Germany's Drosselgasse—Good wine needs no bush

The Chinese saying "Good wine needs no bush" has proven true in Germany. Thinking I had tasted a lot of wine, this time I followed the scent of wine, walked into the deep alleys of Germany to see, taste, and buy wine for the first time. In the old town of "Rüdesheim," there is an extremely narrow alley called "Drosselgasse"❶❺❻❾. This 144-meter-long alley, paved with 37,000 cobblestones and less than 2 meters wide at its narrowest point, is one of the most charming and joyful places in the world. The thrush on the corner of the roof at the entrance of the alley, the ivy, clusters of grapes, birds, and various wine utensils decorating the alley are all iconic sights and trademarks of this small town❶❸❺❻❾⓱. The key is that the entire alley is filled with a faint scent of wine. "Rüdesheim" is known as the "City of Wine," and the ancient Romans had already planted grapes here. The world-famous "Riesling" white wine originates from this region in Germany. Looking around, the slopes on both sides of the Rhine River next to Drosselgasse are densely planted with wine grapes, forming a beautiful feature of the small town❷❹❿. You have to squeeze through the crowd to get into the narrow Drosselgasse, with both sides lined with beautifully decorated taverns and small shops. The architectural styles and colors are diverse and rich, making it a pleasant sight. The taverns echo with melodious songs, and the laughter in the alley drowns out the chirping of birds on the eaves. It is said that up to 3 million tourists visit here every year, making the narrow space bustling with people. It can be said that without good wine, there would be no Drosselgasse, and without Drosselgasse, there would be no Rüdesheim. "Rüdesheim" is the gateway to the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, a World Heritage Site. In the spring of 2019, a nationwide poll for "Germany's Most Beautiful Town" was held, and Rüdesheim won the title with high votes. Strolling in the Drosselgasse town may feel a bit crowded, but it is truly a scenic spot at every step. If you visit a few more shops and taste a few more glasses of wine, you will be intoxicated without being drunk, and it is simply "stunningly beautiful"! "Good wine also needs to be advertised," and many shops here actively attract customers with low prices⓱⓲ (see picture below). The competitive prices are so attractive that you can't resist spending money. Following a group of people, I walked into a shop selling wine through an open window. The enthusiastic "waiter" opened three different bottles of wine and handed them over for everyone to taste. I hadn't touched wine for years, but I drank a small glass of white wine priced at 18 euros per bottle: That sip lingered on my tongue for a moment, from light sweetness to an acidic attack, then the fruit aroma filled the air and lingered endlessly... —"This is it"! Life needs a sense of ceremony, a sense of ceremony that can make you intoxicated all the way. Additional Notes ❻⓱Sign at the entrance of "Drosselgasse." ⓫A German guy bought a bottle of "Riesling" wine for me, deal closed. ⓭Bees buzzing around a freshly made cake sweeter than honey. ⓴The town has cable cars (see picture above) and small trains (see picture below) to explore the "most beautiful town."