2_1_DiscoverGermany_April2014_Issue13_copy:Scan Magazine 1
17/3/14
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Discover Germany | Dine & Wine | Rheinland-Pfalz Tourismus
Vineyards as far as the eye can see… With a winning combination of famous wines, lovely landscapes, a lot of culture and culinary delights, the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate is the perfect area to be explored during a sunny holiday. TEXT: MARILENA STRACKE | PHOTOS: RHEINLAND-PFALZ TOURISMUS GMBH
Rhineland-Palatinate is the ideal location for your body and soul to breathe. The lush vegetation and enchanting river valleys of the Rhine and Moselle give the area a poetic vibe. And what could fit better into the scenery of rolling hills than a winery? For wine lovers Rhineland-Palatinate is heaven. This is one of the rare places where you can enjoy an excellent glass of wine from even the smallest roadside snack van. “Six of the thirteen German wine regions can be found in Rhineland-Palatinate, which makes it Germany’s overall number one wine state. More than half of all German wines come from here. Each area of cultivation is as unique as its landscape and people,” says Marija Heller, Project Manager for International Marketing at Rhineland-Palatinate Tourist Board.
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It should come as no surprise that the state’s capital Mainz is the only German Great Wine Capital.The six wine regions of Rhineland-Palatinate are the Ahr Valley, Middle RhineValley, Mosel-SaarValley, Naheland, Rhinehessen and Palatinate.“The AhrValley has a reputation for excellent red wines. They keep winning international awards and have even started to beat wines from France and Spain,” explains Heller. “The regions of Mosel-Saar and Middle Rhine Valley distinguish themselves through their steep landscapes and traditional terraced vineyards. Stunning views and impressive castles complete the experience. This is the home of quality Riesling wines.“ The quality initiative Middle Rhine Riesling Charta (MRC) binds wineries and their partners to uniform quality guidelines.
Seven criteria stand for everything a true Riesling needs to be.The entire Upper Middle Rhine Valley is a UNESCO world heritage site. Naheland’s secret is its rich soil. The mineral-heavy ground enables the production of very delicate wines. “Wines from that region sparkle beautifully in the glass,” Heller adds. But even more sparkling things can be found in Naheland, as gemstones are hidden in the ground and mark the regions around Idar-Oberstein and the German Gemstone Street. Rhinehessen, on the other side, is Germany’s biggest wine region. Picturesque river valleys around the gentle serpentines of the legend-rich Rhine are home to many young winegrowers who passionately merge innovation with tradition.