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Some 60 miles Frankfort lies what is sometimes described as "the Tuscany of German winemaking" -- the Pfalz.

The English equivalent, Palatinate, is often used when speaking about the Pfalz so if you read about wines from the Rhine Palatinate or Rheinpfalz ... you'll recognize that they mean Pfalzer wines.

Bordered by the Rheinhessen wine region on the north and France on the south and west, the vineyards of the Pfalz cover 50 miles of this beautifully scenic landscape and produce more wine than any other region in Germany.

For decades the region was known for light, fruity wines, but today even the stronger reds are rivaling those found in France and Italy.

The best ranked wineries are found in the northern half of the Pfalz. The white Riesling wines produced in the villages of Wachenheim, Forst, Deidesheim and Ruppertsberg are well-known in international wine circles.

In addition to the predominant Rieslings you'll also find whites made from Müller-Thurgau, Kerner, Silvaner and Morio-Muskat grapes grown in the clay soils of this district that produce aromatic, pleasant, mild wines.

The southern areas of the Pfalz are made up of chalk, clay and loess soils which tends to yield a more intense white wine. The Pfalz is also known for smooth, fruity red wine made primarily from the Portugieser grape ...

More information about Pfalz wines around the Web:

Pfalz Wine Region - Here's a great beginner guide to the region with details on the terroir, grape varietals, historical background, photos and related shopping resources..

Germany's Tuscany | the Pfalz region - This archived feature from Food & Wine magazine is a wonderful resource for learning more about the region including the history to modern wine production and ending with winegrowers in the Pfalz that come with the highest recommendations.