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MAGAZINE - OCTOBER 2012
Perhaps the most distinctive
characteristic of German wines
is the high level of acidity in
them, caused both by the
lesser ripeness in a northerly
climate and by the selection
of grapes such as Riesling
which retain acidity
even at high ripe-
ness levels.
Rheinhes-
sen wine
region
Rhein-
hessen
lies
in a
val-
ley
of
roll-
ing
hills,
bor-
dered
on the
west by the
Nahe River
and on the
north
and east by the
Rhine. This 20 by 30 mile area
between the wine-growing com-
munities of Worms, Alzey, Mainz
and Bingen is the largest of the
German winegrowing regions and
its production is second only to
that of the Pfalz. Due to the vary-
ing soil types and microclimates,
many grape varieties are planted,
including the three
traditional white varie-
ties - Müller-Thurgau,
Silvaner, Riesling - as
well as new crossings.
The Portugieser grape is
the most important red va-
riety, and the area around
Ingelheim is known for its
noble fullbodied Spätbur-
gunder (Pinot noir) wine.
The Rheinfront or
Rheinterrasse are
names given to the
vineyards on gentle
slopes directly facing
the Rhein (Rhine) near
the town of Nierstein.
Here some of the
finest wines in Ger-
many are produced,
especially from the
Riesling grape. [Louis
Guntrum Estate ]
There were already
admirers of Rhein-
hessen’s mild,
agreeable, fragrant
wines during the
Carolingian period.
Charlemagne, who
had a fortress at
Ingelheim, was
one of the earliest
promoters of these
wines.
Wines: delicately
fragrant, mild, soft,
medium-bodied.
Pfalz - biggest
wine producer of
Germany
Bordered by Rhein-
hes-
sen on the
north and
France
on
the south and
west, the Pfalz’s
vineyards
sweep across
this pretty,
peaceful land
for nearly 50
uninterrupted
miles and
produce more
wine than
any other re-
gion in Ger-
many. The
northern half
of this region
is home to
some of the
best vineyard
sites.
The villages
of Wachen-
heim, Forst,
Deidesheim
and Rup-