Map The Wine

Map / Germany

Rheinhessen

Germany's largest wine region, a gentle landscape of hills where a young generation is changing its reputation.

SachsenBayernRheinland-PfalzSaarlandSchleswig-HolsteinNiedersachsenNordrhein-WestfalenBaden-WürttembergBrandenburgMecklenburg-VorpommernBremenHamburgHessenThüringenSachsen-AnhaltBerlinAhrBadenFranconiaHessische BergstraßeMittelrheinMoselNahePalatinateRheingauSaale-UnstrutSaxonyWürttembergRheinhessenNiersteinAlzeyMainz
The shaded area contains the region, and the rounded shape shows its rough extent; the gold dot marks its centre. Drag to pan, or use the buttons or Ctrl and scroll to zoom. Other regions of Germany are linked on the map.

Where it is

Rheinhessen lies in the bend of the Rhine between Mainz, Worms and Bingen. It is the biggest of the 13 German wine regions by area, with around 26,000 hectares.

Land and climate

A warm, dry, rolling countryside, with loess, limestone and clay soils. The Roter Hang by Nierstein and Nackenheim is known for red slate.

Grapes and wines

Riesling is the most planted grape and Müller-Thurgau and Dornfelder are widely grown. Silvaner has a long history here, and Spätburgunder and the Pinots are increasing. Once known for sweet Liebfraumilch, the region now has many quality-minded producers.