What I Learned:
Many areas of the Upper Middle Rhine do not produce wine: the geography just isn’t suitable or practicable, even for growing other crops, so steep are the slopes rising from the river’s edge; and that makes the vineyards along this section of the Rhine even more special and beloved.
Riesling dominates overwhelmingly here: over 70% of the plantings in this area are of Riesling vines. Its closest numerical competition comes from the approximately 9% of Spaetburgunder plantings. So these two varietals, one white, the other red, equal approximately 80% of all cultivated vines in this area. Muller-Thurgau, Kerner, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris make up about 11% of all remaining cultivated white varietals. Dornfelder and Portugieser make up the remaining red varietals.
Dark slate begins to predominate in the soil around Boppard, and continues until just outside Trechtingshausen. This hard rock shapes the river as well, and its many twists and turns provide optimal sun exposure for some slopes, like the famous vineyard of Bopparder Hamm, while just around the next bend, it deprives others of much sun at all. (The famous river town of Sankt Goar, sitting in a concave curve of the Rhine, facing more north and east, is not a famous wine town.)
The Upper Middle Rhine also defines an area free of temperature extremes: not too warm in the summer, and not too cold in the winter. Ideal for grape growing, and wine tourism!
What I Tasted:
2013 Riesling, Bopparder Hamm, Kabinett, trocken, Toni Lorenz: a dry white wine, with medium gold color; white stone fruit flavors, with hints of honey and vanilla; some citrus notes give it a refreshing tartness.
2013 Weisser Riesling, Niederheimbacher Froher Weingarten, Qualitaetswein, trocken, Fendel: a dry white wine with a medium gold color: a well-balanced, slightly floral and fruity tasting wine with a pleasant minerality to it.
2013 Riesling, Bacharacher, Kabinett, trocken, Mathias Weingarten: a dry white wine, with light gold color: sharp citrus acidity, with notes of young peaches, honey, and a bit of wood.
2012 Spaetburgunder, Qualitaetswein, trocken, Weingut Eisenbach-Korn: dry red wine with a dark red color; full body with pleasant tannins, and a slightly dried fruit taste.