Excursion recommendations: Hikes from Vienna into the Vienna Woods; drives to Wachau and/or Lake Neusiedl (Neusiedlersee). Check out the Austrian wine region map and Austria wine region information below.
1. Austria Wine Regions Map
James Martin
Here is a map showing Austria's wine regions. You might not be familiar with the wines, or even the names of the grapes used to make them, but I can tell you, they're surprisingly good for wines even I have trouble finding in stores and restaurants.
The federal states of Lower Austria (Niederösterreich), Burgenland, and Styria, are wine-growing areas.
Wine quality ratings you'll see on bottles: Tafelwein (table wine), Qualitätswein (wine of quality), and Prädikatswein ("certified" quality wine).
2. Lower Austria Wine Region
Lower Austria offers some off-the-beaten-track adventures--and some pretty fine wines. Don't be confused thought, the Lower Austria wine region comprises the small regions on the north of the wine map.
The Wachau, for example, has many of its vineyards laid out on ancient terraces. It's a beautiful enough historic area to have been added to UNESCO's world heritage list. The primary wine is Riesling, but there is also Grüner Veltliner, Chardonnay (Feinburgunder), and Gelber Muskateller to try. The region has less rain than other regions, and the wines are big and bold here.
Read more about the Lower Austria Wine Region.
3. Burgenland Wine Region
Tourists may well wish to hang out in the Neusiedler lake (Neusiedlersee) area on the Hungarian border. There are some fine, dry white wines and a handful of quality reds produced here. Neusiedler is a very shallow lake and provides a good climate for noble rot, which produces exotic sweet wines. Neusiedler lake is a popular Viennese recreation area with a popular bird sanctuary; the cultural landscape is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Vintner's villages like Rust or Mörbisch are recommended for folks who like a little charm with their wine. The Mörbisch Festival on the Lake happens in summer. Mörbisch is just north of the border with Hungary and 60 km south of Vienna (map of Mörbisch and the floating festival stage).
4. Steiermark - Styrian Wine Region
If you dream of patchwork vineyards and rolling hills, the Südsteiermark, or southern Styria wine region is for you. The varietals here are familiar to American wine drinkers. In the southwest Styria wine region you'll have to taste the Gewürztraminer and the dry late harvest Traminer.5. Wien - Vienna Wine Region
Vienna is alone in being a European capital with a wine region within city limits. You won't likely find a bottle in stores; it's mostly consumed at wine bars within city limits.6. The Vienna Woods
So, what's all this about the Vienna Woods. Well, Vienna happens to sit upon the western rim of what is known as the Vienna basin, which is on the slopes of the Vienna Woods. This green belt is protected. There are many hiking trails through the woods and the villages are likely to have Heurigans or wine taverns with good food, wine and music.Don't miss the Heiligenkreuz Abbey in the southern Vienna Woods.
Read more about the Vienna Woods using the link above.
7. Walks In and Around Vienna
Vienna has a City Forestry Office. They've plotted and signposted 13 walks (and longer hikes) accessible by public transport in and around the city of Vienna. Each walk has a map, a list of sights, and restaurant recommendations.8. Championship of Austrian Wine Towns-The Floh Wine Cup
Tiscover Niederösterreich
Most wine competitions seem boring. You dress up. You taste wines. You spit.
When Josef Floh gets people together for his annual Floh Wine Cup, things are decidedly different.
Chances are, Josef Floh won't invite you to this year's wine competition, but you can go to his restaurant in Langenlebarn, Langashoaus Floh.
