Saale-Unstrut

The Saale -Unstrut region is a region in central Germany, extending along the rivers and in the same name is the northernmost fine wine region of Germany. Landscapes with vineyards, steep terraces, centuries-old stone walls, vineyard cottages and river valleys characterize the 760 -hectare wine growing region of Saale -Unstrut in which for over 1000 years wine production. The wine-growing region today lies in the states of Saxony -Anhalt ( 639 ha) and Thuringia ( 108 ha). Geographically separated from the actual Saale -Unstrut region, also includes the located in Brandenburg wine -growing region in Werder ( Havel) ( 10 ha ) for quality wine growing region of Saale -Unstrut, also 3.2 acres at Westerhausen ( Thale ) and Quedlinburg north of the Harz.

Through the wine region with the 60-km long wine road Saale- Unstrut. From Memleben from it leads to Unstrut and Saale along and extends north to White Rock. Around Höhnstedt in hall invites another wine route to a 20 -kilometer-long tour and connects under the name " Mansfeld lakes " Zappendorf with sub- village plan. The also 20 kilometer Wine Route " Weisse Elster " leads from the monastery Posa in Zeitz until after Wetterzeube.

Area typical to the wines of Saale- Unstrut characterized by a fine- membered and fruity bouquet with mineral notes. Limestone weathering soils, but also sandstone, loess loam and copper slate can be found. In the river valleys " heat islands " for a particularly mild micro- climate. The sun shines approximately 1,600 hours per year. With approximately 500 mm of precipitation a year, the wine-growing region is one of the driest in Germany. The average yields will be around 50 hl / ha

At Saale- Unstrut there are over 50 different varieties which are developed mainly dry. On the white wine list are Müller- Thurgau, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris as well as Bacchus, Riesling, Sylvaner, Chasselas and Kerner. Approx. 24% of grown wines are red wines such as thorn fields, Portuguese, Pinot Noir and Blauer Zweigelt.

The land around the rivers Saale and Unstrut is famous for its forts, palaces and churches. The Southern Route of the Romanesque Road leads through the region.

History of wine

Viticulture in the Saale -Unstrut region has a 1,000-year tradition. Already in the year 998 is in a deed of Emperor Otto III. the wine mentioned. Some time before that, with the expansion of Christianity, was operated in large parts of Thuringia viticulture. So 786 Viticulture in Dorndorf on the Werra (Westthüringen ) is occupied in the year. At Saale- Unstrut it was mainly the monks of the Cistercian monastery of Sancta Maria Schulpforta, founded in 1137, the more developed viticulture. Wine at that time was not only a privilege but also food for the population, because surface water was mostly inedible and well water scarce and not durable. In the 16th century viticulture flourished with a cultivated area of ​​10,000 ha The Thirty Years' War and the climatic deterioration of the late 17th and early 18th century saw as in the entire agriculture of Central Europe a major setback. In addition occurred coffee, tea and cocoa as a competitor and good quality and cheaper wines were imported from other regions. 1835 Naumburg Viticulture Society was founded, which sought to better farming methods and Rebenneuzüchtung.

The phylloxera brought in 1887, the wine almost to a standstill and the Saale -Unstrut region was declared the first phylloxera you area of ​​Germany. As 1919 in Naumburg Biological Imperial Institute was founded, the area under cultivation was only 100 ha in the context of the search for a means to phylloxera showed Carl Börner that Americans have vines phylloxera resistance and pushed the pad breeding. From the year 1923, the Pfropfrebenanbau in Germany has been approved and the fight against phylloxera was recovered.

After 1945, the wine could survive only by recreational winery in the Saale -Unstrut region, until finally the wine was promoted by the state in the 1960s and the vineyards stretched again. After the turning point came a sustained upturn until today, so that the area under total area is around 760 ha today.

Since the year 1969, the Saale- Unstrut area wine queen is elected annually.