1977 Map of the German Wine Regions

This is a charming c. 1977 pictorial map of the wine-growing region of Germany along the Rhine River and its tributaries.

A Closer Look

This colorful map covers the wine-growing regions of Germany, concentrated in the country's southwest along the Rhine River in Baden-Wurtemburg, the Rhineland-Palatinate, the Saarland, and a portion of North Rhine-Westphalia. The Rhine River and several tributaries, including the Mosel, the Main, and the Ahr, dominate the map. Riverside cities and towns are noted throughout, along with shading indicating wine-growing regions and various illustrations of vineyards, presses, casks, and the finished product. The text at left reads 'Deutscher Weineinzig unter den Weinen,' which roughly translates to 'German wine, unique among [all] wines.'

Wine in the Land of Beer

Despite being better known for beer, wine has a centuries-long history in Germany, having been introduced by the Romans. Catholic monks carried on the winemaking tradition in the Middle Ages, developing the Riesling varietal by the 13th century. By the 19th century, German wines were considered among the world's best, a reputation they have regained despite the destruction wrought by the two World Wars. The reasons for Germany's winemaking acumen largely have to do with the Rhine, which moderates the climate of the surrounding lands, the topography near the river (sloping hills ideal for viticulture), and surrounding mountains and forests, which help reduce strong winds and floods.

Publication History and Census

This map was made by an unknown artist, and no publication information is provided. The present work might have been produced in conjunction with the 1979 Helmut Hochrain book Die deutschen Weinlande: Wein und Reisen in Deutschland, published by Westermann. In any event, we have been unable to locate other examples of this map in institutional collections or on the market.