📍 Palatinate

The Palatinate (Pfalz) is Germany's second-largest wine region, in the south-west of the country, between the Rhine and the forested Haardt mountains and Palatinate Forest. It is part of German winemaking. The region stretches roughly 80 kilometres north to south along the German Wine Route.

The climate is warm and dry, one of the sunniest in Germany: figs, almonds and even kiwis grow here. The hills shelter the vineyards from rain. Soils vary: sandstone, limestone, loess and clay.

The main grape is Riesling, on which the region's fame rests; next come Müller-Thurgau, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris and others. Among reds there is a lot of Dornfelder, Portugieser and Pinot Noir. Wines are white and red, still and sparkling, mostly dry.

The region has two districts: Mittelhaardt – German Wine Route in the north and Südliche Weinstraße in the south. Palatinate wines are known for good value. Rheinhessen lies to the north and Alsace to the south, across the border. At Palatinate wine festivals Riesling is served with local sausage and cheese.