Wine
Germany is the world’s eighth largest wine producer, and the US is one of Germany's most important export markets. Although German wine regions are among the northernmost in the world, Germany produces many top wines, including lively, fruity white wines, but also full-bodied reds and light rosés, which have recently gained in popularity.
German winegrowing has a 2,000-year-old tradition. It was introduced by the Romans in the Germanic areas conquered west of the Rhine River, and grape varieties such as Riesling, Elbling, and Trollinger were cultivated as early as the Roman era.
History & Facts
German wine is incredibly rich and varied, which is due to not only the almost one hundred cultivated varieties but also the microclimate conditions of the winegrowing regions. Even within a small area, a host of different elements can lead to very distinct tastes.
Winegrowing Regions
Riesling has been the superstar of the German wine market in recent years, but there are many other German white wines one should know. Gutedel, for example, has a 5,000-year-old history, while Müller-Thurgau was created in the 1880s. There's also Weißer Burgunder, Sauvignon Blanc, Silvaner, and Chardonnay.
German White Wines
The recent popularity of German Spätburgunder, known in other parts of the world as pinot noir, and Dornfelder is uncontested. But what about Germany’s Lemberger, Merlot, Schwarzriesling, Trollinger, and Cabernet Savignon?
Red Wines of Germany
