Burgenland

Wine-growing region in Austria, the smallest of the regions in the federal state of Burgenland. It has a total vineyard area of 449 hectares, shared among 1.636 producers. The Cistercian monks, in particular, did a great deal from the 12th century onward to develop viticulture in the region. It stretches from south of the Günser hills and lies on the border with Hungary. The Pinkataler Weinstrasse wine route leads from the largest wine-producing commune in the north, Rechnitz, along the Hungarian border via the communes of Eisenberg with the Szápari vineyard site, as well as Deutsch-Schützen with the Fasching, Ratschen and Weinberg#Weinberg (Deutsch-Schützen) sites to the south. Other well-known wine-producing communes include Eberau, Güssing, Hannersdorf, Heiligenbrunn (the most important centre fort he production of Uhudler, with an Uhudler vinotheque), Moschendorf (with wine museum and Uhudler vinotheque) and Strem. The climate in Südburgenland differs from that in the more northerly regions, particularly in that the rainfall is higher. The Pannonian climate is mild, and characterised by intense sunshine. The woods and forests encourage cooler night-time temperatures. The soils are clay with a high iron content. Following the phylloxera catastrophe, the rustic regional speciality Uhudler was created here in the early 20th century. The regional producers association Weinidylle Südburgenland organises marketing activities and encourages improvements in quality fort he wines of the region. Among the best-known producers are, for example,Kopfensteiner, Krutzler, Sagittarius, Schiefer Uwe, Schützenhof, Vinum Ferreum Eisenberg, Wachter-Wiesler (Arkadenhof), Wallner, Weber Alfred and Weninger. The two clearly dominant varieties are Blaufränkisch and Welschriesling. Plantings as at 2000:
Variety Synonyms, variants Colour Hectares % share
Blaufränkisch Blauer Limberger, Limberger Red 146 32,5
Welschriesling - White 114 25,4
Veltliner Grüner Veltliner, Weißgipfler White 45 10,0
Gemischter Satz - White 41 9,1
Zweigelt Blauer Zweigelt, Rotburger Red 21 4,7
Riesling Rheinriesling, Weißer Riesling White 14 3,1
Müller-Thurgau Rivaner, Riesling x Sylvaner White 13 3,1
Chardonnay
Pinot Blanc Feinburgunder
Weißburgunder, Klevner White 12 2,7
Gemischter Satz - Red 12 1,6
Pinot Noir Blauburgunder, Blauer Spätburgunder Red 7 1,6
Goldburger - White 6 1,3
Blauburger - Red 5 1,1
Cabernet Sauvignon - Red 4 0,9
Scheurebe Sämling 88 White 2,4 0,5
Blauer Portugieser Portugieser Red 2,2 0,4
Merlot - Red 1,6 0,4
Traminer Roter Traminer, Gewürztraminer Red 1,2 0,3
Neuburger - White 0,6 0,1
Sauvignon Blanc Muskat-Sylvaner White 0,5 0,1
Bouvier - White 0,5 0,1
Silvaner Sylvaner, Grüner Sylvaner White 0,4 0,1
Muskat-Ottonel Feinschmeckerter White 0,3 0,1
Pinot Gris Grauburgunder, Ruländer White 0,3 0,1
St. Laurent - Red 0,3 0,1
Cabernet Franc - Red 0,2 -
Muskateller Gelber Muskateller, Roter Muskateller White 0,2 -
Blauer Wildbacher Schilcher Red 0,1 -
White varieties 255 56,8
Red varieties 194 43,2
TOTAL 449 100