Main German wine regions

• Mosel : Slim and mineral Riesling wines with low alcohol and slate notes.
• Rheingau : Dry, structured white wines and full-bodied Spätburgunder.
• Palatinate : Warm summers produce fuller wines – both white and red.
• Baden : Southernmost region, known for red wines based on Spätburgunder and Grauburgunder.
• Franconia : Silvaner in a dry, mineral style – often in Bocksbeutel bottles.
• Nahe and Württemberg : Variety and increasing quality, especially in Riesling and Pinot varieties.

Grape varieties and wine types

German wine production is dominated by white wine grapes, but also covers high-quality red and sparkling wines. Among the most widely grown grapes are:

• Riesling : Acidic and aromatic grape that produces everything from dry to sweet wines with great aging potential.
• Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir) : Germany's most important red wine grape with delicate fruit and structured tannin.
• Weissburgunder and Grauburgunder : Fruity, dry wines with a food-friendly profile.
• Silvaner : Earthy and neutral, often dry and used in Franconia.
• Scheurebe and Müller-Thurgau : Aromatic grapes with a floral character.

In addition to still wines, sparkling wine is also produced under the name Sekt , which is increasingly produced using traditional methods and high quality.

Classification and styles

The classic German system categorizes wines by must weight and sweetness: Kabinett , Spätlese , Auslese , Beerenauslese and Trockenbeerenauslese . Meanwhile, the newer VDP system focuses on dry quality wines and vineyards such as Grosse Lage and Erste Lage .

The styles range from ultra-dry “Trocken” to noble sweet wines with residual sugar, suitable for aging and gastronomy. Many producers work organically or biodynamically with low intervention to best express the character of the vineyard.

Frequently asked questions about wine from Germany