Here in the Rhine, larger estates produce superb wines many of which are dry. Flavours tend to be fuller with softer acidity and surprising alcohol levels.

The Nahe valley is home to Helmut Dönnhoff, the leading grower and arguably one of the best in Germany with intense, mineral laden wines and an Eiswein which borders on the legendary. The Pfalz is home to the Knipser brothers at Lammersheim who have forged a reputation as Germany’s leading producer of barrique-aged red wines, mainly Pinot Noir, but also Dornfelder and even Syrah. Further south again you pass through the famous villages of Deidesheim, Ruppertsberg, Forst and Wachenheim, where Bürklin-Wolf are based, completely committed to biodynamic viticulture.
Finally Baden and the Kaiserstühl, an extinct volcano which rises out of the middle of plain of the Rhine opposite Colmar. This is Pinot rather than Riesling country, and we particularly rate those of Salwey.