A guide to German Wines

Admit it, the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Germany is beer and sausage. It is a common stereotype, but it hides one of the true culinary jewels this country has to offer: its wine. But with labels filled with strange acronyms and unintelligible multisyllabic words, German wine appears slightly intimidating to the untrained eye. Here we’ll look at the basics of understanding Deutschen Wein. Soon you’ll be enjoying it like a pro!

An Overview

More than 135 grape varieties are cultivated in 13 growing regions throughout the country; many of which are nestled on the River Rhine and its tributaries. More than half of German wine production is centered in the federal state of Rhineland-Palatinate, where 6 of the 13 regions are located. Germany has long been known for its white wine due to the success of varieties Riesling and Gewürztraminer. But in recent years, German red varieties such as Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir) and the fairly new crossing Dornfelder, have been steadily increasing in popularity.

Some of the most popular varieties to look for on your next visit to German wine country (or even the wine aisle at your local supermarket) include whites like Müller-Thurgau (also known as Rivaner), Silvaner or Grüner Silvaner, Grauburgunder (Pinot Gris), and Weißburgunder (Pinot Blanc). Popular German reds include the previously mentioned Spatburgunder and Dornfelder, Blauer Portugieser, Trollinger, Schwarzriesling(Pinot Meunier), and Regent.

• German Wine Classification

German wines are classified into four different types:

- Deutscher Tafelwein or ‘German Table Wine’ (equivalent to vin de table) is the lowest quality German wine made from slightly less ripened grapes by adding sugar. Legally it must contain at least 8.5% alcohol per volume and 4.5% grams/liter of acidity.

- Deutscher Landwein or ‘German Country Wine’ (equivalent to vin de pays) is a classification almost identical to Deutscher Tafelwein, with the exception that the wine must be indicated as trocken (dry) or halbtrocken (off-dry) on the label. Deutscher Landwein may also include fruit wines.

- Qualitätswein bestimmter Anbaugebiete (QbA) or ‘Quality Wine from a Specified Region’ are wines that only come from one of the 13 recognized wine regions (which must be indicated on the label). The alcohol content by volume in QbA wines is at least 7% and it ranges from dry to semi-sweet which is also indicated on the label.

- Prädikatswein (formerly known as Qualitätswein mit Prädikat or QmP) is the highest quality level attributed to German wines. The Prädikat or ‘attribute’ indicates the ripeness of the grapes used. The Prädikat falls into one of six categories which ascend according to increasing ripeness:

- Kabinett made from fully ripened grapes from the main harvest, it is typically light, semi-sweet with a crisp acidity. Historically, this wine was good enough for the winemaker’s own cabinet – hence the name. Drink it alone or with a meal.

- Spätlese means ‘late harvest’ and is often but not always sweeter and fruitier than Kabinett wines. It is typically semi-sweet, can be comparatively full-bodied and best accompanies richer foods.

- Auslese or ‘select harvest’ indicates the use of very ripe, select bunches of grapes. Auslese covers the widest range of wines and is often intense in bouquet and taste. These are usually sweet dessert wines, but can also be dry or semi-dry.

- Beerenauslese is made from individually selected, overly ripened noble grapes and is made into incredibly sought-after sweet dessert wines with high longevity.

- Eiswein or ‘Ice Wine’ is made from grapes harvested and pressed when frozen. The result is a very sweet, concentrated wine.

- Trockenbeerenauslese is made from selected, raisin-like berries affected from noble rot and produces an incredibly rich, honey-like wine.

• Sweetness and Color

German wines are also designated according to sweetness and color. Here are a few words to bolster your wine vocabulary auf Deutsch:

- Trocken means ‘dry’ and appears on the wine label.
- Halbtrocken is ‘half-dry’. Like trocken, this designation also is visible on the label. Most wine lovers consider this ‘dry’.
- Feinherb or ‘off-dry’ is only slightly sweeter than halbtrocken.
- Lieblich/mild/restsüss designate semi-sweet wines.
- Süss/edelsüss are used for sweet wines. Like the designations feinherb, lieblich, mild, and restsüss, süss and edelsüss will more likely appear in a menu than on the wine label itself.
- Classic is a newer designation and is typically dry. Classic wine labels name the producer and the region of origin, but purposely omit the vineyard name.
- Selection, like Classic, is a dry wine. It originates from grapes harvested by hand from the same vineyard which is then indicated on the label.
- Weißwein means ‘white wine’.
- Rotwein signifies ‘red wine’.
- Roséwein or Weißherbst are rosé wines, whereby Weißherbst wines must be a QbA or Prädikatswein and made from a single variety indicated on the label.

• Enjoying German Wines

Even if you are only in Germany for several days, take time to experience Germany’s wine country. Only a few hours travel from most popular destinations in the country, local wine regions make German wine and culture easily accessible with a multitude of wineries, vineyard tours, tasting rooms, and summer wine festivals. The many ‘wine houses’ are devoted to serving traditional German cuisine which perfectly accompany the fruits of the vine. Most restaurants have sommeliers and staff who will gladly help you in making your selection.

Finally, do as the Germans do before taking that first drink: Look each other in the eyes and say Prost!

Photo of wine cellar, Rhine River, originally posted by beketchai

Topic:  Restaurants & Food | 9 Comments
Tags:  Germany, wine

About the author

Britt is an American freelance author who lives and works with her German husband in Manchester, England. She has lived in Germany, Canada, England and the US. Britt writes about food, drink, travel, textiles and needlecraft when she is not actually enjoying them herself.