and are relatively opulent, with declared alcohol levels of 12.5% to 13.5% by volume.