Rheinhessen is the largest of Germany’s 13 winemaking regions, sprawling across a valley of gently rolling hills along the Rhine River. This tremendously fertile region is home to all kinds of agriculture, and just a portion of it is devoted to fine wines, but the quality of these wines is high, and getting higher each year.
Traditionally, Rheinhessen was the home of Liebfraumilch, the simple and inexpensive white wine that defined German exports for decades. But now more and more village winemakers are using a wide range of grapes, including Riesling, Sylvaner, Scheurebe and even Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir), in addition to the once-ubiquitous Müller-Thurgau. The result is variety of well-made and interesting wines, from fresh and fruity to fully dry and powerful.
Pronunciation
[RINE-hehs-uhn]
