was last weekend in the vineyards near Oppenheim. Billed as a "gourmet" walk, it featured federweisser/neuer wein and a variety of treats to accompany this unique European drink. The drink is completely unheard of in the United States. I'm sure it would be banned by the USDA/FDA because it is unpasteurized, unfiltered, full of active yeast and who knows what else and for some people, it may not agree with your system.
Federweisser is one of the names given to the liquid from the first crush of wine grapes. Literally translated federweisser means "feather white" and refers to the milky white color of the newly crushed white wine grapes as they start to ferment. Also known as "neuer wine" or new wine because it literally is the newest wine of the season.
Federweisser is only available for a few weeks in the fall, after the first grapes are picked and crushed. It is definitely a seasonal item and it isn't for everyone. I used to think I loved it. I never tried one I didn't like. This season, however, I've found more I didn't like than I did. I guess it's like any wine, some you like and some you don't.
We spent about three hours wandering through the vineyards, eating, drinking and enjoying the summer-like sunshine.



And we even got to spent some time with fellow blogger Frau Dietz' relatives.