The best wines from Hessische Bergstrasse in Germany

The southern German Hessische Bergstrasse is the smallest wine-growing region in the country. It has an ideal climate for wine-growing. The winemakers in the region have mainly planted Riesling. Twenty percent of the wines are red, mainly made from Spätburgunder. You will not find them outside Germany quickly. Because the residents of the Hessische Bergstrasse drink almost their entire harvest themselves.

'Here Germany comes, Italy will become,” said Emperor Joseph in April 1764 about the picturesque Hessische Bergstrasse. The smallest wine-producing region in Germany, where the climate is mild, spring starts a few days earlier and is marked by the fragrant blossoms of almond trees, magnolias and fruit trees.

It was the Romans who planted the first vines along the ‘strata montana’, the mountain road that crosses the border between the German states of Hesse and Baden-Wërttemberg. They already knew then that this region is extremely suitable for wine growing.

Since 1971, the wine estate on the Hessian side has been recognised as an ‘anbaugebiete’, an independent wine region. The vineyards, which are less than 440 hectares in size, are protected by the Odenwald from cold air currents from the north and east. The vines catch more than 1600 hours of sunshine. And if that wasn't enough for a pleasant climate, the rivers Rhine, Neckar and Main also keep the heat in. Add to that the variety of slope heights and soil types and you have the ideal conditions for producing aromatic and powerful wines. Dry, with a bit of residual sweetness and even Eiswein.

With over 45%, Riesling is the most widely planted grape variety. This grape feels completely at home in the long growing and ripening season of the Hessische Bergstrasse. Other white grape varieties are Grauer Burgunder, Müller-thurgau and also some Kerner and Weissburgunder. About 20% of the total wine production is made from red grape varieties, with Spätburgunder in the lead, a few vines of Dornfelder, St. Laurent and the rare red Riesling.

The locals are very satisfied with their wines. They are not very keen to share their liquid pleasure outside the region. Quite exceptional to find a wine from the Hessische Bergstrasse elsewhere. Fortunately, the region is easily accessible by car.