The sun in the logo already gives it away: Burgenland is an especially sunny area. As a wine-growing region, the Neusiedlersee DAC origin in eastern Austria is classified as “Cool Climate”. Yet this still only surprises those who are satisfied with this introduction.

With the support of the federal government, the province and the European Union.

Anyone browsing Burgenland’s brand guide will not have to look far for the written explanation behind the current logo. After all, it is not only the successful look that people are proud of, but the foundation on which the modern state coat of arms is based: the sun. So you read here:

“With around 300 days of sunshine a year, Austria’s youngest federal state is rightly known as the ‘Land of the Sun’. The sun has therefore always served as a symbol for the Burgenland brand. Now rendered in the state colours red and gold, the trademark with the stylised sun symbol will from now on embody the broad spectrum of Burgenland’s diversity and point aesthetically and sympathetically to what Burgenland has to offer. Where the sun is on it, quality from Burgenland is guaranteed inside.”

In fact, Bruckneudorf in Burgenland – virtually the apex of the DAC regions Carnuntum, Leithaberg and Neusiedlersee – holds the undisputed top spot among Austria’s sunniest places. The small municipality with around 3,000 inhabitants lies north of Lake Neusiedl. Over the past 30 years, the sun shone here an average of 2,053 hours per year!

Plenty of sun, cool climate

So far, so radiantly beautiful – for tourism professionals and all sun-seekers who would like to indulge in the region’s decorated wines. But the hearts of the winegrowers in the Neusiedlersee DAC area are smiling too. Because: they can count on truly unique conditions and give their wines an unmistakable origin – that is how cool the sun can be in the glass.

But how can a region that is Austria’s “Sunshine State” at the same time be considered a Cool Climate origin? “Essentially, it is simply about not confusing or equating weather with climate,” says Torsten Aumüller, Managing Director of the Neusiedlersee DAC wine origin region.

Understanding terms correctly

Because, Aumüller continues: “When it comes to wine, ‘Cool Climate’ does not mean a vineyard on the North Sea coast. Rather, those wine regions are referred to as Cool Climate origins that are characterised by indisputable, clearly defined criteria.” Specifically, this means: during the vines’ growth phase, the temperature must be between 13°C and 15°C. There must also be significant temperature fluctuations between day and night, and a clear distribution of the seasons with a warm, rainy summer, a frosty winter and a dry autumn. In addition to Austria as a whole, the wine-growing regions of Germany, Switzerland, Champagne, the Loire Valley (both France), as well as parts of the USA and Canada are also internationally among these particularly expressive Cool Climate origins.

All these criteria also apply to the Neusiedlersee DAC wine origin region, as the Climate Change Centre Austria dryly confirms: the annual mean air temperature averages 11.0°C across Burgenland. It ranges from below 9°C in the Günser Mountains to close to 12°C around Lake Neusiedl.

Neusiedlersee DAC: Cool Climate with a unique microclimate

Cool Climate in a global context and the prevailing microclimate together make the Neusiedlersee DAC wines of origin – and not only these – so special, Aumüller continues. “Because the lake acts as a heat reservoir in summer, it cools down gently and evenly at night in the surrounding vineyards.” A unique overall situation, not only in Austria. Andreas Nittnaus, Deputy Chairman of the Neusiedlersee DAC winegrowers of origin, can also put it precisely: “The abundance of sunshine and the associated weather stability are also due to the lake’s large surface area. It creates a thermal circulation that naturally acts like a weather barrier.” The interplay of not only these components also helps ensure that “fresh wines can taste so compact and dense wines so light-footed,” sommeliers agree.

Cool Climate ensures a distinctive taste

Speaking of taste: this Cool Climate ensures that the wine brings special characteristics with it. “The aromas and, above all, the acidity of the grapes benefit from long ripening phases and the alternation between warm days and cool nights,” explains Gerhard Retter, one of the most renowned sommeliers in the German-speaking world. And his colleague Alexander H. Ultes adds: “Wines from Cool Climate regions generally have a fresh-seeming fruit, are aromatic with a fine arc of acidity, yet fully ripe thanks to the stable weather conditions during the ripening phase right through to the harvest in autumn.” But even beyond the experts’ bubble, wines from the cooler parts of the world have been pleasing people for quite some time. For example, the German magazine “Eat Smarter” writes: “The change in temperature means that not as much sugar is stored in the grapes. The result is fresh fruitiness with balanced acidity – with reduced alcohol content in dry wines.”

Weather stability as a major special feature

While these descriptions apply more or less to all Cool Climate regions around the globe, the Neusiedlersee DAC region can claim a very special feature for itself thanks to the interplay of sun and lake. “The lake is not only responsible for less precipitation and thus more hours of sunshine, it also ensures rare weather stability,” says Andreas Nittnaus. On the one hand, this is beneficial for grape health, as it results in less rot, higher yields and fewer opportunities for other diseases to spread.

Paradoxically, however, the other side of the coin is this: while nasty diseases are kept at bay, it is precisely noble rot that feels particularly at home here. Nittnaus: “The microclimate of Lake Neusiedl generates a mix of fine autumn weather with misty autumn mornings. These are the best conditions for Botrytis cinerea, the noble rot we need to produce high-quality sweet wines.” Beerenauslese and Trockenbeerenauslese, for which winegrowers like Andreas Nittnaus are incidentally envied every year by colleagues from the Tokaj and Sauternes regions: “From our exchanges with winegrowers from other sweet-wine regions, we know that the lake enables much more stable noble rot than rivers in other botrytis areas.”

In summary, it can be said: the lake always balances the climate along its shores and helps the sky shine deep blue on as many days as possible. So that Zweigelt and sweet wine, which are considered particularly typical of the region as Neusiedlersee DAC, have that finesse year after year that today makes the faces of winegrowers and wine fans glow – as only the sun otherwise can. This is how unique wines of origin are created. From Austria’s cool, sunny side. For everyone’s enjoyment.

THE CLIMATE ZONES IN VITICULTURE

Cool Climate

In Europe, this includes northern France (Beaujolais, Burgundy, Champagne and the Loire), Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The average temperature in these areas is below 16°C. Globally, these areas are typically known for aromatic white wines from rather early-ripening grape varieties, as well as lighter red wines, for example from Pinot Noir.

Intermediate climate

Bordeaux and the northern Rhône Valley in France, Rioja in Spain, Tuscany and large areas in northern Italy are counted among these in Europe. The average temperature here is between 16 and 18.5°C. Above all, dark and powerful red wines are produced here.

Warm climate

From a European perspective, this includes southern France, Portugal’s Douro Valley, Madeira, southern Italy and large parts of Spain. Average temperatures in these areas range between 18.5°C and 21°C. These regions are particularly predestined for dark, heavy red wines as well as powerful sweet wines.

Hot climate

This includes southern Greece, Turkey and southern Spain. At average temperatures of 22°C and above, large quantities of table grapes and raisins are produced in addition to wine grapes.

Neusiedlersee DAC. Unique wines of origin.

In the Neusiedlersee DAC area, the power of all four elements manifests itself in full splendour. The earth, with its rich diversity of species, forms the foundation for the region’s wines. Vines have stood and thrived on it for centuries. The air, filtered by the winds of the open Pannonian Plain, promises cooling purity. Lake Neusiedl itself, with its special seeroir, shapes the uniqueness of this origin. And the year-round, always passionate manual work of the winegrowers – the fire – brings the elements together, with individuality, knowledge and care. Not to mention the winegrowers’ fiery commitment, which unites wine production here.

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NEUSIEDLERSEE DAC.
Unique Zweigelt. Unique sweet wines.
From Austria’s sunny side. A delight for every palate.

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