German white wine.

Climate, areas and main varieties.

Because Germany is quite far north, most of its vineyards are located on slopes or near rivers, specifically the Rhine, the Moselle and the Nahe. The rivers, as well as their historical use as a way to transport goods, also help moderate temperatures, which means farmers don’t have to worry so much about frosts ruining their crop.

The most prominent grape in German white wine is Riesling. This variety is native to the Rhine Valley, which has the perfect conditions for its cultivation. Because of its high acidity and good structure, Riesling tends to have good aging potential and develops very well in the bottle. Some are still in perfect condition after more than 50 years!

Some of the best-known wine regions are Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Nahe, Rheingau, Rheinhessen, and Rheinpfalz. Among the high number of German wineries, some of the most representative in their areas are Kühling-Gillot and Battenfeld Spanier in the Rhine area, Weingut Hermann in Nahe and Dönnhoff Günther Steinmetz in Moselle.

Types of German white wine.

German white wine can be dry (Trocken), with no residual sugars, but there is also a wide variety of sweet wines with different amounts of sugars. In the latter category you will find Kabinett, Spätlese, Auslese, Beerenauslese, Trockenbeerenauslese and Eiswein, depending on their level of sweetness or the type of grape used, the level of maturation and the vinification process.

Pairing suggestions.

Due to its organoleptic characteristics, German white wine goes well with spicy or exotic foods, but it is also great with white meats, all kinds of fish as well as pasta or rice.