Out with the alt, in with the nieuw

Photo courtesy http://www.alleliebeneisenstadt.at/ A few days before the end of 2013, I said goodbye to Eisenstadt, the tiny Austrian town that has been my home for most of the year. New adventures in Amsterdam are calling – but this blog isn't supposed to be autobiographical, so let's get back to the wine. Eisenstadt may be small, but it's culturally important for two reasons. First, the Esterhazy palace housed Joseph Haydn for much of his professional life. Second, it's the capital of Austria's most important red wine region, Burgenland. Reason the first means there's no end to the Haydn-themed outlets here – there's the Joseph Haydn Music Conservatoire, Haydn Brauerei, at least one Haydn cafe, and - who knows - possibly even a Haydn laundrette and a Haydn kebab shop if you look hard enough. Reason the second inspired the opening of Selektion Burgenland two years ago. I can't imagine Eisenstadt without this excellent, friendly and inviting wine bar and shop, regally situated opposi…