Neusiedlersee Wine - page 2

Neusiedlersee is the most eastern of all Austrian wine regions and is a part of the larger Burgenland province. It borders Hungary in the east and the Carnuntum in the north. The region derives its name form the Neusiedler See (Lake Neusiedle) on the west which is the single most prominent factor affecting the overall terroir of the region thereby determining the styles of wines produced here. The area couldn't have been more aptly named!

Seewinkel or 'Corner of the lake', within the larger Neusiedlersee is a special piece of land with unique grape-growing conditions that are exclusive to the region. The lake provides plentiful humidity throughout the growing season and coupled with the autumn fog and warm afternoon winds, a climatic condition is created which favors the spread of noble rot throughout the region's vineyards brought about by the fungus Botrytis Cinerea. This regular phenomenon means that it is one of the very few places on earth that can reliably produce top quality Prädikatswein level wines every year. (© Proprietary Content, Wine-Searcher) The Beerenauslese (BA) and Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA) categories are of particular importance. The plentiful sun also ensures the region's unrivalled potential to produce a local sweet specialty known as 'Strohwein' - wines produced from sun-dried grapes rich in sugars and aromas. All the dessert wines produced in Neusiedlersee are renowned throughout the world for their body, concentration and seductive aromas. The best examples are made from the Welschriesling and Weissburgunder (Pinot Blanc) grape varieties.

The region's proximity to the hot and dry Pannonian climate also makes it a favorable place to grow red grape varieties which are capable of producing some of the most full-bodied and rich red wines in the country. The prominent grape varieties include Zweigelt, Blaufränkisch, St. Laurent and Blauburgunder (Pinot Noir). International varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are also making headway here.