Region Of The Week: Burgenland
Burgenland is the second largest wine region in Austria with 11,648 hectares under cultivation. It is influenced by the hot, continental Pannonian climate with various soil types and terroirs. While Austria is mainly known for its white wine, Burgenland is a key red wine region. Blaufränkisch, Zweigelt, and Grüner Veltliner are their main varietals, while Welschriesling, Chardonnay, Merlot, and Weißburgunder play secondary roles.
Burgenland is divided into five appellations. Eisenberg is considered the most idyllic, with 515 hectares that are cultivated by winemakers on the side. Leithaberg is one of the oldest wine-growing regions, which was proven by the discovery of grape seeds used as burial objects in a Celtic burial mound from the 8th century BC. Home to mineral red and white wines, Leithaberg’s 2,995 hectares are located on the Burgenland side of the Leitha Range and west of Lake Neusiedl. Mittelburgenland is spread across 2,036 hectares and is mainly known for its production of Blaufränkisch. Spanning across 6,020 hectares, Neusiedlersee – named after Lake Neusiedl, which plays a crucial role in its microclimate – is best known for its dessert wine, Ruster Ausbruch, which is made from botrytized Welschriesling. Burgenland’s smallest appellation, Rosalia only has 239 hectares under vine. It was officially classified as a wine-growing region in 2018, producing both red and rose wines.
