Although Rheingau is one of the smallest wine regions, this is continuing to be the key wine region of the country because of the best-quality wines produced here.

A twenty-minute drive to the west of Frankfurt would take to this region, which constitutes a part of the Rheingau-Taunus-Kreis administrative district.

So, what makes Rheingau the most distinguished wine region of Germany? Let’s see here…

The latitude of the Rheingau, which is 50° N, has put this region rightly at the northernmost part of the European Continent’s wine belt.

With almost 3,125 hectares of vineyards, this region is making up to 3% of the total vineyard area of the country. In total, the region is found to have ten collective vineyard sites with more than 100 individual sites.

We could say that the global reputation of the white wines of the country has its roots in the Rheingau as this is found to have some of the world’s finest white wine grapes.

As such, white wine grapes are forming a major part of the vine cultivation in the Rheingau with Riesling as the major variety.

It has been found that the vineyards of Rheingau are being protected from the cold winds by the forests of the Taunus Mountains.

In addition, the region is benefitted by the heat-reflecting surface of the Rhine. Overall, we could say that the combined factors of reflected light, sunny south-facing slopes and the moderated temperatures are the factors responsible for making Rheingau as the most distinguished wine region in the country.

The soil types, as well as the topography of the Rheingau, are found to be varying from one end to the other. We can find calcareous soils in the eastern part where there are lower rolling hills whereas, in the western part, we can find steeper slopes with slate contents.

The other types of soils that are found in this region are:

• Sand
• Gravel
• Clay
• Loess
• Quartzite

Wines from Rheingau

Followed by Riesling, Pinot Noir is the second major variety of the Rheingau, which is called as Spätburgunder by Germans. These grapes are found to have a velvety structure and wild berry flavors.

The other major varieties of Rheingau are:

• Müller-Thurgau
• Ehrenfelser
• Kerner
• Weissburgunder
• Grauer Burgunder
• Dunkelfelder
• Chardonnay
• Dornfelder
• Ehrenfelser

Apart from these major varieties, few of the region’s wine producers have introduced some non-traditional varieties like Viognier and Orléans in the recent times.

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