Ahr

The Ahr is one of Germany's smallest wine regions, covering just under 600 hectares. The wine region runs along the river of the same name, a tributary of the Rhine. Despite its northern location (the region lies further north than the Mosel, for example), viticulture here is dominated by the red grape varieties Spätburgunder and Frühburgunder. 86% of the vineyard area is planted with red varieties – more than anywhere else in Germany.

It is assumed that winemaking took place along the Ahr, as well as along the neighbouring Mosel, even during Roman times. However, definitive evidence for this is lacking. At the latest from the year 893 onwards, documents from the Benedictine abbey of Prüm provide evidence of vineyards in eight villages along the Ahr.

Located between the 50th and 51st degrees of northern latitude, the Ahr is the world's northernmost region dominated by red wine production. At such a northern latitude, a special microclimate in the vineyards is necessary to bring red wine grapes to sufficient ripeness. Many vineyards here are said to possess a Mediterranean microclimate.