Ultimate Wine Guide 2018/19

WIEN/VIENNA – WIENER GEMISCHTER SATZ DAC
Kahlenbergerdorf is located on the
Leopoldsberg slope that descends
toward the Danube
A NEW WINE CULTURE –
A LONG HEURIGER TRADITION
Winegrowing in the metropolis? That usually means an exhibition vineyard as
a tourist attraction. That’s not the case in Wien (Vienna). 637 vineyard hectares
make a significant economic contribution, preserve the city’s “green belt” and are
the source of high-quality wine. These wines range from typical Gemischter Satz
to elegant Riesling and powerful Weissburgunder or outstanding reds.
Up to the Late Middle Ages, vines were
grown within the ramparts of Vienna,
right up to the city centre. Today’s vineyards
are situated mainly on the outskirts of Vienna.
Vintners from Strebersdorf, Stammersdorf
and Jedlersdorf cultivate Burgundian
varieties and red wines on Bisamberg north of
the Danube River. In Heiligenstadt, Nussdorf,
Grinzing, Sievering and Neustift am Walde, all
districts of northwest Vienna, the varieties Riesling,
Chardonnay and Weissburgunder (Pinot
Blanc) prevail due to limestone-rich soils. In the
southern parts of Vienna, namely Mauer,
Rodaun and Oberlaa, cambisol soils favour
powerful white wines and opulent red wine
blends. A new discovery is the prime vineyard
Nussberg, which seems to magically attract
ambitious new vintners crossing over from other
professions. The leading producers of the
capital city have united their marketing efforts
in the vintner association “WienWein”. There is
hardly a vintner that does not produce the traditional
Gemischter Satz (field blend) that is
sourced from a vineyard planted with diverse
grape varieties that are harvested and fermented
together. What was once an insurance policy
for irregular harvest conditions is now a highly
sought-after Viennese specialty. The Slow Food
Foundation recognized the Wiener Gemischter
Satz as a “Presidia” product in 2008, making it
© WSNA
38 WINE GUIDE 2018