My parents in front of the German “Weintor”
My parents came to see me when I was in Karlsruhe for a business meeting a couple of weeks ago. They took me for a drive around the southern Pfalz region, which is a major wine producing area in Germany.
It was a beautiful day in spring with mild temperatures and fast moving clouds. After a short rain, the sun came out for a while.
We ended up at a small village called Schweigen-Rechtenbach to have a look at the German “Weintor”, literally translated as the “German wine gate”.
It was built in 1936 and marks the starts of the German wine route which ends in about 85 km further north in a village called Bockenheim.
The terrace
We planned to have lunch in the restaurant at the “Weintor”. The large terrace was very inviting but it was still too cold to sit outside.
The foyer
The stone building looks very traditional from the outside. However, the foyer of the restaurant has a kind of post-modern funky look, “retro” one could also call it.
The entrance to the restaurant
The inside of the restaurant
We sat near the fire place. The staff was very friendly, and convinced us to get started with a sparkling Pinot Meunier, or in German “Schwarzriesling”.
Sparkling Schwarzriesling – Pinot Meunier
This was followed by “greetings from the cook”: a delicious pate, which was just the right starter. It wetted our appetite.
Courtesy of the cook
I could not resist and ordered the house Riesling, a dry wine from the Pfalz region.
Dry Riesling from the Pfalz
My main dish was a trout with almonds, with potatoes and salad. Just wonderfully delicious. It was the right hearty meal which made me forget my jet-lag. I had arrived the very same morning from Bangkok and needed some stimulation to stay awake. That’s why I could not resist the ice cream either.
Trout with almonds
Dessert
Espresso
We had a jolly good time. The food was delicious, the staff extremely friendly, the spring outside inspiring and the company just great. I could not imagine a better welcome to Germany.
On our way out, I noticed the table with the informations about wine events and other local festivities. It was a pity that I could not stay a couple of days longer. The wine route through the Pfalz/Palatinate has so much to offer.
Address:
Deutsches Weintor Restaurant
Weinstraße 4
D-76889 Schweigen-Rechtenbach
T +49 (0) 6342 – 922 788 8
F +49 (0) 6342 – 922 788 9
www.weintor.de/restaurant.html
The Man from Mosel River 