
German Wine
Learn about German wine, common tasting notes, where the region is and more ...
As the world’s northernmost fine wine producing region, Germany faces some of the most extreme climatic and topographic challenges in viticulture. But fortunately this country’s star variety, Riesling, is cold-hardy enough to survive freezing winters, and has enough natural acidity to create balance, even in wines with the highest levels of residual sugar. Riesling responds splendidly to Germany’s variable terroir, allowing the country to build its reputation upon fine wines at all points of the sweet to dry spectrum, many of which can age for decades.
Classified by ripeness at harvest, Riesling can be picked early for dry wines or as late as January following the harvest for lusciously sweet wines. There are six levels in Germany’s ripeness classification, ordered from driest to sweetest: Kabinett, Spätlese, Auslese, Beerenauslese, Trockenbeerenauslese and Eiswein (ice wine). While these classifications don’t exactly match the sweetness levels of the finished wines, the Kabinett category will include the drier versions and anything above Auslese will have noticeable—if not noteworthy—sweetness. Eiswein is always remarkably sweet.
Other important white varieties include Müller-Thurgau as well as Grauburguner (Pinot Gris) and Weissburguner (Pinot Blanc). The red, Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir), grown in warmer pockets of the country can be both elegant and structured.
As the fourth largest wine producer in Europe (after France, Italy and Spain), in contrast to its more Mediterranean neighbors, Germany produces about as much as it consumes—and is also the largest importer of wine in the E.U.
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Robert Weil Rheingau Riesling Brut Sekt 2013Vintage Sparkling Wine from Rheingau, Germany
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S.A. Prum Mosel Riesling Luminance 2013Riesling from Mosel, Germany
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Graf von Schonborn Rheingau Riesling Trocken 2013Riesling from Rheingau, Germany
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Dr. H. Thanisch (Erben Müller-Burggraef) Berncasteler Doctor Riesling Kabinett 2013Riesling from Mosel, Germany
- RP
- WS
- WE
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Selbach Oster Zeltinger Schlossberg Schmitt Riesling 2013Riesling from Mosel, Germany
- RP
- WS
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Kruger-Rumpf Munsterer Rheinberg Riesling Kabinett 2013Riesling from Nahe, Germany
- W&S
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The Seeker Mosel Riesling 2013Riesling from Mosel, Germany
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Robert Weil Kiedrich Turmberg Riesling Trocken 2013Riesling from Rheingau, Germany
- RP
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Saint M Pfalz Riesling 2013Riesling from Pfalz, Germany
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Claus Schneider Weiler Schlipf Grauer Burgunder CS 2013Pinot Gris/Grigio from Baden, Germany
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Bercher Jechtinger Grauburgunder Trocken 2013Pinot Gris/Grigio from Baden, Germany
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Weingut C. H. Berres Impulse Estate Riesling 2013Riesling from Mosel, Germany
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Von Winning Kieselberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs 2013Riesling from Nahe, Germany
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Cupcake Vineyards Riesling 2013Riesling from Mosel, Germany
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Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer Trocken Riesling 2013Riesling from Mosel, Germany
- WE
- RP
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Bercher Jechtinger Eichert Spatburgunder Erste Lage 2013Pinot Noir from Baden, Germany
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Fritz Haag Brauneberger Riesling Kabinett 2013Riesling from Mosel, Germany
- W&S
- RP
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Heinz Eifel Shine Rheinhessen Gewurztraminer 2013Gewurztraminer from Rheinhessen, Germany
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Dr. Loosen Bernkasteler Lay Kabinett 2013Riesling from Mosel, Germany
- W&S
- WS
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RELAX Riesling 2013Riesling from Mosel, Germany
- WE
- TP
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Maximin Grunhaus Herrenberg Riesling Kabinett 2013Riesling from Mosel, Germany
- RP
- WE
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Schlossgut Diel Nahe Reserve Riesling Extra Brut Sekt 2013Vintage Sparkling Wine from Nahe, Germany
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Heinz Eifel Mosel Riesling Auslese 2013Riesling from Mosel, Germany
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Villa Wolf Pfalz Dry Riesling 2013Riesling from Germany
- WE
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Heinz Eifel Mosel Riesling Spatlese 2013Riesling from Mosel, Germany