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If you’re a lover or even connoisseur of great wines, or rather prefer fruity grape juice, you’re just in the right place to be! Germany is one of Europe’s largest winegrowing countries and the state of Rheinland-Pfalz produces two-thirds of the country’s fine wines.
The Moselle and Saar valleys along with Rheinhessen are well-known grape growing regions. Most of the vineyards are on or very close to the 50th latitude, which is rather unusual in international comparison. High quality and successful viticulture are only possible based on a special unique meso and microclimate condition.
The “Deutsche Weinstrasse” (German wine route) stretches 85 kilometers from Rheinhessen in the north to the French Alsace region in the southwest and ends at Deutsches Weintor (wine gate). Many famous towns such as Bad Dürkheim, Neustadt and Landau lie along the way and the region is renowned for vineyards as far as the eye can see on flat plains in close proximity to the Rhein River. The special mild climate zone provides 1,800 hours of sun a year.
Another famous viticulture region is along the Moselle and Saar rivers, but on steep slopes with up to 60 percent inclines. Approximately 60 million vines grow along the steep hills where the winding rivers reflect sunlight onto the slopes and warm the vines to ripen to a plentiful harvest.
The Celts were the first to cultivate white grapes along the banks and slopes of the Moselle River almost 3,000 years ago. Then Romans refined the winemaking process, improved the quality and eventually introduced darker red grapes. As wine consumption of the Romans grew along with the empire throughout the centuries, soldiers and civil servants were paid with wine, rather than coins, and even slaves received a daily ration.
About 9.25 million hectoliters (2.4 million gallons) of wine are produced annually in Germany and approximately 257.000 hectoliters (668.200 gallons) alone are exported to the United States.
September marks the beginning of the harvest season which can last until December. Large state-of-the art grape harvesters can pick the grapes on even surfaces, however the vineyards on the steep slopes of the Moselle and Rhein Rivers have to be picked by hand, a tedious task.
After the initial grape pressing process, also known as keltering, the premier wine produced is called Federweisser (feather white) because of its milky, white color. Although very sweet in taste, it also has a high alcohol content and is often sold in containers in little booths along the roadside.
A tradition that comes with the season is delicious and spicy Zwiebelkuchen (onion cake) together with the semi-processed wine. The warm dish, more of a quiche than a typical cake, with onions and bacon bits, is a perfect complement to the fizzling new wine. Freshly pressed, pure and sweet grape juice is also a perfect alternative for those that prefer a non-alcoholic delight.
After the first winter frost in late November or early December, the very last grapes are handpicked and processed into a sweet, rare and expensive Eiswein (ice wine).
Wine fests
A cozy wine tasting in a small circle is a great way to get to know the best products from individual winemakers. However, if you really want to immerse yourself deeply in the culture and taste of an entire wine-growing region, there is no better place to start than the wine festivals in the villages and towns of Rheinland-Pfalz. Every year, every town, no matter how small, celebrates the grape juice in the streets, squares and alleys, but there are some communities that think a lot bigger: they dress in historical costumes, organize magnificent parades and hire local music groups, and in some cases they even have amusement rides and fireworks to bring you closer to the local wines and, on top of that, the local culture. Upcoming wine fests from late August to October:
Bernkastel-Kues-Weinfest Mittelmosel, Aug. 29–Sep. 2: The wine fest season kicks off at the end of August at the Middle Moselle Wine Festival in the charming wine town of Bernkastel-Kues, famous for its picturesque market square with ancient half-timbered houses.
Mainzer Weinmarkt 2024, Aug. 29–Sep. 1 and Sep. 5–8: While you can marvel at the historic ambience of the town centers on the Moselle with their half-timbered buildings, Rheinhessen welcomes you at the same time at the wine market in the state’s capital right in the heart of the green lung of Mainz.
Binger Winzerfest, Aug. 30–Sep. 9: Another Rheinhessen awarded event in the Bingen Wine Festival at the apex of the Rhine and Nahe Rivers. For 11 days, the people of Bingen celebrate the artistry of their winemakers, making it the longest festival on the Rhine.
Wurstmarkt Bad Dürkheim, Sep. 6–10, 13–16 (Fri-Tues): Said to be the largest wine festival in the world, the Dürkheimer Wurstmarkt (sausage market) lures you to the German Wine Route for 9 days and nights with an extensive program. Special trains will be running from Kaiserslautern, so hop on and enjoy the festivities!
Herbstmarkt mit Weindorf in Landau, Sep. 7–16: Landau autumn market with its traditional wine village invites you to the south of the Palatinate in mid-September. A total of 71 white and 52 red grape varieties are cultivated here — just the right variety for your discerning taste!
Deutsches Weinlesefest, Neustadt/Weinstrasse, Sep. 27 – Oct. 14: As soon as the festive season in Bad Dürkheim is over, the next major event about the liquid gold begins in Neustadt. From late September to mid-October, the German Wine Harvest Festival offers you two very special highlights in addition to the large fair and the w.i.n.e.FESTival. Every year, the election of the German Wine Queen traditionally takes place. At the end of the celebrations, numerous traditional and marching groups as well as spectacular floats parade through the city — forming the largest wine parade in all of Germany!
Rotweinfest Ingelheim, Sep. 28–Oct. 6: The small town of Ingelheim is not far from the state capital, whose red wine festival in the historic ambience of the illuminated castle church is one of the most beautiful wine festivals in Rheinhessen. As the name suggests, it specializes in red wines, but you can also sip a white wine along the banks of the Rhein River enjoying the view.
