The Seewinkel: National Park and Nature Paradise.
The Neusiedlersee (Lake Neusiedl) sprawls across the eastern part of Austria, along the border to Hungary. On the lake´s eastern shore is the Seewinkel National Park, a natural paradise with rare beauty: thick reeds and, behind them, vast, flat grasslands and sandy pastures. These all are interspersed with several tiny lakes whose reed beds provide homes to nesting rare bird species. It is because of those numerous tiny lakes that the local inhabitants call the area "Seewinkel" (roughly, “lake corner”). Three communities in particular here - Podersdorf, Illmitz and Apetlon - have developed into centers of culture and pleasure: the grasslands feature grazing cattle, sheep and geese, whose meat is in high gastronomic demand. Also seen are the famous wooly Mangalitza pigs, whose original home is right here.
The Climate: Pannonian
Hot, dry Summers, very cold Winters, rain-rich Springs and long, mild and sunny Falls: this is the Pannonian climate that dominates the Seewinkel as well as Hungary to the east. However, the Neusiedlersee has specific weather conditions, a micro-climate that is unique in the world: the vast expanse of water lightens the Summer dryness; and in the Fall, it delivers dense evening fogs that remain until they are dispersed by the morning sun. These conditions are ideal for the development of Botrytis cinerea, a “good” fungus also known as noble rot, which enables the production of none other than noble sweet wines.
