Rhenish Hesse

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"Rheinhessen" redirects here. For the wine region, see Rheinhessen (wine region).

Rhenish Hesse (dark red), shown within Rhineland-Palatinate (pale red)

Rhenish Hesse (German: Rheinhessen) refers to the part of the former Grand Duchy of Hesse-Darmstadt located west of the Rhine river and now part of Rhineland-Palatinate. It is a hilly countryside largely devoted to vineyards, therefore it is also called the "land of the thousand hills." Its larger towns include: Mainz, Worms, Bingen, Alzey, Nieder-Olm and Ingelheim. Many inhabitants commute to work in Mainz, Wiesbaden, or Frankfurt.

[edit] History

At the Congress of Vienna in 1814-15, Louis I, Grand Duke of Hesse, had to give up his Westphalian territories, but was compensated with the district of Rheinhessen on the left bank of the Rhine. Because of this addition, he amended his title to "Grand Duke of Hesse and by Rhine" and the name of the region was created.

[edit] Wine growing

Main article: Rheinhessen (wine region)

Vineyards Rheinhessen

Rheinhessen is the largest of 13 regions producing German wine. Outside Germany, it is best known as the home of Liebfraumilch. Most is made from white varieties such as Müller-Thurgau, Silvaner, Riesling, Kerner or Scheurebe. The best-known white wine area is the so-called Rhine Terrace near Oppenheim and Nierstein. Some red varieties are grown, particularly around Ingelheim, including Blauer Portugieser, Dornfelder, and the newly developed Regent.