What important crop is the Rhine Valley in Germany known for growing?

The Rhine Valley (Rheingau) is one of the 13 recognized wine districts in Germany , noted more for the quality of the wines produced than for the quantity. It certainly has the oldest wine-growing tradition in Germany - going back to the time of the Romans and the emperor Charles the Great is said to have planted vines here.

The dominant wine of the Rhine Valley is Riesling accounting for around 80% of production.The abundance of slate in the soil together with near perfect weather conditions account for the dominance of the Riesling grape.

Since the Middle Ages, Bacharach, named for Bacchus, the ancient Roman God of wine, has been the most important wine village in the Middle Rhine Valley. At one time, when the riverbank was higher, the medieval defense tower in the center of town was on the waters’ edge and loaded wine barrels from a crane onto ships. The must-see crane still exists.