Carnuntum

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Archaeologists have been excavating the rich soils of Carnuntum for ancient Roman artefacts for decades. To which we would add that the 906 hectares under vines certainly qualify as an equally remarkable ‘treasure of the soil’ – especially for production of Carnuntum’s regionally typical red wines. The ‘Rubin Carnuntum’ wines are produced by a dedicated society of the region’s most dynamic growers, whose labels carry the unmistakeable image of the Roman Heidentor (Heathens’ Gate); they embrace the region’s history while promoting excellence in wine. The Carnuntum wine region stretches from Vienna in the west to the border of the Slovak Republic in the east. Its vineyards are spread out over three principal mountainous landscapes south of the Danube, among the Leithagebirge (Leitha Range), the Arbesthaler Hügelland (Arbesthal Foothills) and the Hainburger Berge (a range of mountains near Hainburg). The soil structures consist mostly of dense loam and loess and sandy gravels, which offer optimal conditions for red wine production, particularly the widely-planted indigenous Blauer Zweigelt, along with the international varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Blaufränkisch is favoured by some producers, with great wines coming from vineyards on the Spitzerberg in the east of the region.