Austria

For many years Austria was seen as Germany's wine making clone, but over the last decade it has fought hard to establish its own wine making identity. Austria's new found reputation is built on its indigenous, signature grape variety Gruner Veltliner, which produces highly aromatic, rich white wines, capable of real complexity and ageing. The wine is perfect with food and so has won many fans across the world.

Austria is also producing some great dry Riesling, which rivals both Alsace and Germany, but has yet to make headway with some of its more unusual indigenous grape varieties - all 33 of them!

Bibendum Fact

As well as the burgeoning global superstar that is Gruner Veltliner, Austria also has the obscure Roter and Brauner Veltliner, which mean red and brown.