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| Tuesday, 21 September 2004 |
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Ingelheim am Rhein - a famous town of the red wine in Germany Ingelheim am Rhein is the administrative centre for the Mainz-Bingen area in the Rhenisch-Palatinate. From early times on this central town could be reached easily by ship, train or bus. Today Ingelheim am Rhein is situated on the periphery of the Rhein-Main-Metropolitan area, close to the capitals of Maniz, Wiesbaden and Frankfurt and connected with all European cities by road, rail and river (the River Rhein being Europe's number one water way). The Rhein-Main-airport, the "gateway to the world" is also nearby. Ingelheim is active in the Industrial sector but still close to nature. It is a town with its own individual image. The archaeological finds are proof of an early settlement in the Ingelheim area. The local museum shows the history of early and late stone age, bronze age, celtic times as well as the Roman and Merovingian period. Ingelheim am Rhein is a decidedly modern town, but it also has a lot of fascinating things from the past to offer. Quiet corners and the historic treasures shows more value of this town. Charlemagne (Kaiser Karl 800 A.D.) was the dominant person as far as the development of the town is concerned. Now we can see only remains of his Imperial palace (Kaiserpfalz). Small villages of Ober-and Nieder-Ingelheim, Sporkenheim, Grob-Winternheim and Frei-Weinheim were joined together to form Ingelheim am Rhein. "When you are old, you would do well to imitate Charlemagne and choose to reside in such an atmosphere" Johann Wolfgang von Goethe said enthusiastically when he paid the town a visit. There is a charming contrast between the quiet corners of the older streets, the wine growing estates, the walls with their fountains, the half timbered houses and former manors and the modern streets and shopping centres. Together they create the character of this lively town. However each district keeps its own much loved traditions. The town of the red wine As far back as the times of Charlemagne red wine thrived here, and Charlemagne himself knew that it was one of the best in his Empire. The founder of the towns reputation for red wine was Charlemagne because he decreed Burgundy wine (sp. name for red wine) to be planted in the region. The condition of the soil and the mild climate are ideal for producing magnificent early and late varieties of red wine like Fruhburgunder, Spatburgunder, Portugieser and Dornfelder. The "Ober-Ingelheimer Spatburgunder" a full-bodied red wine, has made Ingelheim known all over the world. There are also excellent white wines which grow in and around Ingelheim. Varieties such as the Weissburgunder, Grauburgunder, Riesling, Rivaner, Silvaner and Chardonnay profit from the many hours of sunshine the area gets. Grapes harvest time in autumn. Many people find the new red wine, the so called "Roter Rauscher", which has not yet fermenting and which is also on sale, very much to their taste. A special attraction known far beyound local boundaries is the "Rotweinfest", (red wine festival) late in September. After the opening speech by the Red Wine Queen nine days of celebration follow on the historic grounds of the "Burgkirche", where the Ingelheim wine growers present samples of their best wines. Ingelgeim's Asparagus is nearly as famous as Ingelheim's red wine. This noble vegetable is grown on an area covering 370 acres, it grows extremely well in the sandy soil of the Rhine lowlands. Around Ingelheim you will find one of the largest fruit growing areas in Germany. Among the fruits are sweet and sour cherries, apricots, peaches, mirabelles, plums, apples, pears and even figs. One harvest follows the next in unbroken succession and takes us right through into the autumn when the grapes and nuts ripen. When weather gets really cold and frosty the time has come for the ice wine to be harvested, and then it does not take long for nature to wake up again and resume its cycle. The people of Ingelheim "Get a kick out of fun". They like to celebrate on all kinds of occasions. Each part of the town organizes its individual "Kerb" (country fair) at a fixed date. The "Hafenfest" late in July on the banks of the Rhine, the "Fassenacht" (carnival), dances and various other festivities are popular amusements. They drink to each others health with a glass of wine from Ingelheim. Ingelheim has nice little pubs where heated discussions or just chit-chat over a "Halbe" (glass of wine) help to overcome the worries of every day life. The "Internationale Tage" (international days) which the Boehringer Ingelheim Company has organized regularly since 1959, has made the name of the town famous throughout the world. This family-owned pharmaceutical company has very close ties with the town. Ingelheim celebrates its Internationale Tage in May of each year. Each of these events is dedicated to a particular country or artist. The ever growing numbers of visitors and the excellent reviews in the national and international press are signs of general interest and recognition. Maehler u. Kaege producer of eletro-technical specialities, are also among the leaders of their branch in Germany. One famous son of Ingelheim is Sebastian Munster, geb. 1488, gest. 1552, he is gone down in German history as the pioneer of modern thought. He published his main encyclopedia work "Cosmographia", describing the Country of Germany. The most frequently read book, alongside the bible, in homes in the German speaking area up into the 18th Century. The large woodland of "Taunus, Odenwald, Pfalzerwald and Hunsruck" and natural beauty to the surroundings of Ingelheim. Rhine-Hesse is considered to be one of the driest areas in Germany. Its gently rolling countryside with the wineyards and sunflower fields have also given it its nickname "Germanys Tuscany". In the long run through, it is the people the town has to thank for being rated "lovable and worth living in". - Keerthi Bandara |
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