📍 Wachau

The Wachau is a narrow stretch of the Danube valley in the state of Lower Austria, between the towns of Melk and Krems. It is one of the most beautiful wine places in Europe: stone terraces on steep banks, old monasteries and fortresses above the river. Since 2000 the Wachau has been on the UNESCO list as a cultural landscape. Days in the valley are warm, and at night cool air descends from the forested heights, so the berries keep their aromas and acidity.

The main grapes are Grüner Veltliner and Riesling. Grüner gives spicy, peppery wines, Riesling gives wines with a mineral taste and citrus. Neuburger also grows. Almost all the wines are dry whites with strong character.

The local growers' association Vinea Wachau introduced its own scale by ripeness and strength. The lightest wine is called Steinfeder, then comes Federspiel, and the fullest and strongest is Smaragd, named after the local green lizard. Famous villages include Dürnstein, Spitz and Weissenkirchen.

For comparison with its neighbours: downstream along the Danube lie the Kremstal and Kamptal, then Wagram, and further on Vienna.