© Andreas Hofer
© Andreas Hofer
© Rita Newman
WACHAU-NIBELUNGENGAU-KREMSTAL
~ TAVERNS IN THE SHADOW OF THE WILD VINE ~ A »Buschen« (bundle of twigs) by the front door indicates: »Ausg’steckt is« or open. There’s nothing to beat a visit to a tavern if you want to enjoy traditional food and drink the authentic way. The tavern for one thing indicates wine from the local grape harvest and for another traditional – today mostly still family-run localities that serve wines from their own vineyards. Taverns have long been seen as established meeting places for the locals.
designates qualifying businesses as Top Taverns. Information about the establishments recognised as Top Taverns, the award-winning wines served as well as the actual opening times, along with all sorts of other useful information and tips about all the taverns, is available free of charge in the tavern calendar on www.top-heuriger.at www.wachau.at/heurige
One special feature of the tavern is that it is only open at certain times of the year. Typical tavern fare is served with home-made wines, grape juices and other wine products. Such as the famous traditional »Brettljause« consisting of the finest, mainly cold delicacies from local producers. With the tavern itself and the food and drink, the rule is: genuine, honest, local – characterised by charm which you can only escape with difficulty.
Traditionally the term »Aussteckzeiten« is used for tavern opening hours instead of »Öffnungszeiten«. Historically a bundle of pine twigs at the entrance indicates both that the business is currently open and that it is a »genuine tavern« serving the wine it has produced itself. The official name »Buschenschank« (bundle tavern) also comes from this. Best listen out with a glass of wine and regional delicacies for the explanation of where exactly the bundle of pine twigs comes into it: In a picturesque vaulted cellar or a lovingly tended guests’ garden, accompanied by family hospitality, perhaps even in the shadow of a wild vine.
For those for whom there may be a dash of modern luxury on the menu along with the authentic wine tradition, this year’s proven top local wines are most warmly recommended for inclusion in your travel plans. Here regional recipes and hospitality have been brilliantly raised to the next level. This is guaranteed by a qualified expert jury that checks these establishments at regular intervals regarding specific criteria and officially
www.wachau.at/heurigenkalender
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