Description:-
Fine German wines are generally light, dry, white wines made from th e
Riesling grape and characterized by a fresh, flowery bouquet. Hock,
derived from the town of Hochheim, is an English term sometimes applied
to all Rhine wines. The best white Rhines traditionally are from the
Rheingau. They include Johannisberger, Rüdesheimer, and Steinberger.
Rheinhessen wines are milder and lighter in taste. The third Rhine
district, Pfalz (the Palatinate), also produces distinguished wines.
Liebfraumilch, although well known, is typically an undistinguished
semisweet Rhine wine. Rhine wines were formerly matured for many years
in huge casks like the classic Heidelberg Tun, but are now aged in small
casks for not more than three years. One of the most northerly
viticultural areas in the world, situated along the Moselle (Mosel)
River and its tributaries the Saar and the Ruwer, furnishes extremely
light, delicate wines. Moselle wines are drawn off into green bottles,
Rhine wines into brown. Other good wines are made in Baden, and in
Franconia in Bavaria, noted for Stein wine. |
