I thank Balthasar von Weymarn for providing me with
information for this part.
Liebfrau(en)milch
Produced and exported in huge quantities (esp into the
UK), Liebfraumilch is a dull, sweet QbA from regions such as Rheinhessen and
nearby, made with the help every legally allowed trick one can think of. Grapes
from over-cropped vineyards with heavy, fertile soils, where only qualitatively
inferior grape varieties like Müller Thurgau, Orthega, Morio-Muskat et. al. can
ripen, are processed with the latest technology, added sugar and
"sweet-reserve", into a cheap, sickly, caracterless "wine" that is sold under
this brand name. Other names for similar rubbish are `Piesporter Michelsberg',
`Niersteiner Gutes Domtal', `Zeller Schwarze Katz', `Kröver Nacktarsch', or
`Hock' (which is also used as a generic term for Rhine wine in Britain, derived
from `Hochheim'). The fact that wines like these dominate the image of German
wine is a marketing disaster, and in my eyes a veritable self-inflicted tragedy.
Historically, The name "Liebfrau(en)milch" derives from the Liebfrauenstift
at Worms, whose Kirchenstück vineyard was once famed for its exceptional
quality. Very recently this site, which is owned by Valckenberg and 85% planted
with Riesling, has come under the management of the Heyl zu Herrnsheim estate, a
leading producer at Nierstein, who is attempting to restore its good name.