Germany's Wine Styles & Varieties

For a nation known for white wine, about 34% of Germany’s vineyard area is actually dedicated to red varieties! Pinot Noir (Spätburgunder) headlines Germany’s red wines with it being the third most widely planted grape in the country, while other important red varieties include Dornfelder, Portugieser, and Trollinger. Red grapes grow particularly well in the warmer, southern regions of Baden, Württemberg, and the Pfalz, and play an important role in Rheinhessen and the Ahr.

From world-class Riesling to white Pinots and uniquely German grapes, German white wine can be found in a variety of styles and price points, and white grapes thrive throughout all 13 wine regions. The temperate climate and high precipitation enable grapes to ripen slowly and benefit from nutrients in the soil. This fosters the development of fruity, well-structured acidity that enhances the longevity of white wines.