Evidence of the consumption of Austrian wines date back to at least the fifth century BC.  Today, the production of high quality Austrian wines has led to a renewed interest in Austrian wines abroad.  The Austrian wine classification system is similar to the German system and is based mainly on sugar content in the grapes.  Northern Austria has a mild, wet climate, while the central part of the country is cold and dry and the south is comparable to Mediterranean climates.  This southern region for Austrian wines benefits from a warm wind originating in Africa and following the ocean currents to Austria.  The four main regions for Austrian wines are Lower Austria (Neiderosterreich), Styria (Stiererland), Vienna (Wien), and the Austrian Mountains (Bergland Osterreich.)  Gruner Veltliner, responsible for dry white Austrian wines, is the most widely planted grape.  Other popular varietals for Austrian wines include Zwiegelt, Welschriesling, Blaufrankisch, and Neuburger.