Wine Country Rivers of Central Europe

As promised, the remaining Wine Country Rivers of Central Europe are featured in today’s blog.

The Danube

See architectural masterpieces and taste exceptional white wines from the renowned Wachau Valley region.

Europe’s second largest river begins in Germany and touches ten countries before emptying into the Black Sea.  Brilliant architectural masterpiece and vine-strung hillsides on the Danube River have inspired artistic creations for hundreds of years.  The Romantic Danube and Melodies of the Danube itineraries journey through Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary so river boat guests can experience some of the most celebrated wines and sights in the heartland of Europe.

Over 3,700 acres of terraced vineyards rise from Austria’s illustrious Wachau Valley.  Located between the towns of Melk and Krems, this cooler-climate wine region brings a wide variety of refreshing, peppery white-grape wines to fruition.  Epicureans and connoisseurs flock here to try their terrific food-pairing abilities.

Grüner Veltliner is considered to be the most important grape in Austria.  Grown in loess soils by the river’s edge, these favored wines offer aromatic stone fruit flavors reminiscent of the terroir.  Riesling, the second most popular grape, loves rocky inclines – so it is extensively sewn into the rich hillside.  Fruity notes and floral scents surface from these unique whites.

The Mosel, Rhine and Main Rivers

The Mosel, The Rhine and the Main River are where you will discover some of the steepest vineyards and most celebrated Riesling wines in all of Europe

Historic villages, medieval mansions, and towering hillsides wrapped in vineyards are just a few of the amazing things that overlook the river’s edge from Nuremberg to Luxembourg.

For over one thousand years, a wide variety of tantalizing wines have been surfacing from the special soils of the Franconia region, alongside the Main River in Eastern Germany.  These grapevines benefit from a continental climate with a Mediterranean influence, which is ideal for growing grapes.  Both dry, fruity white wines and rare, decadent reds are made with superb quality here.

Even more delightful wines are found in the famed Upper Middle Rhine Valley, also known as the Rhine Gorge. Slate soils combined with a semi-continental climate have proven to be a recipe for winegrowing success for the vineyards of this region.  The results are high-quality, delightful white wine varieties, and some very fine reds, that are sure to impress any palate.

Some of the world’s steepest vineyard slopes, and best Riesling wines, are located in the Mosel River Valley region.  Slopes like these offer the vines optimal exposure to sunlight and protection from harsh weather conditions.  Blue Devonian slate, red slate and quartzite soils give these wines a distinct mineral element.  There is nothing quite like sipping on a fragrantly sweet Mosel Riesling – which is why many connoisseurs consider these wines to be amongst the finest white wines ever created.

The Rhine

Take an exciting exploration through the enchanting castles, vineyards and wineries of the Rhine Valley.

Castles from ancient empires and steep vineyards sprout up from every angle, which makes cruising on the Rhine River feel like entering a scene out of a storybook.  Actually, there are more charming castles along this river than any other in the world. 

Prepare to be amazed by the white grapevines that coat the vertical surfaces of the Rhine Gorge in Germany, also known as the Upper Middle Rhine Valley.  Famous for maintaining a quality focus, and  grape-growing traditions dating back to Roman times, this area yields some of the country’s best wines.  The quality of their distinctly elegant Rieslings and fine, subtle reds are a result of the region’s unique, slate-based soils and semi-continental climate.

The Alsace region in eastern France features exceptional wines as well.  Here, sloping vineyards appreciate the balanced environmental conditions provided by the Vosges Mountains – sheltering the vines from excess sun exposure and heat.  While pure, aromatic white varieties are the most popular Alsatian wines, select grapes used for rosés and reds also arise from these soils.

Experience the beauty and unique heritage of these amazing European rivers yourself and ignite your palate with scrumptious wines from these renowned wine regions.  Contact Travel, Tours & Cruises for a unique wine river cruise through AMA Waterways today.