During the Medieval Ages, the castle was used as the residence of the bishops of Speyer. The first settlement on the castle hill dates back to the late Roman times. The castle is clearly visible from the road as it stands on a hill and dominates the landscape. Outside of Neustadt, at the outskirts of the Palatinate Forest, you will find Hambach Castle. Also, Pfalz red wines generally have a deep red colour and are produced mainly using the Dornfelder grape.Įarly in the wine-producing history of Pfalz, winemakers recognised the region's ideal characteristics for the cultivation of Riesling grapes and when the dry wine craze swept through Germany about 20 years ago, they were already well prepared!Īll the wines from Pfalz have an unmistakable full-bodied flavour with hints of earthiness and spiciness these specific characteristics contribute to giving the perfect balance to the wine.Īerial View Of Hambach Castle, Pfalz Wine Region, Germany Today, the Pfalz is highly regarded for its red wines and, each year, wineries in the region are among the recipients of the German Red Wine Prize. On the other hand, red wines from the Pfalz wine region tend to be lighter and present wild berries, black tea, rhubarb, and spices flavours.
This is also possible thanks to the mild climate, as the average temperature of the vineyards area is 11☌. The Riesling from the Pfalz wine region is produced using grapes with substance and finesse, lower in acidity compared to the ones grown in the Mosel. The white wines can be described as ‘racy’, mainly due to higher acidity and distinguished quality. The white wines from the Pfalz wine region are dry but still possess bold and unique fruit flavours on the palate. Pfalz Wine Map What to Expect from Pfalz Wines Needless to say, Riesling is the most grown grape in the region followed by Dornfelder, Müller-Thurgau, Portugieser and Pinot Noir. In the region, one can also find small areas of Gewürztraminer plantings, which are actually quite rare in winegrowing regions, despite the very German-sounding name. The most commonly planted red grapes in the region are Dornfelder, followed by Pinot Noir. Today, the Pfalz is highly regarded for its red wines and, each year, its vineries are among the recipients of the German Red Wine Prize. Almost half of the vineyards in the area are planted with red wine grapes, making the south of Pfalz the largest red wine-producing region in Germany. The warmer climate of the region as well as the deep soil, make this part of the region an ideal area for growing Pinot Blanc (Weißburgunder), Pinot Gris (Grauburgunder), and Pinot Noir (Spätburgunder). While Riesling plays a dominant role throughout the northern Pfalz wine region, the southern Pfalz has also begun to produce various varieties of Pinot.
In terms of vineyards, Riesling is the undisputed leader in Pfalz with around 6000 hectares cultivated. Riesling is by far the most important white wine grape grown in the Pfalz wine region and it is becoming even more significant. Riesling, The Star of the Pfalz Wine Region Vineyards of Weingut Hanewald-Schwerdt, Pfalz Wine Region In the northern area of the Pfalz region, the most common soil is limestone, while in Southern Pfalz loess and loam are more common. The soil is quite varied throughout the region with areas of sandstone, limestone, marl, loess-loam, granite, and a few isolated stretches of slate. The climate is mild enough for grape varieties and other crops to thrive and grow well. Summers are dry, but not too hot, and winters are mild. The delicious wines of the Pfalz wine region benefit from the perfect climatic conditions of the area, as it is one of the warmest wine regions in Germany. This tourist trail was created in 1935 and it still draws hundreds of thousands of visitors to the region each year. Wine tourism contributes significantly to Pfalz’s economy and many tourists visit the wine trail of the region. Production in the Pfalz wine region is characterised by the use of modern technology and traditional viticultural methods. The breath-taking surroundings include the Haardt Mountain Range, which is covered in trees, castle ruins, rows of fruit trees, orchards, and old walled villages. The Pfalz is divided into two separate areas, the Mittelhaardt-Deutsche Weinstraße and the Südliche Weinstraße. The vineyards of the Pfalz wine region are bordered by the Rheinhessen wine region to the north and the French region of Alsace to the south. Key Wine producing Region in Western Germany