The wine region of Nahe, Germany is one of the country?s smallest viticultural areas. The area is named for the River Nahe which winds through steep slopes covered with vines until it meets the Rhine River in Bingen. Located 45 miles southwest of Frankfurt, Nahe?s climate is mild with lots of sunshine, moderate rainfall and very little frost. Vineyards are shielded from northern Europe?s cold winds by the neighboring Soonwald and Hunsr?ck Mountains. Nahe?s extraordinary range of soils is quite rare in the wine world. A violent geological past including volcanic eruptions and massive earthquakes mixed and remixed the soil types. Today the complete rock cycle of igneous (volcanic), sedimentary (limestone, sandstone, clay) and metamorphic (slate) rocks can be found here. Soils change every few hundred feet ? each geological formation subtly affects the sensory profile of the wine. Although the area was settled during Roman times, it was not until the Middle Ages that Nahe wine flourished. For several hundred years, vineyards and wine cellars were tended by the Catholic Church as was the case in many parts of Europe. By the 19th century, Nahe?s reputation as Germany?s finest wine region was established. After the economic downturn of World Wars I and II, Nahe?s wine industry was decimated; production and wine quality declined. Over the past 40 years, the region has experienced a renaissance in vineyard plantings and winemaking. Today, Nahe?s wine industry is focused on quality winemaking. Riesling is the shining star of Nahe and the region?s most widely planted varietal. Nahe?s unique conditions allow grapes to ripen slowly, maintaining fruity acidity, developing natural sugars and absorbing minerals form the soil. Rieslings have a distinctly fruity taste, with hints of apple or peach, underpinned by strong mineral aromas.
