A popular name for a single location in Germany, usually referring to a castle or fortress that either still exists or was once elevated.
The name originated as early as the 14th century in reference to Layen Castle and appears in the cadastre of vineyards in 1819. The vineyard, which faces south to south-east in the form of an amphitheatre, has a slope of 20 to 60% and is situated at an altitude of 130 to 190 metres above sea level. Due to the basin location, it is protected from winds. It comprises just under four hectares of vineyards, where mainly Riesling is cultivated. The clay soil, partly interspersed with slate and pebbles, has a high proportion of Taunus quartzite. As the cold air accumulates at the foot of the slope on frosty winter nights, the area is suitable for the production of ice wines. The Kruger-Rumpf, Schlossgut Diel and Schömehl wineries, for example, have shares in the site.
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Egon Mark
Diplom-Sommelier, Weinakademiker und Weinberater, Volders (Österreich)