Wine Country of Nahe, Germany

As the River Nahe winds its way through the Hunsrück's southern foothills, it passes vineyards that produce fine wines, historical towns, small villages and mighty castles before flowing into the Rhine at Bingen.

The geological structures and the diversity of the soil are what make the Nahe winegrowing area so special. Over recent years it has been making a name for itself with its Rieslings, red and white Burgundies and noble sweet wines.

Enjoy wine
The rich and varied Nahe region, with vineyards covering about 4,300 hectares, provides the best growing conditions for excellent wines. Its mild temperatures and abundance of sunshine create an ideal climate for Rivaner, Silvaner and Riesling grapes. The Pinot and Kerner varieties, Scheurebe, Portugieser and Dornfelder complete the Nahe range. The origin of this wide variety is the region's turbulent geological past. For millions of years the ground was constantly shaken by volcanic activity during the formation of the Nahe rift valley. In places, the soil changes every hundred metres and each of these different geological formations subtly alters the taste of the wine. The Nahe region also has hot mineral springs, and is a treasure trove of gemstones, real gifts from Mother Nature.

The Nahe region - a top destination for gourmets and wine enthusiasts
Nahe wine makers put quality before quantity, obtaining a yield of only six to eight thousand litres per hectare in a cultivated area of about 4,000 hectares. The wines are known for their great capacity for fruit flavours, spice and full-bodiedness.

A glance at the two leading restaurant guides to Germany, the Gault Millau and the Guide Michelin, proves that the Nahe region is a top destination for gourmets. Johann Lafer in Stromberg and Bernhard Metzler in Hackenheim are keeping the standard of grande cuisine as high as ever.

As well as being award-winning, the food served in the Nahe region is deeply rooted in local traditions. Not all of it is gourmet style; a host of excellent country inns serve regional dishes as well as some rare treats. Even the wine festivals offer something a bit different, not just the usual sausage in a bun, but a range of regional specialities made from local ingredients. No visit to the Nahe region is complete without trying its unique "Spiessbraten" (onion-marinated and flame-grilled steaks) from Idar-Oberstein.

Yet more delicacies to tempt the taste buds here include fruit brandies and liqueurs, wild berries, fine grape seed and nut oils, refreshing grape and apple juice or apple secco made from apples grown in traditional orchards.