German Wine Road

Germany has about 13 wine regions (I think), and one of the most famous of these is the Mosel-Saar-Ruwer region along the Mosel River and two of its tributaries. This region is dramatically beautiful with vineyards rising steeply on the slopes of the twisting Mosel. The wines of this region are among the lightest in Germany, delicate and fresh (to my palate, which isn't the most acute), and Riesling dominates in this region. Wines from this region are instantly recognizable because they come in green bottles rather than the brown bottles that other German wine regions use. Some of my favorite Mosel Riesling wine makers are: Egon MüllerMerkelbachJJ PrümWilli Schaefer.You mentioned Düsseldorf but it is too far north and not located in one of the 13 German wine regions. All of the wine regions except two are in the western and southwestern corner or edge of the country, all south of Bonn and stretching along the Rhine, Mosel, Main and Neckar rivers and their tributaries.

Thank you Kent! I didn't know that about the green bottles, very interesting!

Right I did mention Dusseldorf... it doesn't necessarily have to be Dusseldorf, but just someplace where we can drop off our rental car and train back to Amsterdam! I need to do more research on these fine details :D

The wine region nearest to Bacharach (one of the towns Rick highly recommends) is the Rheinhessen region, which produces huge quantities of simple wines for everyday enjoyment. Liebfraumilch originated there. Producers from that area who are particularly good include Gunderloch, Heyl Zu Herrnsheim, and Strub.

http://picasaweb.google.com/Tom.Luann.Fitzpatrick/Germany_2006

Hi,
... a couple of years ago, Tom and Luann Fitzpatrick took a super trip, mostly within Bavaria, and got a lot of really interesting photos. Their photos may give you some ideas. To view full-screen:- using your mouse, copy the above link and paste it into your Internet search box. Then touch the ENTER key on your computer keyboard. When you have the thumbnails on screen, click on "slideshow" and enjoy! Have a great trip! ... P

Instead of dropping your car off in Dusseldorf, why not leave it in Trier? That way you can drive the entire length of the Mosel, and maybe even take a side trip to the Ahr River for some even more exposure to the fine German wines available in that region.

That IS something to consider, thanks Bill!

I dont know when you are going but try not to miss the wine fests on the Rhine. Last year went to Boppard and have never seen anything like it. People all over dancing, singing, etc. They start out drinking wine in little cups. Later in the eveing no cups are to be seen as everyone has their own bottle. Even the kids. Quite a sight. All of the generations know and sing the same song cultural songs. We have lost that in America.

You dont say WHEN you are planning to go, but on a recent trip were in Freiburg Germany and bumped into their annual wine fest, which is held the 1st week of July right in middle of the older section of town and featured live music, food, a hundred wineries with booths set up, etc. all around the Muenster cathedral plaza. Its a different take on what I've seen before in wine or beer fests as it was right in the city and not out in some smaller remote location. Interestingly, the City of Freiburg was celebrating their 888th year as well !

Wooops, I should have added that. We'll be there Sept. 2nd(or 3rd) - 6th! From my research I didn't really come up wiht anything that was going on around that time!

There are classic sights along the Rhine, but the Mosel is beautiful. I suggest starting in Cochem, the working your way up the Mosel. Travel along the river at times, but you can also journey off the banks to either save time or see additional nearby sites. Stop in Bernkastel-Kues for a nice lunch and walk around the towns. It's one of the main wine cities on the Mosel, I highly recommend driving allong the river in the aera of Minnheim and Piesport. Walk around the small towns. Either find a small vintner, like Weingut Feilen in Minnheim, to get a personal up-close experience. If spending a night, he and many others have small apartments to rent for a night, not to mention great wine with dinner.

Finish with Trier (or reverse the path and start in Trier) and visit not only large wine repositories, but also ancient Roman sites.