Wine Touring Tips wanted: Southern Austria

I've read that Southern Austria makes some of the best Sauvignon Blanc in the world.
We'll be driving the southern wine route in Steiermark (Styria) and through Burgenland towards Vienna. Would appreciate any tips, wineries to visit, places to stay, etc.

I've read that Southern Austria makes some of the best Sauvignon Blanc in the world.
We'll be driving the southern wine route in Steiermark (Styria) and through Burgenland towards Vienna. Would appreciate any tips, wineries to visit, places to stay, etc.

In Sudsteiermark, the standout winery for Sauvignon is E&M Tement, run by Manfred Tement. Their Zieregg Sauvignon can be phenomenal, an explosive bouquet of tropical fruits not unlike Palliser Estate back in the day. I've never visited, but would try if ever in the area.

Mark Lipton

So much of the scenery is gorgeous in Austria. I have enjoyed brief stays in Velden on Worthersee in the Carinthian area if you wish to look into accommodations on a lake. http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Eu ... ersee.html

So much of the scenery is gorgeous in Austria. I have enjoyed brief stays in Velden on Worthersee in the Carinthian area if you wish to look into accommodations on a lake. http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Eu ... ersee.html

Hi JC, That looks very pretty but the closest we will get to Velden is Klagenfurt, which is at the eastern end of Worthersee.

I've read that Southern Austria makes some of the best Sauvignon Blanc in the world.
We'll be driving the southern wine route in Steiermark (Styria) and through Burgenland towards Vienna. Would appreciate any tips, wineries to visit, places to stay, etc.

In Sudsteiermark, the standout winery for Sauvignon is E&M Tement, run by Manfred Tement. Their Zieregg Sauvignon can be phenomenal, an explosive bouquet of tropical fruits not unlike Palliser Estate back in the day. I've never visited, but would try if ever in the area.

Mark Lipton

Mark, Thanks for that tip. Very close to where they are going. And I see they have accommodation there too - even better!
http://www.tement.at/

Burgenland is famous for its sweeties, particularly round Neusiedlersee, where the Kracher estate has cult status.

I have have several times met Heinz Velich, who runs an estate at Apleton quite close to the lake. His range comprises some unctuous and quite highly priced "dry" Chards as well as some botrytised sweet blends. He is friendly and speaks fluent English.

His brother, Roland at his estate Moric, specialises in the red Blaufränkisch grape. out of which he is trying to make "great" wines, rivals to Burgundy, also at high prices. I have found his entry level cuvée the best of the lot, as he seems to me to be forcing too hard at the top of his range. However this is an interesting range. I have heard on the grapevine that he may be less friendly than Heinz.

Burgenland is famous for its sweeties, particularly round Neusiedlersee, where the Kracher estate has cult status.

I have have several times met Heinz Velich, who runs an estate at Apleton quite close to the lake. His range comprises some unctuous and quite highly priced "dry" Chards as well as some botrytised sweet blends. He is friendly and speaks fluent English.

His brother, Roland at his estate Moric, specialises in the red Blaufränkisch grape. out of which he is trying to make "great" wines, rivals to Burgundy, also at high prices. I have found his entry level cuvée the best of the lot, as he seems to me to be forcing too hard at the top of his range. However this is an interesting range. I have heard on the grapevine that he may be less friendly than Heinz.

Tim is absolutely correct on all counts. Heidi Schröck in Rust makes an absolutely fabulous (AbFab?) Furmint, as well as other wines that don't appeal to me quite so much. And speaking of Rust, one of the most famous sweeties of Burgenland is Ruster Ausbruch, typically made from a mix of Furmint and Gelber Muskateller but other grapes get thrown in some times, too. Feiler Artinger is the name I think of for Ruster Ausbruch, though others may have more detailed knowledge of the wines.

Mark Lipton

Hah! A Rusty Furmint.

I think this is close to where a producer here in NZ who is doing St Laurent and recommended Burgenland, specifically Weingut Amanthum and Weingut Juris.

It's all becoming a bit overwhelming I think.