Important wine regions in Germany

• Mosel : Steep slopes and slate soils produce lean, mineral Riesling wines with low alcohol and great aromatic complexity.
• Rheingau : Dry and structured white wines, especially Riesling and Spätburgunder, from south-facing slopes along the Rhine.
• Palatinate : Warmer climate and many hours of sunshine produce fuller white wines – both Riesling and Weissburgunder thrive here.
• Franconia : Characterized by Silvaner wines with an earthy character and neutral aroma, often bottled in Bocksbeutel bottles.
• Nahe and Baden : Regions with great variation in soil and style, especially for Riesling and Pinot varieties.

Dominant grape varieties

• Riesling : Germany's signature grape. Delivers everything from dry (Trocken) to sweet wines with high residual sugar and intense aroma.
• Weissburgunder (Pinot Blanc) : Delicate and floral, often dry and used in gastronomic contexts.
• Silvaner : Classic in Franconia, with low aroma intensity and food-friendly structure.
• Grauburgunder (Pinot Gris) : Fuller and more mature in style, often with a pear and spicy edge.
• Scheurebe : Aromatic cross with notes of blackcurrant and grapefruit, suitable for both dry and sweet wine.

However, Riesling accounts for over a fifth of all German plantings and is strongly linked to the area's precise expression of terroir and vintage.

Styles and classification

German white wines are often classified according to their sweetness and quality. The dry wines are labeled as “Trocken” , and the sweeter ones as “Halbtrocken” , “Spätlese” , “Auslese” and up to “Beerenauslese” and “Trockenbeerenauslese” . The newer system of VDP Gutswein , Erste Lage and Grosse Lage also provides a quality focus on top dry wines.

The best wines combine low alcohol, precise acidity and intense aroma – and often have a storage potential of 10–30 years depending on the style and producer.

Frequently asked questions about German white wine