Featuring around 3600 labels from 440 vineyards, the new Falstaff Wine Guide Austria 2025/26 presents the best of Austria and Central Europe.
It is my pleasure to present the 28th edition of the Falstaff Wine Guide Austria and Neighboring Countries, featuring a plethora of delectable local varietals, styles and categories. A showcase for the enormous variety of the region, I can heartily recommend each entry after thorough and careful examination. But before you delve into the details, allow me to make a few comments.
You can't sugarcoat it: We're living in turbulent times. Austria is no longer exempted either: wars, crises and recession have raised tensions here too. The mood is bleak, and everyone is tightening their belts. The domestic wine industry is also feeling the effects of this, as sales have been better. Domestic red wine is no longer fashionable, and even white wines no longer sells like hotcakes. Wine consumption in general is on the decline – an international phenomenon – and the younger generation is increasingly turning to non-alcoholic alternatives. Restaurant continues to be well frequented, but they too are complaining about lower wine sales. Vineyards around the world are beginning to be cleared in order to reduce production volume. These fact are hardly encouraging.
After an intensive period of tasting the current ranges of the leading wineries from all over Austria, it is clear that the level of quality has never been as high as it is today. The local vintners have done their homework. The number of organic winegrowers is growing steadily. Austria is a world leader in this field, the style of wines is developing toward lightness, freshness and finesse, while the number of industrially produced wines is decreasing. The red wine sector has also started to respond to the shift in demand. Less noticeable wood, less alcohol, but an emphasis on elegance and origin: more and more producers are following that path. Today, sparkling wine production offers a wide range of skillfully crafted vintages, and the Sekt Austria concept is becoming increasingly popular with consumers.
It would appear then that everything is fine. So why is there so much doom and gloom? There are many factors that can dampen a wine lover's pleasure in these times. Two of these are particularly noticeable: Firstly, The tense state of affairs already mentioned, which is generally clouding the mood. We can only hope that peace and reason will prevail; as a small, neutral nation, Austria has little control over that. The second problem, however, is homegrown and concerns the calculation of domestic wine within large parts of the hospitality sector.
Unfortunately, recent developments can only be described as absurd. Whether by the glass or by the bottle, whether at your neighborhood tavern or in top gourmet restaurants: the pricing models that have become the norm ruin the enjoyment of wine. A 1/8-liter-glass is supposed to pay for the bottle? Wines bought for €5 wholesale are priced at €90 on the wine list? Not only does the fun stop there, but so does consumption. Wine connoisseurs are now the cash cows of the restaurant trade – and some wonder why sales are down!
Everyone understands that some rarities are granted a "protective price" to maintain the brand, but this general miscalculation is a disservice to local winegrowers. It is precisely because of the overall rise in costs that producers deserve a fair share of the profit margins. If this doesn't happen and wholesalers and restaurants are left with more than the producers, then the day is not far off when winegrowers will be forced to increase prices further. And this will also affect direct sales and thus private consumption at home – overall consumption falls again. As a result, vineyards are being cleared and cultivated landscapes are disappearing. Sadly, it is precisely those areas that produce the most valuable grapes, such as the terraces of the Wachau or steep slopes in Styria, that quickly become unprofitable.
It's not too late – that's the good news. Let's make it just a little easier for wine lovers to secure the future of Austrian wine by being able to afford and enjoy it, instead of driving them towards non-alcoholic alternatives. I would like to express my sincere thanks to all the contributors to this 28th edition and to all the wineries who have entrusted their wines to our critical care. Their skill, passion and admirable work make this guide possible.
And to ensure that our winegrowers can continue to produce the best possible wines for us in the future, it is essential that they receive a fair price for their excellent products, even in times of rising costs. So, dear wine lovers, let us continue to enjoy wine and help safeguard this cultural and culinary asset for the future.
The top recommendations from the Falstaff Wine Guide Austria and Neighboring Countries 2025/26: wine shops, restaurants and delicatessens
Reserve Grand Prix
1st place: Weingut Schloss Gobelsburg
Grüner Veltliner Kamptal DAC Ried Lamm 1ÖTW 2023
2nd place: Weingut FJ Gritsch
Grüner Veltliner Ried Singerriedel 2023
3rd place: Weingut Georg Frischengruber
Grüner Veltliner Wachau DAC Ried Kreuzberg Smaragd 2023
Classic Grand Prix
1st place: Weingut Hofstätter Wolfgang
Grüner Veltliner Wachau DAC Ried Steinporz Federspiel DAC 2024
2nd place: Weingut FJ Gritsch
Grüner Veltliner Ried Axpoint 2024
3rd place: Weingut Malat
Grüner Veltliner Kremstal DAC Ried Höhlgraben 2024
