The Ultimate Guide to the German Wine Regions

Your Ultimate Guide to the German Wine Regions!

Move over, beer, because Germany may just be the world’s best-kept wine secret!

Although wine probably isn’t the first thing that pops into your head when you think of Germany, this gorgeous European country is truly a wine lover’s paradise. 

Are you ready to explore everything from charming wine festivals and world-famous Rieslings to thousands of family-owned wineries and historic vineyards?

Good! Because Germany’s 2,000 years of wine tradition will have you saying Prost (a.k.a. cheers) in no time.

Keep reading our German Wine Guide to learn all you need to start exploring the grape world of unique German wine region. Ready to uncork an ad-vinture? Let’s go!

The history of German wine: over 2,000 years and counting

Gather ‘round, it’s time for a (super short and totally not boring) history lesson!

Where? Germany

When? Between 70 and 270 AD

Who? The Ancient Romans

Although grapes grew wild in Germany along the upper Rhine River since prehistoric times, the Ancient Romans are the ones who introduced winemaking to Germany. Since it would have been a huge hassle to constantly transport wine across the Alps, the Romans brought their own vines, planted them, and started making wine in Germany instead.

🤓 Fun fact: Ancient Roman wine presses can still be found in the German wine regions, we’ll even tell you where you can visit one later in the article!

The tradition lived on through the Middle Ages, during which the monks perfected the practice. By the 1500s, Germany was blush with vineyards.

German viticulture for wine geeks

While Germany’s cool, wet climate may not be what you’d expect of a stereotypical wine country, it’s actually key to the complex and unique taste of wines in Germany.

🤓 Fun fact: Germany is Europe’s 4th largest wine producer! It’s situated right after Italy, France, and Spain, and right before Portugal. As you might have noticed, it’s the only European winemaker in the top 5 with a cool climate. 

The German vineyards

The mild German summers allow for a longer growing season, which lets the grapes ripen at a slow and steady pace, letting the natural sugars develop while still maintaining their acidic taste. 

🤓 Fun fact: White wine grapes are easier to grow in cold climates.

To compensate for Germany’s cooler climate, most vineyards are planted on steep slopes near rivers, like the Rhine and Mosel. Sunlight and warmth bounce off the rivers to give the grapes plenty of time to ripen and be ready for delicious winemaking. 

As you’ll quickly notice once you visit, this makes for some truly picturesque and Instagram-worthy vineyards!

The German grapes

Every great wine starts with great grapes, and Germany is no exception. It’s home to 135 different types of grapes. 

To give you an easy breakdown…

• 67% of German vineyards house 100 different varieties of white wine grapes. 

🥂 Germany is particularly known for its white wines

• 33% of vineyards are dedicated to 35 different varieties of red wine grapes. 

🍷 Red wine has been growing in popularity in Germany for the last two decades

And for Germany, it’s all about the sugars, baby! German viticulturists meticulously plan the ripeness of each grape before harvest. Why? Because ripe grapes make simple, light wines while overly ripe grapes make sweeter, more complex ones.

German wines 101: Everything you need to know

Now let’s get to the moment you’ve all been waiting for. 

Drumroll please…it’s time to introduce the delicious German wines (and the confusing German wine labels that come with them). Let’s get started! 

White wine lover? Here are Germany’s 4 most popular whites

Craving some white wine? Or Weißwein, as the Germans say? When it comes to German whites, and especially the most popular ones, there are no pour decisions. 

Riesling

It’s time to discuss Germany’s most popular wine. The one and only queen: Miss Riesling herself. She’s highly aromatic, fruity, or flowery in taste with a high acidity level that is balanced with sweetness. Riesling ages amazingly well and can taste great even after 30 years of sitting in a bottle.

Müller-Thurgau

This fresh and light wine is less complex in flavor than its sister, queen Riesling. It’s fruity and flowery with low acidity. Unlike Riesling, it tastes best while still young, ideally within 1 to 3 years of bottling. 

Grauburgunder

Grauburgunder is the German equivalent of Pinot Grigio in Italy or Pinot Gris in France. The German variation of this light and crisp white wine is typically fruitier than its counterparts from abroad. It’s an elegant wine with a mild to medium level of acidity. 

Silvaner

This full-bodied, mildly acidic wine has been an integral part of Germany’s wine-making scene for 400 years. While the tradition is old, this wine actually tastes best when young. It’s subtle and refreshing, with a floral bouquet and herbal notes. 

🤓 Fun fact: This white wine has a fantastic nickname – Dracula wine! Why? Well, it’s very old, pale, and ruined if exposed to bright sunlight for too long 🧛‍♂

Red wine connoisseur? Check out these 3 red German wines

Did someone order a glass of Rotwein? Although that may sound a little ominous to English speakers, we promise it’s just the German word for red wine. 

Although (fun fact alert) rot can sometimes be a good thing in wine. Grapes affected with Botrytis, otherwise known as noble rot, can make very fine and concentrated sweet wines. The more you know!

Spätburgunder

Meet the Riesling of Germany’s red wines: the popular Spätburgunder. This wine’s name translates to “late Burgundy” and it’s Germany’s take on Pinot Noir. With high acidity and light tannins, take a sip if you’re in the mood for a savory, elegant wine. 

🤓 Fun fact: Spätburgunder is grown in all 13 wine regions of Germany. The variety in soil and climate across Germany makes each region’s Spätburgunder unique.

Dornfelder

Although it was only developed 70 years ago, the Dornfelder has already soared through the wine ranks to become the 2nd most popular red wine in Germany. It makes a fragrant and complex dry red wine with a beautiful red color and medium body. 

Portugieser

Very confusingly, this wine came to Germany from Austria and not Portugal. Go figure. The Portugieser is known for making pale, medium-bodied, fruity wines with mild acidity that are perfect for summer.

Understanding that tricky German wine label

Like the bureaucracy (sorry, Germany), German wine labels tend to be a little more complicated than usual. 

But have no fear! We’ll spell (not to be confused with spill) it all out so you don’t have to awkwardly keep typing in Google Translate during your next wine shopping spree.

The basics

On a typical German bottle, you’ll find a few key pieces of information that are pretty self-explanatory. 

These include the vintage (fancy terminology for the year the grapes were grown and harvested), producer, region (one of the 13), ABV (alcohol by volume), and type of wine (Riesling, Spätburgunder, etc.). 

Level of dryness

Keep an eye out for these words on the label:

• Troken = dry
  • No perceptible sweetness
• Halbtrocken = half-dry 
  • A touch of sweetness, but still light and refreshing
• Feinherb = half-dry
  • This is a more casual term used for wines that are a bit sweeter than the official Halbtrocken term allows
• Lieblich = semisweet
  • For those who prefer sweeter wines but don’t want to go too crazy
• Süß = sweet
  • These can often replace (or accompany, let’s be honest) the dessert course of a lavish dinner!

Quality level 

German wine is divided into 4 levels of quality, which sounds complicated at first but bear with us! It’s really not as daunting as it seems. 

1. Deutscher Wein (German Wine) – German table wine
2. Landwein (German Country Wine) – A higher-quality German table wine
3. Qualitätswein (Quality Wine) – A Qualitätswein must come from one of the 13 German wine regions and will have the region listed on the label. Psst…these German wines will give you the best bang and quality for your buck!
4. Prädikatswein (Predicate Wine) – These high quality German wines are divided into 6 more sub-categories.
   1. Kabinett (Cabinet) – light wines made from fully ripened grapes
   2. Spätlese (Late Harvest) – more intense wines made from grapes harvested at least 7 days after regular harvest
   3. Auslese (Select Harvest) – intense wines made from very ripe, hand-picked grapes
   4. Beerenauslese (Select Berry Harvest) – sweet wines made from overripe grapes
   5. Trockenbeerenauslese (Dry Berry Select Harvest) – luscious sweet wines made from overripe grapes that dried on the vine 
   6. Eiswein (Ice Wine) – unique wines made from grapes harvested while frozen with a high concentration of fruity acidity and sweetness

VDP – Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter

Ever spot an eagle with a cluster of grapes on a German wine bottle? 

That’s the symbol of the VDP or the Association of German Prädikat Wineries. You’ll be able to find the VDP logo on some of the Prädikatswein we mentioned above.

To put it plainly: if you are looking for the creme de la creme of German wines, keep an eye out for this eagle!

In typical German fashion, VDP wines are split into 4 quality levels (the higher the level, the better the wine):  

1. Gutswein (Good Wine) – the entry-level of the VDP wines. These are often the first wines of the year to be bottled and sold
2. Ortswein (Local Wine) – made from strictly local grapes, these wines capture the region’s essence
3. Erste Lage (First Location) – these wines come from vineyards boasting ideal growing conditions
4. Grosse Lage (Great Location) – reserved for only the finest German vineyards. This is the German equivalent of Grand Cru for France and DOCG for Italy! 

Your German wine guide: a mini-tour of the German wine regions

Germany’s wine regions are what picturesque dreams are made of. Imagine gorgeous scenery (don’t forget all those rivers we mentioned earlier), countless castles, lordly manors, and all the wine festivals you could ever want.

Most of Germany’s fantastic vineyards are just a hop, skip, and glass away from Frankfurt, close to Cologne, Heidelberg, Stuttgart, and Würzburg. 

P.S. By a hop, skip, and glass away, we mean roughly an hour or two by train!

And hey, if you’re feeling adventurous, there are some hidden gems near Jena, Leipzig, and Dresden just waiting to be uncorked. With the speedy Autobahns, the large network of railroads, and lots of scenic, regional roads, getting to all German wine regions will be a piece of cake. 

If you enjoy a good wine festival, the best times to visit would be from May to September, although you may find a festival or two in April and October as well. 

Let’s dig into what makes each region so unique, you’ll fall in love before your first sip.

Wine Guide to Mosel, Germany

Welcome to the most well-known and oldest wine region in Germany, where the Romans first introduced winemaking 2,000 years ago! Situated along the Mosel River, this German wine region has some of the steepest vineyards in the world. Pop by to marvel at the views and sip tasty, mineral-rich Rieslings with balanced acidity.  

Wines to try in Mosel, Germany

• Riesling
• Elbling – Riesling’s predecessor that predates Roman times

Wine experiences you can’t miss in Mosel, Germany

• Trier, Germany’s oldest city with the biggest concentration of Roman ruins north of the Alps, is a must-visit, as is the ancient Roman wine press in Piesport 
• The picturesque town of Bernkastel Kues is home to top vineyards such as Graach, Sonnenuhr, and Himmelreich. Visit in early September for Weinfest der Mittelmosel, an annual wine festival with great food, countless wine tastings, and even the crowning of a new wine queen!
• Stop by Cochen’s iconic hilltop Reichsburg Castle and the Mosel Wine Week festival in August
• Head down under for the Mosel Wein Nachts Markt. It’s essentially a Christmas market in an underground cave with incredible wine and can’t be missed. Happy holidays, indeed!

Wine Guide to Rheingau, Germany

Conveniently located close to Frankfurt Airport, the Rheingau German wine region is all about mixing tradition with innovation. This popular wine-growing region is situated along Germany’s greatest wine river: the Rhine. The optimal climate along the Rhine allows for full-bodied Spätburgunder and superb Rieslings.

🤓 Fun fact: Back in the 19th century, the dry Rieslings produced here stole the spotlight, becoming the most famous and expensive German wines of all time.

Wines to try in Rheingau, Germany

• Riesling
• Spätburgunder

Wine experiences you can’t miss in Rheingau, Germany

• Interested in beautiful castles that double as wine estates?Then you have to check out Kloster Eberbach, Schloss Vollrads, and Schloss Johannisberg
• Visit Rüdesheim for its fun street, the Drosselgasse, which features door-to-door wine bars and pubs, as well as the local wine museum. The Rüdesheim Wine Festival is in August, which is another can’t-miss event!
• Check out the many other historic wine villages along the Rhine River: Oestrich-Winkel, Eltville, and Assmanshausen
• Don’t forget to mosey on over to Wiesbaden in early August for the Rheingau Wine Festival

Wine Guide to Pfalz, Germany

It’s time to meet the second-largest German wine region: Pfalz. Extending to the French border, this wine region is sunny and warm – for Germany, that is. Pfalz is Germany’s wine powerhouse, producing more wines and international varieties than any other German wine region. Stop by for a dry Riesling, a complex Dornfelder, or take your pick of the countless rich, bold, and fruity wines offered. And while you’re there, be sure to order a “weinschorle” (a white wine with a splash of soda water), as this refreshing German staple was born in Pfalz. 

🤓 Fun fact: The vines here outnumber people 600 to 1. 

Wines to try in Pfalz, Germany

• Riesling
• Dornfelder
• Grauburgunder
• Müller-Thurgau
• Spätburgunder

Wine experiences you can’t miss in Pfalz, Germany

• Your visit to Pfalz won’t be complete without visiting Germany’s oldest wine road: the Weinstraße. This 85 km road connects 130 wine-producing hot spots

Hot tip: two of our favorite times to visit are…

• The last Sunday in August when the road is closed to motorized vehicles so that walkers, hikers, cyclists, and even inline skaters can comfortably travel the road
• During mid-March/April when the Mandelblütenfest (Almond Blossom Festival) kicks off Germany’s wine festival season. Admire the gorgeous white and pink flowers as you sip fruity Rieslings and Spätburgunders
• On your trip along the Weinstraße_, stop by Bad Dürkheim, home of the annual Wurstmarkt (Sausage Market) in September. Don’t be fooled by the name! This is actually Germany’s biggest wine festival, where a National Wine Queen is crowned each year

Wine Guide to Rheinhessen, Germany

Say Merlot to the largest of all the 13 German wine regions. Located along the west bank of the Rhine, it is second in wine production, just behind Pfalz. The varied soil and climate make it possible to grow many different grape varieties, including a myriad of whites and some special reds. Try classic Rieslings, regional specialties like the Silvaner or Portugieser, and earthy Dornfelders. 

🔥 Fun fact: Rheinhessen is home to ⅓ of Germany’s Riesling production.

Wines to try in Rheinhessen, Germany

• Riesling
• Silvaner
• Dornfelder
• Portugieser

Wine experiences you can’t miss in Rheinhessen, Germany

• If you have some time in late August/early September, stop by the Mainz Wine Festival held in the gorgeous Mainz City Park and rose garden. It’s the perfect chance to taste local delicacies and wines
• Visit the historic village of Ingelheim, the red-wine capital of Rheinhessen, with a large number of top wineries in Germany, including Schloss Westerhaus, located in the gorgeous Castle Westerhaus

Wine Guide to Baden, Germany

Baden is the southernmost, longest, and warmest of the 13 German wine regions. Although Germany is known primarily for its white wines, ⅓ of Baden’s territory houses red wine grapes. The warm climate means the Spätburgunder (Germany’s take on Pinot Noir) thrives here. Try a few different wines as you travel the area, as Baden wines are known for their diversity.

🤓 Fun fact: Baden is the only German wine region in the EU wine-growing Zone B, the same zone as Alsace, Champagne, and the Loire Valley! Psst…different regions are grouped together based on climate, soil, elevation, and other geographical conditions that affect wine.

Wines to try in Baden, Germany

• Spätburgunder
• Müller-Thurgau
• Grauburgunder
• Weißburgunder (Germany’s take on Pinot Blanc)

Wine experiences you can’t miss in Baden, Germany

• Visit the historic and enchanting Lauffen Castle in Lauffen am Neckar on the first weekend in September to celebrate Wein auf Der Insel (Wine on the Island)
• Pop into the Heilbronn Wine Village in September for 11 days of wine tasting, tours, events, and great bites (we heard through the grapevine that the currywurst is top-notch) 
• Seasonal pop-up wine taverns, known as a Besen, are popular in this area and can appear everywhere from family garages to established restaurants. Just look for a broomstick over the door!

Wine Guide to Franken, Germany

Centered around the town of Würzburg, this German wine region offers great wines, rich culture, and stunning architecture from the Middle Ages. From March through November, almost every village in the region holds a wine festival. While here, make sure to try the herbal and crisp Silvaner to take a break from the typical floral and peachy Rieslings that Germany is known for. 

🤓 Fun fact: Franken wine is typically sold in potbellied, flat bottles with short necks called Bocksbeutel that date back to the 17th century.  

Wines to try in Franken, Germany

• Silvaner
• Müller Thurgau
• Goethe’s favorite wine, the Würzburger Stein

As Goethe famously said, “Life is too short to drink bad wine.” We couldn’t agree more.

Wine experiences you can’t miss in Franken, Germany

Hot tip: This is the German wine region to be in during July!

• For two weeks in July, you can listen to fantastic music while tasting local German wines and cuisines at the Wein am Stein in Würzburg. While in town, stop by the Wine Bridge to sip wine in a traditional Schoppen glass

• Enjoy wine, coffee, and cake followed by an evening of dancing at the Summer Wine Time Festival held in Ipsheim every July
• Stop by the Wine Festival in Markt Einersheim in July for a glass of white wine and a Steckerlfisch (yep, you read that right – fish on a stick), which is a local specialty! 

Wine Guide to Nahe, Germany

Despite being on the smaller side of the German wine region bunch, the peaceful landscapes, wellness resorts, and unique wines mean Nahe is well worth a visit. Due to the region’s volcanic origins, Nahe offers huge diversity in its terroir (a.k.a. all the environmental conditions that affect wine, such as soil and climate) leading to a truly impressive variety of wines. 

Wines to try in Nahe, Germany

• Riesling
• Müller-Thurgau
• Silvaner
• Dornfelder

Wine experiences you can’t miss in Nahe, Germany

• The spa town of Bad Kreuznach hosts three wine festivals every year: in Roseninsel Park in late April/early May, in the old town in June, and in the spa park of Bad Münster am Stein in July
• Visit the Disibodenberg Abbey in Odernheim, which houses the oldest vineyard in Nahe. The area has been growing grapes ever since Roman times and is home to grapes that were otherwise thought to be extinct

Wine Guide to Ahr, Germany

The smallest German wine region is a bit different from the rest. Instead of being known for its white wines, Ahr is famous for its reds! The superbly spicy Spätburgunder is a particular fan favorite. Once you’ve had your fill of red German wines (if that’s even possible), don’t forget to try Ahr’s crisp and refreshing Riesling. 

Wines to try in Ahr, Germany

• Spätburgunder
• Grauburgunder
• Riesling

Wine experiences you can’t miss in Ahr, Germany

• Visit the Ahr Wine Market in Ahrweiler during Whitsun weekend (the 7th Sunday after Easter) to see the coronation of the Ahr Wine Queen
• Journey back to the Middle Ages at the historic Heimersheim Wine Festival in Bad Neuenahr. Every August, history comes alive with knights, noblemen, minstrels, and German wine tradition
• Hike the Red Wine Trail, a scenic 35-kilometer path stretching from Bad Bodendorf to Altenahr. It’ll take you through hilltop ruins, lush forests, open fields, and numerous vineyards, connecting charming wine-growing towns along the way

Wine Guide to Mittelrhein, Germany

This German wine region is filled with some of the wine world’s most spectacular scenery: steep vineyards, idyllic towns sloping down to the water’s edge, and medieval castles overlooking stunning cliffs. We recommend you take in the views while trying a few of the minerally rich and powerful wines that Mittelrhein is known for.

🤓 Fun fact: A 65-kilometer stretch of Mittelrhein (from Bingen to Koblenz) was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites in 2002.

Wines to try in Mittelrhein, Germany

• Riesling
• Müller-Thurgau
• Spätburgunder

Wine experiences you can’t miss in Mittelrhein, Germany

• Visit the small town of Braubach for their wine festival, held during the first weekend of October, to drink from wine fountains in the historic old town 

🔥 Hot tip: Stop by the Marksburg while you’re in town – it’s the best-preserved castle on the Rhine!

• Combine fireworks with delicious pop-up wine shops during the Rhine in Flames. From May until September, enjoy 5 different events along the Rhine, all offering local wine tastings ending in stunning firework displays over the river. Two of our favorite stops include the picturesque town of Bacharach (named after the ancient god of wine) and St. Goarshausen, home of the Lorelei rock where legend has it sirens lured sailors to their doom.
  

🔥 Hot tip: During the Rhine in Flames, cruise the Rhine in an illuminated boat to marvel at the fireworks as you taste unique wine and food (make sure to try the Zwiebelkuchen, or onion tart!)

Wine Guide to Württemberg, Germany

If you are a red wine lover, this German wine region is a must-visit. Located along the lush valleys of the Neckar River (and its offshoots, the Enz and Rems), Württemberg is brimming with red wine grapes – they cover almost 70% of vineyards! No visit to this German wine region would be complete without a glass of Trollinger, a locally beloved fruity, light, and tart red wine. 

🤓 Fun fact: You won’t find much Württemberg wine outside of this region, as the locals tend to drink it all! Württemberg has the highest per capita wine consumption in all of Germany.

Wines to try in Württemberg, Germany

• Trollinger
• Lemberger
• Schwarzriesling
• Spätburgunder
• Riesling

🔥 Hot tip: if you are visiting in the summer, you just have to try Schillerwein, a local rosé made from both red and white grapes. 

Wine experiences you can’t miss in Württemberg, Germany

• Pop by the Stuttgarter Weindorf (Stuttgart Wine Village) in August/September to sample 500 varieties of locally produced wine. Try pairing a local specialty, such as käsespätzle (handmade noodles fried with cheese), with a lovely glass of Trollinger or Lemberger
• Visit Heilbronn, known as Württemberg’s Wine Capital, to explore this 1,200-year-old historic and picturesque half-timbered city. Plan a visit during September to stop by the Heilbronn Wine Village and sip delicious regional red wines, like Samtrot

Wine Guide to Saale-Unstrut, Germany

Nestled along the banks of the Saale and Unstrut rivers, you’ll find one of Europe’s northernmost wine-growing regions. The small but charming Saale-Unstrut is known for producing very fine dry, fruity wines. If you like all things sparkling, you’re in luck! Saale-Unstrut is home to one of Germany’s favorite bubblies: the Rotkäppchen Sekt.

Wines to try in Saale-Unstrut, Germany

• Müller-Thurgau
• Weißburgunder
• Silvaner
• Riesling
• Portugiese

Wine experiences you can’t miss in Saale-Unstrut, Germany

• Make sure to visit Freyburg (Saale-Unstrut’s secret wine capital) during the second weekend in September to enjoy the largest wine festival in the region! Gaze up at the gorgeous Neuenburg Castle as you taste fine local wines and watch the crowning of the regional wine queen
• Warm up after the cold German winter by heading up to Saale-Unstrut for April’s young wine weeks. You’ll get the chance to taste the brand-new vintages before anyone else. Bragging rights, anyone?

Wine Guide to Hessische Bergstraße, Germany

Bordered by the Rhine River to the west and the Odenwald mountain range to the east, you’ll find Hessische Bergstraße. This small German wine region is known for producing dry and semi-dry wines with nearly 80% of vineyards dedicated to whites. Hessische Bergstraße has one particular standout German wine star: the rare Red Riesling (now say that 3 times fast). 

🤓 Fun fact: Due to its unique climate, this German wine region has not only gained fame for exceptional wines but also for delectable cherries, almonds, and apricots. 

Wines to try in Hessische Bergstraße, Germany

• Riesling (both white and red)
• Rivaner
• Grauburgunder
• Müller-Thurgau

Wine experiences you can’t miss in Hessische Bergstraße, Germany

• If you love classic, half-timbered German towns and superb wines, you have to stop by the Bergstraße wine market in Heppenheim. Each year in June, make a visit to sip traditional wines in the idyllic old town. We’re pretty sure it doesn’t get more European than this!
• Feeling outdoorsy? Walk the 7-kilometer-long Wein und Stein (wines and stones) trail. Hike your way through vineyards and take in the stunning panoramic views, wine sculptures, and 70 informational wine stations found along the way

🔥 Hot tip: Perched in the Odenwald mountains, you’ll find Frankenstein Castle, which is said to have sparked Mary Shelley’s iconic novel. This 1250-built castle is shrouded in legends, including whispers of a mythical fountain of youth ⛲

Wine Guide to Sachsen, Germany

The easternmost German wine region is famous for two things: wine and porcelain! Sachsen, also known as Saxony, has rare but delicious wines. While you’re in Sachsen, take some time to sample many different whites in the cozy wine taverns, stylish wine shops, or Straußwirtschaften (seasonal wine shops) sprinkled throughout the region. 

Wines to try in Sachsen, Germany

• Müller-Thurgau
• Riesling
• Weißburgunder
• Grauburgunder
• Spätburgunder

🔥 Hot tip: Make sure to try Goldriesling, which is grown almost exclusively in Sachsen. This refreshing and acidic white wine was made by crossing Muscat with Riesling back in 1893.

Wine experiences you can’t miss in Sachsen, Germany

• Spanning three days at the end of September, the Meißen Wine Festival is your perfect chance to try the elusive Sachsen white wines. While in town, be sure to explore the Porzellan Manufaktur and Museum, an essential stop in a town famous for its porcelain
• Mark your calendars for the final weekend of August, when many wineries in Sachen hold open days. Join over 25 local German wineries as they welcome you to explore their cellars, embark on vineyard tours, and indulge in delightful tastings

Can’t-miss German wine experiences in popular cities

If you have learned anything from this article (and we really hope you have), it’s probably that Germans love a good wine festival. 

We were not kidding when we said that nearly every town in the German wine regions holds one (or two) every year. That being said, there are some famous wine festivals in and around the bigger cities in Germany as well.

🤓 Fun fact: There are over 1,000 wine festivals held in Germany every year. Don’t miss the best ones, highlighted by Really Grape with exclusive tickets and more!

We recommend checking out:

• Baumblütenfest in Werder (about an hour outside of Berlin): held in May, it’s the largest fruit wine festival in Germany. Enjoy the spring weather and charming countryside while sharing fruity wines with your friends
• Rheingauer Weinmarkt in Frankfurt: Every September, stop by Frankfurt to sample more than 600 German wines from the Rheingau region. P.S. It’s basically obligatory to try a Riesling here, they are known to be exquisite
• St. Pauli Winzerfest in Hamburg: Sample wines from Nahe, Rheinhessen, and Pfalz at this food and wine festival in the heart of historic Hamburg in late August

The magic of Glühwein

As you may have noticed, winter isn’t exactly wine festival season, but that doesn’t mean it’s exempt from the magic of German wine! 

In December, you have to stop by the charming Christmas markets set up all over Germany, even if just to try one thing: Glühwein. This steaming mulled wine is the perfect drink to warm up your tastebuds (and hands) as you take a stroll through German Christmas wonderland. 

🤓 Fun fact: (another one for you history buffs out there!) Glühwein dates back to 1420. Count John IV of Katzenelnbogen, a German nobleman and the first grower of Riesling grapes, is credited with owning the oldest documented Glühwein tankard ever recorded

German wine-tasting etiquette and tips 

Now that you know about German wine and wine regions, it’s time to start tasting the actual wine! 

Read through our tips below to become a German wine-tasting expert well before your first Weinprobe (a.k.a. wine tasting). 

What do German wine tastings cost?

Grape news: most wineries in Germany allow you to taste their wines at no charge! However, it’s common courtesy to purchase a bottle during your visit. If you decide to try many wines on the list, we recommend buying more than one bottle.

More in-depth wine experiences, which may include guided tours, may cost anywhere between €10 to €30 per person. It will all depend on the number and quality of wines, the vineyard’s reputation, and any additional services they offer.

Do I need to book in advance? 

Most German wine tastings are no-frills events where you stop by the winery and simply taste the wines you are interested in. 

If you’re up for a Weinprobe on a Saturday, you usually don’t need to make an appointment if you swing by the winery between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm. 

However, it’s always a good idea to double-check beforehand by calling or emailing the winery, especially if you would like to book a special, more in-depth wine-tasting experience. Or, better yet, easily book an authentic wine experience online, and in English, with Really Grape.

What do German wine lists typically look like? 

The wine lists at wineries in Germany are broken down into different categories. The white wines are typically listed first, then rosé, followed by reds. Sekt (German sparkling wine) is listed separately. Last on the list are Destillierter Wein (distilled wines) and Likör (liqueurs). Each category is then further broken down by the different types of grapes.

What order should I taste the wines in? 

We recommend you start with the dry wines, followed by the sweeter ones so that you don’t overwhelm your palate. White wines are typically tasted first, followed by sekt, and lastly the reds. 

P.S. Tastings might not include distilled wines or liqueurs, but you can always ask! 

Should I swallow the wine? 

That answer depends on how many wine tastings you plan to do in one day!

Many Germans don’t actually swallow the wine during a tasting. Instead, they slush it around in their mouths a little and then spit it out into a small container provided by the winery. 

This helps to keep your blood alcohol level down so you don’t get too tipsy and can keep on tasting wines. 

German wine tastings sip-by-sip

Here’s a helpful rundown to keep in mind during your next wine tasting.

This is probably old news to you wine-tasting pros out there, but we’ll put it in for the newbies. Hey, we all have to attend our first wine tasting sometime! 

• Wine amount: During a tasting, you’ll typically get a sip, not a full glass of wine
• Holding the glass: Hold the wine glass by the stem or foot to avoid warming the wine with your fingers before tasting (added bonus, no greasy finger marks on the glass!)
• Clarity matters: The wine should be clear, not cloudy, unless it’s Federweißer made from freshly harvested grapes
• Aroma exploration: Gently swirl the glass to let the wine breathe, then take a whiff to detect various aromas like citrus or berries
• Savor the sip: Sip the wine, don’t chug it, and swirl it around your mouth to explore its flavors
• Spit or swallow: You have the option to spit out or swallow the wine after tasting
• The finish: Assess the flavors that linger after you swallow or spit. This is called the finish or aftertaste

Germany and wine are ferment to be together

You made it to the end of your German wine guide! You now know (almost) everything about the somewhat secret and at times complex world of German wines. From the popular Rieslings to the charming wine festivals, you are ready to confidently start touring all of the German wine regions like a pro.

Next, be sure to check out our Wine Tasting Guide here!

Now the only question is, where will you go first? If you need suggestions, the Really Grape website is filled with ready-to-book tastings and wine experiences. 

Happy wine tasting! Prost from your friends at Really Grape 🍷✨

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