Embark on a journey through the charming wineries of the German Wine Route in the Palatinate, nestled in the southwest of Germany. Stretching over 50 miles, the German Wine Route is home to more than 100 million grapevines. Thus, it is Germany’s second-largest wine-growing region.

The German wine route region features exceptionally mild climate, with over 2,000 hours of sunshine annually. As a result, it nurtures the growth of high-quality, aromatic grapes. As the world’s largest Riesling-producing region, the Palatinate offers a wealth of sustainable tasting rooms. Here, visitors can experience these renowned wines.

There is no better way to explore Germany, than by eating your way through the different regions! From hearty Bavarian specialties to fresh seafood in the North. All accompanied by freshly brewed beers and world-renowned wines, every stop offers a new culinary delight.

Discover the German Wine Route

The 85-kilometre German Wine Route has been meandering its way through the Palatinate from the German Wine Gate in Schweigen-Rechtenbach on the French border to Bockenheim in the north of the country since 1935.

The Asparagus Route

Every year, Germans eagerly anticipate the arrival of the “fifth season”. The much-loved white asparagus season. You too can be part of the excitement! Visit the Lower Saxony Asparagus Route from mid-April to the end of June. You must try the freshly picked vegetable in different dishes.

The route connects the regions of Hanover, Braunschweig, Lüneburger Heide, Mittelweser and Oldenburger Münsterland over a length of 460 miles. Try a visit to an asparagus exhibition in combination with an asparagus feast. Hence, an opportunity to try cutting asparagus yourself rounds off the program.

The Apple Cider Trail

Discover numerous orchards filled with apple trees and wineries along the roads through the state of Hesse. There are dedicated to the production of cider.

The region’s distinctive symbol is the stylized Bembel, a traditional stoneware jug from which cider is still served in many restaurants along the route. It is poured into a Geripptes, a textured glass designed for a secure grip – much like the Dubbeglas.

Follow the Apple Cider Trail and savor regional classics like Frankfurter Grüne Soße (“green sauce”), a fresh sauce made with seven specific regional herbs.

The Beer and Castle Route

Take a trip through the unspoiled landscape of Bavaria and Thuringia, along romantic rivers and valleys from the Kyffhäuser Mountains to the Bavarian Forest. Along the way, view majestic castles, beautifully restored palaces, and historic ruins. These amazing places stand as timeless witnesses to Germany’s rich history, spanning over 300 miles.

With a wide variety of beers to choose from—dark, full-bodied brews, crisp pilsners, refreshing wheat beers, and smooth bock varieties—every sip becomes a delightful decision.

Culinary Celebrations

Germany is not just about Oktoberfest. It offers countless events and festivities worth experiencing! Discover the Wurstmarkt in Bad Dürkheim and the world’s oldest wine festival with over 500 years of history. Plus, explore the Zwiebelmarkt in Weimar or enjoy the lively atmosphere of the Hamburger DOM.

Savor more than just a hearty Bratwurst and indulge in local culinary delights. With great food, refreshing drinks, and vibrant energy, you’re guaranteed to have an unforgettable time!

Are you ready to enjoy a food and wine experience? Then the taste of Germany awaits.

Return soon to read about more luxury travel destinations like the German Wine Route. It’s time to travel and see the world!

Photo: German National Tourist Office

Observing the wine itself is a major part of the overall wine tasting experience. Although the expression wine tasting will imply to many the actual drinking of the wine. The key is to actually consider the whole wine tasting experience. We want to share Tips For Wine Tasting.

Tips For Wine Tasting

For a start we can learn a great deal about a wine just by looking at it. The wine should always be presented in a clear glass and observed against a white background. The wine color is a strong contributory factor to the taste of the wine. One will notice that red wines will vary in color as is the case with whites this variation in color is something to look for.

The longer a wine is aged and the greater flavor that it has, the stronger the color it will have. In the case of white wine, too much color is not a good factor. White wine is actually ruined or tarnished in flavor by the aging process. On the other hand, red wines improve with age. As red wines are aged, their color begins to lighten, as opposed to white wines which normally go darker with age. The lighter the color of a red wine the older it tends to be.

To discern the age of a wine with reference to its color, you should tilt the wine glass partially to one side. It will then be possible to get a clear view of the edge which is referred to as the rim color. If you observe a purple tint this shows that the wine is quite young. Should you observe a brown or orange tint this indicates that the wine is mature.

You should also give the wine a swirl which allows you to observe the body of the wine. If it appears thicker, this donates higher alcohol content along with a sweeter flavour. It is clear then that you can discern much about a wine merely by observing it. Are you enjoying these Tips For Wine Tasting?

Although the actual tasting of the wine is important, so is the aroma of the wine. As a component of the whole wine tasting experience you need to smell the wine in the correct manner. Indeed, the aroma of the wine will help you determine if you have a wine that you can truly appreciate. Many people take a short sniff of their wine, which does not allow one to take in the full scent of the wine

The molecules in the wine will allow you truly appreciate the aroma. Wine tasters refer to this as the nose or the bouquet of the wine. Numerous different bouquets are mentioned with the most common being: spices, herbs wood, fruit, earthy, or floral. Each of these aromas will result in their own distinctive tastes.

To smell wine correctly, firstly give the glass a swirl. This will help to release the wine molecules prior to taking a quick sniff. Now its time to take a deep inhale of the aroma. Now you should be able to smell the difference. Which one of the different bouquets comes to mind?

Author: Roger Gordon (www.enterprisewines.co.uk)

For many years, fine wine has been a satisfying and enjoyable complement to a lovely meal at a restaurant.

Wine tasting in a restaurant is a very rich and rewarding experience. Once you have made your wine selection, there are a number of steps involved in properly tasting the wine that will make the wine tasting experience even more pleasurable.

1) Smell the Cork: Detecting the aroma from the cork will tell how well the wine has been taken care of. Once the cork has been removed from the bottle, examine it to make sure it is not dry, cracked, or has mold growing from it. If the cork is dry on both ends, this means that oxygenation took place which affects the taste. If everything looks good, (one end containing wine and the other end dry) smell the end of the cork that contains wine. It should not have any unusual aroma such as a musty or sharp smell.

2) Smell the Wine: Pour a small amount of wine in a glass. (No more than few ounces in a glass) Hold your glass and gently swirl it around. This will cause the wine’s aroma to be released. Raise the glass to your nose and breathe in. Take a few seconds to get a sense of the aroma. Detecting distinct flavors tells you that the wine is good. If you detect any musty odors or a vinegar type odor, the wine has likely gone bad. When you smell the wine, make a note of any distinct aromas. For instance, white wines can have such aromas as flowers, grapefruit, peaches, apples, and other citrus. Red wines can smell like prunes, raspberries, cherries, etc.

3) Tasting the Wine: Take a small sip of the wine. Breathe in as you sip the wine so that you get the full aroma. Do not swallow the wine right away. Move it around a bit in your mouth to get all of the flavors. Note how long the taste stays in your mouth after swallowing. As well, note how it feels and tastes in your mouth. Is it acidic, fruity, or have a strong alcohol taste? Or, do the flavors blend well together and leave a nice flavor in the mouth that is not too weak or strong? Note if your mouth feels like it is drying out or if it feel refreshed. As well, is the texture of the wine smooth and silky or is it harsh and fizzy.

When ordering wine with your meal, always select wine based on you and your guests’ personal tastes. When choosing a wine with a particular meal, most people follow the general rule: “white wine with lighter foods and red wine with heavier foods.”

It is important to select a wine that you will enjoy, regardless of what you are eating. If you are unsure of what to select, your server will be able to offer some helpful tips.

Learning to smell and taste wine, including the characteristics of a fine wine, will go long way to ensuring you made the right wine selection.

Wine is a wonderful and satisfying complement to a meal at any restaurant. Knowing how to properly taste the wine will make the dining experience even more satisfying.

Does our brain trick us when we have the choice between two wines – one more expensive than the other?  It seems that we tend to like the taste of the more expensive wine.

A study from the Stanford Graduate School of Business and the California Institute of Technology discovered that when people were given two different bottles of wine and told that one cost $5 and the other $45 (in reality, both bottles were identical), the pleasure-center part of the brain became more active when the participants were drinking what they believed to be the more expensive bottle.

They also reported that the wine they believed to be more expensive tasted better.

Baba Shiv, one of the study’s authors and associate professor of marketing at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, previously found that people who paid full price for Red Bull energy drinks were able to solve more brain teasers than those who paid less for the same product.In other words, how much you pay for something can affect how you perceive it.