Sunday in Styria

This picture does not even begin to show you the beauty of Styria's wine country. Commonly known as Austria's Tuscany, Styria's grapes are in full swing. We took a bus through all of the beautiful hills and stopped at many vineyards on the way where we could purchase wine, honey, chestnuts, and other goodies. My personal favorite is the Austrian specialty called STURM. Sturm is a fall tradition and it is wine that has not completed the fermentation process. You all can look up the chemistry of it, all I know is that it tastes like YUMMY grape juice for the red wine or lemonade for the white wine. Because the liquid is still in the fermentation process it cannot be stored for a long time and the bottle cannot be sealed (they cover it with tin foil because a cork would just pop right off.) It is a huge tradition and only is around for a couple of weeks. Let me just tell you yummmy! However you have to be real careful because it still has an alcohol content of 10% and will give you a really bad tummy ache (sturm in your stomach) if you drink too much...something to do with the yeast and fermentation process. Everyone should come over to Austria, quickly, and taste for yourselves!!

After a couple of wine stops we went on to the Fall Festival aka Weinlesefest 2009. I have never seen so much leiderhosen in my entire life (and i grew up in Germantown.) We got boiled beef sandwiches, apfelheidelbeere saft, and ice cream. (Dad I found mint chocolate chip, which btw never happens) There was a parade and it was wonderful to feel like a part of the Austrian culture. People were dressed up and there were more than 6 marching bands! I just loved the food and the festivities. Almost as fun as the Germantown 4th of July!!

ps. I really want some lederhosen!!! look at how young they start them (: