Germany

The Elegance of Cool Climate

Map of the wine regions of Germany

Select a region to explore

The Big Picture

Germany

Germany is one of the world's great cool-climate wine regions. Long growing seasons preserve vibrant acidity, while the level of grape ripeness at harvest determines both style and classification. Riesling is the country's defining variety, expressing remarkable purity and longevity across a range of styles.

Climate & Viticulture
  • Germany's cool continental climate is characterised by cold winters, warm summers and long, cool autumns that allow grapes to ripen slowly while retaining acidity.
  • Geography & Influences — many of Germany's finest vineyards lie on steep south-facing slopes overlooking rivers, where greater sun exposure, reflected light and reduced frost risk help grapes reach full ripeness; slate and stony soils absorb heat during the day and release it overnight.
  • Quality Classification — Qualitätswein (quality wines from a specified region, chaptalisation permitted where allowed) and Prädikatswein (classified by grape ripeness at harvest, from Kabinett through Spätlese, Auslese, Beerenauslese, Eiswein and Trockenbeerenauslese).
  • VDP Classification — a vineyard-focused system used by many leading producers: Gutswein → Ortswein → Erste Lage → Grosse Lage, with Grosses Gewächs (GG) identifying a dry wine from a Grosse Lage vineyard.

Steep slate river valleys of the Mosel → the warmer, riper Rheingau and Pfalz → the warm, Pinot-friendly south of Baden.