Rhine Hesse

Order Rheinhessen wine

Germany's largest wine region, Rheinhessen, lies on the Rhine. Rolling hills, 26,000 hectares of vineyards, and vines as far as the eye can see. And we haven't even mentioned the high-quality wine production. White wines make up the majority of the region, but a growing number of great red wines are also being produced here.

The rolling hills of Rheinhessen

The more the better, was often the thinking behind winemaking. Today, German winemakers focus primarily on the quality of their wines. They are becoming better trained, and the younger generations are ensuring better promotion and higher quality. 150 villages, each with several vineyards, are scattered across the hundreds of hills. The most famous towns in Rheinhessen are Nierstein, Ingelheim, Oppenheim, and Worms. The vines thrive in a terroir of loess, marl, and sand. The hills provide abundant sunlight for the vines, allowing them to thrive in the colder climate.

Unique grape varieties

In Rheinhessen, white grapes are primarily planted for the German wines from this region. As in most of Germany, Riesling is by far the most widely grown. However, Muller-Thurgau, Weissburgunder, and Grauburgunder are also used to produce high-quality culinary wines. Unique to Rheinhessen is the Scheurebe grape variety, a grape from Riesling and Silvaner. It produces a crisp white wine with a slight acidity. Global warming is also creating increasing opportunities for red grapes. For example, Dornfelder, Spatburgunder, and Portugieser are increasingly being planted in Rheinhessen.

Rheinhessen wine Liebfraumilch

The most famous wine from Rheinhessen is Liebfraumilch. While it was once restricted to this region, it is now produced in any German wine-growing region. It has become a brand name for sweet white wine. The winemaker controls what goes into the bottles, meaning the quality of this wine varies widely. This is also why German wines have often had to contend with the image of mediocre wines. A "true" Liebfraumilch is a Qualitatswein with a sweet flavor. A good example is the Liebfraumilch wine from St. Klian. A soft, delightfully sweet wine with a delightful aroma of tropical fruit and a hint of honey.

From dry to sweet and from red to white

There are approximately 6,000 wineries in Rheinhessen. So, for those who would like to tour the Rheinhessen region, it will easily keep them busy for a few weeks. Gebruder Steffen is a well-known winery located in Rheinhessen. Founded in 1794, the winery has a wealth of experience. They produce top-quality German wines for every wine lover, from dry to sweet, and from red to white. A prime example is the Steffen Rheinhessen Spatlese, sourced from the region's breathtaking vines. The grapes are harvested late, giving the Riesling grapes a sweet character. Full of ripe fruit, citrus notes, and above all, a great deal of freshness.