Nierstein Wine Region

Nierstein is one of the prime wine-growing areas in Rheinhessen, Germany, and its the second largest viticulture zone in Rheinhessen. The region is located on the banks of the River Rhine. The region predominantly produces white wines from Reisling that thrive in this terroir. The region boasts approximately 783 hectares of vineyards. The most famous vineyard in the region is located on a steep hill in the Roter Hang, which spans from the Northern Nackenhein to western Schwabsburg. If you are a wine enthusiast or in the wine business, Nierstein is the same as grand crus in Bordeaux but for the Rheinhessen. 

Check out the best wine tastings and tours in Nierstein!

Where is the Nierstein wine region?

The Nierstein wine appellation is located in Rhenish Hesse on the banks of the Rhine River between Mainz and Worms, in Rhineland-Palatinate, Western Germany. This wine appellation Nierstein is one of three wine-growing areas in Rheinhessen just northwest of Oppenheim. The region is surrounded by the municipality of Dexheim from the southwest, Dienheim from the south, Nackenheim from the north, and Oppenheim from the southeast. The Nierstein wine appellation can be easily accessed from the city of frankfurt which is just 51 km northeast of the region. 

History of the Nierstein wine region

A Roman colony called Bauconica Nova stood on Nierstein's current location two thousand years ago. The Glöck area is Germany's earliest vineyard complex, recorded in a document dated 742. Vineyards owned by the Counts of Katzenelnbogen in der Walpe were first mentioned in 1451. Every year, on the first weekend in August, the region hosts the Winegrowers’ festival (Winzerfest). Nierstein wines were formerly well-known among wine enthusiasts and could command greater prices than those from Bordeaux. The wine appellation has seen its roughest days due to wars and conflicts in the past. Now that the Nierstein has recovered, it is producing fantastic wines.

The terroir and geography of the Nierstein wine region

The main attraction of the Nierstein wine appellation is the Roter Hand, the red slope, which is known to produce world-class wines that fully express its terroir. From Nierstein north to Nackenheim, a steep embankment along the Rhine is known for its iron-rich clay and sandstone soils with a reddish hue and prized terroir, giving the Rieslings a unique mineral flavor. The view from this area is spectacular. The vineyards in Glöck are encircled by centuries-old stone walls that were intended to shelter the vines from chilly drafts cascading from the top during the winter season and to preserve heat within the walls during the summer season, creating its microclimate. 

Popular grape varieties from the Nierstein wine region

Riesling grape dominates the Nierstein wine region and accounts for more than 87% of total grape production. The Nierstein wine region also produces red and rose wines, but white wine takes the trophy in quantity as well as reputation. Some other grapes authorized in the area are Pinot Noir, Silvaner, Blaufrankish, Dornfelder, Gewürtztraminer, Muskateller, Scheurebe, Müller Thurgau, Dornfelder, and Portugueser. 

Food to pair with Nierstein wine 

Lobster a l'Americaine

Lobster a l'Americaine is a traditional French meal that may be made with a variety of different components. Lobster flesh, carrots, celery, shallots, tomato paste, garlic, dry white wine, cognac or dry sherry, chicken or fish stock, bay leaves, olive oil, thyme, heavy cream, butter, and chopped parsley are common ingredients.

The lobster is cooked in the sauce before being flambéed with cognac or sherry. If the lobster is cooked in its shell, the taste of the meal will be enhanced. It is suggested that you serve it with rice on the side. The only thing known about its history is that it is a French dish, however, several sources indicate that it originated in the areas of Languedoc or Brittany, while others believe that it was perhaps offered to first-class passengers on ships bound for America, thus the name.

For a truly spectacular meal, lobster is cooked in a tomato sauce with shallots, garlic, tarragon, and thyme before being flamed with cognac. Before you begin, be sure to read the flambe tips. Cooking the lobster in its shell adds taste, but you may remove it before cooking if you like.

Civet de Canard

Civet de canard is a traditional French duck stew made with a combination of duck legs and breasts, bacon, flour, shallots, garlic, red wine, balsamic vinegar, stock, carrots, bay leaves, and thyme. First, duck pieces are coated in flour and seared and other ingredients are added to form a sauce. The dish is cooked until the meat gets tender along with carrots. The Civet de Canard is usually served with broad beans, mashed potatoes, or roasted parsnips.

Poulet Basquaise

Poulet Basquaise is Basque-style chicken with typical French and Mediterranean flavors. The dish is one of the popular stews in French gastronomy that uses authentic french ingredients that incorporates the traditional cooking process. The star ingredient of Poulet Basquaise is chicken, usually with bones like in legs or thighs that are seasoned with french pepper locally known as Espelette. The dish also uses Bayonne ham which is air-dried salty ham that provides a smoky flavor to the stew. The basque-style sauce made with tomatoes, onions, and red and green peppers gives the dish characteristic of Basque gastronomy. Poulet Basquaise is found in most restaurants and is common in french households usually served with fragrant rice in French households.

Places to visit in the Nierstein wine region

Roter Hang

The Roter Hang is the most popular spot in Nierstein and is widely recognized in the wine industry for growing outstanding grapes. The Roter Hang (Red Hill) was formed approximately 280 million years ago by the contraction of the Rhine River between the basin of Mainz and the Upper Rhine Ditch. The soil here is red due to a high concentration of iron oxide that formed during an earlier era's subtropical climate. This hilltop is especially known for its gorgeous views of the entire valley and is a must-see for nature lovers. Orbel, Heiligenbaum, lberg, Hipping, Brudersberg, Pettenthal, and Rothenberg are the seven separate levels of the region.

Château Landskron

Château Landskron, also known as Burg Landskron or Reichsburg Oppenheim in German, is a ruin of a castle that was strategically placed on a hill around the town of Oppenheim in the Rhineland-Palatinate district of Mainz-Bingen. The castle's entrance faces south, overlooking the Rhine valley. Before the court was erected, King Heinrich V had a fortification, which was later demolished by Archbishop Adalbert of Mainz. The castle was erected in the 13th century in the exact location of the fortification. There is recorded evidence that the court was completed in 1244, only to be demolished by the people of Oppenheim in 1257 and 1275 due to a conflict with the Burgmannen. The castle's ruins are now available to the public and hold theatrical festivals and summer concerts. The location is also the starting point for the Nierstein wine tour.

Frequently asked questions about Nierstein