The best wines from Südburgenland in Austria

The beautiful, rolling landscape of Südburgenland is one of the least known Austrian wine districts. The Blaufränkisch grape is very important here. Although it is the largest district in Burgenland in terms of surface area, there are less than 500 hectares of vineyards. Many vineyards in the district are cultivated by Austrians who do odd jobs. These hobbyists sell their wine in so-called Buschenschanken: typical Austrian wine taverns where you can buy wines from the region.

You will not easily find a wine from Südburgenland on the shelves of a Dutch liquor store. Many vineyards in the district are cultivated by Austrians who do odd jobs. These hobbyists sell their wine in so-called Buschenschanken: typical Austrian wine taverns where you can buy wines from the region.

If you are ever in the area, be sure to visit one of these idyllic Austrian Buschenschank. You will be amazed by the quality. These Austrians take their hobby very seriously. If you buy a bottle, it will probably be a minerally, slightly spicy red wine from the Blaufränkische grape, because that is the most important grape of the region. If you have a white wine from Südburgenland in your hands, there is a good chance that it is a Welschriesling or a Weißburgunder (Pinot Blanc).

Eisenberg DAC and Uhudler

Südburgenland is not the exclusive domain of hobby winegrowers. There are a few winegrowers who work completely professionally and make a living from wine. They are located at the Eisenberg and in the famous Deutsch-Schützen vineyard. An area with a lot of iron in the soil. Real Austrian terroir wines are made here. Nowhere else in the world does wine from the Blaufränkisch grape have such a specific elegant and mineral character. The tiny area has a DAC (Eisenberg DAC) to thank for it.

Finally, the Uhudler is worth mentioning! This special wine is only made in Südburgenland. Mostly as a rosé, sometimes as a white wine. It is a cuvée of so-called hybrid grape varieties: crosses between European and American grape varieties. Varieties that even the longest-studied oenologist has never heard of, such as Concord, Isabella, Elvira, Clinton, Ripadella and Noah.

For a long time, Uhudler was banned by Austrian wine legislation because of these 'illegal' grape varieties. But winegrowers from Süd-Burgenland stuck to their traditions. A few years ago, they managed to get permission to make their local pride again. And what does Uhudler taste like? 'Foxy', as the Austrians call it. It smells and tastes mainly of sweets, of strawberries and raspberries. And it is very dry with strong acids. Very special, takes some getting used to.