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"Deep into the heart"
Guest article by Daniel Robbel
The Ahr Valley is a place full of sunshine, happiness and love.
It is to be hoped that its inhabitants and their visitors will soon feel this again.
Article from the Rotary Magazine (01.08.2021)
The Ahr Valley has touched my heart. I grew up here, went to school here, live and work here. So it's no exaggeration to talk about love. Anyone who has ever been in love knows that an argument only becomes a real argument when love is involved. The narrow, winding roads have driven me to despair more than once. The rustic, direct manner of the Ahr Valley people can also be incredibly exhausting. But these feelings only last for seconds. Because the small country roads all around offer breathtaking beauty. And after every rumble in the minds of the locals, it comes through again, this all-encompassing warmth and hospitality.
Yes, the Ahr Valley is a region for the heart and all the senses. Anyone visiting the Ahr, this special river in the north of Rhineland-Palatinate, is advised to stop at any point, close their eyes and take a deep breath. The odours could not be more diverse. It is the sweet-sour and beguiling scent of the vineyards. And then there is that very special odour that arises when ice-cold water meets hot slate in summer. Along the 85 kilometres from its source to its mouth in the Rhine, its wild daughter, as the Ahr is often called, has many such impressions to offer. Wet leaves, burnt wood, red wine drying on the ground. That's what the Ahr smells like.
And then there is the eye. Between Blankenheim and Sinzig, greenery dominates, ideally under a bright blue sky. There is plenty of nature, and hiking enthusiasts get their money's worth. But the real eye-catchers are the wine villages. They are quite patinated and tell stories of old times, of splendour and disasters, of war and peace with their ancient half-timbered houses. Unadorned craftsmanship meets merciless kitsch. The car parks of the wineries' wine taverns are sometimes rustic, sometimes ultra-modern. An electric car is parked next to a horse-drawn carriage. Or even a handcart, usually when it's Father's Day and the Ahr Valley dads are out and about together. The object of desire of the visitors is always the same: wine. Which brings us to sense number three: flavour. The Ahr is a region full of flavour. There are fantastic red wines that have made the Ahr famous throughout the country. But first-class white wines are increasingly coming to the fore. It would be risky to order just a glass of water. Visitors should not be surprised if the innkeeper or winegrower asks if they would like a towel and soap. That's just the way it is here.
And then a new morning begins
Sparkling drinks such as Blanc de Noir or Riesling are ideal companions on a mild summer night with soft music - let's not forget the ear. But the flavour experience here outweighs everything else. Plump olives grow in our valley, fine truffles thrive and red wine krakauer, an absolute speciality, roasts on the grill. The rustic gastronomy is crowned by Michelin-starred cuisine. The villages of Heppingen and Sinzig are home to award-winning top chefs - so the buffet is always well-stocked. Whether it's potato pancakes or fillet of beef.
Good - the Ahr valley is a great region. The nature is beautiful, the landscape anyway and the wine tastes good. But what about love? The quintessence is the people. Imagine that balmy summer night with the Blanc de Noir. Imagine the owner of a hotel who reached retirement age 20 years ago and would do her damnedest to shoo you out of the wine bar at midnight. Imagine a winemaker who sits down and opens another bottle of Pinot Noir, even though the alarm clock is only five hours away. And sometimes, if the luck is right, the accordion is dusted off. Imagine craftsmen offering you their evening meal - a home-made sausage and sourdough bread - after twelve hours of hard labour on the side of the road, just because they want to share something nice.
All these scenes have something in common. They end. And a new morning in the Ahr valley begins. There are often two traces left behind: a heavy head and a heart full of love.
Things are not looking good for the Ahr Valley at the moment.
The major flood disaster in mid-July destroyed almost everything, suffering and grief reign supreme.
But we put a plaster on the tear in our hearts and start again, for a new future on the Ahr.
We are building.
When the Ahr Valley is standing again, come and visit us.
We look forward to seeing you.
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