Austria - Austria / II. Republic of Austria 2015 - 80 Euro Cent

Where sun, wine and culture unite, there is Carnuntum, one of the smallest wine regions in Austria with 910 hectares of vineyards. The winery, which dates back to the time of the Celts, concentrates on three different regions: the Arbesthal hill country produces fruitful, powerful wines on loess soil, and complex red wines on higher gravel slopes. In the Hundsheimer mountains with soils of acidic mica schists, granite gneiss and limestone as well as sandy deposits, however, early ripening varieties thrive. The Leithagebirge in turn protects against too warm and often humid climatic conditions of the Neusiedlersee, therefore, come from here particularly fresh and fruity wines. Important varieties are Zweigelt, Cabernet Sauvignon, Blaufränkischer and Merlot as well as Grüner Veltliner and Burgunderarten. The symbol of the region is the so-called Heidentor, which is also the landmark of the Archaeological Park Carnuntum. Once part of a magnificent building from the 4th century AD, which protected a statue of Emperor Constantius II, is now only the archway available. The name Heidentor received it because it was originally falsely assumed to be built by non-Christians. In the Archaeological Park you can also admire a town house, a city villa and a public spa complex, reconstructed in a historical context. Other attractions in the area include the Marchfeld castles and the Donau-Auen National Park. Of course, the visitors to the region also like to come to the cozy Buschenschankbetriebe, which there are mainly in Göttlesbrunn, Höflein and Prellenkirchen and where you get the delicious wine from Carnuntum served.