Category Archives: Germany

Wine regions of Germany: Württemberg

Location Württemberg is situated in south-western Germany, near the border of France and Switzerland, with the cities of Stuttgart and Heilbronn at its centre. The climate here has a Mediterranean influence due to its proximity to Lake Constance—the second largest freshwater lake in central Europe. This is also the reason why most Württemberg wine estates are located on the hillsides surrounding this body of water. Situated so close to the Neckar River, which makes a dramatic journey from its source near Schwäbisch Hall all the way to Mannheim where it meets up with the Rhine—over 200 kilometres away—this wine region… Read more

Wine regions of Germany: Saxony

Location Saxony is a state in Eastern Germany. It’s the tenth largest German state by area, with the largest cities being Leipzig and Dresden. The state is known for its wine, food, and its capital, Dresden. Saxony is also home to the world-renowned porcelain factories of Meissen and Nymphenburg. Climate Like with all wine regions in Germany, the climate is varied. Cold winds from the east affect some areas, and summers are generally warm. Winters can be cold, but there is little rain in the summer months. The region has a continental climate with cold winters and warm summers. History… Read more

Wine regions of Germany: Franconia

Franconia is one of Germany’s most important wine regions. Germany’s wine regions produce a huge variety of white wines, and the wines in different regions are known for having different characteristics. The climate and soil of the wine region is really important to the taste and quality of the wine that it produces. Franconia is a German wine region known for its unique wines. The wines grown in Franconia are considered some of the highest quality wines in Germany. The region is very hilly, but there are also many flat areas, so it’s a good place for growing grapes. In… Read more

Wine regions of Germany: Nahe

The Nahe River The Nahe River is a tributary of the Rhine, one of the river systems that all German grapevines rely on for irrigation. The region gets its name from the river, which flows from the Hunsrück Mountains to join the Rhine. It is well known for its slate-dominated soils, which are found here in greater concentrations than anywhere else in Germany. History It’s thought that viticulture in the Nahe region began as far back as Roman times, when monks arrived and planted vines. The name was first recorded in 1074. In the early 20th century the area was… Read more

Wine regions of Germany: Saale-Unstrut

Saale-Unstrut is a region in the state of Saxony-Anhalt, in eastern Germany. Saale-Unstrut is a region in the state of Saxony-Anhalt, in eastern Germany. It is situated in the northeast portion of Saxony-Anhalt and borders Thuringia. The area was home to the ancient Germanic tribe of the Sicambri. The area was home to the ancient Germanic tribe of the Sicambri. The tribe gave its name to the Saale and Unstrut rivers, whose confluence is just south of Naumburg. The Sicambri were of Celtic origin and were conquered by the Romans in 12 BC, after which they were incorporated into the… Read more

Wine regions of Germany: Rheinhessen

Rheinhessen is the largest wine region in Germany, accounting for about a quarter of Germany’s total vineyard area. Rheinhessen is the largest wine region in Germany, accounting for about a quarter of Germany’s total vineyard area. Rheinhessen is located in the southwest of Germany. The region is bounded by Rheingau and Hessen on the north, by Nahe and Palatinate on the southwest and south, and by Baden on the east. The region is divided into two districts: Ingelheim & Alzey It lies northwest of the city of Mainz, stretching to Oppenheim on the Rhine in the north and to Worms… Read more

Wine regions of Germany: Palatinate

The Palatinate is West Germany’s smallest state, but it’s one of the most important. The Palatinate is West Germany’s smallest state, but it’s one of the most important. Rheinland-Pfalz (as it is officially called) has a multitude of appellations and vineyards. In fact, it has the most area planted in all of Germany with over 19,000 acres under vine. Most of those vineyards are in the northern half of the state near France and Luxembourg, where a number of winegrowing regions are located along rivers like the Nahe and Ahr. The southern half consists mostly of forests and hills, which… Read more

Wine regions of Germany: Baden

The Baden region is located in the southwest corner of Germany in both the Rhine and Neckar valleys. Baden is located in the southwest corner of Germany in both the Rhine and Neckar valleys. The region’s climate is influenced by both its elevation and proximity to Lake Constance and the Black Forest. As a result, the region enjoys warm summers and moderate winters, which allow Riesling to thrive on its steep slate slopes. Baden has a rich wine history dating back to Roman times, but it wasn’t until 1725 when Margrave Ludwig Wilhelm von Baden decreed that only quality wines… Read more

Wine regions of Germany: Mittelrhein

Mittelrhein (Middle Rhine) The Middle Rhine Valley, the largest of Germany’s wine regions with its 1,800 hectares of vineyards and over 300 wineries. It is located in the Federal State of Rheinland-Pfalz and occupies a narrow strip between Bingen and Bonn on both sides of the river. The Upper Rhine runs through it for about 40 miles (65km). The Middle Rhine Valley is classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site because of its spectacular scenery, castles, palaces and vineyards. The region offers diverse conditions for growing grapes: sunny slopes with many locations at an altitude of 200 to 450… Read more

Wine regions of Germany: Mosel

Mosel Wine Region The Mosel wine region lies along the valley of the Mosel River and its tributaries, which are called Saar and Ruwer. The vineyards stretch from Trier on the river’s upper reaches all the way to Koblenz in Middle Rhine. Famous producers include: Willi Haag, Dr Loosen and Zilliken. Their wines are expensive but worth it! I particularly enjoy their Riesling style wines. Wine Appellations of Mosel Beyond the part of Germany that surrounds the Rhine River, there is a large area known as Mosel. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it has swaths of vineyards nestled along its… Read more