Different in size and scope, and separated only by the Rhine river, the regions of Rheingau and Rheinhessen showcase the unique winemaking styles of Germany’s wine country
You may struggle to find the wine-growing region of Rheingau on a map. Straddling the northern bank of the Rhine River, Rheingau is one of Germany’s smallest wine regions, with just 3,000 hectares under vine. On the other hand, Rheinhessen, located just across the river, is the country’s biggest wine region with 27,000 hectares under vine.
The marked contrast in acreage between neighbouring wine areas is a characteristic of Germany’s viticultural topography. Largely concentrated in the country’s southwestern corner, the seemingly interconnected wine regions resemble a straw-blown paintwork of irregular streaks—its longest trail of Baden stretches all the way down to the Swiss border—with an epicentre emanating from the Rhine.
The Rhine Valley is Riesling territory. The mineral-rich slate soils on the banks and hillsides, which lend the wine a steely freshness, are prime estate for Riesling producers. Rheingau, tiny as it may be, has a big reputation for making some of Germany’s finest Rieslings: 78 per cent of its vineyards are dedicated to Riesling, while the remainder are planted with Muller Thurgau and Spätburgunder, the German moniker for Pinot Noir.
More than 30 per cent of Rheingau’s vineyards are classified as Erstes Gewächs, the Rheingau equivalent of Grosse Gewächs or First Growths. Located just 35 minutes away from Frankfurt Airport, the region is also easy to explore, its small size allowing you to check offa few wine estates in a day.
RIESLING CENTRAL
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