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When you think of Germany or Austria, immediately you associate the though of beer and of the historical beer houses in Munich. Old, huge and noisy.

Actually, how can you forget the special taste of Rauchbier, smoked beer, a specialty of the nice German town Bamberg? You don’t usually think about the fact that those towns also produce good wines. There is a tradition, though, which dates back to the Romans cultivating grapes in Germany, along the shores of the Rhine River. Between Mainz and Koblenz the river shows enchanted views on its shores, with wineries and perfectly aligned vine rows. Also in the heart of the Black Forest the woods make room for hills that grow grapes. In Gegembach, for example, I remember having tried an exquisite Riesling and buying several bottles of berry wine. I envisioned giving them as presents to friends and relatives, but I only brought empty bottles home!

Also in Austria, where most of the wines are produced in the Danube basin, the Romans bought the vine starters. The wines produced there are mostly light and the Austrian passion is for young, non-fermented wines. Very valued is also the Schilcher, a half dry wine from the lower Styria, while white and red great wines come from the Burgenland region.

A really special sweet wine, typical of this area is made from grapes harvested in the heart of winter. The grapes, half dehydrated, are harvested before dawn. The watery part is thrown away and only the few drops of concentrated juice are kept. After a long fermentation time and several proceedings, the ice wine is ready, a year and a half after harvest. It is a dessert wine, that some call the moon wine.

Recently also in Italy, in Piedmont, this particular wine production has been tried. We should try it.

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