The German
wine growing region of Hessische Bergstrasse ("Hessian Mountain Road") did not exist as
a separate region until 1971.
It was only
then that the section of the Bergstrasse -- that stretches from Darmstadt
to Heidelberg -- was given an independent status as one of the smallest
German wine regions "under vine" with a total of 964
acres. The majority of the region's wine is produced by a winemaking cooperative based in the city of Heppenheim, to which about 700 growers of the region deliver their grapes.
The warm winds
that funnel from the Rhine through this area provide an excellent
environment for all agriculture ... and grape vines are no exception.
With the Rhine on the west and the steep hills of the Odenwald
on the east, the climate is ideal for Riesling grapes which is
the main variety traditionally grown here. More than half of the
area is devoted to Riesling production. MüllerThurgau
and Silvaner are also found in the Bergstrasse wines.
Today, the
wine growers of the area are beginning to produce wines made from
Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris grapes, and in the deep loess soil
of the lower slopes Burgundy wines are also being introduced.
Almost none of the wine produced here is exported, so if you want
to experience the surprising taste of the full bodied, fragrant
and fruity Hessische Bergstrasse Riesling wines, you have a great
reason to plan a trip here!
More information about Bergstrasse wineries around the Web:
Hessische
Bergstrasse in Wein-Plus Wine Guide - Check out a very complete
modern history of the region, a discussion of the grapes and the
wines produced and a map of the towns this site is a great resource.
Click through to "All wineries in wine region Hessische Bergstrasse"
for a listing of wineries by village including the number of different
wines each produces.
Hessische
Bergstrasse - This brief summary of the region from Wikipedia is surprisingly complete, with climate,
grape varieties, wines produced, soil and other geographical information, maps and photos..