Middle Rhine

The Middle Rhine wine-growing region extends mainly in the federal state of Rhineland-Palatinate, approx. 110 km from the Nahe near Bingen to the Siebengebirge near Bonn. Only a small area is in the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

On the upper Middle Rhine from Bingen to Koblenz, mainly the left side of the slope along the Rhine is planted with vines, on the other hand on the lower Middle Rhine, which extends from Koblenz to the Siebengebirge, mainly the right bank is planted.

The Mittelrhein wine-growing region is dominated by the Riesling grape variety, which accounts for around 68% of the entire vineyard area. Followed by Müller-Thurgau with 6.5% and Kerner with 3.5%. Among the red wines, Pinot Noir leads the way with 8.5%, followed by Dornfelder with 3%.

The Middle Rhine has a temperate climate. The wind-protected locations benefit from many sunny days. The water surface of the Rhine and the sun-sloping soil store heat during the day, which it releases again after sunset, so that excessive temperature fluctuations are avoided.

The soils on the Middle Rhine consist of slate and weathered greywacke soils, which store heat during the day. In the north, the soils are of volcanic origin. Pumice and tufa, but also loess islands, loam and Rhine pebble soils can be found.

More than 60% of the vineyards are steep slopes with more than 30% inclination, the rest almost only slopes.

The Middle Rhine wine-growing region covers 455 hectares of vineyards. It is divided into the two areas of Loreley and Siebengebirge with eleven major sites and 111 individual sites.

Viticulture on the Middle Rhine is mostly dominated by small private wineries, cultivation and development of the wine are usually in one hand. The wines can often only be obtained directly from the winegrowers, and there are only a few cooperatives.