WDR Television, 5.15 pm
The Germans are the biggest fans of sparkling wine in the world - of the two billion bottles produced every year, one in five is drunk in Germany. Reporter Sven Kroll sets off on a journey and takes a look behind the scenes of Germany's oldest sparkling wine cellar. He learns from a winemaker how sparkling wine is produced and what makes it special. And he goes on a tasting tour with a sommelier. He asks him: How much does sparkling wine cost to produce and why are there such wide price ranges? Sven Kroll finds out on his journey for "Ausgerechnet - Sekt".
hr television, 6.40 pm
"Just like last time, Miss Sophie?" Servant Johann will ask, and Miss Sophie will answer as usual: "Just like every year, Johann!" - but this time in Hessian dialect. Hessischer Rundfunk has re-produced the iconic sketch - close to the original and yet full of surprises. At the freshly laid birthday table in the Volkstheater Frankfurt, Liesel Christ has fun with audience favourite Margit Sponheimer as Fräulein Sophie and Walter Flamme in the role of the servant Johann. Director Wolfgang Kaus has translated the jubilee celebration into Hessian. So it will be interesting to see what delicacies Servant Johann will serve to Councillor Pommeroi, Councillor of Commerce Winterhalter and Miss Sophie's other guests. Only this much can be revealed: "Taunus trout", a sweet wine to accompany the trout and a very dry wine "straight from the cellar!" "Dinner for one" is the most frequently repeated programme on German television and one of the few that is shown in the original English - without German subtitles.
tagesschau24, 2.40 a.m.
It is the drink of the rich and beautiful, the powerful and successful - no other wine symbolises the high French way of life as much as champagne. What is little known is that the history of champagne has long been a Franco-German one. Numerous young German pioneers such as Florenz-Ludwig Heidsieck from Borgholzhausen and Joseph Jacob Bollinger from Ellwangen settled in Champagne in the 18th and 19th centuries, made a name for themselves and played a decisive role in shaping the production method, distribution and image of this sparkling wine. And they also brought the method and name to Germany, as Champagne was not yet a protected brand name. Only the wars of the 19th and 20th centuries put an end to peaceful coexistence. Famous example: the "Champagne paragraph" in the Treaty of Versailles. This is how the name "Mumm" came to stand for both a French champagne brand and a German sparkling wine brand. The film tells the astonishing Franco-German history of champagne.
hr television, 3.50 a.m.
Finger food is ideal for New Year's Eve celebrations. You can eat it standing up, you don't need a lot of crockery and it's easy to prepare. The chefs at the Sheraton Hotel at the airport have a lot of experience with this and will show you which variations are available and how to prepare them. For example, there is walnut bread with stuffed veal and flavoured oil or crêpe roulades with apple cider sauerkraut and smoked pork and sweet sushi to finish. In the cocktail course, the bartender shows you which ingredients and equipment you need for good cocktails. He explains five different cocktails in detail so that you can try them out. A modern cocktail is included, which is infused with sparkling wine or champagne. In the champagne tasting, everything from discounter "bubbly" to the big brand champagnes to bottles costing over a hundred euros will be tasted.
WDR Television, 8.20 a.m.
The lava rock gives the Siebengebirge wines, at least the one at Drachenfels, a special flavour.
Phoenix, 10.30 a.m.
The "dream trails" and "dream loops", as the most beautiful routes between the Rhine, Moselle, Hunsrück and Eifel are called, are among the recommended hiking trails. They lead through dense forest and volcanic landscapes, over high plateaus and steep vineyards, past medieval castles and fortresses. The view of the famous Saar Loop from the treetop path at the "Kleine Cloef" viewpoint is one of the most impressive experiences on the "Saar Loop Table Tour" route - which also makes it clear that culinary delights are not neglected along the way.
Bavarian Television, 1.00 pm
Hilde Van den Dries is a winegrower in the Upper Venosta Valley, the highest wine-growing region in Europe. A few years ago she left her home in Belgium to make wine in South Tyrol in harmony with nature.
hr television, 9.15 a.m.
Finger food is ideal for New Year's Eve celebrations. You can eat it standing up, you don't need a lot of crockery and it's easy to prepare. The chefs at the Sheraton Hotel at the airport have a lot of experience with this and will show you what variations there are and how to prepare them. For example, there is walnut bread with stuffed veal and flavoured oil or crêpe roulades with apple cider sauerkraut and smoked pork and sweet sushi to finish. In the cocktail course, the bartender shows you which ingredients and equipment you need for good cocktails. He explains five different cocktails in detail so that you can try them out. A modern cocktail is included, which is infused with sparkling wine or champagne. In the champagne tasting, everything from discounter "bubbly" to the big brand champagnes to bottles costing over a hundred euros will be tasted.
ARD-alpha, 11.15 a.m.
Franz X. Gernstl and his two companions (cameraman HP Fischer and soundman Stefan Ravasz) are on another discovery tour, this time along the Danube. Their destination is 30 kilometres down the Danube in the middle of the Wachau - the Fischer winery.
ARD-alpha, 6.45 pm
It is said that the inhabitants of the canton of Valais are a breed apart. Tradition-conscious, close to nature, unconventional. They also go their own way when it comes to viticulture. Heida, an ancient grape, is cultivated at an altitude of over a thousand metres. The manual labour on the steep slopes is demanding, says winemaker Isabella Kellenberger. But life has to be fun, she says, that's the point of it all, what else could it be?
arte, 6.30 a.m.
Mendoza, situated at the foot of the Andes, is Argentina's most important wine region and boasts a breathtaking backdrop. This is where the Malbec grape variety grows, from which the famous red wine is made. This wine has always been produced mainly by men. However, a group of dedicated women are now fulfilling their dream of producing their own wine: they call it "Apasionadas", "passionate", as they themselves are. It has been a rocky road, but in this strong community, the dream has become a reality. Single mother Federica Agüero once had the idea of bringing together 22 women with different, often tragic life stories. They all own a small vineyard, inherited from their ancestors or divorced husbands. But only as a group was it possible for the women to produce and market their own wine. In Mendoza, their wine is sold in restaurants and wine shops, and it has already reached Buenos Aires. But the dream of interest from abroad remains - for this to happen, however, wine production must become more stable. This year, a well-known Argentinian advertising designer created the label for "Apasionadas". It symbolises what the women want to represent: Passion, strength and an indestructible love for the vineyards.
ARD-alpha, 6.15 pm
The culinary journey through the Veneto region ends in Venice. On the cemetery island of San Michele, wine lovers preserve the vines of a former monastery garden and the last historic wine cellar in Venice. The wine tastes slightly salty as it absorbs the salt from the lagoon through the soil. Franz Gernstl has not discovered the "light and digestible cuisine" that the Veneto is said to offer. But he has found something just as valuable: hospitality. Refined dishes with few ingredients. And wine that tastes of salt. You won't find that anywhere else.
3sat, 6.30 a.m.
While travelling along the Adriatic coast, you learn a lot about Croatia's history and meet exciting characters: from the employee of a seawater saltworks to a wine farmer's wife from the island of Hvar and teachers at the stonemasonry school in Pučišća.
3sat, 9.45 a.m.
The Loire Valley is known for its fairytale castles and excellent wines. But the World Heritage region also has a lot to offer off the beaten track.
3sat, 11.45 a.m.
The Rio Douro in the north of Portugal has always characterised the way of life of the Portuguese. As a transport route, the "Golden River" brought prosperity to the region in past centuries. Today, the valley through which the Douro meanders is not only famous for its port wine, but is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The film tells of the everyday life of the fishermen on the Douro River and the challenges of keeping their traditions alive.
3sat, 11.45 a.m.
Once a year, regular guests, cider makers and friends of the house meet at the Hainmühle in Homberg (Ohm) for a seven-course menu with cider. The chefs have come up with many new dishes. The apple is an ingredient in every dish. The large cider menu is a great challenge for the simple country inn.
3sat, 12.45 pm
Gardening specialist Karl Ploberger takes viewers on a journey to the Cape Province in South Africa. The country is known above all for its unique flora. Ploberger visits the famous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, two vineyards, a social project, a vegetable and fruit plantation and the historic garden monument "Old Nectar". Some of the wine estates also have beautiful, lush gardens. Ploberger pays a visit to the Vergelegen and Rustenberg vineyards.
ARD-alpha, 5.30 pm
Rheinhessen - that means: vineyards as far as the eye can see. It is the largest wine-growing region in Germany. Only five of the 136 municipalities in Rheinhessen do not have their own vineyards, and wine is more than just a drink here: wine is part of everyday culture, a way of life, a profession and vocation, art and an object of research, a sideline and much more. Presenter Jens Hübschen sets out to explore this wine country. He meets the Rhine-Hessian wine queen Laura Lahm, learns that wine has existed in Ingelheim since at least Charlemagne, gets to know an artist who paints with red wine, experiences a "wine safari" and indulges in culinary delights like a Roman in one of the legendary Rhine-Hessian "Kuhkapellen". He also meets three female winegrowers on the famous red slope in Nierstein, tastes Rhine-Hessian sparkling wine and explores the white vineyard cottages.
arte, 6.30 a.m.
The Moselle: In terms of length, width or depth, it usually plays a subordinate role among Europe's rivers. Nevertheless, the second longest tributary of the Rhine has nothing to hide. Although the Moselle is one of the most heavily travelled waterways in Europe, it has retained its original beauty in many places. The source of the Moselle lies in the southern Vosges mountains, whose densely overgrown forests inspired a world-famous theatre. The sun-drenched slate slopes are home to one of the steepest vineyards in the world - the Calmont. Along its 544 kilometres, the Moselle is characterised by a centuries-old cultural landscape and people whose fates have been firmly linked to it for generations. "GEO Reportage" visits fairies and elves, climbs into gigantic power station turbines and flies over the steep Calmont. Kilian Franzen is one of those young and creative winegrowers on the Moselle. His vineyards, situated on the steep Calmont, have a long tradition. The steep slopes, protected from the sun and weather, offer the best conditions for viticulture. Far below him, Franck Pihen's long barge is underway on the Moselle: the "Alabama" has a capacity of 1,300 tonnes and calls at all the major Moselle ports in Germany and France. The forests of the southern Vosges, where the great Moselle has its source, harbour a rarity: Europe's last wooden theatre, the Théâtre du Peuple, is located in the tranquil little town of Bussang. Every year, this gem attracts tens of thousands of spectators. This summer, Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" will enchant the stage integrated into the forest with fairies and elves.
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Bavarian Television, 8.15 pm
The "Närrische Weinprobe" is back for the second time with a fresh look, a new stage and a new wine. There is swaying, celebrating and laughter - only in Würzburg under the Residenz. Martin Rassau from Comödie Fürth will host the programme. In addition to familiar artists, new actors and actresses also get the chance to prove themselves on the television stage. The "Närrische Weinprobe" offers a mixture of wordplay, music and wine in the atmospheric setting of the Hofkeller.
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SWR Television, 4.00 pm
Pico, named after the 2,351 metre high volcano Ponta do Pico, is the island of wine and whales.
arte, 12.40 pm
Beneath the karst fields of Popovo Polje lies one of Bosnia and Herzegovina's greatest treasures: mineral-rich, underground cavities that allow the region's vines to thrive. All the conditions were in place to make the local wines something special. But then came natural disasters, wars and conflicts. The fact that fine wines like Blatina and Zilavka still exist today is thanks to a handful of passionate men.
3sat, 6.05 a.m.
Georgia: a small country with a diverse landscape, situated between Europe and Asia on the old Silk Road. The film invites you on a journey across Georgia. In the east, the Georgian wine harvest is in full swing.
arte, 6.35 a.m.
Mendoza, situated at the foot of the Andes, is Argentina's most important wine region and boasts a breathtaking backdrop. This is where the Malbec grape variety grows, from which the famous red wine is made. This wine has always been produced mainly by men. However, a group of dedicated women are now fulfilling their dream of producing their own wine: they call it "Apasionadas", "passionate", as they themselves are. It has been a rocky road, but in this strong community, the dream has become a reality. Single mother Federica Agüero once had the idea of bringing together 22 women with different, often tragic life stories. They all own a small vineyard, inherited from their ancestors or divorced husbands. But only as a group was it possible for the women to produce and market their own wine. In Mendoza, their wine is sold in restaurants and wine shops, and it has already reached Buenos Aires. But the dream of interest from abroad remains - for this to happen, however, wine production must become more stable. This year, a well-known Argentinian advertising designer created the label for "Apasionadas". It symbolises what the women want to represent: Passion, strength and an indestructible love for the vineyards.
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SWR Television, 8.00 a.m.
On the road with a Morgan Threewheeler, TV chef Horst Lichter explores the Markgräflerland, the Murg Valley and the Lower Moselle. He heads to the Terrassenmosel. In Winningen, he visits Heike Müller, granddaughter of the famous automobile entrepreneur August Horch. She tells him about a soapbox from her childhood that the engineer had built for her. August Horch's inventions are the focus of the exhibition at the Winningen Museum. Captain Josef "Jupp" Steiner runs a sports boat school and is a member of the "Verein zum Erhalt historischer Arbeitsgeräte zu Wasser und zu Lande" (Association for the Preservation of Historical Work Equipment on Water and Land). Together with Christian Kühn, the operator of the marina in Winningen, he takes Horst Lichter on a trip along the Moselle. Klaus Borsch is a passionate collector of old tractors.
3sat, 5.15 pm
With 300 days of sunshine a year, Provence is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Europe. The Mediterranean region between the Rhone Valley and Italy epitomises the southern way of life. With the imposing Mont Ventoux in view, we head for Avignon. The "City of the Popes" has an eventful history - and a bridge that became famous worldwide thanks to a song: "Sur le pont d'Avignon". From here, it's just a Katzensprung to the famous Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine-growing region in the southern Rhone Valley.
3sat, 9.45 pm
The truth lies in the wine: Detective Mike Shepherd has to learn a lot about wine to find out who drowned a famous critic in a fermentation tank. Detective Mike Shepherd imagined life in the idyllic wine-growing region to be more peaceful. As the newly appointed chief of police, he and his new colleague Sims have to solve the death of influential wine critic Paul Winterson. On the morning after the prestigious Brokenwood wine competition, the body of the famous jury member is found in a tank belonging to winemaker Amanda James. The fact that the former serial winner came away empty-handed this time and turned out to be a sore loser makes her the prime suspect. Shepherd also learns that there was a secret private connection between her and the victim, which Amanda does not like to be talked about. Despite these clues, Shepherd follows all the leads. With the help of his wine-savvy neighbour Jared, the inspector discovers that the competition was not run by the book. Now he sets his sights on the winners, the well-known radio presenter and amateur winemaker Julian Bright and his right-hand man Rob. When Shepherd uncovers a sophisticated scam, he enlists the help of the previous prime suspect, Amanda, to investigate the evidence.
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arte, 12.35 pm
The Loire is a mighty river that lends its name not only to the region but also to famous wines. Without people there would be no vines, without the river there would be no fertile soil. The gentle Loire Valley is home to many different grape varieties. This is not only due to the climate, but also to the enthusiasm that rulers from France and England showed for the region.
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3sat, 21.45 hrs
The film invites you to Austria for an adventure trip along the wine route of southern Styria: a landscape portrait of the area around Stainz, Bad Radkersburg and Graz. Filmmaker Karl Waldhecker visits winegrowers in the region and also watches how pumpkin seed oil is made.
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3sat, 11.05 a.m.
High above the Gulf of Genoa, a chain of forgotten places and fascinating landscapes stretches from the French Riviera to the hills of Tuscany. The rhythm of the incessant ascent and descent culminates in the work on the narrow wine terraces of the Cinque Terre - an unmistakable cultural landscape that has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999.
3sat, 3.30 pm
Madeira is also known as the "Island of Flowers" or the "Island of Eternal Spring": both refer to the fact that the island has a very special climate.
3sat, 5.00 pm
Hardly any other Greek archipelago attracts holidaymakers as magically as the Cyclades. The blue and white holiday paradise is one of the most beautiful places in the whole of Europe. Santorini is the world's largest balcony of vanities, the Instagram stronghold par excellence, photographed and filmed millions of times. Wine fans also get their money's worth here, as the island is Greece's oldest wine-growing region.
3sat, 11.45 a.m.
The destination of this stage is the Mussler winery in Bissersheim, Rhineland-Palatinate. This is where Cliff Hämmerle finds the perfect ingredients for his pikeperch on Palatinate Riesling cabbage.
3sat, 1.15 pm
Alsace captivates with its varied landscapes, the European metropolis of Strasbourg and people whose everyday lives reflect their Alsatian identity. Alsace is primarily rural in character. In the villages you can often hear the Alsatian dialect, for example in Seebach, one of the most beautiful half-timbered villages in northern Alsace. There, the film team visits a Franco-German winemaking couple who produce organic wine and crémant. In Rixheim, south of Mulhouse, a traditional manufacturer of panoramic wallpaper provides a rare insight into its production. On the Alsace Wine Route, a winemaking couple have opted for sustainable architecture in the construction of their farm and converted the business to biodynamic cultivation.
3sat, 4.15 pm
Tuscany, with its picturesque landscape, world-famous towns and its people, is one of the most sought-after regions in Europe, attracting many tourists. Nevertheless, there are still unknown spots in the south of Tuscany, away from the tourist centres such as Florence and Pisa and the wine-growing regions of Chianti. There, a fascinating environment forms the backdrop for people who tell their stories with Italian joie de vivre.
3sat, 2.50 pm
The family of Ascensión Robayna cultivate their fields in the flat plain of the wine-growing region of La Geria. It is characterised by funnel-shaped pits. The vines grow on fertile lumps of ash, known as lapilli. They originate from the last major eruption in 1730 and only a single vine grows in each funnel. All the work has to be done by hand. It is the symbiosis of man and nature.
3sat, 16.35 hrs
Spain's Mediterranean coast between Cadaqués and Torrevieja is diverse. In the north lies the Costa Brava, the "wild coast", with bizarre rock formations and secluded bays. The hinterland of the east coast also has a lot to offer. Wine has been growing on the steep slopes of Priorat for centuries. Winemaker Sara Pérez lets it mature in amphorae.
3sat, 17.00 hrs
The journey through the green north of Spain begins in the Basque Country on the Bay of Biscay. Not far from the salt pans of Añana, the fertile plains of the Rioja region stretch out around the river Ebro. This is where the wine of the same name, one of the most important in Europe, comes from.
hr television, 21.45 hrs
Many people in Hesse know Franconia as an excursion and holiday destination, leisure and recreation area. With a bit of luck, you can discover the small wonders of Franconia's rich flora and fauna on hikes, bike or boat tours. In the vineyards around the village of Castell, a wild tulip parade enchants the landscape.
hr television, 2.45 pm
Isabella Stirm from Burgenland guides the viewer through her Austrian homeland with a lot of charm and a twinkle in her eye. Sometimes she goes on safari through the flat Pannonian Seewinkel, sometimes on the trail of winegrowers through hilly southern Burgenland. She meets food pioneers, winegrowers, rangers and locals who talk about their passion for Austria's sunniest region. She visits towns such as Eisenstadt, the smallest provincial capital in Austria, or the free town of Rust on Lake Neusiedl, which is known for its good wines and cosy wine taverns.
arte, 6.30 a.m.
Mendoza, located at the foot of the Andes, is Argentina's most important wine region and boasts a breathtaking backdrop. This is where the Malbec grape variety grows, from which the famous red wine is made. This wine has always been produced mainly by men. However, a group of dedicated women are now fulfilling their dream of producing their own wine: they call it "Apasionadas", "passionate", as they themselves are. It has been a rocky road, but in this strong community, the dream has become a reality. Single mother Federica Agüero once had the idea of bringing together 22 women with different, often tragic life stories. They all own a small vineyard, inherited from their ancestors or divorced husbands. But only as a group was it possible for the women to produce and market their own wine. In Mendoza, their wine is sold in restaurants and wine shops, and it has already reached Buenos Aires. But the dream of interest from abroad remains - for this to happen, however, wine production must become more stable. This year, a well-known Argentinian advertising designer created the label for "Apasionadas". It symbolises what the women want to represent: Passion, strength and the indestructible love for the vineyards. The programme is also available online from 11 December to 17 March 2023.
arte, 18.35 hrs
Oases are lush gardens in the middle of the desert and more than just a "gift" of nature: Their ecosystems bear witness to the knowledge and skill of the people who created them long ago. Today, their descendants are trying to adapt these sensitive and fragile systems to current conditions. In this episode: a Garden of Eden in the Wild West, an oasis in America - Los Comondú is one of 120 oases located in the 1,200 kilometre-long desert in Mexico's Lower California. It only rains here a few days a year and the temperature reaches up to 50 degrees Celsius. Nevertheless, water flows in Los Comondú, so that the first settlers from Europe were able to conquer this part of America - and even achieve the miracle of growing wine in the desert. The first inhabitants of Los Comondú were Europeans. Today, the oasis, which was isolated and relatively unknown for a long time, is gaining attention. Scientists are fascinated by this Eldorado where water becomes wine - because that is exactly what happens in Los Comondú. Today, cowboys and winegrowers inhabit this gem in the desert. In times of climate change, oases can serve as role models. How did people manage to adapt to the extreme temperatures in this little paradise? Oases have long been seen as harbingers that our planet is losing its balance. A young generation of researchers and villagers therefore sees an opportunity to use oases to test new solutions for the future. The programme is also available online from 22 January to 29 March 2024 on arte.tv
hr television, 9.50 a.m.
Drought, heat, fire - the weather is becoming increasingly extreme in France too. In certain regions, it hasn't rained at all for a year and a half. ARD's France correspondent, Friederike Hofmann, is travelling the country and experiencing how the drought is changing the south of France: Some winegrowers have simply run out of water, flames are threatening entire areas - and livelihoods are at stake. The film accompanies the search for solutions, with local winegrowers and in a laboratory where research is being carried out into new varieties so that French wine has a future.