Rheinhessen

Rheinhessen :

The Rheinhessen is a paradox: a region of flat or nearly flat vineyards producing huge quantities of cheap blending wine, it nevertheless has two high quality areas. One is the Rhinefront, a string of villages with vines planted on steep slopes facing the Rhine south of Mainz; the other is also near the Rhine but near Bingen, further west. In the hinterland it is colder, but production costs are low.

Rheinhessen lies in a valley of rolling hills, bordered 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 communities 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 varying soil types and microclimates, many grape varieties are planted, including the three traditional white varieties - Müller-Thurgau, Silvaner, Riesling - as well as new crossings. The Portugieser grape is the most important red variety, and the area around Ingelheim is known for its noble fullbodied Spätburgunder (Pinot noir) wine.

The Rheinfront or Rheinterrasse are names given to the vineyards on gentle slopes directly facing the Rhein near the town of Nierstein. Here some of the finest wines in Germany are produced, especially from the Riesling grape. There were already admirers of Rheinhessen'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.

Rheinhessen Grape Varieties

Tiny quantities of the red grapes Blauer Portugieser and Pinot Noir (Spätburgunder) are grown. White vines are predominantly Müller-Thurgau, followed by Silvaner, usually grown at lower altitudes. Scheurebe and Kerner, both bred this century by crossing Riesling with other grapes, are each more widely planted than the far superior Riesling itself.

Nackenheimer Rothenberg Riesling Beerenauslese, Gunderloch Producer: Gunderloch Appellation: Nackenheimer Rothenberg From: Rheinhessen, Germany Grapes: Riesling Style: Botrytized sweet white Tasting Notes: Full-bodied dessert wine with dried apricots and mango. Extremely rich and intense. Best Years: 1993 92 89	Nackenheimer Rothenberg Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese, Gunderloch Producer: Gunderloch Appellation: Nackenheimer Rothenberg From: Rheinhessen, Germany Grapes: Riesling Style: Botrytized sweet white Tasting Notes: Very full-bodied dessert wine, full of dried fruits and honey. Enormous depth and power. Best Years: 1993 92
Nackenheimer Rothenberg Jean Baptiste Riesling Kabinett, Gunderloch Producer: Gunderloch Appellation: Nackenheimer Rothenberg From: Rheinhessen, Germany Grapes: Riesling Style: Medium-sweet white Tasting Notes: Light but intensely fruity, off-dry, grapefruit and pineapple, extremely elegant. Best Years: 1993 92 91	Niersteiner Oelberg Riesling Spätlese Trocken, St Antony Producer: St Antony Appellation: Niersteiner Oelberg From: Rheinhessen, Germany Grapes: Riesling Style: Aromatic, flowery or fairly spicy dry white Tasting Notes: Full-bodied, fruity, dry, with apricots, spice and earth. Rich, intense, yet elegant. Best Years: 1993 92 91 90 89

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