Oppenheim [AHP-uhn-hime]
An important wine-producing village in Germany’s Rheinhessen region, south of the city of Mainz near Nierstein. Oppenheim, along with towns like Nierstein, Nackenheim, and Dienheim, is part of area of excellent vineyards known as the Rheinterrasse. Its wines, which are generally rated just a fraction below Nierstein in terms of overall quality, are some of the Rheinhessen’s finest. Riesling, which is planted on over half of the available vineyard land, produces the best wines—elegant, with concentrated flavors. The best Oppenheimer wines come from einzellagen such as Herrenberg, Kreuz, and Sackträger.
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.