Ultimate Wine Guide 2018/19

NIEDERÖSTERREICH/LOWER AUSTRIA
The Lausturm (Wine Plague Tower) commemorates
the catastrophic damage that phylloxera caused
here more than 100 years ago
HISTORICAL TERROIR,
WINES WITH FUTURE
The winegrowing areas Gumpoldskirchen and Bad Vöslau were united in
1985 to create Thermenregion and have a long and rich history. 2181 vineyard
hectares on the foothills of the Vienna Woods stretch from Vienna’s
city limits into the spa resort Baden. Autochthon grapes like Zierfandler and
Rotgipfler are the region’s specialties, while St. Laurent and Pinot Noir are
the predominant red wine varieties.
V
ines were cultivated in the mild climate
of this region south of Vienna
more than 2000 years ago. Roman
legionnaires stationed in Carnuntum and Vindobona
brought vines from their homeland
and knowledge of wine production to Pannonia.
The name “Thermenregion” refers to the
sulphurous hot springs of Aquae (Baden). Not
only do Thermenregion vines benefit from the
balmy summers and dry autumns of the Pannonian-influenced
Vienna Basin, but also from an
average of 1,800 hours of sunshine every year.
Constant air movement ensures that grapes dry
rapidly after dew or rain. The region is also geologically
quite diverse. Heavy soils comprised
of loamy clay, sandy loam and cambisols with
high shell limestone content dominate. The
weathered rubble and alluvial layers below the
surface drain and warm well. In the southeast,
Steinfeld has relatively rocky, meagre, gravel
soils that offer red wine varieties outstanding
conditions. The rare, typical regional varieties
Zierfandler (synonym Spätrot) and Rotgipfler
enjoy householder’s rights. The blend of the
two varieties called Spätrot-Rotgipfler is legendary.
The traditional varietal diversity also
includes Blauer Portugieser (earlier known as
Vöslauer), Neuburger, modern wines from Bur-
© ÖWM/Egon Mark
142 falstaff WINE GUIDE 2018