Wine Tasting - Understanding The Wines Of Germany
- Date: 2007-07-13 - Word Count: 459
Share This!
When you think of the wines of France the names of the various wine growing regions such as Bordeaux and Burgundy immediately spring to mind and yet surprisingly few people could name even one of wine growing regions of Germany. However, most people will have enjoyed one or more of Germany's world-class wines, especially if they are lovers of white wine.
There are five main wine regions in Germany:
Baden
Baden is the most southerly wine growing area of Germany and lies close to the Black Forest and extends south from Heidelberg down to Lake Constance. It is not the largest of Germany's wine growing areas, but it is perhaps its most famous.
The soil in this region is quite varied, ranging from a mixture of gravel and limestone to clay and volcanic stone, and the area supports the Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer and Riesling grapes as well as the perhaps not so well known Gutedel and Müller-Thurgau.
Mittelrhein
Mittelrhein is a quite small wine producing area running south from Bonn along the banks of the Rhine for a distance of about 100 kilometers.
This area, which boasts a largely clay-like slate soil, supports predominantly Riesling, Müller-Thurgau and Kerner grapes which have a delightful acidity and produce a number of sparkling wines which are simply the best in the world.
This region is also famous for the wines produced around Bacharach, a village named after the Greek god of wine Bacchus, which has been producing wines of the finest quality since the Middle Ages.
Rheingau
Rheingau is one of the oldest of Germany's wine regions and is situated between Lorch and Hochheim on the Main River.
The wines of this region, which once graced the table of Queen Victoria, have been developed and perfected over hundreds of years by the inhabitants of the region's many monasteries and cloisters and today the oenological institutes of the region are rightly recognized as some of the finest in the world.
Rheinhessen
Rheinhessen, is the second largest wine growing region in Germany and lies between the Rhine to its north and east and the Nahe to its west.
The region supports a variety of different soils and micro-climates and has several wine producing communities such as Bingen, Mainz and others. The area is especially well known for its distinguished Portugieser red and the ancient Silvaner.
Pfalz
Pfalz is Germany's largest wine growing area and is bounded by France to its east and south and by Rheinhessen to its north. The region boast some of world's finest chalk, marl, and clay soils which support a number of grape varieties including Kerner, Morio-Muskat, Müller-Thurgau, Silvaner and relatively new red from the Dornfelder which produces a wonderfully complex and full-bodied wine.
Winemaking within the Pfalz region has been developed to a very fine art and the area rightfully stands at the pinnacle of winemaking.
There are five main wine regions in Germany:
Baden
Baden is the most southerly wine growing area of Germany and lies close to the Black Forest and extends south from Heidelberg down to Lake Constance. It is not the largest of Germany's wine growing areas, but it is perhaps its most famous.
The soil in this region is quite varied, ranging from a mixture of gravel and limestone to clay and volcanic stone, and the area supports the Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer and Riesling grapes as well as the perhaps not so well known Gutedel and Müller-Thurgau.
Mittelrhein
Mittelrhein is a quite small wine producing area running south from Bonn along the banks of the Rhine for a distance of about 100 kilometers.
This area, which boasts a largely clay-like slate soil, supports predominantly Riesling, Müller-Thurgau and Kerner grapes which have a delightful acidity and produce a number of sparkling wines which are simply the best in the world.
This region is also famous for the wines produced around Bacharach, a village named after the Greek god of wine Bacchus, which has been producing wines of the finest quality since the Middle Ages.
Rheingau
Rheingau is one of the oldest of Germany's wine regions and is situated between Lorch and Hochheim on the Main River.
The wines of this region, which once graced the table of Queen Victoria, have been developed and perfected over hundreds of years by the inhabitants of the region's many monasteries and cloisters and today the oenological institutes of the region are rightly recognized as some of the finest in the world.
Rheinhessen
Rheinhessen, is the second largest wine growing region in Germany and lies between the Rhine to its north and east and the Nahe to its west.
The region supports a variety of different soils and micro-climates and has several wine producing communities such as Bingen, Mainz and others. The area is especially well known for its distinguished Portugieser red and the ancient Silvaner.
Pfalz
Pfalz is Germany's largest wine growing area and is bounded by France to its east and south and by Rheinhessen to its north. The region boast some of world's finest chalk, marl, and clay soils which support a number of grape varieties including Kerner, Morio-Muskat, Müller-Thurgau, Silvaner and relatively new red from the Dornfelder which produces a wonderfully complex and full-bodied wine.
Winemaking within the Pfalz region has been developed to a very fine art and the area rightfully stands at the pinnacle of winemaking.
Related Tags: wine, german wine, riesling, the wines of germany, pfalz, rheinhessen, rheingau, mittlerhein, baden
GreatWineTastings.com provides an introduction to the wines of the world and, if you are not sure whether to buy a German white wine or a South African red wine, then you will find this is the perfect guide to wine for dummy wine drinkers. Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- Understanding The Home Made Wine Making Method
Many people love to sample different types of wine, but sometimes, you just can not find one you rea - How The Internet Can Help You Choose The Perfect Wines With Confidence
How do you choose the right wine for a special occasion without being bamboozled by wine merchants o - An Elegant, Thoughtful And Elite Wine Gifts - Perfect For All Occasion
Wine gifts are considered as 1 of the best presents for men. They come in a selection of tastes, vin - London Bars
An ultimate London experience surely includes catching a glimpse of the Buckingham Palace, strolling - Vinotemp Vt-28teds Thermo Electric Digital 28 Bottle Wine Chiller
If you are looking to buy a freestanding wine cooler to house your tasty wine collection or perhaps - Haier 6 Bottle Wine Fridge - Small And Compact!
You all know the old saying that good things come in small packages, well it is true with this space - Vinturi Essential Wine Aerator - Does It Improve The Taste Of Your Wine?
The Vinturi Essential Wine Aerator is a must have for any wine lover or avid enthusiast. Every wine - New World In More Ways Than One - The Universe Of Wine Online
What is wine? The distilled and matured juice of grapes. It's also, according to the aficionado (of - Alcohol Free Wine! Explore The Great Discovery
Alcohol free wine is quite healthier just like its traditional counterpart, rich in minerals and vit - Haier Wine Cooler Refrigerators - For Storing Wine
You will find many people around always complaining about the problem of storing their wine. So answ
Most viewed articles in this category:
- 6 Benefits to Making Your Own Wine
Ever thought what benefits you can reap by making your own homemade wineMaking wine is an art that i - HomeMade Wine Making-Some Things You Might Not Know
As wine has become more popular in the United States and growing steadily every day, there has been - What Do You Need A Wine Bottle Rack For?
There are increasing numbers of wine lovers each year globally; in fact on a noticeable level even d - A Wine Rack Cabinet As An Addition To Your Home
The art of decoration has taken on a life of its own, inspiring a host of books and reality televisi - Break Up Your Winter Reds With An Elegant White Burgundy
If you are like me, you ate a little too much this holiday season and you made a resolution to shed - Spinetta's Finest Baby Barolo Yet
Last week we were at a blind tasting in Manhattan which featured wines from Piedmont, Italy. Out of - Brunello Fans Meet Your New Spanish Favorite
f you have been following our newsletters - and we hope you have - we recently featured a fantastic - To Really Enjoy Superb Wine - Top-up with NAD
When an alcoholic beverage is swallowed, it passes through the stomach into the small intestine wher - I Love Italian Wine and Food - Aosta Valley Region, Piedmont Wine
If you are looking for fine Italian wine and food, consider the Aosta Valley region of northern Ital - 2004 'Clio,' Bodegas El Nido
Clio was our fastest selling wine over the last year. We literally could not keep it in the store. T