Ladee's Travels: Melk, Austria

We left Melk Abbey and drove along the most picturesque section of the Danube in Austria...the Wachau Valley. Terraced vineyards hold up the hillsides on either side of the river and great apricot orchards are planted between the shore and the vineyards. I need to come again in the springtime to see the 160,000 Apricot trees present a spectacular bloom.

The Melk Abbey sits on the hill.

The "Wachau Cultural Landscape" was added to the UNESCO List of World Heritage Sites in recognition of its architectural and agricultural history in December 2000,

Apricot trees play a heavy role in the production of specialty wines and liquors.

Vineyards. The Wachau Valley is well known for its high-quality wines. The wine growing tradition in Austria and Wachau Valley in particular is attributed to the Romans during the medieval settlements. The grapes produce white wine such as Reislings and Grüner Veltliners. There are some low, level vineyards, but a great deal of the valley is planted on the steep stoney slopes. Look at some of these vineyards. Steep is putting it mildly! The first few photographs show the level vineyards and then the steep slopes follow.

Steep slopes!! The valley has a great difference between the day and night temperatures and plays a significant role in the ripening of the grapes. It is interesting to note that the rainfall in this area is not enough to grow the grapes so the fields are irrigated.