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Domäne Wachau: All about the grape

Austria’s most precious collection of old brandies lies in the impressive cellars of Domäne Wachau in Dürnstein. Approximately 250 winegrowing families belong to this internationally renowned wine-growers’ association. They cultivate their vineyards throughout the Wachau with an artisanal ap-proach as well as an abundance of experience and passion.

A wide range of quality wines is the foundation of production, while there is also a focus on high-proof specialities. Domäne Wachau can look back on a very long tradition of wine distillery. Over 300 years ago, Provost Hieronymus Übelbacher, builder of the Dürnstein Kellerschlössl wine cellar, wrote about the Wachau ‘Prandewein’ (brandy). Distillation has taken place in the modern style since the 1960s, with terrace wines from the Wachau and particular emphasis on the regional character.

With a regional focus and characterised by the Grüner Veltliner grape variety and the unique Wachau terroir, Veltliner brandies are double distilled in copper vats and then stored for many years in the baroque cellar at the foot of the Ried Kellerberg vineyard. The XA22 Grüner Veltliner wine brandy matures for about 22 years in small, wooden barrels to become a spicy Veltliner brandy with a strong structure and authentic character.

At the World Spirits Award, the XA22 Grüner Veltliner wine brandy won gold.

Rhumerie de Chamarel - Rhumerie de Chamarel – A newcomer with vision

This high-quality rum from the island of Mauritius is produced in line with ecological guidelines. The products are distributed in Austria by the company Wind GmbH, based in Traiskirchen (www.wind-plast.at).

The road leads through extensive pineapple plantations and fields of sugar cane up to the distillery at an altitude of 300 m in the South-West of the island. Designed by a renowned architect, the building is elegant and authentic and a fine example of modern construction with its natural materials such as wood, stone and water. The comprehensive concept also incorporates the L’Alchimiste restaurant where up to 80 guests can savour the sophisticated regional cuisine. At the “Sugar Cane Spirit” boutique, various types of rum are on offer (White Rum, Le Coeur de Chauffe (fine brandy), Rum Paille (stored in wooden casks), Rum Arrange (flavoured with fruits and spices) as well as an exclusive clothing range, hand-made products and a small jewellery collection.

The location and climate of the fertile valley promote the growth and quality of the sugarcane. The sugarcane is harvested by hand in the early hours of the morning and processed at the mill within four hours. The fields are not normally burnt, as is usually the case, to make harvesting easier. Even when distilling at the highest modern levels of technology, nothing is wasted: the bagasse – the fibrous remnants of the sugar production process – is burnt to obtain energy. The chimney contains the very latest smoke filters and the ash is used to fertilise the fields.

The company yet again impressed at the World-Spirits Award, with one gold and four silvers.