BEST OF Carnuntum

The small wine-growing region of Carnuntum stretches along the Danube from the outskirts of Vienna in the east to the Slovakian border and reaches as far as the Leitha Mountains in the south. Outside Austria, the best wines and producers are often better known than the area itself, which tends to be lumped together with neighbouring Burgenland rather than with other Lower Austrian wine regions. This is probably also due to the fact that here, as in the neighbouring area, red wines set the tone.

The Heidentor is considered a landmark of Carnuntum (Photo: ÖWM / Armin Faber)

Zweigelt takes up almost half of the red wine area. It can be excellent on its own, but the finest wines here are often made from cuvées with more or less Zweigelt. The Blaufränkisch usually plays only a minor role here, but can deliver great results, especially on the Spitzerberg and on the Leitha. Pure Merlot, CCabernet Franc and Sauvignon) or Syrah are also often classy. The most important white wine variety here is also Grüner Veltliner, but the strongest white wines tend to be produced in Carnuntum from Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc, and Muskateller also deserves attention.