For many, a ride on a Harley-Davidson is the epitome of freedom. This special riding 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 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. Add to this the numerous culinary secrets to be discovered 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 begins Germany’s largest wine-growing region: Rheinhessen. Much of this region is characterised by large, flat-lying vineyards, where mainly Riesling and white and red Burgundy varieties are grown.
In the midst of this relatively flat landscape rises the Rote Hang. A ribbon about 800 metres wide and about five kilometres long, it stretches from Nackenheim via Nierstein to Schwabsburg. A very exciting motorbike route. On the left, the Rhine glistening in the sun. On the right, the steep peaks from Pettenthal to Hipping to Orbel. A short hike through the steep slopes reveals the full beauty of the region. The views are breathtaking!
RIESLINGS FOR NON RIESLING DRINKERS
From a viticultural point of view, the Rote Hang is Rheinhessen’s fillet piece. 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 washed over the red rock. At the end of the Tertiary period, a crustal floe rose between Nierstein and Nackenheim and the ancient red rock was pushed to the surface. A red breakaway now rose steeply out of the water. The birth of the Red Slope …
The soils are poor, the slopes steep, the climate relatively warm. All in all, the “children of the Rote Hang” present themselves completely differently from most of the wines of Rheinhessen. This is mainly because the Rote Hang rises like a red island from a sea of limestone. Wines with a lot of power are produced here. They are deep and rich in finesse. Moderate in acidity and above all 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 as many vineyards on the Roter Hang as St. Antony. We own extensive vineyards in almost all the famous Nierstein sites such as Pettenthal, Oelberg, Brudersberg, Hipping and Orbel, which we cultivate with pride, dedication and humility.
On the Rote Hang, we mainly grow grape varieties whose origin is particularly well reflected in the finished wine. These include Riesling and Blaufränkisch in particular. A Pettenthal Riesling is just as distinctive as a Neckenmarkt Blaufränkisch from Burgenland.
In the cellar, we work carefully and “minimally invasive” with the wines in order to optimally reflect the characteristics of the individual parcels. The wines ferment spontaneously and are given all the time they need to develop to their full potential. We see how great the wines from the Rote Hang develop, both in our own wines and in those of our talented colleagues. It is not for nothing that wines from the region achieve top prices!
But enough of the theory. After all, what could be better than enjoying a glass of ice-cold Riesling after an intense motorbike tour? With this in mind: Cheers!
TIP FROM THE EDITORS:
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
