Good weather is crucial
More and more often I look at the weather forecast at the moment, because next weekend is Selzer Kerb (see "Kerb"). The weather forecast for Friday is particularly important for me, because on Fridays for the Kerb there is always the wine tasting in the vineyards above Selzen. The last two years I was there and we had sunny and warm weather. The year before, I heard, it rained heavily. But I guess the Selzen vintners just packed everything up, went to one of the wineries and did the wine tasting there. For the coming Friday I am full of confidence, because it should be about 20 degrees and above all dry.
The winery express
Last year it was so warm that I didn't need a jacket. My wife and I met with friends in the afternoon at the square on the corner of Gaustraße/Kaiserstraße (Google Maps). For 10 euros there was a glass of wine, a roll and a yellow bracelet. The glass also served as a tasting glass for later in the vineyards. From 5 p.m. the winegrowers with their tractors started the shuttle service ("Winzerexpress") into the vineyards to the "Selzer Gottesgarten".
The Selzer Gottesgarten is one of three vineyards in the municipality of Selzen and is located on the slopes between Selzen and Zornheim. The tractors stopped a bit below the Gottesgarten. As soon as we got off, the winegrowers drove back to Selzen to pick up the next passengers. From the stop, it was still a steep but small piece to an area with tables, benches and the tasting tables.
Since we had been there early in Selzen for the Winzerexpress, we had been among the first and could enjoy the wonderful view in the sunny weather in peace. Shortly after us, members of the BigBand Selzen-Köngernheim came up the slope. They would later provide musical accompaniment to the wine tasting, as they do every year.
The wine tasting
At 6 pm the wine tasting was opened with a short speech. With the wristband we had received for the 10 euros, we could then go to the tasting tables and taste the wines. In addition, there were non-alcoholic drinks and small dishes (pretzel, cheese cubes) for sale.
I grabbed one of the wine directories on display. Last year, there were a total of 26 wines from 7 different wineries. On four separate tables were 13 whites, 4 white herbs, 4 reds and 5 fine white wines. Numbers were recorded in front of the wine coolers, so I could pick the wines based on the descriptions in the directory and then go to the appropriate wine cooler. I could have also made notes on the directory - if I hadn't forgotten my ballpoint pen.
From the God's Garden we had a super view, but around half past seven o'clock it was already dusk. After the sun had set, it became dark quite quickly. However, the fairy lights and several lamps gave enough light.
Return to the village
At some point, the vintners had resumed their driving duties. Slowly it emptied. Our friends and we continued to taste wine and chat. Around 9 p.m., we were among the last guests to go to the tractor stop. We hardly had to wait for the next tractor and took the Winzerexpress back to the village.
My wife and I are really looking forward to the wine tasting with our friends. The big band will play again this year. I squint again at the weather forecast. All is well, I am ready.
P.S. I'd better get a pen ready today...
Event tips:
- No pre-registrations or ticket purchases are possible or necessary - just come!
- Selzen is located about 12 kilometers south of Mainz on the Rheinhessenstraße (see Google Maps).
- Parking is limited, so allow some time to find a parking space. Possible parking spaces are in the Gaustraße in the direction of Köngernheim as well as in side streets. Please be considerate of residents and exits.
