Culinary fall in Vulkanland
...the offer sounded promising, especially as it was in my home state of Styria. But where on earth is the Vulkanland and are there any golf courses there? The answer was not long in coming, and neither was the itinerary: Journey to Riegersburg in south-eastern Styria, overnight stay at the Genusshotel Riegersburg and golf at the Traminer Klöch course - perfect for a short weekend.
The following story tells how everything turned out differently.
To put it in a nutshell: the Styrian volcanic region is part of Thermenland and comprises 33 municipalities in the south-eastern part of Styria. There were actually volcanoes here millions of years ago, which are still visible today as famous viewing hills. The imposing "Riegersburg", which I can see from my room in the hotel of the same name, stands on just such a hill. And that's not the only spectacular thing here: the stylish 4-star hotel is harmoniously nestled in a hill surrounded by vineyards on several floors of grass. From the pool on the roof, especially in the afternoon, you have a fascinating view of the hilly vineyard landscape and the proud castle in the foreground.
Of course, you immediately want to climb up to the 17th century fortress at an altitude of around 200 meters, which is maintained with passion by the Lichtenstein family who own it. The successful provincial exhibition "Witches and Wizards" was held here 30 years ago and can still be seen today, alongside the museum in the castle's state rooms called "Legendary Riegersburg - Legendary Women", the witch museum and the new weapons museum. A multimedia show in the castle museum also recreates the history of the castle using sound, light, objects and living figures. Of course, it takes some time to walk through the whole thing, but afterwards you have really earned a sumptuous snack with a carafe of Welschriesling at the Buschenschank Bernhart, just below the castle. In passing, I learn more about the Vulkanland Styrian winegrowing region and the motto here:
See, hear, feel, taste and smell
70 winegrowers cultivate their very own wine culture here on basalt-containing soil with elegant and
powerful growths through to terroir-influenced white and red wines. For white wine lovers, there is Welschriesling, Morillon, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris, Gelber Muskateller, Traminer and Sauvignon Blanc as well as Riesling. Red wines are preferably supplied by Blauer Zweigelt, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Blauer Wildbacher or St. Laurent. A real treasure chest full of enjoyable, exciting discoveries for me. The Gelber Muskateller in particular is mine. But I should have more experiences in this regard.
An enjoyable evening menu with consequences
Back at the Genusshotel Riegersburg, which is owned by the Gölles family and has 44 rooms, the Gölles-Stube and Whisky Bar, I learn a lot about the treasures of the region over a delicious 5-course evening meal with char carpaccio, beetle bean salad, porcini mushroom soup, venison fillet and corresponding wine accompaniment. Namely, that some of Austria's best gourmet manufacturers are just a few minutes' drive away: the Gölles brandy and vinegar factory, the Vulcano ham world, the Fromagerie zu Riegersburg and the Zotter chocolate factory. What more could your heart desire?
Robert Hopfner, a young and well-versed wine connoisseur from Thermenland Tourism, has a whole repertoire of wine recommendations at the ready. So where to start, where to stop and what about golf?
After this memorable and informative meal, one thing is clear to me: Gölles & Co. have won - before golf, which will have to wait. More on this later in "Golf & Cuisine".
By the way, on September 24, 8 businesses will be celebrating their own culinary delights around Riegersburg Castle. www.riegersburg.com
PS: By the way, Styrian "Herbstln" with pleasure was the motto of an event in Munich at the end of August and was a resounding success, and not just because the Styrian cooking icon Johann Lafer swung the cooking spoon there. At the Munich cattle market, there was chanterelle soup, pumpkin seed fritters and apple rings, and the Aussee Daffodil Queen and the current Wine Queen served the matching wine. A total of 29 exhibitors thrilled the Munich visitors and once again outed Styria as Austria's gourmet corner.
www.thermenland.at
