Paula Maia's Wine blog

When I think of Rheingau the first name that comes to my mind is Robert Weil- one of the world’s best producers- and his monumental Chateau-like estate. It was around ten in the morning when we arrived and I have never been so happy to start drinking this early.

Made of Riesling grapes from First Growth vineyards, and only in the best declared vintages, their dessert wines are granted 100 points almost always. Not your everyday wine, but rather for very special occasions, being it a pic-nic in the park or your wedding day, depending how you look at it.

The day kept getting better and better. Lunch had been planned at Schloss Vollrads, which I regret to remember that we missed it. Nonetheless viewing the castle was spectacular and lunch at a nearby winery was so good that I didn’t care. I had a Riesling Flamm Kuchen, a crisp flat bread with cream fraiche, bits of bacon, shallots, and roasted Riesling grapes. Seriously, to die for!

Next stop was Schloss Johannisberg, another symbol of Rheingau region. A majestic sight founded as a Benedictine Monastery around 1100 A.D. Plantings are 100% of Riesling variety and the wines are very nice. The terrace overlooking the vineyards was the perfect place to watch the sunset, while savoring a glass of their own Sekt.

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After being spoiled rotten on my first trip to Europe, I told my husband we had to go back- asap. Back in NY I started to plan a trip to Germany’s wine country. The plan was to visit as many renowned estates as possible. Out of 13 regions, we covered 7: Rheingau, Rheinhessen, Mittelrhein, Mosel, Nahe, Pfalz and Baden.

We landed in Frankfurt, and to my surprise there was a wine fest just outside the hotel. I couldn’t believe it! Right away- off a truck- I had started my journey. Bubbles, Roses, Rieslings all together with sausages, cheese and cured meats. I was like a kid in a candy store, and that was only the first 15 minutes of the beginning of this trip.

Finally my husband managed to drag me out of the fest and show me around. It was mind boggling to walk along the river and see castles and roman ruins in sync with skyscrapers, hookers, beergartens, gothic churches, bicycles, boats, tourists, locals, audis, benzes, bimas, applestrudel, you name it!

My head was spinning- I needed a drink! What do I see? An amazing market with a weinstube on the rooftop. Weinstube is a pub or a wine bar traditional of Southern Germany. Local wines are preferred and served in a very informal setting. So right there, sipping the best Sekts I could possibly ask for, watching people and produce, I realized I was hooked. I had fallen in love with Germany.

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