Wachau

Small but important wine district in northern Austria, Wachau is one of the most famous and renowned regions in the world, known for its generous steel-aged Rieslings and full-bodied Grüner Veltliners with a distinctive pepper aroma. Wachau extends along the Danube River to the city of Krems-an-der-Donau which is also the center from which trade develops. Most of the vineyards are terraced, located on steep slopes overlooking the river, in a position favorably exposed to the sun's rays. The climate is divided into two zones: a colder one due to the presence of the Eastern Alps, to the west, and a warmer one near the Pannonian plain. Overall, the climate is continental, with hot summers and cold winters, although along the banks of the Danube the climate is milder. The soil is characterized by a good presence of sand, gravel and loess, to which is sometimes added a special type of gneiss called gföhler which gives a certain minerality to the wines of the region.