Traditional opening

Expensive indulgence: mulled wine and chestnuts in Klagenfurt

(Bild: Christian Tragner)

Klagenfurt city center gets in the mood for the Advent season with the mulled wine opening. However, visitors once again have to dig deep into their pockets for the popular hot drink. 

The mulled wine opening on Alter Platz in Klagenfurt traditionally heralds the start of the Advent season. This year, the popular event takes place this Thursday (from 5 pm). DJ Daddy Cold will be setting the mood. As in the previous year, you will have to dig deep into your pockets for a mulled wine. Most restaurateurs now charge 4.80 euros for a mug.

Vanessa and Dennis treated themselves to a mulled wine at Bar Italia before the traditional opening.(Bild: Christian Tragner)

Some of them offer mulled wine for less. Café Herzog, for example. Here they only charge 4.20 euros. "We don't want to get rich," says owner Christine Dollinger, explaining the moderate pricing policy. But it's not just for mulled wine that strollers have to dig deep into their pockets. Four euros will be charged for a bag of chestnuts this year.

"Traders charge a lot"
But the chestnut vendors don't have much left in their pockets. "If you want good goods, you have to pay a lot to the traders," says a stallholder who already offers his chestnuts in the city center. And despite the high prices, all the businesses are hoping for good business. The Krampus run on November 23 and the opening of the Christmas market (November 16) should ensure this.