The regions of Germany
Choose a region to read about its wines and explore the smaller growing areas within it.
- 01AhrNo producers listed yetAhr is one of Germany's smallest wine regions, with vineyards along the Ahr Valley. Red grapes cover 79 percent of the vineyard area, led by Pinot Noir, known in German as Spätburgunder. Gentler slopes in the lower valley give way to rockier ground further upstream.
- 02Baden13 producersBaden's wine country stretches roughly 400 kilometres through Germany from north to south. The Odenwald, Black Forest and Vosges shelter its vineyards, which are among the country's warmest and sunniest. Pinot-family grapes are widely grown, though the mix changes between the northern vineyards, the Kaiserstuhl and Lake Constance.
- 03Franken7 producersFranken is a German wine region whose vineyards follow the Main River between the Rhön Mountains, Steigerwald, Tauber Valley and Spessart. Dry whites made from the Silvaner grape are a local speciality. Many come in a Bocksbeutel, the region's distinctive flat-bellied bottle.
- 04Hessische Bergstraße1 producerHessische Bergstraße is a small wine region in Germany's Hesse, divided between Starkenburg near Darmstadt and Umstadt. Almond blossom marks its early spring. Riesling is the most widely planted grape, alongside Müller-Thurgau, Silvaner and Roter Riesling, a red-skinned grape that makes white wine.
- 05MittelrheinNo producers listed yetAlong about 120 kilometres of Germany's Rhine, Mittelrhein's vineyards climb steep, terraced slopes. Riesling is the leading grape, with Pinot-family varieties, Müller-Thurgau and Kerner also planted. Vines have occupied these valley terraces for more than 1,000 years.
- 06Mosel34 producersMosel is a German wine region following the Mosel river and its tributaries, the Saar and Ruwer. Its steep vineyards are best known for Riesling, a white grape made into wines ranging from dry to intensely sweet. Farther upstream, near Luxembourg, the white grape Elbling is also important.
- 07Nahe8 producersThe Nahe wine region follows the Nahe River and its tributaries in western Germany. More than 180 soil formations occur here, including slate, porphyry, loess and loam. Riesling is the leading grape, making wines that range from light and fresh to fuller, sweeter styles.
- 08Other producers10 producersThese German producers have no more specific region listed.
- 09Pfalz35 producersPfalz is a German wine region between the Haardt Mountains and the Rhine plain, extending south to the French border. Its warm, relatively dry climate suits ripe, full-flavoured Riesling. This white grape grows alongside Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris and red grapes such as Pinot Noir and Dornfelder.
- 10Rheingau19 producersRheingau is a wine region in Germany along a bend of the Rhine near Wiesbaden. Most of its vineyards grow Riesling, the white grape used for dry, off-dry and sweet wines. Around Assmannshausen, producers are also known for red wines made from Spätburgunder, the German name for Pinot Noir.
- 11Rheinhessen28 producersRheinhessen is Germany's largest wine-growing region, between Worms, Mainz, Bingen and the Rhine. Riesling is its most planted grape, but there are many other whites to try, including Silvaner, Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc. Vineyards extend from steep slopes above the river to limestone plateaus and rolling inland hills.
- 12Saale-UnstrutNo producers listed yetSaale-Unstrut is a German wine region named after the two rivers whose narrow valleys hold most of its vineyards. The protected area extends across Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia and Brandenburg. White grapes such as Weißburgunder and Müller-Thurgau are widely planted, producing wines often described as light, aromatic and lively with acidity.
- 13SachsenNo producers listed yetSachsen is Germany's easternmost winegrowing region, following the Elbe for 55 kilometres from Pirna to Diesbar-Seußlitz. Many vineyards sit on steep slopes supported by stone terraces. White grapes predominate, including Riesling, Müller-Thurgau, Weißburgunder and the local rarity Goldriesling.
- 14Württemberg2 producersIn Germany's Württemberg wine region, vineyards follow the Neckar and its tributaries, reaching as far as Lake Constance. Red grapes cover about 65 percent of plantings, led by Trollinger and Lemberger, the local name for Blaufränkisch. Riesling is the most important white grape.