Wines of Germany
One of the most northerly wine countries. Vineyards cling to river valleys — Rhine, Mosel, Main — where slopes and water help grapes ripen. Riesling is king, but Germany is also the world's third-largest producer of Pinot Noir (Spätburgunder).
Main wine regions
- 1
Ahr
Spätburgunder
Small, steep, surprisingly red-wine focused.
- 2
Mosel
Riesling
Dizzyingly steep slate slopes: light, low-alcohol, racy Rieslings, often with a touch of sweetness.
- 3
Rheingau
Riesling, Spätburgunder
South-facing slopes along the Rhine; elegant, dry and noble sweet Rieslings.
- 4
Nahe
Riesling
Varied soils, expressive Rieslings.
- 5
Rheinhessen
Riesling, Silvaner, Müller-Thurgau
Germany's largest region and home to a new generation of quality-driven growers.
- 6
Pfalz
Riesling, Spätburgunder, Grauburgunder
Warm and sunny: richer dry Rieslings and Pinots.
- 7
Franken
Silvaner, Müller-Thurgau
Earthy, dry Silvaner in the flat, round Bocksbeutel bottle.
- 8
Württemberg
Trollinger, Lemberger
Mostly red wines, many drunk locally.
- 9
Baden
Spätburgunder, Grauburgunder, Weissburgunder
Germany's warmest region, close to Alsace: excellent Pinots.
Key grapes
Reading the label
Prädikat levels show grape ripeness at harvest: Kabinett, Spätlese, Auslese, Beerenauslese, Trockenbeerenauslese, Eiswein. ‘Trocken’ means dry; ‘Feinherb’ or ‘Halbtrocken’ off-dry. VDP ‘Grosses Gewächs’ is a top dry wine from a top site.
Put it into practice
Our Wine Tasting Sheet guides you through appearance, nose, palate, quality and readiness — with hints in brackets so you always find the right word. Fill it in on screen or print it.