h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Little known outside Germany is the red wine produced along the Rhine from the Bingen area southwards and in the Palatinate (Pfalz). It is little known because it is normally so light, dry and drinkable that the Germans keep most of it for themselves. If ever you get the chance to try a German red, try a dry (trocken) Dornfelder or a dry or medium-dry (halbtrocken) Spätburgunder. In many wine-making areas, vintners have at least one or two open days in the summer when you can try any number of their wines at reduced prices. You don't have to wait for the open day, of course, but then if you taste there will probably be more pressure on you to buy.

Steer well clear of Liebfraumilch, though, since the stuff that they keep for themselves is just as disgusting as the stuff that they export.

Hee hee, you haven't seen the red ones from the Ahr region, have you?

I deliberately left the Ahr region out. I have actually had the misfortune to be invited to a wine tasting there by a friend who grew up in a village in the Ahr valley. I was not impressed. Luckily, this did not affect our friendship.

er, are you sure they didn't serve you vinegar?

I thought vinegar and Ahr wine were synonymous...

I'm afraid you got that mixed up with Frankenwein