A term commonly used in Austria for two typical Austrian institutions in connection with wine. The first is the young wine of the current (this year's) vintage. On Martini, the feast and name day of Saint Martin, 11 November, the wine is baptised and thus becomes a Heuriger. The Heuriger, which until then had been a Heuriger, subsequently becomes an "Alter". Until this day, according to old custom, the toast "Prost" must not be used when drinking wine. The term "Heuriger" is reserved exclusively for Austria within the EU. Country wines and quality wines may be labelled as "Heuriger" if they are made exclusively from grapes harvested in Austria. They may be sold to resellers by 31 December of the year following the harvest at the latest and to consumers by 31 March of the following year. The vintage year must be indicated on the label.
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Thorsten Rahn
Restaurantleiter, Sommelier, Weindozent und Autor; Dresden