Äppelwein Tales: Prost! to Frankfurt

It’s been more than five years since I’ve been living in Munich—a place well-known for its beers and festivals—while I was born in one of the oldest wine-making countries in the world, Georgia. You might be surprised that I’m writing about apple wine. While my neighbour is practicing on her piano, amid her silent notes, I will try to convince you of the worthiness of the chosen topic in the following lines.

On a mid-April day, I am waiting for my inter-city express (ICE) train at Munich Hauptbahnhof (Haupt-Main; Bahnhof – Station), which should bring me in around three hours to Frankfurt am Main (am Main – on the Main, the name of the river), located in the state of Hesse in central Germany. Äppelwein tales occupy my thoughts during the trip. What should I explore and share with you?

Even though beer culture was flourishing in Germany during medieval times, drinking Äppelwein (apple wine) has surprisingly become a well-rooted tradition and a cultural symbol of Frankfurters’ life. And guess what could be the reason? It’s not difficult to guess: the availability of ingredients, namely apples, which are easier to grow in the area due to the soil conditions and climate of the region.

In Hesse, while apple orchards sway in the spring breeze, apple-growing traditions have allowed some areas to be designated as geographical indications (GIs). One notable area is “Hessischer Apfelwein,” which is specifically tied to the production of apple wine in Hesse, including Frankfurt. The production of apple wine in Hesse dates back several centuries, establishing it as a traditional beverage due to production methods that involve traditional and natural fermentation techniques, often in wooden casks, which is one of the reasons for its uniqueness.

As for its taste, today we can experience up to twenty different varieties of apple wine, resulting from different apple types and production methods, ranging from sweet and fruity to bittersweet or even sour flavours. So, do not hesitate to explore various tastes during your visit to Frankfurt, while not forgetting to say “Prost!” 😊

My trip in Frankfurt lasted only a few days, mostly accompanied by sunshine, during which I visited several tourist sights, danced at La Tardecita Milonga—with a wonderful DJ from Düsseldorf playing Tandas and Cortinas close to my heart—during the brief light April rain. Last but not least, I met my old Georgian friend for breakfast on Easter day in the cozy Café Karin, who helped me organize a small tour in Heidelberg.

On my way back to Munich, I had a chance to glimpse Heidelberg Castle, where the world’s largest wine barrel is located (“Heidelberg Tun,” holds about 220,000 litters, constructed in the 18th century)—trust me, it’s exciting to walk there! Especially since we Georgians have been recognized by UNESCO for our traditional wine-making method using qvevri (ქვევრი – a large clay vessel buried underground) as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

So, Prost! to Frankfurt and Heidelberg, and of course, to Georgia.

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