Hock is an English term for white wine from the Rhine region of Germany. It is made from Riesling grapes that develop noble rot, giving it a distinctive flavor profile.
History
The term 'hock' was used in Britain by the 18th century to refer to Rhine wines. Its popularity is linked to Queen Victoria, who visited the wine town of Hochheim am Main in Germany in 1850. She called the wine she liked 'Hochheimer,' which became 'Hock' in English. In gratitude, the Hochheim vintners named one of their best vineyards after Queen Victoria.
How it is made
Hock is made from Riesling grapes that remain on the vines until late autumn, undergoing 'noble rot' caused by the Botrytis cinerea fungus. This process gives the wine its special taste and bouquet. The vineyards are planted on slopes with soil consisting of clay, limestone, slate, and other materials.
Adapted from the Russian Wikipedia article Рейнвейн, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.