Pfalz

The Pfalz is among the largest of the VDP.Regions. Its numerous vineyards are distributed along 85 kilometres of the German Wine Road. Situated between the Haardt Mountains and Palatinate Forest in the east and the Rhine River in the west, the Pfalz borders the most southern vineyards of Rheinhessen to the north and reaches Schweigen in the south on the border to Alsace. The Pfalz is pampered with an average of 1800 hours of sunshine annually. Warm air masses from the Rhine Plain also contribute significantly to making the Pfalz one of the warmest regions in Germany. The region is geologically determined by the formation of the Rhine Rift Valley and rift flank uplifts – numerous different soils exist including limestone, clay, basalt and loam. From Kallstadt to Ungstein to Bad Dürkheim, the top sites are located on a limestone reef, while weathered Bunter (variegated) sandstone determines the soils between Wachenheim and Gimmeldingen. The main focus of the Mittelhaardt wines is traditionally Riesling. In the area south of Neustadt, many of the wineries are praised for their wines from Pinot varieties as well as their Rieslings. One often finds shell limestone with superb conditions for the production of Weissburgunder (Pinot Blanc), Grauburgunder (Pinot Gris) and Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir). There are also superb terroirs to be found in the south for Riesling, for example the VDP.GROSSE LAGE® KASTANIENBUSCH in Birkweiler where Upper Rotliegend red slate is found.