are cultivated at . These comprise the famous Rieslings , (), (), and (). The share of red varieties grew constantly during the last decades and amounts to . , a recent cultivar, is the leading red grape cultivated on , which is more than a third. () and () show also appreciable cultivated shares. In addition, , , Chardonnay as white varieties and Regent and St. Laurent as red varieties have been increasing their share, as the growing conditions improve in Rhineland-Palatinate. The state supports the wine industry by providing a comprehensive consultancy and education program in the service supply centers () of the land. The Geilweilerhof Institute for Grape Breeding is fully financed by the state. Many well-known new varieties such as , Bacchus, Optima, and Regent have been created in these institutes. The worldwide leader in sparkling wine production, producing 224,4 million bottles in 2017/18, is the renowned Group. This company is headquartered in Trier, with operations in several locations in Rhineland-Palatinate and 3 sites in France (Compagnie Française des Grands Vins (CFGV)). Other renowned sparkling wine producers such as , , and also had their roots in the region, but now belong to companies outside the state as a result of business consolidation. Unemployment The unemployment rate stood at 4.1% in October 2018 and was lower than the German average. Facts It is approximately 19,846 square kilometers (7,663 square miles) making it actually smaller than Slovenia. It is the 9th largest and 8th smallest German state in area. It is not to be confused with North Rhine-Westphalia. It is significantly larger (82%) than the unrecognised country of Kosovo. It was founded on 30 August 1946 making it one of the youngest states in West Germany. It borders France to the south, Saarland to the southwest, Luxembourg to the west, Baden-Württemberg to the southeast, Hesse to the east and North Rhine-Westphalia to the north. Its capital is very close to Hesse's capital. It is home to Butterpfad and Erbeskopf. It is known for its countryside. It owns the race track of Nürburgring, which was built in Nürburg, Ahrweiler. See also Butterpfad References Further reading Kreuz – Rad – Löwe, Rheinland-Pfalz und seine Geschichte, Verlag Philipp von Zabern, Mainz 2012 Band 1 (Von den Anfängen der Erdgeschichte bis zum Ende des Alten Reiches): Bände 2 (Vom ausgehenden 18. Jahrhundert bis ins 21. Jahrhundert) und 3 (Historische Statistik): External