Wein Burgenland

Vintage 2009

Bearing in mind the tumultuous weather conditions experienced in 2009, the high quality of the wine vintage can only be described as remarkable. Warm and sunny autumn weather lasting well into October ensured that the berries reached the ideal level of ripeness, while cool nights gave aromas the opportunity to develop perfectly. The only downside in 2009 was the relatively small yield which was caused by bad weather at flowering leading to a poor fruit set.

Weather trends in the Burgenland in 2009
The winter in 2009 was a rather average one. What could be classed as slightly out of character were the extremely cold periods immediately followed by very mild days. In January for example temperatures in the Burgenland hit 13°C. Rainfall varied regionally but there was certainly no shortage of it; in February the “Seewinkel” received three times more rain than in an average year.

In the following months the weather continued to be unpredictable. A very damp March was followed by a warm and dry April and then in May the temperatures sunk again. Towards the end of the month abundant rainfall and hailstorms gave winemakers in some wine growing areas little to smile about. In the Burgenland flowering began according to plan at the end of May.
    
Probably the most dramatic in terms of weather conditions was June. This month saw record amounts of rainfall and flooding. In some areas it rained three to four times as much as it normally would, making June the dampest month on record in the past fifty years. In July the trend for wet but warm conditions continued.

The hot and predominantly dry August provided optimal conditions for the ripening of the berries and conditions remained ideal until the beginning of October. After this, warm dry days and cold nights encouraged intense aroma development resulting in healthy ripe berries. 2009 brought a very early harvest start for early ripening varieties, perfect conditions for red wines and good clean botrytis for “Prädikatsweine”.

Small yet superb
2009’s white wines demonstrate the perfect combination of ripeness, abundance of fruit and complexity and are extraordinarily harmonic on the palate. The picture-book autumn was responsible for the combination of intense colour, the impression of sweetness due to high extracts, tannin and concentration in the red wines. In short, these are excellent indications for a great vintage.

The sweet wine specialists also had a positive year. The odd bout of rain at the ideal moment encouraged the sprouting of noble rot. All „Prädikatswein“ wishes could be fulfilled, from „Spätlese“ to „Trockenbeerenauslese“, and the „Eiswein“ winemakers were treated to an intensive period of frost before Christmas.  

2009’s vintage is characterised by wines with structure and character, fruit and finesse, ripeness and  spice. The yield may be below average, but wine lovers can certainly look forward to top quality wines from the Burgenland.