The Palatinate (Pfalz) winegrowing region has numerous churches, castles, chapels and remnants of roman and celtic times. Wine festivals are held from march to october, starting with the Mandelbluetenfest (Almond blossom) in Gimmeldingen. Wine festivals combine socialising and wine in the palatinate way. Unlike other wine growing regions in Germany, the wine is served in 0,5l (50 cl) glasses, often mixed with limonade as wine cooler or "Weinschorle". The glass is called "Dubbeglas" due to dimples or "Dubbe" that cover the glass, making it easier to hold when the grip gets a bit effected by the wine. It is said that local butchers "invented" this kind of glass at a "Schlachtfest", a fest when "the pig gets slaughtered" and the butchers did not work that hard that they where kept away from the wine...

This glass also describes Palatinate lifestyle at its best; if the food and wine is good - life is good.

 

Each village has several vintners and winemakers, most of them offering wine tasting and a shop where you can buy their produces. The quality is ranging from top notch vintners that win international prices in a row to hidden gems with affordable prices.

 

Restaurants range from first class to civil restaurants with opulent meals where the "Stammtisch" (regulars table) is hold each evening and the waitress gets prettier each hour...

 

Speyer, although not in todays winegrowing region, once was the centre of the Salian dynasty and the Holy Roman Empire and is a place not to miss.

Speyer is a diocesan town and bishops are mentioned back to 346.

The imperial cathedral of Speyer is the largest romanesque church worldwide. The laying of the foundaion stone dates back to 1030. It is the burial place of 4 Emperors and 4 kings.

Old town of Speyer