The Mittelburgenland is also known to many wine lovers as "Blaufränkischland". Nowhere else in Austria is this grape variety so important. But the growing region has much more to offer. Here's everything you need to know about the region, its wines and the sights.
More than almost any other region in Austria, Mittelburgenland stands for a single grape variety: Mittelburgenland is Blaufränkischland. This association has become firmly rooted among consumers, with many automatically associating the red wine grape variety Blaufränkisch with the municipalities of Deutschkreutz, Horitschon, Neckenmarkt and Lutzmannsburg. It was therefore a logical step to introduce regional protection here. Mittelburgenland was Austria's second DAC region in 2007 - and the first with a red grape variety. The history of red wine in the region is not all that old: it was not until the late 1970s that the suitability for Blaufränkisch, as well as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Zweigelt, was recognised. In the meantime, Cabernet Franc is also being increasingly favoured, with very encouraging results.
A good 65 per cent of the 2,036 hectares of vineyards are planted with this leading variety - and the trend continues to rise. And a large proportion of this has already reached a considerable age: the proportion of 30-year-old and even older vines is particularly high in Mittelburgenland, as hardly anyone could afford new plantings due to the small-scale structure. The deeply rooted old vines withstand dry and hot phases quite well, the yields are low and the concentration of substances in the berries is greater than with young vines. They therefore allow Blaufränkischland to position itself as distinctive and thus follow the global trend towards autochthonous varieties.
Old vines like those in the Ragaberg vineyard near Raiding are a treasure of Central Burgenland
OeWM WSNAIf you want to get to Mittelburgenland, you have to cross mountains - unless you approach from the east via Hungary. From there, the Pannonian climate can flow in unhindered. The Ödenburger Gebirge in the north, Bucklige Welt in the west and Günser Gebirge in the south protect the region from cool currents from the Alps. As a result, it is usually warm and dry here. With 300 days of sunshine per year, the average rainfall is only around 600 mm. More is not even necessary. The heavy, deep loamy soils have great water storage capacity and help the vines survive dry periods; wet years, on the other hand, are a greater threat here than in other wine-growing regions. At individual sites such as the Neckenmarkter Hochberg, gneiss, crystalline slate and mica soils can also be found on the upper slopes, and on the lower slopes there are isolated sections with limestone. There are also lighter soils with sandy loam and limestone subsoil.
The dense forests on the slopes provide balancing cooling at night. And finally, Lake Neusiedl also plays a part in the climate: Deutschkreutz is only about five kilometres away from the southern shore as the crow flies. It is not so much the humidity that influences the climate, but the air masses that circulate and move between the lake and the low mountain range of the Wechsel region. The constant currents ensure dry air and low susceptibility to botrytis.
The Dürrau vineyard near Horitschon with its clay soils is one of the best in the region
OeWM Robert HerbstThe DAC system with its protected designation of origin is reserved for Mittelburgenland at Blaufränkisch. All other varieties and wines are marketed under the "Burgenland" designation of origin. DAC stands for "Districtus Austriae Controllatus" and means that wines with this status must fulfil particularly strict quality regulations. These range from the harvest quantity and analysis values to the flavour profile.
The designation of origin Mittelburgenland DAC has existed since the 2005 vintage and is divided into three levels:
The Blaufränkisch from the Mittelburgenland with its deep fruit flavours and fresh, elegant acidity is an ideal accompaniment to hearty dishes such as meat and game as well as braised vegetables. In any case, several years of bottle ageing increase the enjoyment potential of any Blaufränkisch.
Limestone and slate soils can also be found in the Alte Weingebirge near Neckenmarkt
OeWM Robert HerbstThe Mittelburgenland is particularly well positioned as a region for family holidays. The wine shops in the wine villages offer a good overview of the wines on offer in the region. The four top cycle routes, some of which lead over the hills of the region but are not too steep, encourage you to get moving. A Sonnenland draisine tour on a disused railway line between Neckenmarkt and Oberpullendorf is also great fun for children. Those interested in culture should not miss the birthplace of the composer Franz Liszt in Raiding, the home of the composer Carl Goldmark in Deutschkreutz and the castle there with the museum of the painter Anton Lehmden.
At the castles in Forchtenstein and Lockenhaus, you can follow in the footsteps of knights and damsels, while in Lockenhaus you can learn the true story of the "English Patient".
Wine, history and culture come together in the flag-waving and viticulture museum in Neckenmarkt. Flag-waving has been part of Austria's intangible cultural heritage since 2018, and the symbol can also be found on many wine bottles from Neckenmarkt. And Sonnentherme Lutzmannsburg is specially designed for families with children.