For many, a ride on a Harley-Davidson is the epitome of freedom. This special driving experience can be experienced particularly intensively between Koblenz and Nierstein along the Rhine.
UPPER MIDDLE RHINE VALLEY
Starting in Koblenz, exciting, winding routes lead through the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Upper Middle Rhine Valley towards Mainz. Mystical castle ruins, fascinating steep slopes and picturesque villages line the way. One of the most exciting cultural landscapes on earth. In addition, there are numerous culinary secrets to discover in the region. These include, above all, the tender meat and aromatic cheese of the Middle Rhine goats as well as the Middle Rhine cherries, which have almost fallen into oblivion.
RHEINHESSEN AND ITS RED SLOPE
South of Mainz, Germany’s largest wine-growing region begins: Rheinhessen. A large part of this region is characterized by large, ground-level sites, in which mainly Riesling as well as white and red Burgundy varieties are grown.
In the middle of this relatively flat landscape rises the Red Slope. An approximately 800-metre-wide and five-kilometre-long ribbon that stretches from Nackenheim via Nierstein to Schwabsburg. A very exciting motorcycle track. To the left, the Rhine glistening in the sun. On the right, the steep top vineyards from Pettenthal via Hipping to Orbel. A short hike through the steep slope reveals all the beauty of the region. The views are breathtaking!
RIESLINGS FOR NON-RIESLING DRINKERS
From a viticultural point of view, the Red Slope is the prime piece of Rheinhessen. The slate-like soil with its intense reddish colour developed around 280 million years ago. At that time, the Mainz basin filled with water and flooded the red rock. At the end of the Tertiary period, a clod of earth’s crust rose between Nierstein and Nackenheim and the ancient red rock was pushed to the surface. A red cliff now rose steeply out of the water. The birth of the Red Slope …
The soils are barren, the slopes steep, the climate is relatively warm. All in all, the “Children of the Red Slope” present themselves completely differently from most wines from Rheinhessen. This is mainly due to the fact that the Red Slope rises like a red island from a sea of limestone. This is where wines with a lot of power are created. They are deep and rich in finesse. Moderate in acidity and especially in alcohol. Crystal-clear Rieslings that also delight non-Riesling drinkers. Concentrated Pinots Noirs with a lot of length. Complex Blaufränkische with a cool freshness.
OUR WINES FROM THE RED SLOPE
No other winery has such a large vineyard on the Red Slope as St. Antony. In almost all famous Niersteiner sites such as Pettenthal, Oelberg, Brudersberg, Hipping and Orbel, we own extensive vineyards, which we cultivate with pride, dedication and humility.
On the Red Slope, we mainly grow grape varieties whose origin is particularly well reflected in the finished wine. These include, in particular, Riesling and Blaufränkisch. A Pettenthal Riesling is just as unmistakable as Neckenmarkt Blaufränkisch from Burgenland.
In the cellar, we work carefully and “minimally invasively” with the wines in order to optimally depict the characteristics of the individual plots. The wines ferment spontaneously and are given all the time they need to develop to full greatness. We can see how great the wines from the Red Slope are developing, both in our own wines and in those of our talented colleagues. It’s not for nothing that wines from the region fetch top prices!
But enough of the theory. After all, what could be better than enjoying a glass of ice-cold Riesling after an intensive motorcycle tour. With this in mind: Cheers!
EDITOR’S TIP:
You can taste and buy this Riesling and many other wines at the St. Antony winery, in the shop or on site: https://www.st-antony.de
