Austria — wine

Carnuntum DAC

Carnuntum is Austria's most historically significant and least-known DAC, located east of Vienna on the Danube bend where the Roman frontier fortress of Carnuntum stood. The region's Pannonian climate — continental warmth moderated by Danube cooling — and the distinctive black earth (Schwemmboden) and loam soils produce Blaufränkisch and Zweigelt of unusual depth. The DAC, granted in 2019, covers just 900 hectares. The Roman emperors Marcus Aurelius and Vespasian both held court here; wine has grown continuously on these terraces.

Year Rating Notes
2023 Carnuntum's Pannonian warmth delivered balanced ripeness; Blaufränkisch showed characteristic spice and iron mineral.
2022 Outstanding Austrian vintage; Carnuntum produced Blaufränkisch of exceptional concentration and structure.
2021 Spring frost and summer irregularity tested the region; careful site selection delivered honest wines.
2020 Solid year; Danube moderating influence maintained freshness in an otherwise warm Pannonian growing season.
2019 Fine Austrian vintage; Carnuntum Blaufränkisch produced wines of depth and age-worthiness rarely seen before the DAC era.