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
The world of wine is filled with many voices - an increasing number of which are female. Wine itself is multi-layered: it is an expression of its origins, craftsmanship and culture. In each of these areas, women in our industry are more involved than ever, in vineyards, cellars, the retail sector or the culinary arts. Naturally, the same is true for professional wine tasting. What makes the Women’s International Trophy special is that the tasting is conducted exclusively by women, which makes total sense and underscores the relevance of their perspective for the entire world of flavours.
Mainz is the ideal location for these tastings. This city is in the heart of Rheinhessen — Germany’s largest wine-growing region — and has been producing wine for over two millennia. It was the Romans who introduced viticulture to the banks of the Rhine, shaping the region’s landscape, economy and atmosphere. Mainz is also a lively city that celebrates the pleasures of life: in addition to the distinctive wines produced in the region, it boasts a rapidly expanding craft-beer culture, high-quality spirits and a rich culinary scene which satisfies every area of a hedonistic culture.
In its role as Germany’s wine capital, and a member of the international “Great Wine Capitals” network, Mainz has forged close partnerships with major wine regions around the world. This network fosters dialogue about wine making, wine tourism and wine culture; values that are also reflected in tasting sessions like the ones organised by the Women’s International Trophy.
All these reasons make Mainz a place where international expertise, a winemaking tradition dating back over a century and a contemporary hedonistic culture converge more than anywhere else. It is also the perfect setting for focused tastings, professional exchanges and new perspectives on a wide variety of quality products.
I hope you taste some inspirational wine, discover many new things and — who knows — perhaps even find the time to explore Mainz and Rheinhessen.
Best regards, Manuela Matz
Head of Economic Affairs and Real Estate, City of Mainz
