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Saale-Unstrut is the northernmost of Germany's 13 wine-growing regions. At 51 degrees northern latitude, it is one of the most northerly wine regions in the world. It takes its name from the two rivers on the banks of which the vines of the region grow, and is composed of three non-contiguous parts located mainly in the federal state of Saxony-Anhalt, with a smaller area of 50 acres (20ha) in the state of Thüringen and a block of just 17 acres (7ha) in Brandenburg. The south- and south-west-facing slopes along the narrow river valleys have terraced vineyards with a total vineyard area of 1700 acres (680ha).
Wine has been grown here for more than 1000 years. The Cistercian monks founded the Pforta Abbey in approximately 1100 AD and established the Pfortenser Köppelberg vineyard, which still exists today. The wine industry in this part of Germany had a hard time during the post-war communist era, but since reunification quality has improved, and the area under vine has expanded slightly.
Saale-Unstrut enjoys plenty of sunshine and has one of the lowest rainfalls of any German wine-growing region. Soils are mainly sedimentary with shell, limestone and sandstone predominating. Despite these favorable conditions, the region's northern climate is uncompromising, and even when yields are kept low, Spätlese or Auslese wines can only be produced during the warmest of years.
Müller-Thurgau is the most widely planted variety, accounting for around 20% of the total vineyard area. A range of other varieties are grown, both white and red, with Pinot Blanc, Silvaner and Riesling being the most significant, after Müller-Thurgau.
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