The river Main infos and river cruising experiences

[notamermaid]

Hochheim am Main (which is the German way of saying Hochheim-on-Main) has been well-known for wine for hundreds of years and relatively early became a centre for storing and trading wine, due to its favourable location. The vineyards of Hochheim themselves are still mostly Riesling, as they have always been (a bit more variation in modern times, but not much). Hochheimer wine was already sent to foreign countries in the 17th century and that is when it was so popular in England that the word hockamore came into being. It is of course the anglicized name Hochheimer (the ch-sound not existing in English, but in Scottish). Hockamore was later shortened to hock and although still strongly associated with Hochheim it can also mean Riesling from the Rheingau nearby (occasionally even German white wine per se). We move to the year 1845 and - Queen Victoria. In that year she travelled with Prince Albert to Germany and spent quite a few days in the Rhine valley. Naturally, she knew about German white wine, to which she already referred to as hock. She visited the famous vineyards of Hochheim and learnt about viticulture and drank the wine as well. What an important visit. That should be commemorated...

 

notamermaid

 

[Canal archive]

Notamermaid always wondered now I know what the historians mean by ‘hock’ thank you. Crikey it’s amazing about our Vicky she certainly had her finger in many pies. (Don’t worry affectionate terms for our Royals abound I don’t think I’ll be off to the Tower yet!)

[notamermaid]

2 hours ago, Canal archive said:

Vicky

Yes, and the name Princess Vicky for her daughter has stuck to this day, even used in history articles that go beyond let us say popular entertainment value.

 

As a side note. Poor Vicky, the Empress Friedrich, who lost her husband too early (and we, the Germans) built herself a retirement home not far from Hochheim in the Taunus hills. It is only half one hour's drive by car to the village of Kronberg and her palace which is now a hotel.

 

notamermaid

 

[Canal archive]

I think we may have passed their as on one of our cruises we spent a good part of the day at the Hockenheim motor racing circuit. An interesting place for anyone to visit.

They have an interesting museum as well.