L AVANTTAL Culinary delights On culinary delightsdelights and spirited pick-me-ups. A delightful history of Carinthia. n the heart of the Lavanttal IValley lies the municipality of St. Paul. The Benedictine Abbey, which dominates the landscape, can be seen from far away. Once, the Abbey of St. Paul was Under the reign of Joseph II, Hungarian the ancestral castle of the dukes horse stables were put up at the estate. of Carinthia. Today it is one of the cultural and spiritual centres The Zogglhof estate in in the province of Carinthia. the Lavanttal Valley. Founded by the Spanheims in 1091, the walls of great age had ust in the same way the their heyday in the 15th and JBenedictine Abbey of 17th centuries. The heart St. Paul has determined the of the baroque monas- history of the Lavanttal Valley, tery is the Romanesque it also dominates the course of basilica with its famous time at the Zogglhof which is fresco decoration of located directly at the main road Thomas of Villach. The to St. Paul. Already in 1650, church is one of the most the canons acquired the estate important medieval religious with the old stables which was buildings in Austria. One of the then managed by the monastery most comprehensive art until 1960. In 1995, the society collections of Europe rightly “Mostbarkeiten” (cider delica- gives the monastery the title cies) started with the revitalisa- “Schatzhaus Kärnten”, the tion of the estate and so today, treasure house of Carinthia. the Zogglhof houses a compe- tence centre for fruit processing. Here you are awaited by an exclusive gallery with treasures like cider, spirits, fruit juice and vinegar.vinegar. The Benedictine Abbey of St. Paul towers high above the Lavanttal Valley. Like in paradise. he attractive mild climate Tand the wonderful landscape make the Lavanttal Valley one of the most popular excursi- on destinations in Carinthia throughout the year. Especially in spring, the view of over half a million of apple trees in blossom The traditional varieties of apples are particularly juicy. is a real delight. The marvellous fragrance of the blossoms fl oats The apple juice. The Zogglhof estate in over the whole valley. Over the the Lavanttal Valley. summer, mainly old varieties of irectly after the harvest, the apples and the unique Lavant- Dapples are made into juice taler Bananenapfel (American which is offered by the farmers mother) ripen in the traditional of the Lavanttal Valley as orchards of the resident farmers. naturally cloudy or clear and authentic. Then, it is gently heated to preserve the pure and natural taste of the fully ripened fruit without any additives for a whole year. The summer sun is fi lled into bottles ready to be tasted all year. Zogglhof, Hundsdorf 2, 9470 St. Paul im Lavanttal. Lavant A2 Reichenfels In the direction of Graz, Vienna The Garden of Eden really does lie in the Bad St. Leonhard Lavanttal Valley. The typical high-trunk trees in the Lavanttal Valley provide the Wolfsberg precious fruit for a diverse range St. Andrä of products. At the Zogglhof, Abfahrt St. Andrä Zogglhof A2 St. Paul their own distillery with bottling In the direction of plant is at the disposal for semi- Klagenfurt Lavamünd Drau nars and interested visitors. A truly blossoming time. I n the Lavanttal Valley, the Iold varieties of apples like Bohnapfel, Maschansker, Brünn- ling or Renette are turned into delicacies. Decisive aspects of the quality are the care of the old fruit trees, the optimal harvest time and the quick processing. The cider is the Lavanttal Valley’s product richest in tradition. At the Zogglhof, the vinegar is professio- nally treated and stored. It is pressed from the different varieties of apples and has All about vinegar. a low alcohol content. ifferent kinds of full-fruit In the apple wine is one Dvinegar are produced at variety of apple. the Zogglhof, which bring the Depending on the scent, fl avours and colour of the variety, the taste nuances fruit on and into meals. Apple reach from intense to vinegar is also stored in oak reserved and from vivacious to barrels from the Lavanttal Valley smooth. A second fermentation which makes it milder and more turns the apple cider into harmonious. a gently sparkling apple wine. To produce aromatic vinegar, the vinegar is fi lled into barrels and mixed with different spices such as saffron, ginger or cloves. After storing it for at least six months, the extracts and fl avours of the spices dissolve into the vinegar. Call 0043-4357/3141 or go to www.mostbarkeiten.at The traditional orchards provide the “ingredients“ for the cider delicacies. Highly spirituous encounters. n the traditional orchards of Ithe Lavanttal Valley, not only wonderfully juicy apples like the Lavanttaler Bananenapfel ripen but also, aromatic pears. The perry pears picked by hand, for Cheers! To an inspirational excursion. example, are processed into the unique pear brandy of Express through the St. Paul. In the careful distilling Lavanttal Valley. for a noble brandy, only what is known as the heart of the fruit he “Mostlandexpress” is used. And so, only the most T(ciderland express) tourist select part gets into the slender train is certainly the most peaceful way to explore the historical treasures of the LavanttalLavanttal Valley.Valley. ForFor smallsmall groups, individual rides can be organised. A recommendable starting point is the Zogglhof. Following a good drop there, the culinary trip begins, the highlight of which is a nourishing cold meat Delicacies in the gallery of the “Mostbarkeiten”. platter in one of the numerous farmhouse inns, the Buschen- schnapps bottles. schenken. The Sakra Sanktus, a registered trademark, is the best perry pear brandy. At the Zog- glhof, it ripens in oak barrels and so becomes an exquisite delicacy with St. Pauler Mostlandexpress a registered serial number and Free information about trains in of which only 300 bottles per Weißenegg 12, 9470 St. Paul im Lav., year are produced. Tel./Fax: 0043-4357/3137 Tempting delicacies. hen the fi rst little white Wheads break through the soil in spring, the asparagus season in the Lavanttal Valley begins. In recent years, this tender vegetable has not only become an essential item on the menus of the Carinthian inns offering asparagus (Kärntner Spargelwirte). Asparagus, a vegetable from the Pure nature is served in a familiar lily family, is on the one hand atmosphere. very easy to digest and, on the other hand, very attractive As a guest due to its freshness. The he “Lavanttaler Gastlichkeit” historical centre of the (Lavanttal hospitality), which asparagus harvest is T is a co-operation of regional the Kammerhof estate innkeepers, has specialised in which once belonged to typical delicacies. the bishopric of St. Andrä. Discover more zest for life with Fruit, asparagus and all the free information on asparagus other delicacies - from chicken by calling to emperor trout - which the 0043-4358/2259 or Lavanttal Valley has on offer, 0043-4352/2788. can be found on the menus in this region. From the best raw materials provided by the local farmers, the innkeepers create their own specialities. So that every guest also knows where the ingredients come from, their origins are revealed on the menus. Be amazed by the asparagus specialities. A fertile valley. olfsberg Castle is a visible Wsign for the rich past of the Lavanttal Valley. The castle on the mountain was fi rst mentioned in a document in 1178 and was, at that time, in the possession of the bisho- pric of Bamberg. In the 19th century, the landmark of the The old orchards provide the bees with plenty of town of Wolfsberg was acquired nectar from which the light yellow, mild and by Count Henckel of Donners- fruity Lavanttal honey is made. marck. It was at that time when the castle got its characteristic Served. dozen farmers from the A region founded the associa- tion of the “Lavanttaler Qualitätsbauern” (Lavanttal Valley’s quality farmers) who serve food and drinks in their own farmhouse inns around Wolfsberg The castle on the mountain where the Castle. Their party service wolves once lived. is also very sought-after. appearance in neo-Gothic Tudor The delicacies they offer range style. The ground plan and sub- from roast meat to emperor stance widely correspond to the trout and from spelt bread to original building. Lavanttaler Schlemmer- In the east and southwest, prinzen, a soft cheese two mighty round towers speciality. The qua- which were extended in lity farmers’ buffet the 16th century, charac- service is pleased terise the appearance of to provide you with the castle. From these to- information, phone wers, it is possible to look out over the fi elds and orchards of 0043-4352/81165. the surrounding quality farmers of the Lavanttal Valley. All roads lead to the Lavanttal Valley. Lavant A2 Reichenfels In the direction of Graz, Vienna Bad St. Leonhard Wolfsberg St. Andrä Abfahrt St. Andrä Zogglhof A2 St. Paul In the direction of Klagenfurt Lavamünd Drau LAVANTTALER KostbarkeitenKostbarkeiten We are here for you: Lavanttaler Qualitätsbauern Völking 5, 9431 St. Stefan Tel.: 0043-4352/81165 Mostbarkeiten, Zogglhof Hundsdorf 2, 9470 St. Paul Tel.: 0043-4357/3141 Imprint: Publisher and responsible for the content: Province of Carinthia, dept. 10L, Bahnhofplatz 5, 9020 Klagenfurt & “Mostbarkeiten” society. Klagenfurt & “Mostbarkeiten” society. Bahnhofplatz 5, 9020 of Carinthia, dept. 10L, for the content: Province Imprint: Publisher and responsible Code: 25T5EDIAZ Print & Medientechnik. Photos: Jost Bayer. Layout: Das Agenturhaus. Printing: Dareb EUROPEAN UNION This project is co-fi nanced by the European Union and the Province of Carinthia..