On my recent trip to Germany, one of our last stops was to the Ahr region. It's almost like a different world! The Ahr is one of Europe's northernmost wine regions; also, the smallest in Germany with its vineyards running along the Ahr River on steep, terraced cliffs of volcanic slate. This region is so far north that grapes wouldn't ripen without the step-slopes to protect and help the ripening with maximum sun exposure. Driving to the Ahr was absolutely breath-taking--the photos don't come close to showing the magnitude of these steep, steep vineyards.

At the end of the 17th century, Pinot Noir was brought here from Burgundy (Spatburgunder) which accounts for 50% of the area's grapes. Dornfelder, fresh steely Riesling and Muller-Thurgau are also grown here. 90% red and 10% white. Since the third century AD, wine has been cultivated here. We came upon a Roman excavation site where documents verified wine-growing in the year 770! Looking at the photos you can see why everything is hand picked.

Marie Griffin Wine Supervisor North-west Coast, Florida

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