The regions of Germany
Choose a region to read its guide, then move closer through its named subregions.
- 01AhrNo producers listed yetAhr follows the Ahr Valley and is one of Germany's smallest wine regions. Red varieties cover 79 percent of its vineyards, the country's highest share. Pinot Noir, labelled Spätburgunder in German, is the leading grape, while the valley shifts from gentler loess-rich slopes to volcanic slate and rocky soils.
- 02Baden13 producersBaden stretches roughly 400 kilometres from north to south. Sheltered by the Odenwald, Black Forest and Vosges, it is one of Germany's warmest and sunniest wine regions, with Pinot a major presence and a noticeably different mix of wines across its subregions.
- 03Franken7 producersFranken's vineyards follow the Main River between the Rhön Mountains, Steigerwald, Tauber Valley and Spessart. The region is closely associated with dry wines, especially Silvaner, and with the Bocksbeutel, a flat-bellied bottle traditionally used for them.
- 04Hessische Bergstraße1 producerHessische Bergstraße is a small wine region in Hesse, split between the Starkenburg area near Darmstadt and Umstadt. Spring arrives early enough for almond blossom to mark the season. Riesling leads the vineyard area, with Müller-Thurgau, Silvaner and Roter Riesling also grown here.
- 05MittelrheinNo producers listed yetMittelrhein follows about 120 kilometres of the Rhine, where steep terraced vineyards sit on slate and weathered greywacke. Riesling leads the region, alongside Pinot-family wines, Müller-Thurgau and Kerner. The valley slopes have been terraced for vines for more than 1,000 years.
- 06Mosel34 producersMosel follows the Mosel, Saar and Ruwer rivers through steep slate vineyards. Riesling is the region's main grape, made in mineral-dry, off-dry, fruity and noble-sweet styles. Expect citrus and fruit alongside the flinty character dark slate can bring.
- 07Nahe8 producersNahe follows the Nahe River and its tributaries in western Germany. More than 180 soil formations, including slate, porphyry, loess and loam, give the region unusual variety. Riesling leads the plantings, with styles that range from light and fresh to fuller, sweeter wines.
- 08Other producers10 producersThese producers are listed here with no more specific region shown.
- 09Pfalz35 producersPfalz lies between the Haardt Mountains and the Rhine plain, one of Germany's warmest wine regions. Dry Riesling leads the way, while Pinot matters as much south of Neustadt. Red varieties account for more than 30 percent of vineyard plantings.
- 10Rheingau19 producersRheingau follows a westward bend of the Rhine, where Taunus forests shelter the vineyards and reflected river heat contributes to a favorable microclimate. Riesling leads the region, while Assmannshausen is known for its Spätburgunder.
- 11Rheinhessen28 producersRheinhessen lies on the left bank of the Rhine between Worms, Alzey, Bingen and Mainz. Germany's largest wine region by vineyard area, it has extensive vineyards across loess, limestone and marl, with quartzite and slate near Bingen. Riesling and Silvaner are among its leading white grapes.
- 12Saale-UnstrutNo producers listed yetSaale-Unstrut follows the narrow valleys of the Saale and Unstrut along the 51st parallel, although its protected area extends across Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia and Brandenburg. Sunny days, cool nights and long growing seasons produce fine-boned, lively wines with clear aromatics. Limestone and red sandstone bring local differences.
- 13SachsenNo producers listed yetGermany's easternmost wine-growing region follows the Elbe for 55 kilometres, from Pirna to Diesbar-Seußlitz. Steep sites behind rubble-stone terraces and a continental climate frame a mainly white-wine region, where Riesling, Müller-Thurgau, Weißburgunder and the local rarity Goldriesling are all grown.
- 14Württemberg2 producersThe Neckar is Württemberg's main wine-growing axis, with vineyards in the protected valleys of its tributaries and as far as Lake Constance. Red grapes account for about 65 percent of plantings, led by Trollinger and Lemberger. Riesling is the region's most important white grape.