Round wooden tables laden with the most aromatic white wines and snacks, set under grape arbours amidst a charming setting—these are the rustic winery-run taverns in Vienna. Known as Heurigen, a word stemming from “Heurige,” meaning “this year’s wine,” as in fresh wine, help keep the Austrian capital green and promote community culture. This Viennese tavern custom was also added to UNESCO’s Intangible Heritage List, with 70 per cent of the Austrian capital’s annual wine produce being consumed at these Heurigen. An interesting fact about these taverns is that in 1817, Ludwig van Beethoven stayed in one of the historic buildings now operating a tavern and worked on his iconic 9th Symphony.
