Rhine Wine Guide: Discover the Wines of the Rhine River Valley
Written by MasterClass
Last updated: Jun 7, 2021 • 1 min read
The Rhine River forms the backbone of Germany's wine-growing regions, which are home to some of the most distinctive white wines in the world.
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What Is Rhine Wine?
A Rhine wine is any wine produced along the Rhine River, which runs through Germany and Alsace, France. The wines of the Rhine valley are often medium dry white wines, which has led to the term “Rhine wine” being used for white blends and Rhine-inspired wine.
Where Does Rhine Wine Come From?
Several wine regions are located along the Rhine River, including Alsace in northern France and Nahe, Rheinhessen, Mosel (formerly Mosel-Saar-Ruwer), Pfalz, and Baden, in Germany. The name "Rhine Wine," however, is unregulated, and it does not necessarily imply a geographic location. Rhine wines may be made with a blend of white grapes—perhaps inspired by Liebfraumilch, a mild and sweet white wine that was once Germany's top export wine.
What Does Rhine Wine Taste Like?
The wines of the Rhine valley vary immensely in taste. In Germany, designations for different styles of wine include Kabinett and Auslese. Wines designated as Kabinett are the lightest and least sweet of the German wines that follow the VDP (Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter) system. Auslese wines are sweet and high in alcohol, often made with grapes affected by noble rot. Inexpensive Rhine-inspired blends might advertise green apple flavor and sweetness.
4 Types of Grapes Used to Make Rhine Wine
There are many grapes grown near the Rhine River (including red wine grapes), but these are some of the best known.
- 1. Riesling: Riesling is perhaps the most famous grape grown in the Rhine River Valley. It's reputation was built on a sweet white wine, but it can also be used to make a dry wine.
- 2. Müller-Thurgau: A cross between Riesling and reliable Silvaner, this early-ripening German variety has notes of peach.
- 3. Gewürztraminer: One of the most popular Alsace grapes, Gewürztraminer produces full-bodied, intensely aromatic white wines.
- 4. Pinot Gris: Although it originated in Burgundy, Pinot Gris is most popular in Alsace, where it's used to make rich, dry wines.
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