Cultivated area

Ahr
Middle Rhine
Mosel
Nahe
Palatinate
Rheinhessen

 

The Middle Rhine is legendary in the truest sense of the word. According to one regional legend, a mermaid perched on the dramatic Lorelei rock once enchanted passing inland mariners with her lovely siren song. However, we also offer plenty of opportunities to be amazed by reality, such as by our wines, as the winegrowers of the Middle Rhine Valley cultivate the vineyards along our steep slopes primarily by hand.

“The Middle Rhine is legendary in the truest sense of the word.”

You can of course taste the passion of our winegrowers, and the wines can be best savored in the midst of our enchanting nature. To put it another way, the Rhine pierces the boundary between reality and fantasy as it makes its way through the region.

 

Purely wine on the Middle Rhine

Cultivated area

15%
85%

Some 440 hectares are the basis for cultivation of 85 percent white wines and 15 percent red wines.

Sunset, view over the Rhine

Soil characteristics and grape varieties

Slate, slate, everywhere

With lots of mineral-rich slate, along with pumice, loess, graywacke, and volcanic rock in the Middle Rhine Valley’s lower section, the Middle Rhine region is home to optimal soils for growing sophisticated white wines. Riesling grows over more than two-thirds of the vineyard land, but Pinot Noir, Müller-Thurgau, Pinot Blanc, and Pinot Gris also thrive in this area.

Wine styles

Pure

Meager soils, plenty of sun, and sufficient rain produce dry Rieslings with a balanced acidity level. These wines have a flavor that is mineral and fresh with a fine fruity note. Lovers of these wines appreciate their pure and natural taste.

Wineries and annual yield

146 wineries

Each year, the roughly 146 wineries in the Middle Rhine Valley produce some 22,000 hectoliters of wine – with Riesling leading the way with a yield of 15,600 hectoliters.

Things to see and do

A famous bend in the Rhine, the convergence of two rivers and many enchanted places: if you’re looking for nature with a hint of romance as well as fairy-tale experiences, you’ll get what you came for in the Middle Rhine region.

 

People sorting grapes into boxes
Far view over the Rhine

Womanstatue

River bends of the Rhine

The legendary Lorelei rock, which rises high above a bend in the Rhine, is a highlight of any visit to the Middle Rhine – and not just because of its rich history. Here, you also have panoramic views of the river. The same applies to Bopparder Hamm, the largest bend in the Rhine.

Old town of Bacharach

Medieval old town of Bacharach

You can sense a storied past with every step down the historic lanes and alleys of Bacharach. As you stroll through the town, you may have to pinch yourself here and there to make sure you haven’t stumbled into a theme park. Bacharach is truly beautiful, like the location of a delightful fairy tale.

hills with grape vines

Rheinsteig

If you like hiking and aren’t afraid of facing a climbing challenge or two, then the Rheinsteig on the right side of the Rhine is just the right trail for you. This hiking trail winds along the Rhine for 320 kilometers, enticing visitors with spectacular views of the river and the vineyards.

German corner

Deutsches Eck

The Mosel flows into the Rhine at the Deutsches Eck in Koblenz, where the Prussians erected a monumental equestrian statue of Wilhelm I. Despite all this, we Rhinelanders still happen to think it’s beautiful there.

For more inspiration for your visit to the Middle Rhine, visit the website of the wine-growing region.

mittelrhein-wein.com

Further information can be found here:
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