Germany's annual Wurstmarkt is the world's biggest wine festival. Hundreds of thousands of visitors gather annually to drink, eat and enjoy the funfair.
World's biggest wine festival —
Germany's annual Wurstmarkt is the world's biggest wine festival. Hundreds of thousands of visitors gather annually to drink, eat and enjoy the funfair.
Courtesy bad-durkheim.de
The festival in the southern town of Bad Durkheim is known as the Oktoberfest for wine, rivaling Germany's popular annual beer event in Munich.
Oktoberfest for wine —
The festival in the southern town of Bad Durkheim is known as the Oktoberfest for wine, rivaling Germany's popular annual beer event in Munich.
Courtesy bad-durkheim.de
In 2016, the event marked its 600th year. It only became known as the Wurstmarkt in the early 19th century, because of the heavy consumption of sausages, the fast food of Germany in times past.<br />
World's biggest wine festival —
In 2016, the event marked its 600th year. It only became known as the Wurstmarkt in the early 19th century, because of the heavy consumption of sausages, the fast food of Germany in times past.
Courtesy bad-durkheim.de
Among the many "wursts," or sausages, on sale, local specialties include Saumagen, stuffed pig's stomach.
Sausage festival —
Among the many "wursts," or sausages, on sale, local specialties include Saumagen, stuffed pig's stomach.
John Malathronas
Just above Bad Durkheim lies Weilberg, where a Roman winery dating back more than 2,000 years was recently excavated and partly restored.
Historic roots —
Just above Bad Durkheim lies Weilberg, where a Roman winery dating back more than 2,000 years was recently excavated and partly restored.
John Malathronas
Food plays an important part of the festival. One of the best places to sample local cuisine is a giant wine barrel, the Durkheimer Riesenfass, that was originally made to hold 450,000 gallons of wine but now houses a restaurant.
Giant barrel —
Food plays an important part of the festival. One of the best places to sample local cuisine is a giant wine barrel, the Durkheimer Riesenfass, that was originally made to hold 450,000 gallons of wine but now houses a restaurant.
John Malathronas
Wine is used liberally in local cuisine -- the locals use it in every sauce, as a vinegar substitute when making sauerkraut and to moisten burger mince.
Wine and food —
Wine is used liberally in local cuisine -- the locals use it in every sauce, as a vinegar substitute when making sauerkraut and to moisten burger mince.
John Malathronas
Wine is served in half-liter measures for about $6, which is why people come in large groups, buy one glass each and pass the wine around.
Large crowds —
Wine is served in half-liter measures for about $6, which is why people come in large groups, buy one glass each and pass the wine around.
Courtesy bad-durkheim.de
The Jupiter Ferris wheel carries passengers 50 meters up over the festival.
Ferris wheel —
The Jupiter Ferris wheel carries passengers 50 meters up over the festival.
John Malathronas
It's not a German drinking event unless it's soundtracked by the parps of an oompah band.
Oompah bands —
It's not a German drinking event unless it's soundtracked by the parps of an oompah band.
John Malathronas
Local specialty sausages on sale at the Wurstmarkt include varieties made from game.<br /><br /><a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Ftravel%2Fdestinations%2Fgermany">Check out the many things you can do in Germany here</a>
Sausages galore —
Local specialty sausages on sale at the Wurstmarkt include varieties made from game.

Check out the many things you can do in Germany here
John Malathronas