Mittlere Ahr (Ahrweiler–Dernau–Rech)

The Middle Ahr is the heartland of the red-wine region in the northern Eifel. The narrow valley leads from Ahrweiler via Walporzheim, Marienthal, Dernau and Rech to Mayschoß; the vineyards climb the slopes on steep terraces. Well-known sites include Ahrweiler Rosenthal and Silberberg, Walporzheimer Kräuterberg, Gärkammer and Alte Lay, Dernauer Pfarrwingert, Recher Herrenberg and Mayschoßer Mönchberg. The flood of July 2021 hit the valley and many estates hard.

The bedrock is Devonian slate with greywacke, which stores heat. For its northern position the climate is unusually mild and dry because the Eifel holds back precipitation and the steep slopes and rocks give off heat; the Ahr is Germany's largest contiguous red-wine area.

Spätburgunder clearly dominates, with Frühburgunder and Riesling alongside. The wines are mostly finely spiced, with clear fruit and a mineral drive. Well-known producers include Meyer-Näkel, Jean Stodden, J.J. Adeneuer, Kreuzberg, Deutzerhof and Bertram-Baltes.