The steepness of vineyards is expressed in per cent (%) or degrees (°). However, the values given are often incorrect due to the confusion between per cent and degree. At 45° this is 100%, whereas 45% is only 24°. The impossible 100° (overhang) would result in 567% in purely mathematical terms. An inclination of 90° corresponds to a vertical wall. The real maximum values for vineyards are around 75° (373%). The single vineyard Engelsfelsen in the municipality of Bühlertal in the German wine-growing region of Baden has exactly this steepness and the Doctor site in Bernkastel on the Moselle also comes very close to this limit at 70° (275%).
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Hans-Georg Schwarz
Ehrenobmann der Domäne Wachau (Wachau)