In Lauda / Königshofen (in the Taubervalley, border Franken/Baden), the Benz family have a great winery. Approx. 200 years ago, the wineries in this valley became suppliers for major cities such as Munich, Stuttgart and Frankfurt. The Tauber valley was pretty much the largest wine region of Germany.

Nowadays, the Taubertal is parte of the wine-growing regions in Franken, Baden and Württemberg. Really bizarre, because the wines have an obvious Franconian nature. The better wines are in the Bocksbeutel bottle and these wines are usually dry (below 4 g/l residual sugar).

Along the Tauber River (tributary of the Main), there are mainly calcareous soils. In some places there is a thick layer of loess. In some places the hills are terraced.

Weingut Benz is located in Beckstein, a small village near Lauda/Königshofen. The location is superb: surrounded by the grapes. When we arrive, a large group is just leaving for a walk through the vineyards.

In the Vinotheque of Benz we meet Renate and Hubert Benz. Two sympathetic people who take the time to show their passion for wine. And wine it is! We taste Müller-Thurgau, Silvaner and Riesling. Each wine excels in purity.

And not to forget impressive reds. Especially impressive Cabernet Sauvignon. Although I am not to fond for this 'French' grape in Germany. The family has good ideas, what to think of a hilltop hotel overlooking Beckstein. We collect some crates of bocksbeutels. We will come back, for sure!