Location
The Rheingau is a region for quality wine in Germany, situated around Wiesbaden, between Rüdesheim and Lorch along the Rhine river. The region has been connected with wine since the Middle Ages, but only in recent years has it been globally recognized as a high-quality wine location. The reason for this was in part due to the area’s long history of winemaking and viticulture, which can be traced back at least 1,000 years.
Location: Rheingau
Rheingau is located in the state of Hesse, in between Rheinhessen and Rheingau.
The area stretches from Wiesbaden in the north to Lorchhausen in the south, on both sides of the Rhine River. It is known for its wine production.
Labels
With its pure white and ever-so-slight pinkish tinge, the Rheingau is a light white wine that’s easy to drink. The wine starts out rather mild but builds in intensity as it goes along. Rheingauer is often described as having a fruity sweetness to it, which makes sense given the area’s proximity to the Moselle River and association with German Riesling. This wine is full of flavor and has an aftertaste that lingers for a long time. It’s full bodied without being too heavy or thick, which makes the wine sit well with food or on its own when paired with snacking or cheese plates. It really fits in with the freshness of vegetables and fruit while still feeling like it complements other flavors around it.
Labels: Rheingau, Rheingauer, Rheingauer Wein, Rheingauer Weinbaugebiet, Rheingauer Weinbauverband
The Rheingau is a German wine region that has been producing wines for nearly 2000 years. It’s world-famous for its Riesling wines, but also produces high-quality Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir) and other fine wines. The region is best known for the steep hillsides along the Rhine River that produce some of Germany’s most desirable grapes. The large number of famous vineyards here are considered part of the “Cradle of Riesling,” even though there are no official borders in place to identify an exact area where Riesling originated.
There are a few common labels used on these wines including “Rheingau,” “Rheingauer,” “Rheingauer Wein,” “Rheingauer Weinbaugebiet,” and “Rheingauer Weinbauverband.”
History, appellations, famous wines
Rheingau is the oldest German region in the wine-growing business. Founded by Emperor Charlemagne in the 8th century, it’s also the only region in Germany that was exclusively planted to Riesling until the mid-19th century. “Noble rot” (Botrytis cinerea) is a natural phenomenon that occurs when the weather conditions are favorable; this fungus develops on grape skins and causes them to shrivel, which results in a sweet aroma, soft tannins and firm acidity. This process leaves small holes and gives a slightly violet color to Riesling wines.
Although it’s been know as an excellent area for viticulture since ancient times, Rheingau was only officially recognized as a designated wine region by Emperor Ludovic I of Austria in 1815. In 1999, UNESCO named Rheingau one of its World Natural Heritage sites because of its unique geological formations—the small cliffs called Hirtenklippen (“shepherd’s crags”) line some of these hills—and its rich history as a place where many generations have lived, worked and enjoyed life.
Climate and geography
Rheingau is a subregion of Germany. It lies along the Rhine River’s north bank, and it is located between Mainz and Wiesbaden, which is about 20 miles west of Frankfurt. Its climate is mostly continental but with a bit of oceanic influence from the Atlantic and North Sea. The region’s topography consists mostly of gently rolling hills with elevations ranging from 100 to 400 meters (up to 1,300 feet) above sea level; slopes facing south or southeast; gentle slope at riverside; clay and loess (loam) soils.
Climate: continental with oceanic influence
“Don’t be fooled by the label’s mention of Rheinhessen wine region in the title; this is actually a part of Germany that belongs to the wine region known as Mosel. The climate and terrain are very different, with Rheingau being much cooler and less humid than Mosel. It’s also geographically closer to France, which means it has a different climate from that of most other German wine regions.”
Geography: gently rolling hills with an elevation of 100 to 400 meters (up to 1,300 feet) above sea level; slopes facing south or southeast; gentle slope at riverside; clay and loess (loam) soils
- The region is located in the Rhine Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- The Rheingau has mild winters and moderately cool summers.
- The average temperature ranges from -1°C (30°F) to 4°C (39°F) in January and 17°C (63°F) to 22°C (72°F) in July.
- Most of the precipitation falls between October and March, with very little rain during the summer months.* Average annual rainfall is 530 mm or 21 inches.