Mainz and Great Wine Capitals
On practically every street corner there are also reminders of the city’s Roman history and its most famous citizen. Sometime around 1450, Johannes Gutenberg invented moveable type, which in some ways makes him the grandfather of Internet. You can admire his masterpiece, now known as the Gutenberg Bible, in Mainz.
Then there is Saint Martin’s Cathedral, built a thousand years ago. Though its actual age is difficult to determine, one thing is certain: much has taken place here since the laying of the first stone. In the shadow of the cathedral, you can take full advantage of the city’s warmth and way of life.
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"In and around the city you will also find innumerable vineyards and wine cellars, which give the city its Mediterranean flavour. Not to forget the fine food that goes with the wine! Mainz is Germany’s official winemaking capital: the 26,000 hectares planted in grapes in Hesse-Rhineland make it the country’s largest vineyard.
The nectars produced at the region’s various estates have an excellent and well-deserved reputation, as you can see for yourself by having a glass of wine in one of the city’s many traditional and picturesque wine bars, trendy establishments, or Michelin-starred restaurants. That is also part of the Mainz life: taking time to sit down and enjoy the region’s art de vivre, warmth and friendly ambiance.
For 15 years now, Mainz and the vineyards of Hesse-Rhineland, Germany’s largest wine-growing region, have been members of the ‘Great Wine Capitals’ network, an international network of eleven major cities from across the world. These cities have something in common, a characteristic that significantly influences their culture and economy: they are all located in the heart of an internationally famous winegrowing region. This unique network is something of a bridge between what might be called the ‘new’ and ‘old’ wine worlds. Since its creation in 1999, the network has instigated and brought to fruition many projects, initiatives and programmes, all with the goal of providing exceptional service in terms of tourism, business relations and educational programmes within this international community."
"This is why the Women’s International Trophy has been placed under the patronage of Elke Höllein, the head of Great Wine Capitals Mainz / Rheinhessen. "
Welcome speech
More and more, the wine world is a woman’s world, from production to purchasing decisions and tasting. That is why we are immensely pleased to welcome you, professional women tasters of wine, beer, and spirits, who have come from all across the world to this Women’s International Trophy in Mainz, the German wine capital.
For 15 years now, Mainz and the vineyards of Hesse-Rhineland, Germany’s largest wine-growing region, have been members of the ‘Great Wine Capitals’ (GWC) network. From the vineyards of Bordeaux to those near Cape Town, from the Napa Valley to San Francisco, eleven cities in the heart of famous wine-growing regions are now connected in an international network that focuses on wine tourism. Each year, the GWC network bestows its Best of Wine Tourism awards on all the regions in the network. In addition, giving a feminine touch to the world of wine is very important to us. So we are proud to put women award-winners in the spotlight on our website and in the Great Wine Capitals newsletter.
The city of Mainz has a unique relationship with wine and the grape, which was first planted along the Rhine in Roman times. Beer also played an important role in Mainz from the 16th to the 20th century: at some points in its history, the city boasted up to 40 breweries. Today you can taste excellent wines from Mainz and the vineyards of Hesse-Rhineland, and delightful craft beers from Mainz as well. There are even some local spirits. These divine nectars are served in typical Mainz wine bars and cozy cafes, and in gourmet restaurants and renowned hotels. What could be a better way to end an exciting day in Mainz? Indeed, the capital of the Rhineland-Palatinate state is rich in opportunities for culture and leisure, including its historic old town with St. Martin’s Cathedral and numerous churches, its museums such as the Gutenberg, art galleries, the national theatre, the banks of the Rhine and the city’s parks, and much more.
Dear wine tasters from around the world, I am sure that you will feel right at home here! As director of Great Wine Capitals for Mainz and Hesse-Rhineland, I accepted with joy the opportunity to sponsor this Women’s International Trophy.
I wish your refined senses an excellent tasting and hope you will find time to discover our wine-growing capital and its region!
Best regards, Elke Höllein
Director of Great Wine Capitals Mainz - Hesse-Rhineland
