"Germany is home to nearly 135 different grape varieties, from lesser-known varieties such as Albalonga and Zweigeltrebe to well-known favourites such as Riesling and Pinot Noir. With 64.5% of Germany’s vineyards dedicated to producing knock-out white wine, and 11.5% to Pinot Noir, it’s never been a more exciting time for German wine production...
Of all the grapes of Germany, the most noble is the Riesling... a very dependable bearer of high quality grapes which have an acidity level that gives the wine a racy freshness and contributes to its long life... Riesling produces elegant wines of rich character with an incomparable fragrance and taste, often reminiscent of peaches, or when young, apples. In 1996, the vineyard area planted with Riesling exceeded that of Müller-Thurgau, thus making it Germany’s premier grape variety in terms of area (ca. one fifth of all plantings). It is grown throughout German wine country....
The traditional style of German Spätburgunder (called Pinot Noir in France) is lighter in color, body and tannic acidity than its counterparts from warmer climates. Many contemporary winemakers, however, are producing wines that are more international in style, ie fuller-bodied, deep red wines with higher tannin levels...
With the exception of Saale-Unstrut and Sachsen in the East, Germany’s winegrowing regions are mostly concentrated in the south where the weather is slightly warmer.
Moderate summer temperatures produce wines that are relatively low in alcohol, and the diversity of German wine stems from the many soil types and grape varieties found throughout Germany’s 13 wine-growing regions." - Wines of Germany
Map courtesy: Wines of Germany
