School of Wine

A new beginning in Vulkanland Steiermark! Convinced that the power of the soil together with their skills as winemakers are key ingredients of their single vineyard wines, the members of this dynamic group have set about creating their own official single vineyard classification, choosing LACON as their independent control body. Now they are eager to show how consistent they are in what they do - and just how well this can be combined with drinking pleasure. Nine wines certified as Erste Lage and Große Lage will be presented at this tasting; one of the wines is from the current vintage, and another is from a mature vintage. Moderating will be Marie Christin Baunach, Head Sommelière Restaurant Überfahrt (Rottach-Egern) and Suwi Zlatic, Austrian National Champion and Finalist of 2021 European-African Sommelier Championship.

Wachau wines unmistakably show their origin. Rieslings from the Wachau in comparison with Rieslings from all over the world. Vinea Wachau and Caro Maurer MW present the Wachau in an international context.
With simultaneous English translation.

The past 25 years have changed Austria’s wine world profoundly. Top-class wines of international calibre have arisen, especially in Burgenland. The Renowned Wineries of Burgenland has contributed significantly to this development. Taste representative examples that demonstrate how this Austrian “wine miracle” has emerged and evolved; learn the background stories directly from the first source. The Renowned Wineries of Burgenland present gems from their wine cellars. Embark on a treasure hunt with the RWB vintner association and taste the unknown, the newly discovered, and the honourably matured – a cross-section of a quarter century of genesis in the Austrian wine world.

The winegrowers from Leithaberg aim to vinify exciting, mineral, and structured wines.
The unique soil structure of Leithakalk and slate lay the foundation for these mineral wines. The cooling effect of the forests of the Leitha Mountains brings finesse and liveliness to the wine. In addition to the heat-regulating function of Lake Neusiedl, the warm winds from Pannonia bring the necessary maturity. Nestled between the Leitha Mountains and Lake Neusiedl, wines with the Leithaberg DAC seal are vinified from the regional varieties Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Grüner Veltliner, Neuburger, and Blaufränkisch with careful attention to tradition and work for hand in hand with nature.

The top wines from Burgundy, which are highly desired these days, are only bottled in very small editions. This pushes prices to astronomical heights, so that many people have no access to the great Chardonnays and Pinots Noirs from the Côte d'or. But if you look for worthwhile alternatives away from the big names, you will find wines from up-and-coming wineries that still offer reasonable value for money, allowing even less well-heeled noses to enter this fascinating world. Willi Klinger has been dealing with this area for over three decades and always finds real insider tips. And then there is the Beaujolais beyond trivial mass wines to discover, far too little known plants from those specific volcanic soils of the Beaujolais Crus, which help the Gamay grape to surprising complexity and longevity.

Willi Klinger, wine expert and known for his sharp tongue, presents together with Gerhard Retter, sommelier and maître, the real insider tips from Burgundy and the Beaujolais in the School of Wine at the VieVinum!

In Südsteiermark, Weststeiermark and Vulkanland Steiermark, the traditional Steiermark grape varieties are especially worth tasting. The typical Steiermark wines are dry, aromatic, juicy, mineral and spicy, elegant and with substance. And there is a large variety of those, that cannot be compared. Here, quality wines are produced that are shaped by terroir and winemaker. More than half of the vineyard area in Steiermark is hills and mountains with slopes of which some are very steep. Immerse yourself in the world of Steiermark wine and discover the wide portfolio of Steiermark winemakers.