Location and landscape
Norheim is an Ortsgemeinde in the district of Bad Kreuznach in Rhineland-Palatinate. The municipality lies in the Nahe valley and belongs to the Verbandsgemeinde of Rüdesheim. At an altitude of about 135 metres, it is surrounded by hills, rock formations and wooded slopes; near it is the Rotenfels massif.
The surrounding rocks and wooded mountains provide a mild, comparatively low-rainfall climate. Norheim has more than 50 hectares of vineyards, in part with pronounced slope gradients.
Winegrowing in Norheim
Norheim is described as the oldest wine village on the Nahe. Archaeological evidence and viticulture in Roman times point to an earlier history of settlement and winegrowing. The place was first mentioned in a document in 766 in the Lorscher Chronik.
Riesling is the most important white grape variety. In addition, Sauvignon Blanc, Müller-Thurgau, Bacchus, Weißburgunder, Grauburgunder, Scheurebe and Chardonnay are documented. Red grape varieties include Spätburgunder, Dornfelder, Regent and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Norheim vineyard sites
Among the vineyard sites highlighted by the municipality are Kirschheck, Kafels and Dellchen. Dellchen is a south-facing site with 50 to 70 per cent slope on an altitude of about 140 to 200 metres. Grey slate with a covering of porphyry, porphyry, slate and gravelly loam shape the subsoil. Terraced by dry stone walls, the site stores warmth during the day and releases it again at night.
Kirschheck lies on the Nahe near Norheim as a partly steep south slope. The site ranges from about 120 to 190 metres above sea level and has a slope gradient of 10 to 50 per cent. Dark grey Permian clay and slate, loess and loess-clay layers, and grey slate with portions of sandstone and porphyry are found there, among other things. The 14-hectare site is classified as Riesling.
Classifications
The VDP lists Riesling as a classified grape variety for Dellchen and Norheimer In der Kirschheck. Dellchen is classified as VDP.GROSSE LAGE, Norheimer In der Kirschheck as VDP.ERSTE LAGE. These classifications are private VDP classifications and not statutory German wine law classifications.
