Württemberg is a rural, hilly region adjacent to Baden and south of Franken. Metropolitan Stuttgart and Heilbronn are wine centres, furthermore you find vineyards throughout the Neckar River Valley. Red wine predominates and ranges from crisp, light Trollinger – the ‘Swabian national drink’ – to wines with more colour, body and substance such as Schwarzriesling (Pinot Meunier) and Lemberger. Riesling is by far the most important white variety, followed by Kerner, a crossing which has affinities with Riesling. The vineyards in Württemberg are predominantly cultivated by vintners that deliver their grapes to cooperatives. More than 50 cooperatives sell about 80% of all Württemberg wines.