Unkel Winefest

On Sunday Kevin and I took a boat from Bad Godesburg to the town of Unkel for its annual wine and homeland festival. The event was organized by the Colloquium Humanum, an organization in Bonn that promotes culture events, particularly where these events are able to encourage interactions between Germans and people of different cultures. IFOAM, the organization that I am doing volunteer work for, received an invitation and I was very happy to take them up the offer.

On the west bank of the Rhine, the town of Unkel is approximately 20 miles south of Bonn. Though Rieslings are the most popular wines produced in the region, Unkle is known for its red wines. It is the farthest north red wine grapes are grown, and the Cathedral in Cologne once owned the town’s vineyards.

The boat left from Bad Godesburg and arrived in Unkel a few hours later. When the boat docked, we were met by a brass band. The town's officials greeted us, and then we were taken on a tour of the town.

After the tour, everyone made their way back to the waterfront for one of the day's highlights -- the arrival of the Wine Queen on her boat rowed by men from the town decked out in traditional costumes. Her arrival was followed by a parade, and then we were free to wander through the main square of the festival.

Like every good German festival there was plenty to eat and drink. Bratwurst, potato pancakes, pretzels...they all could be found along with some specialties of the region. At the wine festivals along the Rhine, the drink of choice is Federweisser.

The color of lemonade, with a little fizz, Federweisser is basically fermented, freshly pressed grape juice. It is light, and sweet, and surprisingly refreshing. The alcohol content starts at 4 percent when is it first bottled, and increases a bit over time. Federweisser is special because it is only available locally and in the fall.

The perfect compliment to the Federweisser is zwiebelkuchen. A hearty onion cake, it is similar to a quiche, with less crust, less egg, and a bit of speck. It's a little sweet and a little savory, very delicious, and surprisingly filling. After all that I ate on Sunday afternoon, I hardly had room for a light salad on Sunday night.