Location and Topography
The Scharlachberg is a single-vineyard site above Bingen-Büdesheim in the Bingen sub-region. Its western end reaches almost to the Nahe. The site belongs to the Rheinhessen wine-growing region and is located near Bingen am Rhein. It is predominantly south-facing, with a smaller section exposed to the south-east, and extends from 100 to 220 metres in altitude. The slope angle is about 20 to 50 percent.
Soil and Climate
The soil consists of material shaped by quartzite and slate, with sandy loam. Regionally, it is described as quartzite-rigosol, a strongly cemented Devonian sandstone with a high proportion of iron oxide. The stony, sandy and acidic soil is well aerated, low in nutrients, stores water only moderately and warms up easily. Its drainage is particularly beneficial for vine cultivation in damp years. Winds from the Hunsrück work especially in autumn, drying out and thereby favouring late harvest dates.
Grape Varieties and Wine Style
The classified area covers 31 hectares. The classified grape varieties are Riesling and Spätburgunder, with Riesling being the most important documented grape variety. The Rieslings of the Scharlachberg have a high ripening potential and are associated with lively acidity, freshness, mineral tension and a need for ageing time.
Classification and History
VDP lists the Scharlachberg as VDP.GROSSE LAGE. The site has been documented since 1248; its name refers to the scarlet-coloured tint created by iron oxide in the soil. For a documented vintage 2023 of the winery Bischel, the grapes were harvested by hand in several passes, fermented with natural yeasts in stainless-steel tanks and matured for eight months on the lees.
