The people of Burgenland live on the sunny side: this is due to the mild Pannonian climate, which has an effect on the mind, the cuisine, the wine, the landscape and, of course, the guests. At the same time, they celebrate the Pannonian way of life together: enjoying themselves in a relaxed way, sitting comfortably, chatting with guests and, above all, being hospitable.
The magic word "Pannonian" in Burgenland's cuisine means that chefs use only a few ingredients to prepare delicious dishes such as Bohnensterz, Krautstrudel or Grammelpogatscherl (round yeast pastry). But in its hundred-year history, Burgenland has developed into an innovative culinary region.
Buschenschenken and Heurige serve delicately melting Mangalitza lardo accompanied by a glass of Blaufränkisch. "Manga... Lardo ... - Excuse me?" This question is often asked by guests. The white lardo is the back fat of the pig. Top chefs benefit from food producers who grow and refine regional specialties (old varieties of vegetables, fruits and grains, but also new products).
Around Lake Neusiedl, in the Seewinkel and around Eisenstadt, the Pannonian climate allows even lemons, ginger and olives to be grown, in addition to wine, vegetables, cereals and legumes. With fish from Lake Neusiedl such as pike-perch and catfish, Pannonian fish soup becomes a delicacy. With sun-ripened grapes, exquisite sparkling wine is produced according to the classic bottle fermentation method, and the woolly Mangalitza pig also feels right at home in this region.
The largest wine-growing region in Burgenland is characterised by Lake Neusiedl. Red wine cuvees thrive on the stony soils of sand and clay, but single-varietal red wines are also pressed. In 2012, the Neusiedler See DAC was established with the Zweigelt variety. In Seewinkel, the microclimate favours the production of Prädikat wines: from Spätlese to Eiswein and Trockenbeerenauslese. Since 2017, Rust has held sweet wine DAC status with Ruster Ausbruch DAC, the only municipality in Austria to do so. Along the Leitha Mountains, mineral white wines in the varieties Grüner Veltliner, Pinot blanc, Chardonnay and Neuburger are pressed under the Leithaberg DAC quality predicate.
The abbreviation DAC stands for "Districtus Austriae Controllatus". The term refers to the area-typical quality wines of a region.
Central Burgenland is popular for its red wines. Especially for the Blaufränkisch. After all, more than half of the vineyards are covered with this grape variety. But the region is also known for its sweet fruits, such as berries, apples, grapes or pears, which are refined into fruit juices, cider, noble brandy or ice cream.
With their deep, watery soils, from which old coral beds of Leithakalk protrude in places, the wine villages of Deutschkreutz, Horitschon, Lutzmannsburg, Neckenmarkt and Raiding are an ideal growing region for Blaufränkisch. In the Rosalia region, Blaufränkisch sets the tone as well as fruity rosé wines. The wine is not only tasted in vinotheques and at the farm, but also celebrated at wine events from May until November.
A regionally typical Blaufränkisch - with a ruby red color, aromas of blackberries, dark cherries and blackberries, and hints of spicy herbs and mint - is produced under the Mittelburgenland DAC designation.
Rarities from southern Burgenland such as noble saffron and tender bull beef enrich the Pannonian cuisine. The geese on the meadows of southern Burgenland and the cellar alleys with cellar stacks in the vineyards characterise the landscape. Culinary traditions are also upheld: Crispy pasture-raised geese are served around St Martin's Day on November 11.
Excellent terroir wines thrive especially on the Eisenberg. The Eisenberg DAC stands for the wine typical of the region of southern Burgenland: a Blaufränkisch with a characteristic aroma and a particularly mineral-spicy flavour. But elegant, fruity white wines from the region also surprise, such as the tangy Welschrieslings and the white Burgundy varieties along the Pinkatal Wine Route. A specialty is Uhudler: the cuvée of grapes from different varieties has an extremely intense bouquet and is reminiscent of wild strawberries or black currants.
Visitors can enjoy probably the most beautiful overview of the wine region from the viewing platform Weinblick. It is located on the southern slope of the Eisenberg, in the middle of a vineyard.
In Burgenland you will find great bike routes, fantastic wine, and stunning landscapes. Whether spending time in a spa during the winter months or biking around and swimming in Lake Neusiedl during the summer, this easternmost Austrian province offers great experiences.
Barely an hour's drive from Vienna, Burgenland offers innovative vintners, chefs and artists determined to both preserve wonderful old traditions, and breathe new life into them. With it's noticeably warmer climate, white, sweet, and red wines, thrive in this environment stabilized by the striking Lake Neusiedl.
