One of the five specific wine-growing areas in the Austrian province or generic wine-growing area Burgenland. In 2016 a restructuring took place, including changes in the names and the boundaries of the areas. The former designation Südburgenland was replaced by Eisenberg. The new name was chosen because the "ü" could have a disruptive effect on exports and "Eisenberg" was also the name of the traditional wine-growing region in the past. From the 12th century onwards, the Catholic monastic order of the Cistercians in particular contributed a great deal to the development of viticulture here.
The area extends south of the Günser Bergland and is located on the border with Hungary. The Pinkatal Wine Route runs from the largest wine-growing community of Rechnitz in the north along the Hungarian border through the communities of Eisenberg an der Pinka with the Csaterberg, Hummergraben, Paigl, Reihburg, Saybritz and Szápari vineyards, and Deutsch-Schützen with the Bründlgfangen, Fasching, Ratschen and Weinberg vineyards to the south. Further villages are Badersdorf, Eberau, Güssing, Hannersdorf, Heiligenbrunn (Uhudler community with Uhudler-Vinothek), Kohfidisch, Moschendorf (with wine museum and Uhudler-Vinothek) and Strem.
Eisenberg differs from the northern wine-growing regions of Burgenland in terms of climatic conditions, especially the higher rainfall. The mild, Pannonian climate is characterised by intensive sunshine. The forests favour a cooling off at night. The soils consist mainly of iron-rich, clayey loam. After the phylloxera catastrophe at the beginning of the 20th century, the rustic, southern Burgenland speciality Uhudler was born here.
List of vine varieties
In 2017, the vineyards covered a total of 515 hectares. Compared to the year 2009 with 499 hectares, this was an increase of 3%. The share of white wine varieties is 47.7%, the share of red wine varieties 52.3%. Blaufränkisch dominates with over a third, followed by Welschriesling and Zweigelt:
DAC system
From the 2008/2009 vintage onwards, the origin-controlled Eisenberg DAC quality grade was introduced. All other quality wines must be marketed with the origin Burgenland, the regional wines under the Weinland wine-growing region designation. In addition to the generally applicable DAC conditions, the following rules apply:
The red wines must be made from the quality wine grape variety Blaufränkisch any blending with another grape variety is not permitted. The bottle must be provided with a specific capsule, the appearance of which is determined by the Regional Wine Committee. The date for the application for the State examination number is staggered. If the decision is positive (usually within one week), the wine may be marketed. There are two quality categories or designations:
Classic: The wines can be matured in steel tanks or in wooden barrels, but these must have no or hardly noticeable wood tones(toast aroma). The alcohol content must be 12.5 or 13% vol. Screw cap or natural cork is prescribed as closure. The application may be submitted at the earliest from 1 August of the year following the harvest (a decision is usually made within a week).
Reserve: the ageing process must take place in traditional large wooden barrels or in barriques, so wood aromas are permitted here. The alcohol content must be at least 13% vol. Only natural corks are permitted as closure. The application may be made at the earliest from 1 February of the second year following the harvest.
Producers
The regional winegrowers' association Weinidylle Südburgenland implements marketing activities and quality-enhancing measures. Well-known producers are Groszer Wein, Jalits, Kopfensteiner, Körper Erich, Krutzler Reinhold, Schiefer Uwe, Schützenhof, Unger Gerald, Wachter-Wiesler, Wallner Gerhard, Weber Alfred and Weninger Franz.
Pictures: © ÖWM - Egon Mark