Page 25 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2016 - Austria

A POR TR AIT OF A USTRIA  23

The traditional parade of Tyrolean hunters in Götzens
the Habsburg empire when the benevolent originally attached to vineyards whose
Franz Joseph I was the guardian of owners had a licence to sell beverages
stability and justice, and his unhappy but not food. Secretly, though, they also
wife Sissi fulfilled the public craving offered home­produced meats, especially
for romance. when a pig had been slaughtered.
The Austrians are very fond of their Today, they serve grilled pork
traditions. The most popular news­ knuckles – delicious, but very filling –
paper is the arch­conservative as well as roast hams, grilled ribs and
tabloid Neue Kronen Zeitung, other specialities. As of old, the
which has offices in almost every wine is brought to the tables by
federal province, while the waiters who also take payment;
highly respectable Viennese the food is available from self­
daily Die Presse represents the service buffet counters. The Heurige
solid opinions of the Austrian are characterized by a uniquely
centre. Der Standard is the sociable ambience, with all the
leading liberal newspaper. Child in folk guests joining in the merriment.
In Austria, as perhaps nowhere costume Many a dedicated beer­drinker has
else in Europe, the Tracht, or traditional become a devotee of young wine at a
folk costume, is accepted as formal Heuriger evening.
wear. The costumes, made of high­
quality wool and natural linen, can
be worn anywhere, even to an
elegant ball at the Viennese Opera.
An entire branch of the textile
industry is devoted to their design
and manufacture. Men wear green
loden jackets and Lederhosen
(leather breeches), the women
Dirndl dresses.
Another Austrian speciality is the
Heurige. These are wine taverns
serving the year’s new­vintage
wines. Mostly found in and around
Vienna, these taverns were One of the many wine taverns (Heurige) around Vienna

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