“A toast to the past,” a voice whispers from the shadows of the Tor zur Champagne. Here, at this very gate, echoes of a sparkling legacy linger. The Tor zur Champagne isn’t just an archway. It’s a portal to a time when Mainz danced with the bubbles of celebration. Deep beneath the Kupferberg terrace, just a stone’s throw from the Tor zur Champagne, lies a hidden world. In 1888, the world’s deepest sparkling wine cellar was born. Imagine descending seven stories, each level a honeycomb of up to 60 cellars. These cellars plunge 50 meters below the city streets, a subterranean labyrinth holding the secrets of sparkling wine. The Tor zur Champagne silently witnessed the comings and goings of those who toiled in this underground realm. It saw horse-drawn carriages laden with bottles, ready to bring the effervescence of Mainz to the world. The main building of the Kupferberg Sekt producers, a watchful eye over the cellars, now houses a museum. This museum whispers tales of the golden age of sparkling wine production, a time when Mainz rivaled even the famed Champagne region of France. The Tor zur Champagne remembers it all. It stands as a quiet sentinel, a testament to Mainz’s vibrant history. So raise a glass, not just to the bubbly itself, but to the Tor zur Champagne, the gatekeeper of this sparkling legacy.
Rheingau-Taunus-Kreis
West of Wiesbaden lies the Rheingau-Taunus-Kreis. A fascinating blend of history and nature. This district formed in 1977. It combined