What Country Has the Best Bread in the World?

This country has >3,200 different types of bread!

The answer may surprise you.   I’m guessing the majority of you are saying France, but that would be non.   While the French baguette has a je ne sais quois international brand appeal connoting everything from the Eiffel tower & Notre Dame to elderly men donning berets & pedaling a bicycle with crusty baguettes tucked under their arms, when one really gets down to the "dark" truth, the French baguette can be wonderful but, the best bread on the planet comes from Germany.

Germany?  No, I haven’t lost my marbles and it’s not just my opinion.   In 2015 German bread was officially added by the United Nation’s cultural arm (UNESCO) to the organization’s world heritage list.  If you’ve not been to Germany, you may disagree, however, consider this:  Did you know that Germany has more varieties of bread than any other country in the world?   According to the German Institute for Bread (of course there is such a thing in this bread-centric country), there are more than 3,200 types of bread officially recognized in Germany.  Many of them are dark in color and not made with wheat flour.

Breakfasts feature a multitude of healthy breads such as this one in Dresden during the Xmas markets.

France is estimated to have a few hundreds of bread types, so why does Germany have exponentially more?   One reason is due to Germany’s fragmented history up until the 19^th century.  Until that time, what is now known as Germany was a multitude of tiny kingdoms, all with their own distinct culture, dialect, customs, and with their own bread specialties.

The Middle Ages gave birth to today’s iconic German rye bread.  Known for its hearty texture and robust flavors, rye-based bread was especially popular in the northern kingdoms as rye was easier to grow than wheat in the north’s colder weather.  In the early 1500’s many of the southern duchies passed a law prohibiting the use of wheat for any other purpose other than beer.  This further paved the way for rye, spelt, barley and a host of other whole grains for bread use.  Quintessential German breads such as pumpernickel became part of Germany’s culinary history at this point.

                                   Bakeries in Germany offer mind-boggling options.

Germans were way ahead of the current health trend for organic whole-grain breads.   Germany doesn’t have the same amount of sunshine as Italy or France, and many areas in spite of global warming are not conducive to growing wheat.  Nutritious grains such as rye (an edible grass seed that is turns bread dark brown) and spelt (an ancient high protein whole grain which creates dark bread), however, can be easily grown even in the northernmost parts of Germany.

The truth about Germany’s breads:  there is a colossal number of choices and many of them are dark colored breads.  Not only are these dark breads significantly more healthy, but they offer wonderful flavors of nuttiness with chewy interiors.

Ya vol!

Heidelberg: the World's Largest Wine Barrel

          The castle, as seen from the Christmas Market, dominates the entire town of Heidelberg

Heidelberg is one of Germany's (and Europe's) most charming cities.  The city boasts the oldest university in Germany (1386) which has produced eight Noble prize winners.   The university is extremely popular---one in four residents of Heidelberg is a student.    Heidelberg has long been an attraction for great literates including Goethe, Victor Hugo, and Mark Twain.   (Twain wrote much of his Tramp Abroad in the city.)  With its riverbank setting, spectacular old town filled with stunning buildings from the medieval, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque periods, it is an architectural jewel.  One of the most special buildings is home the largest wine barrel in the world.

                        
                    Mark Twain's illustrator captured the cask in the book A TRAMP ABROAD

The mammoth size wine barrel is located in the wine cellar of Heidelberg's iconic hilltop castle.  The castle's construction began in the early 13th century, but there have been numerous centuries of construction efforts.  At one time, the castle was even divided into two separate palaces.  While German Kings in the 1400's claimed the castle as their residence, the next 500 years would bring decay from several fires, along with destructive wars.   There have been multiple attempts at rebuilding and restoration.  Regrettably, the ravages of time and forces of nature have destroyed much of the former castle but, fortunately, there are a few parts of the palace remaining.  Yesterday, Wine-Knows had a private tour of the castle and its still intact wine cellar...home of the monstrous wine barrel.

The castle ruins provide the perfect backdrop for a cup of hot mulled wine.

The world's largest wine barrel was built in 1751 by the King of Bavaria.   At that time it was a status symbol to build oversized wine barrels in Germany.  For example, it was not unusual for towns to attempt to outrival one another with fashionable super-sized wine barrels.  Royalty had their own competition.   The Prince who earlier owned Heidelberg castle was in a rivalry with the Duke who owned Ludwigsburg Palace.   Both built immense barrels to outdo the other.  Everything came to a grinding halt when the Bavarian King built the barrel that was never surpassed---his barrel was in the castle at Heidelberg.

Timbered from 130 oak trees, Heidelberg's barrel holds about 58,000 gallons which translates to nearly 300,000 bottles.  That being said, it is no longer used to store wine.  Over the years, its oak staves have dried out and shrunk causing leakage.  Today, it's simply a display for tourists interested in wine.

                                 The wine cask is so tall that it requires a staircase to reach its top

Thirsty Wine-Knows, however, didn't stop after viewing the barrel.  Instead, we proceeded deep into the caste's cellar which is now a wine cellar restaurant.  As the castle was now closed to visitors, we enjoyed the entire cellar in a  private wine tasting.   All wines were dry one and included some of the area's most highly regarded wines.

Merry Christmas from Heidelberg!

Germany’s UNESCO Time Capsule

                               Quedlinburg is the site of where Germany's first King was crowned

Quedlinburg is a magical spot.  Located a few hours’ drive south of Berlin, I visited this charming former East German village in 1990 after the wall was demolished.   I went because my grandfather was born in Quedlinburg and I wanted to explore the paternal side of the family.  It was a jewel box then and thanks to its protected status by the United Nations (1994), it remains a precious gem today.

The town has royal beginnings.  The first king of Germany, Henry (876-936), was crowned in Quedlinburg and the town became the first capitol of the newly formed German Republic.  One of the most highly esteemed churches in Germany during the Middle Ages was built at the top of the hill in Quedlinburg to honor its position as the epicenter of Germany.  The town prospered due to considerable wealth and political influence brought by its importance as a trading center in the Middle Ages. 

         The town's perfectly architecture makes it one of the most special towns in all of Germany. 

The real reason to come here is for the jaw-dropping architecture.  An outstanding example of a medieval town, Quedlinburg is distinguished by its exceptional architectural heritage of Romanesque and half-timbered buildings, many of remarkably high quality.  When I visited in 1990, I was awe-struck at how well preserved this medieval village was.  Yes, many of the buildings needed a fresh coat of paint, but its compelling raw beauty was very apparent.  Today, this Cinderella is fully dressed for the ball.

                          The Christmas market is held in the enchanting central square

We rented a gorgeous apartment near the Castle and I cooked Christmas dinner:  a fennel & herb-brined pork rib roast with a fennel and cherry relish served with a wine-braised red cabbage.   A Grand Kru Riesling from Albert Mann completed this perfect culinary composition.  Although it probably wasn’t exactly the meal my grandmother would have prepared for Christmas (goose is the most popular yule-time meal), with the fireplace crackling and a glass of Champagne to kick it off, I think my grandparents would have indeed enjoyed themselves.

Wishing you many magical experiences in the New Year !

World Heritage Wine Regions

UNESCO (United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization) has identified several wine regions in the world as World Heritage Sites.   Having had the opportunity to visit them all, here are my suggestions for the oenophile’s bucket list (alpha order by country):

    Austria: 

    The Wachu wine district, steep terraces on the banks of the Danube River, is ground zero to the world’s best Gruner Vetliner grape varietal.  Add jaw-dropping ancient monasteries, abbeys, and castles and you have an area deserving of the UNESCO recognition.

    France:

~ Bordeaux:  The 2,000 year old town of Bordeaux, the epicenter of France’s largest fine wine region, has earned its UNESCO status for its role as a cultural center, and for its beautifully preserved classical architecture (much of which has remained unchanged for centuries).

                                           

~ St Emilion:  Located in the Bordeaux district, this exquisitely preserved medieval hilltop town was the first wine area to be awarded UNESCO status in 1999.  The entire town is a treasure trove that has survived intact.  Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon vines surround the village.

~ Loire Valley:  The UNESCO area comprises 164 towns, as well as vineyards producing Cabernet Franc & Chenin Blanc.  Enormous chateaux dot the entire valley, offering a stunning architectural testimony to France’s Golden Age.

    Germany:  

The Middle Rhine received its UNESCO status for its role as a major trade artery in the evolution of Europe’s history.  The steep-sided river valley is studded with ancient castles, historic towns and Riesling vineyards that require great care and skill (some slopes angle nearly 45 degrees).

    Hungary:  

    The Tokaj wine appellation was Europe’s first classified wine district.  Its thousand year old wine-making traditions with dessert wines make it a no-brainer for UNESCO designation.

    Portugal:  

    The Douro Valley wine region, demarcated in 1767,  was honored by UNESCO because of the extreme human influence on its development.   The landscape’s nearly vertical hillsides is rugged and inhospitable, requiring significant grit and back-breaking toll.  This zone is home to Port.

    Switzerland:   

Lavaux is the largest contiguous vineyard region in the country.  Located on the steep banks of Lake Geneva, the area was honored by UNESCO for its daringly constructed  terraces built in the 11^th century.  The main varietal is Chasselas.