RHEINGAU
Rheingau, though not the largest, holds significant importance among Germany's 13 wine regions, with 3,076 hectares (7,600 acres) of vineyards documented in 2012—about one-tenth of Pfalz and Rheinhessen's output. Situated west of Frankfurt along the Rhine, its -gau suffix signifies its past as a Frankish Empire county.
The quintessential Rheingau wine is a dry Riesling, known for its pronounced acidity and citrus, smoke-tinged minerality—a more robust counterpart to Mosel Rieslings. Noteworthy are its exquisite sweet, botrytized Rieslings with flavors ranging from apricot to honey and caramelized mandarin. Historically, sweet Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir) was also prominent in Assmannshausen until the late 20th century.
Rheingau's vineyards sprawl 90% along the Rhine's north-facing, southern banks, with the remaining 10% split between Hochheim's flat lands and the steep slopes from Assmannshausen to Lorch.
The Rhine plays a pivotal role, reflecting sunlight onto the vineyards, moderating temperatures, and providing additional frost-free weeks. Rheingau's latitude, at 50°N, places it at Europe's northern wine belt edge.
AVAILABILITYBY GRAPE/BLEND
In 2013, Rheingau housed 3,150 hectares (7,800 acres) of vines, just 3% of Germany's total vineyard area. Despite its size, it's renowned for quality, with nearly 80% of vineyards dedicated to Riesling, followed distantly by Pinot Noir.
The region's cool, continental climate, averaging 10°C (50°F) annually, with 1643 hours of sunshine and 530mm (21 inches) of rainfall, shapes its diverse soils and topography—from calcareous hills in Hochheim to slate slopes in Assmannshausen.
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