Burgenland

Wine-growing region in Austria, one of the four wine-growing regions in the federal state of Burgenland. A total of 1.098 wine growers share a total vineyard area of 1.877 hectares. Both the Celts and the Romans grew vines here, and it is said that Charlemagne (742-814) visited the area. In medieval times, the Cistercians introduced the grape varieties Pinot Gris and Blaufränkisch, and improved viticultural practices. The region is hilly with extensive forests, and covers the entire central section of the federal state, from the border with Lower Austria in the west to the border with Hungary in the east. Well-known wine-growing communes include Deutschkreutz, Frankenau, Kroatisch Geresdorf, Kleinwarasdorf, Horitschon, Lackenbach, Lutzmannsburg, Neckenmarkt, Nikitsch, Ritzing, Unterfrauenhaid and Unterpetersdorf. Well-known vineyard sites include Dürrau, Gfanger, Hochäcker, Hochberg, Kart and Kirchholz. There are three ranges of hills, the Ödenburger Gebirge in the north, Bucklige Welt iin the west and Günser Bergland in the south, providing protection from cold winds. Warm Pannonian influences flow in from the east, and the Neusidlersee lake close by also helps to regulate the climate. The dominant types of soil are sand, clay and some gravel formations, all of which have good water retention properties.

Among the best-known producers in the Mittelburgenland region are:Arachon T.FX.T, Bayer Heribert, Gager, Gesellmann, Grenzlandhof Reumann, Heinrich Johann, Hundsdorfer, Iby, Igler Hans, Kerschbaum Maria, Kerschbaum Paul, Kirnbauer, Lang Stefan, Lehrner, Moric, Pfneisl, Reumann Josef, Szemes, Tesch Josef, Vereinte Winzer Blaufränkischland, Weber Rudolf, Wellanschitz, Weninger, Wieder, Winzerkeller Neckenmarkt and Wohlmuth.

Red grape varieties account for more than 80% of the vineyard area, clearly dominated by Blaufränkisch, which makes up more than 50% of the total. The region is often referred to colloquially as „Blaufränkischland“. This variety is used to make the second DAC wine to be registered in Austria, the introduction of Mittelburgenland DAC was officially approved in September 2006, the wine is available in two categories. The red wine must have a minimum alcohol content of 12,5% vol, and a maximum residual suagr of 2,5 g/l. The wine may be matured in stainless steel tanks, or in traditional large oak barrels. These wines, which do not have a barrique flavour, may also carry the additional designation “Classic“. Brand names or the names of single vineyard sites may be used for this first category, particularly for more full-bodied wines, which may also have been matured in used barriques. These wines may be sold as of the 1st of March of the year following the vintage. The second category is Mittelburgenland Reserve DAC and refers to more full-bodied wines, which may be matured in new small oak barrels. They may only be sold as of the 1st of March of the second year following the vintage. The characteristic style of Mittelburgenland DAC is defined by a bouquet of blackberries and cherries, with prominent fruit on the palate as well as spicy notes. A study of varietal characteristics carried out at the federal bureau for viticulture in Eisenstadt has shown that wines from the Mittelburgenland region can be identified in analytical terms. The wines have a unique composition of aroma components and minerals. A feature noted was that the wines have a very high level of resveratrol, even by international standards. Grape varieties planted (as per 2000):
Variety Synonyms, variants Colour Hectares %-Share
Blaufränkisch Blauer Limberger, Limberger Red 980 52,2
Zweigelt Blauer Zweigelt, Rotburger Red 413 22,0
Veltliner Grüner Veltliner, Weißgipfler White 201 10,7
Cabernet Sauvignon - Red 49 2,6
Welschriesling - White 43 2,3
Müller-Thurgau Rivaner, Riesling x Sylvaner White 32 1,7
Chardonnay
Pinot Blanc Feinburgunder
Weißburgunder, Klevner White 30 1,6
Blauburger - Red 23 1,2
Pinot Noir Blauburgunder, Blauer Spätburgunder Red 22 1,2
Merlot - Red 16 0,9
St. Laurent#St. Laurent - Red 12 0,6
Gemischter Satz - White 11 0,6
Riesling Rheinriesling, Weißer Riesling White 8 0,4
Gemischter Satz - Red 5 0,3
Goldburger - White 5 0,3
Blauer Portugieser Portugieser Red 5 0,3
Sauvignon Blanc Muskat-Sylvaner White 4 0,2
Scheurebe Sämling 88 White 4 0,2
Muskat-Ottonel Feinschmeckerter White 3 0,2
Cabernet Franc - Red 1,5 0,1
Traminer Roter Traminer, Gewürztraminer White 1 0,1
Pinot Gris Grauburgunder, Ruländer White 0,7 -
Bouvier - White 0,4 -
Neuburger - White 0,4 -
Roter Veltliner - White 0,2 -
Muskateller Gelber Muskateller, Roter Muskateller White 0,1 -
Silvaner Sylvaner, Grüner Sylvaner White 0,1 -
White varieties 343 18,3
Red varieties 1.534 81,7
TOTAL 1.877 100