Wildschönau Krautinger Schnapps
To call it simply 'Schnapps' is almost an insult. Krautinger is a household remedy, an elixir and a medicine rolled into one.
But above all it's unique to the Wildschönau Valley because Krautinger Schnapps isn't allowed to be distilled anywhere else - by royal decree! The magical fire-water is made from white beet and had made the region famous far and wide to the extent that there is even a festival week in autumn dedicated to the Krautinger!
You can convince yourself of the healing properties of the Wildschönau Krautinger Schnapps during the Krautinger Week from 4th - 10th October 2009.
The Festival begins with a Harvest Festival on Sunday and continues with a village fete in the Z'Bach Museum. There is traditional brass music, singing, coffee and cakes and naturally an opportunity to taste the stuff itsself!
During the Krautinger Week various hotels present dishes involving the Wildschönau White Beet and you can of course see how the Krautinger is produced at one of the 15 licenced farms.
At the end of the week the Valley's best schnapps is chosen at a sumptuous ball with prominent guests and local celebrities and the odd glass or two is raised to Her Majesty Empress Maria Theresia who bestowed the original honour on the Wildschönau.
Regional Delights
The white Beet and the schnapps made from it, has helped the Wildschönau to the coveted title 'Genuss Region', thanks to an exclusive right bestowed on the Wildschönau farmers by the Empress Maria Theresia.
Krautinger Week
The Krautinger Week from 3rd - 9th October 2010 is all about Krautinger Schnapps - a well-loved cure-all in the Wildschönau.
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