📍 Rheingau

The Rheingau is a wine zone in Germany, in the state of Hesse, on the northern bank of the Rhine between the towns of Wiesbaden and Lorch. Behind it to the north rise the Taunus mountains, so most vineyards lie on south-facing slopes between hills and streams. It is one of the best districts for Riesling, since south-facing slopes at these latitudes give the grapes warmth. The zone is part of German wine.

There are only about 3,100 hectares, roughly 3% of the country's vineyards, and Riesling covers almost 78%, more than in any other German region. The second most important grape is Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir), about 12%, grown above all around Assmannshausen, on the bend near Lorch. Müller-Thurgau grows beside them. Dry and sweet wines are made, as well as sparkling.

The Rheingau has played a large part in the history of German wine. An old legend links the first vineyards with Charlemagne near present-day Schloss Johannisberg. The influence of the church is documented: the slopes of Eberbach Abbey (Cistercians) were planted in the twelfth century, and by the early thirteenth century the vineyards had reached their present extent.

Differences between the best sites are marked by its own classification, "Erstes Gewächs" ("first growth"). Famous estates include Schloss Johannisberg and the Steinberg next to Eberbach.