German Wine is synonymous with Riesling…but there is so much more!
Germany is inextricably linked to the Rieslings that have made the country’s wine industry so famous around the world. Yet there is so much more to German wine than just that. From energetic Pinot Noir and Dornfelder to food-friendly Spatburgunder, wine from Germany is a rich tapestry of options for connoisseurs and casual consumers alike.
What is German wine?
German wine is wine that is grown and produced in Germany. There are many German wine types, which are divided up not just by grape variety, but also by the region in which they are grown. Some of the most important German wine regions are Mosel, Rheingau, and Pfalz.
What’s the most popular German wine types?
German Riesling is the most popular wines in Germany. German Riesling is the classic sweet German wine. It’s important to note, however, that not all German Riesling tastes the same. It can vary greatly by region, as well as by style. With German Riesling, it will be dry if the label says Trocken, but otherwise it will likely have at the very least a touch of fruity sweetness and at most a serious dessert-wine character. In ascending order of sweetness, German Riesling can be labeled as Kabinett, Spatlese, Auslese, Beerenauslese, Trockenbeerenauslese, and Eiswein, the last of which is German ice wine, made from harvesting very ripe grapes that have partially frozen on the vine.
What kind of characteristics are common in German wine?
In general, German wines are tied together by a sense of mouthwatering acidity as a result of the cooler climate, which not only balances out any sweetness that may be present in the wine, but also makes them potentially capable of aging in the cellar for years (the best German Riesling can age for decades). They are wonderfully food-friendly.
What do the different German wines taste like?
German Riesling often boasts aromas and flavors of stone fruit, apples and pears, honey, flowers, and subtle spice. German Pinot Noir tends to lean in the direction of raspberries, cranberries, and red cherries, with hints of herbs and flowers. Liebfraumilch, which is a semi-sweet wine that can occasionally seem like it has more sugar than it does, often reminds tasters of pears, citrus fruit, and honey. German wines are deliciously diverse in style and flavor.
Are German wines dry or sweet?
German wines can be either dry or sweet. The red wines of Germany are generally dry, and the white wines from Riesling are generally sweet. But there are plenty of other wines produced in Germany that exhibit a range of style characteristics.
What is the sweetest German wine?
The sweetest German wine is Trockenbeerenauslese Riesling, a rare and delicious wine that ranks among the greatest sweet wines in the world.
What is hot German wine called?
Hot German wine is called gluhwein, and it is made by warming red wine on the stove with oranges, cinnamon, cloves, and other spices. It’s amazing in the wintertime!
How do you read a German wine label?
German wine labels may look confusing, but once you know a few tricks, they actually are some of the most helpful in the world of wine, telling you where the wine is from, how sweet it is, who made it, the vintage, and more. For example, a bottle of Dr. Loosen Riesling Spatlese Urziger Wurzgarten 2016 is produced by Dr. Loosen (the brand), from Riesling grapes that were harvested at Spatlese ripeness level, meaning the wine will be gently sweet but not cloying, from the vineyard called Wurzgarten in the town of Urzig, and was harvested in 2016.
What are the popular brands of German wine?
There are many popular brands of German wine, including Blue Nun, Black Tower, Dr Heidemanns, Gerd Anselmann, Relax, Mueller / Adoph Mueller, Wintertraum Gluhwein, and Dr. Loosen, among others.
Browse our full selection of German wine online or check out our selection of highly rated German wine for a great new German wine to try this week!
Want to learn more about German wine?
Visit our Guide to German wine to learn more about German wine.
