Page 79 - WINE DINE AND TRAVEL MAGAZINE 2020 SPRING EDITION INTERACTIVE

I can’t believe how hot it is.
Nobody had ever mentioned to me
that southern Germany, or Franconia
to be precise, could feel like an Italian
summer. But with temperatures of 80
Fahrenheit, vineyards sprawling up and
down the hills around the region’s capi-
tal Würzburg, and locals enjoying white
wine and Aperol Spritz outdoors on the
Old Main Bridge, I could be forgiven for
thinking I’m in more southern pastures.

Earlier that afternoon, I had arrived at
the northern gateway of the Romantic Before setting off on my road trip, I de-
Road, Germany’s oldest and most fa- tour to the small town of Iphofen, with
mous touring route. Würzburg is a bus- 24 wineries a hub of Franconian wine Regional Germand wines. Opposite:
Rothenburg ob der Tauber town center-
tling university city which was restored production, to meet Andy Wiegand. Below: Käthe Wohlfahrt Christmas store
to its former glory after nearly 90% were Only in his late 20s, he belongs to a in the town.
destroyed in WWII. High on a hill sits the new generation of winemakers. “We’re
impressive Marienberg Fortress, while questioning some of the old methods,
the Residence Palace, a UNESCO World trying to find a new, better way of win- “Rotling wine, a lo-
Heritage Site, is one of Europe’s most emaking,” he says while showing me cal specialty, and
renowned Baroque castles. Inside, I around his vineyard. This includes hand something I had
marvel at Balthasar Neumann’s famous harvesting, organic pest control, spon-
staircase and the ceiling fresco by Gio- taneous fermentation and a focus on a never tasted before,
vanni Battista Tiepolo. Spanning over few, but high-quality grapes. A strategy quickly emerges as
an impressive 59 by 98 feet it is one of that seems to work with his Silvaner
the largest ever painted. It’s a perfect wines winning numerous accolades. my favorite. ”
summer evening as I mingle outdoors
with the locals on communal benches Next day, my rental car effortlessly
at the Bürgerspital Weinstuben. switches gears between open road and
city driving as I follow the brown and
Over glasses of delicious local wine and white signs for the Romantic Road and
traditional fare, new acquaintances are travel through traditional villages and
quickly found. Rotling wine, a local spe- small towns like Tauberbischofsheim
cialty, and something I had never tasted and Lauda-Königshofen. Out of the
before, quickly emerges as my favorite. blue, an orange light flashes at me in
Looking like a very dark, nearly crimson Bad Mergentheim - a speed camera.
rosé, it’s a wine which has been made The display confirms the speed at 39
by mixing red and white grapes. mph, I’m definitely going too fast in a
30 mph inner town zone.

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