Austria

Neusiedlersee

Austria wine regions

About Neusiedlersee

Neusiedlersee is a DAC region in Burgenland, named after the vast, shallow Neusiedler See (Lake Neusiedl) that dominates the landscape. The lake creates a unique microclimate that supports both powerful red wines and world-class sweet wines made from botrytis-affected grapes. Zweigelt is the signature red grape, producing juicy, cherry-driven wines, while the noble sweet wines of Seewinkel rival the great Sauternes.

108–285 m

Elevation range

27 Gemeindes

Avg. slope 1.7°

Austria wine regions

Vintages

40 · 2005–2024

Rating:

95+

90-94

85-89

80-84

<80

PeakReadyHold

Year	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015	2014	2013	2012	2011	2010	2009	2008	2007	2006	2005
Red
White

Outstanding Neusiedlersee Vintages

The best recent vintages rated excellent or exceptional.

Red

2024

Almost ready

92Excellent

Excellent vintage showing great promise with concentrated, well-structured reds. Early tastings suggest wines of exceptional quality and aging potential.

2027Peak 2030–20342037

2022

Ready

92Excellent

Excellent vintage producing concentrated, well-structured reds with great aging potential. Wines show exceptional depth, complexity, and regional character.

2025Peak 2028–20322035

2019

At peak

92Excellent

Excellent vintage with outstanding reds showing great concentration and structure. Powerful wines with excellent aging potential and complex flavor profiles.

2022Peak 2025–20302032

2017

At peak

92Excellent

Excellent vintage producing powerful, well-structured reds with great aging potential. Rich, concentrated wines with excellent tannin structure and complexity.

2020Peak 2023–20282030

2015

At peak

96Exceptional

Exceptional vintage producing magnificent reds with outstanding concentration, complexity, and aging potential. Wines of remarkable depth and elegance that define the region's potential.

2018Peak 2022–20302035

2011

Drink up

92Excellent

Excellent vintage with powerful, age-worthy reds displaying great depth and complexity. Outstanding examples of Blaufränkisch and premium Zweigelt.

2014Peak 2017–20242028

2009

Drink up

92Excellent

Superb vintage with concentrated, complex reds showing excellent structure and aging potential. Rich, ripe fruit with sophisticated tannin management.

2012Peak 2015–20222027

2007

Past window

92Excellent

Excellent vintage producing powerful, well-structured reds with great aging potential. Rich fruit flavors balanced by firm tannins and good acidity.

2010Peak 2012–20202025

White

2024

Ready

92Excellent

Excellent whites with beautiful concentration and complexity. Early indicators suggest outstanding dessert wines with perfect botrytis development.

2025Peak 2027–20302032

2022

At peak

92Excellent

Excellent whites with outstanding balance and complexity. Wines show beautiful fruit concentration while maintaining freshness and mineral character.

2023Peak 2025–20282030

2019

Drink up

92Excellent

Excellent whites with beautiful balance of richness and freshness. Outstanding dessert wines with exceptional complexity and aging potential.

2020Peak 2022–20252027

2015

Past window

92Excellent

Excellent whites with beautiful concentration and aging potential. Outstanding dessert wines with perfect balance of sweetness, acidity, and complex flavors.

2016Peak 2018–20222024

2011

Past window

92Excellent

Outstanding whites with remarkable concentration and longevity. Exceptional dessert wines rank among the region's finest ever produced.

2012Peak 2014–20182020

2007

Past window

92Excellent

Outstanding whites with beautiful balance of fruit, acidity, and minerality. Exceptional dessert wines with perfect botrytis development.

2008Peak 2010–20152018

Gemeinden

Classification System

Neusiedlersee DAC is reserved for Zweigelt. The region is also famous for Prädikatswein sweet wines (Beerenauslese, Trockenbeerenauslese, Ausbruch) made from botrytis-affected grapes.

DAC Reserve

Barrel-aged Zweigelt with more structure and depth

DAC

Classic fruity Zweigelt from the lake region

Burgenland

Broader state-level designation for other varieties

Prädikatswein

Sweet wine tiers: Spätlese, Auslese, Beerenauslese, Trockenbeerenauslese

What Neusiedlersee produces

Red

Blaufränkisch and Zweigelt, warm Pannonian climate reds with ripe fruit.

White

Trockenbeerenauslese and other noble sweet wines from Lake Neusiedl's misty shores.

Similar styles

Lands in the same glass.

Like the reds

Morey-Saint-Denis

Burgundy, France

Chinon

Loire Valley, France

Bierzo

Spain

Ahr

Ahr, Germany

Etna Rosso

Sicily, Italy

Like the whites

Rías Baixas

Rías Baixas, Spain

Rully

Burgundy, France

Nahe

Nahe, Germany

Rheingau

Rheingau, Germany

Savennières

Loire Valley, France

Grapes of Neusiedlersee

Chardonnay

Body

Sweetness

Acidity

green applelemonpearnectarine

Rich, barrel-fermented Chardonnay with toasty, honeyed character.

Blaufränkisch

sour cherryblackberryblack pepperviolet

Structured, spicy reds from warmer sites

Zweigelt

cherryraspberryplumviolet

Juicy, cherry-driven reds, the signature of the region

What it tastes like

Body

Medium

Acidity

Fresh

Tannin

Fine

Oak

A touch of oak

Ripeness

Ripe

Concentration

Medium

Reds

Medium-bodied and fresh, with fine tannin; black fruit, red fruit and a honeyed note, with a taut finish.

black fruit · red fruit · honeyed · floral · taut

Body

Lightish

Acidity

Bright

Oak

No oak

Ripeness

Ripe

Concentration

Medium

Whites

On the lighter side and bright; stone fruit, citrus and orchard fruit, with a taut finish.

stone fruit · citrus · apple and pear · honeyed · floral

Cork's estimate.

Climate

botrytis-friendlycontinentaldryfog & mistcold winters

Continental climate moderated by Lake Neusiedl, with warm, dry summers and cold winters. The lake creates morning mists that promote noble rot development, while afternoon breezes help concentrate flavors and maintain acidity.

Terroir

gravelmineral-richsand

Predominantly flat terrain with sandy soils mixed with gravel and clay. The shallow Lake Neusiedl acts as a heat reservoir, extending the growing season and creating ideal conditions for late harvest wines. Salt deposits from the ancient seabed add mineral complexity.

Typical Aromas

apricothoneybotrytis spiceorange peelacacia blossomdried fig

Explore the aroma wheel

More in Austria

Carnuntum

Eisenberg

Kamptal

Kremstal

Leithaberg

Mittelburgenland

Rosalia

Steirerland

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Neusiedlersee wine special?▼

The massive shallow Lake Neusiedl creates an incredible microclimate that's almost magical for winemaking. The lake's warmth and humidity generate perfect conditions for botrytis, producing some of the world's finest dessert wines, while also moderating temperatures for excellent dry reds and whites. You get this rare combination where the same region can make powerful Zweigelt reds and ethereal sweet wines from the same vineyards.

What are the best Neusiedlersee vintages?▼

For recent years, 2015, 2017, and 2019 were exceptional across the board - great concentration in the reds and perfect botrytis conditions for the sweet wines. 2009 was a legendary vintage that's still drinking beautifully now, especially the Blaufränkisch. The 2020 vintage is showing real promise too, with excellent balance and freshness.

What grapes are grown in Neusiedlersee?▼

Zweigelt is the star red grape here - it's Austria's signature variety and thrives in this climate. Blaufränkisch produces more structured, age-worthy reds, while Chardonnay leads the whites with beautiful richness from the lake's influence. For the famous sweet wines, they use varieties like Welschriesling, Gewürztraminer, and Chardonnay when they get hit by botrytis.

What food pairs well with Neusiedlersee wines?▼

The Zweigelt reds are perfect with Austrian classics like schnitzel or roasted pork, while the more serious Blaufränkisch pairs beautifully with game and aged cheeses. The region's Chardonnays work wonderfully with lake fish or creamy pasta dishes. Those incredible dessert wines are magical with foie gras, blue cheese, or fruit tarts.

How does Neusiedlersee compare to other major wine regions?▼

It's somewhat like having Bordeaux and Sauternes in one region - you get serious dry wines and world-class dessert wines from the same area. The lake influence is similar to what you see in regions like Finger Lakes or parts of Hungary, but Neusiedlersee has this unique ability to produce both styles at an elite level. The sweet wines genuinely compete with the best from Germany and France.

Map data: Statistik Austria (Bundesanstalt Statistik Österreich)