What you have to drink

The perfect spritzer is comprised of really sparkling, cold soda water and a good, fresh wine. Ideal choices are Grüner Veltliner, Welschriesling or Gemischter Satz. You see, a bad wine isn’t improved by turning it into a ‘Spritzwein’ (wine spritzer), a loving term used by a former mayor of Vienna. A true spritzer at a Heuriger has nothing else in it - lemon slices are popular elsewhere however; everything else is unnecessarily showy and led by trends (violets, rose petals, cucumber).

The most popular varieties of Viennese wine are Grüner Veltliner, Riesling, Weißburgunder and Rheinriesling. The most-cultivated red wine varieties in Vienna are Zweigelt und Blauburgunder. Particularly recommended: the Viennese Gemischter Satz DAC (‘Districtus Austriae Controllatus’), a first-class white Qualitätswein (quality wine) typical of Vienna.

Not a fan of wine? No problem, you’ll enjoy your time at the Heuriger too. Ordering a fizzy lemon or raspberry drink to try is highly recommended. You won’t find better fresh apple juice or indeed fresh grape juice, or Most, than what they serve at Heurige. Both of them tend to be quite sweet: top it up with soda until it tastes right. And if you just want a small amount of wine: in the summer, many people drink the delicious Kaiserspritzer - elderflower syrup and a little wine topped up to half a litre with sparkling water.

“Ein Fluchtachterl hamma immer noch trunkn” (I’ve still only drunk one nightcap) is a phrase often quoted by passionate Heuriger-goers. You see, many people find going home difficult: people often gather at the counter to drink the legendary nightcap. Just one more. Again and again - until the manager ushers you out. Closing time!