During a meeting with the Minister in the presence of Christian Jaborek and a number of senior Ministry officials, Jean-Marie Aurand praised the quality of relations between the Austrian authorities and the OIV and was delighted with their significant involvement at all levels.
The Minister, emphasising the importance that his country attaches to the Organisation, confirmed his desire to maintain the active presence of his country in the different working structures.
The possibility of organising a presentation of Austrian wines at the OIV in 2017 was envisaged.
The visit led to a meeting with President Johannes Schmuckenschlager and Managing Director Josef Glatt of the Austrian Winegrowers' Association, as well as with the Managing Director of the Wine Marketing Board, Willi Klinger.
The Director General was also hosted at the Federal College and Research Institute by its Director Reinhard Eder, who is also an OIV expert. Founded in 1980, the Institute plays a training role while also carrying out applied research in various vitiviniculture-related fields. Several researchers at the Institute participate in the work of the OIV.
Finally, Jean-Marie Aurand visited a number of vineyards.
Concentrated in the eastern part of the country, Austrian viticulture comprises nearly 25,000 estates, which produce 2.3 Mhl of wine per year.
Austria has a long vitivinicultural tradition: vines have been grown there for thousands of years. Vinification, essentially of white wine (2/3 of production), emphasises traditional vine varieties such as Grüner Veltliner, an emblematic variety.
Over recent years, Austrian viticulture has taken a remarkable leap forward thanks to major investment in quality. Winegrowers have used their strong talents to successfully reconcile tradition and modernity, which explains their success.