Although it turned not to be that deep a mystery.
I love Austrian wines. I’ve often noted on the top of the screwtop, there is a number stamped. Or if not a screwcap, somewhere on the label a P, the Austrian bird w/ outstretched wings, and a long number. I’ve been mildly curious what that was all about.
Turns out (thank you Google) that is the Austrian Federal Inspection Number. All Pradikat & DAC wines have to be Federally inspected. First for a chemical analysis that has to fit within certain parameters. Then it is approved by tasting panels for “typicity” of the grape and the region. If it passes, it is awarded a Federal Inspection Number that must be displayed on the label or screwtop.
So now you know the rest of the story. The question arises:
- Is there an on-line data base that one can search for specifics on the wine, given this inspection number?
- “Typicity”? How rigorous are the inspection tasting panels in enforcing this requirement? If it’s a Kremstal Gruner made with extensive skin contact, will it pass? If it’s made from RibollaGialla, will it make the cut? If it’s given 1 yr in new French oak, will it pass??
- If it fails the Federal inspection, is it allowed to be exported… just w/o the Pradikat or DAC on the label?
Just sorta curious on the answers. I’m a LosAlamos guy, so you can just make stuff up if you want. It’s what we do.
Tom