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Two
rivers are the lifeblood of this region – the mighty
Rhine and the gentler Moselle. But wine also flows
freely and beneficently, superb vintages are made with
dedicated skill by wine-growers along both river
valleys. Vine-clad hills, rich farmland, woods,
mountains and lakes – all make the Rhineland (and
particularly the unspoilt Vulkaneifel) an area of
satisfying visual appeal. It also has some of Germany’s
greatest cities: historic Cologne with its Roman and
mediaeval associations; Düsseldorf, a vital modern city;
and Bonn, the birthplace of Beethoven.
There are also the famous Rhine wine towns, like
picturesque Rüdesheim; Boppard, with its lovely
churches; or the twin towns of St. Goar and St.
Goarhausen, on a stretch of the river especially rich in
castles.
Trier, on the Moselle, is Germany’s oldest city – it
existed before Christ; Bernkastel is the “wine-capital”
of the river, while Cochem, downstream, is a lively
popular resort. The Ahr, a tributary of the Rhine, is
known for its red wines, while the Saar, a tributary of
the Moselle, produces some of the most delicate white
wines of the region. |
