The Pfalz is the second largest wine growing region in Germany.
Pfalz (Palatinate)
The Pfalz is Germany’s second largest wine growing region with a vineyard area of 23,363 ha. Bordered by Rheinhessen to the north, the Haardt Mountains to the west, the Rhine River to the east and the French Alsace region to the south, the Pfalz’s vineyards sweep across this remarkably pretty, peaceful land for nearly 80 kilometres (50 miles). Its climate is much like that of Alsace and it is the sunniest and driest of the German wine regions.
45 white and 22 red grape varieties are grown, with approximately 60% of the total area under vine planted with white wine grapes and 40% with red. The main white varieties are Riesling (21%), Müller-Thurgau (Rivaner) (10%) and Grauburgunder (Pinot Grigio) (5%). The main red varieties are Dornfelder (14%), Portugieser (10%) and Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir) (7%).
The word Pfalz is derived from the Latin word palatium, meaning palace. The English equivalent, Palatinate, is sometimes used to refer to the Pfalz. Modern technology and viticultural training have made their mark here in the past four decades. Yet for the visitor driving through the sea of vines along the German Wine Road, the scene is still very much rural with the tree-covered Haardt mountain range, castle ruins, fruit trees, and the old walled villages of half-timbered houses.
The Pfalz is second only to the Mosel in acreage planted with the ‘noble’ Riesling grape. Here, it yields wines of substance and finesse, with a less austere acidity than their Mosel counterparts and aromas of stone (peach, apricot) rather than green fruit. Pleasant, mild white wines rich in bouquet and full of body are produced from Müller-Thurgau, Grauburgunder (Pinot Grigio), Silvaner and Scheurebe grapes, while smooth, fruity red wine is made from the Portugieser grape. In response to the growing demand for red wine, there are many new plantings of Dornfelder which, depending on the winemaking techniques employed, produces a deep-coloured and complex wine. The world-renowned Pinot Noir is one of the most important red varieties grown in the Pfalz region, particularly in the south.
Click here to find out more about the Pfalz and Germany’s 12 other winegrowing regions.
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