Hessische Bergstrasse [HEH-see-shuh BEHRK-strah-suh]
The second smallest of the thirteen German anbaugebiete (quality-wine regions), with just over 950 acres of vineyards planted. The region starts just north of the city of Darmstadt and extends south to the city of Heidelberg. Riesling is the most plentiful variety, covering 50 percent of the acreage. There are two bereiche, Starkenburg and Umstadt. The wines from Hessische Bergstrasse are similar in quality and style to those from the better-known Rheingau region, with more body and flavor than most German wines. Most wines produced here don’t make it outside the region.
The New Wine Lovers Companion, 2nd Edition, by Ron Herbst and Sharon Tyler Herbst. Copyright © (1) 2003, 1995 by Ron Herbst and Sharon Tyler Herbst. Reprinted by arrangement with Barron's Educational Series, Inc.