Sachsen

Sachsen's vineyards lie around the 51st parallel and follow the Elbe for 55 kilometres, from Pirna through Dresden, Radebeul and Meißen to Diesbar-Seußlitz. Many steep sites have rubble-stone terrace walls. Winters are cold, summers hot, and temperatures can change considerably between day and night. White grapes account for 80 percent of plantings, and dry wines made from a single variety are common. Müller-Thurgau, Riesling and Weißburgunder, or Pinot Blanc, are principal white grapes. Spätburgunder, or Pinot Noir, and Dornfelder lead the red plantings. The steep Elbe slopes also grow Grauburgunder, or Pinot Gris, and Traminer. Goldriesling is grown almost exclusively in Sachsen, on 28.7 hectares. More than 3,000 growers work small vineyard plots, and much of the wine is drunk near where it is made.