Rheingau is one of the most important of Germany's 13 Anbaugebiete wine regions. However it is far from the biggest; with 3,076 hectares (7,600 acres) of Vineyard">Vineyards documented in 2012, its output is around one tenth of that from the Pfalz and Rheinhessen regions. Located on the Rhine a 20-minute drive west of Frankfurt, the -gau suffix denotes that it was once a county of the Frankish Empire.
The classic Rheingau wine is a DryRiesling with pronounced Acidity and aromas of citrus fruits and smoke-tinged minerality – typically more "masculine" than its equivalent from the Mosel.
It is worth noting, however, that the region also produces some of Germany's very finest Sweet, botrytized Rieslings, with flavors as exotic as apricot purée, honey and caramelized mandarin. Now atypical (yet still a fascinating Part of the region's wine history), is the sweet Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir) once widely produced in Assmannshausen until the late 20th Century.
After flowing roughly northwards for 280 kilometers (175 miles), the Rhine turns suddenly westwards for 25 kilometers (15 miles) between Wiesbaden and Rudesheim. It is here, on the river's northern, south-facing banks, that 90 percent of Rheingau vineyards are located.
The remaining 10 percent are divided into two sections: the flat land around Hochheim (along the Main river just before its confluence with the Rhine), and the perilously steep slopes between Assmannshausen and Lorch.
The Rhine is of vital importance to many German vineyards, the vast majority of which are located within just a few miles of it. Here in the Rheingau the river's benefits are at their most obvious; not only does it reflect sunlight onto the vineyards above, it also helps to moderate temperatures to a certain extent, providing a few extra frost-free weeks at either end of the growing season. The most visible benefit, however, are the gentle south-facing slopes the river has carved into the landscape here.
The 38th annual Cape Winemakers Guild Auction is back on home soil in South Africa this year. Auction house Strauss & Co will host the sale, sponsored by Nedbank, live and online from 5pm to 8pm on Friday 30 September and 9am to 3pm on Saturday 1 October. Bidders can attend the auction in person at the Lord Charles Hotel in Somerset West, bid by telephone, or online. They can also leave a commission bid in advance of the sale. Bonhams auction house held the auction in London in 2020 and 2021 ...
My father worked in the wholesale supply of fruit and vegetables. He would often come home with a box of the day’s best produce, and so I became interested in what was in season. Both my parents often worked late, so cooking dinner to help take some weight off them inspired me to want to learn more. My first kitchen job at age 14 was at a Greek restaurant in Southampton, and it inspired my love for foods of the eastern Mediterranean. Today, I’m lucky to be able to obtain the best produce from ‘O ...
Inside the August 2022 issue of Decanter Magazine: FEATURES Bordeaux 2021 en primeur First look at a tricky vintage to judge – full insight and 80 top wines to buy, selected by Decanter’s Georgie Hindle Greece Why Olly Smith loves it Sancerre’s best slope? Les Monts Damnés with Andy Howard MW Pétillant naturel: a Decanter guide for beginners By Natalie Earl LEARNING Wine wisdom Expert tips to help you on your journey through wine Read the new issue in full on the Decanter Premium app Unl ...
