📍 Thermenregion

Thermenregion is a wine district of Lower Austria south of Vienna: 2,074 ha (2020) and 630 farms. It is known for the white grapes Zierfandler and Rotgipfler from Gumpoldskirchen and the red Sankt Laurent and Pinot Noir. The name Thermenregion has been protected in the EU since 15.11.1996; a Gebietswein must have at least 12.0 % alcohol and be dry.

The district runs along a chain of hills, with the Anninger as the highest point, to the south of Baden. It covers the city of Wiener Neustadt and the districts of Baden, Mödling, Neunkirchen and Wiener Neustadt. The Vienna Woods shield it from cold northern winds; average temperature is about 10 °C, rainfall 650 mm and sunshine 1,800 hours. Soils are heavy calcareous brown earths and gravel.

As of 2020, white varieties covered 1,151.52 ha and red 856.15 ha. The heavy calcareous slopes in the north-west suit the «Gumpoldskirchner» varieties best — Zierfandler, Rotgipfler and Neuburger — while the red wines come from the pockets of Sooß, Bad Vöslau and gravelly Tattendorf. Every Thermenregion wine is sold only with a state test number, issued by a panel of six tasters and a chair. Yields for Gebietswein and Ortswein are up to 10,000 kg/ha, for Riedenwein up to 6,000 kg/ha, and the minimum alcohol for Riedenwein is 12.5 %. Ortswein may carry the names Perchtoldsdorf, Gumpoldskirchen, Tattendorf, Wiener Neustadt or Bad Vöslau.

Why it matters to you. Thermenregion is the place for rare Austrian varieties. On the label look for Ried (a single vineyard) for a higher bar, while a dry style is guaranteed for Gebietswein.