Historically accurate and unusual
It was a difficult time for Germany. The war had been lost and the French and American troops were occupying the western German provinces on the right bank of the Rhine. From Mainz und Koblenz, the two victorious armies erected semi-circular bridgeheads on the left bank of the Rhine to demonstrate their power in that area too. The two circles did not quite meet, forming an area that looked remarkably like the neck of a bottle. This is how the Free State Bottleneck, a short-lived quasi-state that existed from 1919-1923, was created. It's hard to believe, but the Free State produced its own currency, which is still extremely sought after by collectors. Despite the Free State having its own money, it was not a time of bountiful food and wine in the towns and villages along the Rhine such as Lorch, Kaub and other places up towards the Taunus hills. The borders were closed and black market activities and smuggling were rife. Wine from the occupied Rheingau region was smuggled out at night along forest paths in ox-driven carts to prevent it from falling into French hands. Storing the wine in cellars in Lorch and Kaub aided the maturing process to such an extent that these vintages still fetch staggering prices at auction today.
