Germany is the fourth largest wine-producing country in Europe and is famous for its high-quality white wines, particularly Riesling wines. The country has 13 wine regions and over 100 wine-growing areas, each with its unique terroir, grape varieties, and wine styles.
Did you know that Riesling isn’t always sweet? Before we go too far, it’s good to learn more about the German wine classification system.
The Mosel wine region is located along the River Mosel from the France-German border to where it joins the Rhine River. In the center of the region, the area known as the ‘Middle Mosel’ has a reputation for producing top-quality wine. The villages of Piesport, Bernkastel, and Wehlen have some of the best vineyards in the region.
The vineyards in the Mosel region, planted on steep slopes with slate soil along the banks of the river Mosel, benefit from the sun-facing slopes and the reflected light from the river, creating ideal conditions for growing high-quality grapes. The Riesling produced in the Mosel region is known for its high acidity, aromatic, and floral qualities.
The wine history of the Mosel region dates back to the Roman Empire when the Romans first cultivated grapes along the river banks. Today, the Mosel is one of the most prestigious wine regions in Germany and produces some of the world’s finest Riesling wines.
The Rheingau wine region is located along the River Rhein, not far from Frankfurt. The wine region has a long wine-making tradition dating back to the 12th century when the Cistercian monks established the first vineyards in the area. This is a small but prestigious region producing primarily dry-style Riesling wines.
The Rheingau produces elegant and refined Riesling wines that are well-balanced, with medium to full body, and have a distinct ripe peach characteristic. The majority of the vineyards surround the villages of Johannisberg and Rüdesheim, where excellent red wines from the Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir) grape are produced in addition to the primary Riesling wine.
The Pfalz is the second largest wine-growing region in Germany and its vineyards can be considered a continuation of the Alsace region of France. The region is to the east of the Haardt Mountains and is the driest and sunniest wine area in Germany. The Pfalz has a long wine-making history and Riesling is the most widely planted variety with a reputation for high-quality wines. Other wines include Müller-Thurgau, Grauburgunder (Pinot Gris), and Weißburgunder (Pinot Blanc).
The vineyards around the towns of Forst and Deidesheim are noted for being the most established quality vineyards. This area, known as Mittelhaardt, produces a riper, more full-bodied style of Riesling.
The Baden wine region is the most southern of Germany’s wine regions and is the warmest wine-growing area in the country. This region is known for its high-quality Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir) which is the most widely planted variety in Baden, but Müller-Thurgau, Grauburgunder (Pinot Gris), Weißburgunder (Pinot Blanc), and Riesling are all represented in this region.
The wine history of Baden dates back to the Roman Empire when the Romans first established vineyards in the area. Today, the Baden is considered one of the top wine regions in Germany, producing elegant and well-balanced wines with a distinctive character.
The Nahe wine region, one of the smallest in Germany, is located between the Mosel and Rheinhessen areas. The best vineyards are along the Nahe River between the villages of Bad Kreuznach and Schlossböckelheim. The steep south-facing slopes produce excellent Riesling with characteristics that combine the pronounced acidity of the Mosel with the slightly more full body and riper fruit flavors of the warmer German wine regions.
The best way to understand the differences and similarities between the German wine regions is to visit and see for yourself the steep slopes, charming villages, and castles perched on hilltops along the rivers of Germany.
The next best way is to purchase wines from the different regions and taste for yourself the variety of wine styles from Germany. We’ve helped you with a list of some remarkable German wine producers to look for.
