Wine growing Saale-Unstrut - The region

Unspoiled landscapes with vineyards, steep terraces, centuries-old dry stone walls, romantic vineyard cottages and picturesque river valleys characterize the approximately 798-hectare quality wine-growing region of Saale-Unstrut.

The beauty of the river valleys and the grace of the landscape characterized by terraced viticulture exude a unique Mediterranean charm.

Already more than 1000 years ago, the Ottonian Empire indulged in viticulture along the Saale and Unstrut rivers. Today, three federal states share the wine region: Saxony-Anhalt (668 ha), Thuringia (120 ha) and Brandenburg (10 ha).

Selected wines

Typical of the region, the wines of Saale-Unstrut are characterized by an elegant delicate and fruity bouquet with mineral nuances. Muschelkalk weathered soil, but also mottled sandstone, loess loam and copper shale can be found. In the river valleys, "heat islands" provide a particularly mild microclimate. The sun shines about 1,600 hours a year. With about 500 mm of precipitation annually, the wine-growing region is among the lowest in Germany. Average yields are around 56 hl / ha.

The vineyards are cultivated in wide areas and traditionally on steep slopes and terraces. For the most part, wire-frame cultivation prevails. The care of the vineyards, especially in the steep slopes, is very labor-intensive and almost only possible manually with rope hoist and hand hoe. The balanced climate, the type of soil, a targeted yield regulation and the experienced hands of the winemakers form wines of special quality and give the noble drops their unmistakable tangy character.

Variety

Well over 50 grape varieties are indigenous here, which are predominantly vinified dry. The list of white wines is headed by the delicately spicy Müller Thurgau, followed by the finely fruity Pinot Blanc and the earthy Silvaner. But also the lively Riesling, the spirited Kerner and Bacchus wines, the noble Pinot Gris or the rare Chasselas find their way into the glass. Already every fourth liter of wine is red! They convince with power and fruit like the full-bodied and melting Blaue Zweigelt, the velvety Pinot Noir, the fiery Dornfelder or the fruity Portugieser. In addition, many a noble sweet rarity from Eiswein and Beerenauslesen awaits the tongues of connoisseurs.