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Germany's largest wine region, Rheinhessen, lies in a valley of gentle rolling hills.
While vines are virtually a monoculture in the Rheingau or along the Mosel, they are but one
of many crops that share the fertile soils of this region's vast farmlands. Steep vineyard
sites are confined to small areas near Bingen and south of Mainz along the Rhein Terrasse.
Varied soils and the favorable climate make it possible to grow many grape varieties, old and
new. In fact, many of Germany's aromatic, early-ripening new crossings were bred in
Rheinhessen by Professor Georg Scheu, after whom the Scheurebe grape is named (pronounced
"shoy"). The region boasts the world's largest acreage planted with the ancient variety
Silvaner and is the birthplace of Liebfraumilch, the soft, mellow white wine originally made
from grapes grown in vineyards surrounding the Liebfrauenkirche, or Church of Our Lady, in
Worms. Rheinhessen wines are often characterized as being soft, fragrant, medium-bodied and
mild in acidity — pleasant, easy-to-drink wines. There are also wines of great class and
elegance, with a depth and complexity second to none.
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