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 could bear his name that viticulture became more established here. After phylloxera hit in the late 19th century, most growers replanted with low-quality table grapes for consumption within Germany. It was not until after WWII that winemaking began to recover under new leadership from such men as Erwin Späth and Dr. Hans Ambrosi who revived the local industry by replanting vineyards with quality grape varieties like Müller-Thurgau, Silvaner and Gutedel (Chasselas).
The primary grape varieties of Baden are Riesling, Pinot Noir (known locally as Spätburgunder), Müller-Thurgau and Gutedel (Chasselas). Other grapes grown include Sylvaner (Silvaner), Grauburgunder (Pinot Gris) Weissburgunder (Pinot Blanc), Kerner, Lemberger (Blaufrankisch), Regent and Dornfelder.
It is divided into two sub-regions: Oberes Gebiet (Upper) and Unteres Gebiet (Lower).
There are two sub-regions of Baden: Oberes Gebiet (Upper) and Unteres Gebiet (Lower). The Upper encompasses the northern part of the region, while the Lower lies in the southern and coastal areas. The former tends to produce superior wines, with its higher elevations allowing for cooler temperatures. These cooler climates tend to favor white wine production and are responsible for high quality dry Rieslings.
The climate is influenced by the nearby Black Forest, which protects the region from cold winds.
Because of the Black Forest and its high altitude, Baden’s climate is mild and protected from cold winds. Here, you’ll find grapes like pinot noir and riesling. The region is broken up into two parts: Badische Bergstrasse (“Baden Mountain Road”), which is known for producing rieslings, and Ortenau, which has a full range of German varieties.
The western areas are warm and sunny, while the eastern areas tend to be cool and cloudy.
The western areas are warm and sunny while the eastern areas tend to be cool and cloudy. This is due to the topography, with the Black Forest forming a long rain shadow along its western side. The cold winds of the Rhine Valley also have their influence on the eastern areas, which are both cooler and damper.
As a result, there is far more red wine planted in Baden’s west than in its east. Most vineyards lie between 200-900 metres above sea level, with some exceptions such as Tuniberg on steep slopes at 450 metres above sea level.
This region is the warmest wine region in Germany.
Baden is the warmest wine region in Germany, with a microclimate that is ideal for Burgundian varieties. Its vineyards are protected from cold winds by the Black Forest to the north and from rain by the Vosges mountains to the west. This makes Baden a great spot for enjoying a crisp chardonnay or decadent pinot noir.
In Erzingen, a site within Baden, a monastic vineyard was planted as early as 731 AD; however, the first documented evidence of wine cultivation here dates to 1139 AD at Freiburg.
In Erzingen, a site within Baden, a monastic vineyard was planted as early as 731 AD; however, the first documented evidence of wine cultivation here dates to 1139 AD at Freiburg. The most important wine regions and appellations of Germany are: Ahr Valley, Baden, Franconia (Franken), Hessische Bergstrasse, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer Region (Moselle River Valley), Nahe Region, Palatinate (Pfalz), Rheinhessen and Württemberg.
Baden’s grape varietal palette includes Riesling, Müller-Thurgau, Silvaner, Burgundian varieties, such as Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay – all of which are permitted for dry wines.
Baden is the warmest wine region in Germany. It has a long tradition of growing grapes and producing wines, including the fruit-driven Baden Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir). Thanks to its climate, Baden’s grape varietal palette includes Riesling, Müller-Thurgau, Silvaner, Burgundian varieties, such as Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay – all of which are permitted for dry wines.
Baden has several grand cru sites that include Sonnenstuhl (Badenheim), Steingrüble (Durbach) and Fürstenberg-Sonnenbühl (Sulzfeld).
One of the best-known vineyards in Baden is probably Badenheim, a village located in the Rhine valley in the Ortenau district. Its grand cru site, Sonnenstuhl (“Sun Chair”), is known for its full-bodied, complex wines with high tannin content and a long finish that taste like blackberries and cherries.
The largest wine-growing community in Baden is Durbach, which produces one of the region’s most famous wines—a Müller-Thurgau called “Steingrüble.” The name comes from two words: steinberg means “stone mountain” and grüble translates into “rubble.” This signifies how it is grown on steep slopes surrounded by rocky rubble. Steingrüble’s white wines are dry with a characteristic fruitiness and pleasant acidity, which makes them perfect for pairing with fish or chicken dishes.
A great wine from this region is Badischer Engel Riesling Beerenauslese (which can age over a couple of decades).
A great wine from this region is Badischer Engel Riesling Beerenauslese (which can age over a couple of decades).
The region is an excellent place to enjoy dessert wines. The very sweet dessert wines are known as “botrytized”. This means that they have been aged in oak barrels and should be paired with sweets to compliment the flavor.