Regions

Question 1

What are the four highest wine producing regions in Germany?

Answer 1

(1) Rheinhessen
(2) Pfalz
(3) Baden
(4) Württemberg

Question 2

What percentage of German vineyards are in Rheinhessen?

Answer 2

One quarter of German vineyards are in Rheinhessen.

Question 3

Describe the climate of Rheinhessen.

Answer 3

It is relatively warm and dry, sheltered by various mountain ranges, including Hunsrück and Taunus.

Question 4

Where are vineyards in Rheinhessen predominately planted?

Answer 4

The majority of Rheinhessen vineyards are planted on the warm, fertile valley floors which are ideal for the production of high volumne, inexpensive wines.

Question 5

Where did Liebfraumilch originate?

Answer 5

Liebframilch originated from Worms in the southern Rheinhessen.

Question 6

Describe the grapes planted in Rheinhessen.

Answer 6

White grapes dominate in Rheinhessen (just under 71% of plantings). Riesling is most planted grape, just ahead of Müller-Thurgau, which, along with other German crosses, is mainly used in inexpensive blends. Other sizeable white plantings include Silvaner, Grauburgunder, and Weissburgunder. Dornfelder is the leading black variety, almost double the vineyard area of Spätburgunder.

Question 7

Who dominates the bulk wine production in Rheinhessen?

Answer 7

The merchant houses control most of the bulk wine production in Rheinhessen, which dominates production. Plantings are on the rise to supply it.

Question 8

What area in Rheinhessen is known for producing high-quality wines?

Answer 8

The longest established Rheinhessen quality region is Rheinterrasse, a stretch of steeply-sloping vineyards on the west bank of the river around Nierstein and Oppenheim. The east-facing aspect means lots of warming morning sun in the coolest part of the day, enhancing ripeness. Proximity to the Rhine and its moderating influence also means that evening and autumn temperatures remain warmer than in vineyard areas away from the river, extending the ripening period. Rieslings from Rheinterrasse often show ripe lemon and peach flavours.

Question 9

What area of Rheinterrasee in Rheinhessen has the best reputation?

Answer 9

Within the Rheinterrasse, the vineyards within the strip known as Roter Hang around Nierstein and neighbouring Nackenheim are particularly reputed. The Roter Hang is distinguished by its Rotliegenden soil, an iron-rich red soil consisting of slate, clay, and sandstone. Rieslings from Roter Hang show smoky characteristics.

Question 10

Describe the Wonnegau ares in south Rheinhessen.

Answer 10

Wonnegau vineyards are now gaining a reputation for high-quality Riesling and Spätburgunder. These vineyards also benefit from the moderating influence of the Rhine. Significant producers include Weigut Gunderloch on the Rheinterrasee and Weingut Keller closer to Worms.

Question 11

Describe Pfalz.

Answer 11

The vineyards of Pfalz are not centred along a river valley (unlike most winegrowing regions in Germany). Instead they include a narrow strip of vineyards squeezed between the Haardt Mountains to the west and the Rhine plain to the east. The Pfalz region runs north from Alsace: the Haardt are a continuation of the Vosges and produce a similar rain shadow effect, making Pfalz the driest German wine-producing region and the only one where drought can be a concern.

Question 12

Describe the grapes of Pfalz.

Answer 12

Pfalz, only slightly smaller than Rheinhessen, has production that’s not far behind. White grapes dominate: <66% of plantings. Riesling accounts for 1/4 of total plantings, followed by Müller-Thurgau, Grauburgunder, and Weissburgunder. The climate suggests considerable potential for red wine production. Dornfelder is the most planted black variety and second overall, but Spätburgunder is on the increase.

Question 13

Describe the wine style of Pfalz.

Answer 13

Becuase of the warmer temperatures, Pfalz wines tend to be slightly fuller-bodied with riper fruit flavors than those from Rheinhessen.

Question 14

Where are the most reknowned vineyards in Pfalz?

Answer 14

The most renowned vineyards in Pfalz are in an area known as the Mittelhaardt around Bad Dürkheim, Wachenheim, Forst, Deidesheim, and Ruppertsburd in the northern part of Pfalz. The south- or east-facing steeply-sloping vineyards in the foothills of the Haardt gain maximum sunshine an dare protected from winds, contributing to the production of full-bodied Riesling.

Question 15

Describe the soils in Mittelhaardt in Pfalz.

Answer 15

There is a wide variety of soils in Mittelhaardt, including limestone, sandstone, basalt, and clay, which producers are exploiting to give wines of differing characteristics and flavors.

Question 16

Describe Südliche Weinstrasse in Pfalz.

Answer 16

Südliche Weinstrasse, with its more fertile sandstone soils, was traditionally an are for inexpensive wines, but a new generation of winemakers has led to an increase in quality in the wines, particularly Spätburgunder, Grauburgunder, and Weissburgunder. Like Alsace, this souther part of the Pfalz has experience periods of both French and German rule, and is one reason, alongside suitable climatic factors, that Pinot grapes continue to be common in the area.

Question 17

Describe the wine producers in Pfalz.

Answer 17

As in the Rheinhessen, high-volume production in Pfalz is dominated by merchant house, whilst higher quality wines tend to come from small estates and a number of quality-focused co-operatives. Significant producers include Dr. Bürklin-Wolf and the cooperative Winzerverein Deidesheim.

Question 18

Where are the three subregions (bereiche) of Baden?

Answer 18

(1) The main vineyard area is on the eastern side of the Rhine, opposite Alsace. It stretches from just north of Heidelberg to the Swiss border in the south. Like Alsace, it benefits from the rain shadow of the Vosges Mountains.
(2) There is a vineyard area between Franken and Württemberg.
(3) There is a vineyard area east of the Bodensee (Lake Constance.)

Question 19

Describe the climate of Baden.

Answer 19

Baden are Germany’s warmest, sunniest and driest wine-producing regions.

Question 20

Describe the different Spätburgunder wines in Baden.

Answer 20

Spätburgunder (the most planted variety in Baden) come in a variety of styles are often have complex flavors enhanced by oak ageing. They come in a variety of styles thanks to Baden’s varied soils and microclimates.

(1) The steep, south-facing slopes around Kaiserstuhl an extinct volcano, produce the fullest-bodied wines with high alcohol and complex, smoking ripe fruit flavors.
(2) In cooler areas (such as the bereich of Ortenau) and on significant pockets of calcareous soil (such as the bereiche of Tuniberg and Breisgau) the wines have more acidity and more delicate fruit flavours.

Question 21

What percentage of Baden plantings are white?

Answer 21

60%

Question 22

Describe the white wines of Baden.

Answer 22

The warm, dry conditions make Baden ideal for the production of high volume, inexpensive blends and Müller-Thurgau is the second most planted variety. However, Baden has also been developing a reputation for very good Grauburgunder, Weissburgunder, and Chardonnay, often matured in oak. Riesling only takes up a relatively small are in Baden but some high-quality, fuller bodied examples are produced at all Pradikat levels.

Question 23

Co-operatives are responsible for what percentage of Baden production?

Answer 23

Co-operatives (led by the Badischer Winzerkeller in Breisach) are responsible for around 75% of Baden’s production, although there are also many small estates (e.g., Bernhard Huber).

Question 24

Describe where Württemberg is and what kind of wine it mostly produces.

Answer 24

Located around Stuttgart, to the east of Baden and south of Franken, Württemberg currently produces mainly light, fruity red wines which are mostly consumed on the domestic market.

Question 25

Describe how production in Württemberg is managed.

Answer 25

The vast majority of production comes from the central co-operative, Möglingen. However, this is starting to change as a number of smaller estates are gaining a reputation for producing very good quality wines, especially on the steep, terraced vineyards above the river Neckar and tributaries.

Question 26

Describe the wine varieties and styles in Württemberg.

Answer 26

The warm summer temperatures in Württemberg are ideal for red wine production and around 70 per cent of plantings are black grape varieties. However, whilst Spätburgunder is increasingly important, the most planted black varieties are Trollinger, Lemberger and Schwarzriesling, giving producers a potential point of difference on export markets. As well as the traditional light and fruity style, fuller-bodied examples with riper fruit flavours and higher alcohol are increasingly being produced, particularly from Lemberger, often with oak ageing. Riesling accounts for over half of all white plantings. Württemberg

Question 27

Name two significant producers in Württemberg.

Answer 27

Significant producers in Württemberg include Rainer Schnaitmann and the large cooperative Württembergische Weingärtner.

Question 28

In Mosel, what percentage of wines are white and what percentage are Riesling?

Answer 28

In the Mosel, whites make up over 90 per cent of plantings and Riesling over 60 per cent on its own.

Question 29

Describe the Mosel region in terms of vineyard sites.

Answer 29

The Mosel is one of the most northerly wine-producing regions in Germany and site selection is essential to ensure grapes can ripen. The best vineyards are on the steep, south-facing slopes overlooking the Mosel which enjoy the best sun exposure and, to a much smaller extent, sunshine reflected from the river. The dark-coloured slate soil also plays an important part in radiating heat

Question 30

Describe the three sections of the Mosel.

Answer 30

The Mosel is generally split into three sections: the Upper Mosel, Middle Mosel and Lower Mosel. The Middle Mosel is the largest and is home to the majority of the best vineyards.

Question 31

What are some of the most famous vineyards in the Middle Mosel?

Answer 31

Vineyards in the Middle Mosel particularly famous for their quality include (village mentioned first, then vineyards in brackets): Brauneberg (Juffer, Juffer-Sonnenuhr), Erden (Treppchen, Prälat), Graach (Himmelreich, Domprobst), Ürzig (Würzgarten), Wehlen (Sonnenuhr), Bernkastel (Doctor) and Piesport (Goldtröpfchen). (Note, on a wine label the Einzellage name would be presented as, for example, Bernkasteler Doctor.)

Question 32

Describe Mosel Rieslings.

Answer 32

Mosel Rieslings are paler in colour, lighter in body, with lower alcohol and higher acidity than those from elsewhere and have pronounced floral and green fruit aromas. The balance of acidity and flavour intensity gives these wines potential for long bottle ageing. Whilst drier wines are now increasingly produced, Mosel has a strong reputation for producing sweeter styles of wine in the Kabinett, Spätlese and Auslese categories and also for sweet Rieslings. The winters are ususally cold enough to produce Eiswein, although less so with Climate Change.

Question 33

Describe the slate soils in the Mosel.

Answer 33

The slate soils come in a variety of colours – grey, blue, brown and red – and producers are increasingly interested in how subtle differences can influence the characteristics and aromas of their wines

Question 34

What makes the best Mosel wines so expensive?

Answer 34

The topography of the steepest sites means that working the vineyards is expensive and labour intensive. The low yields required to make the sweetest wines such as BA and TBA also impact on cost of production. These costs, alongside the quality of many Mosel Rieslings, means that wine prices are amongst the most expensive in Germany.

Question 35

Describe wines from the flatter sites in the Mosel.

Answer 35

The Mosel’s flatter sites, for example around Piesport, are used for producing less complex, inexpensive wines, particularly from Müller-Thurgau, much of it bottled by the region’s merchant houses.

Question 36

Name some wine producers in the Mosel.

Answer 36

About 20 % of the Mosel’s wine is produced by the Moselland co-operative in Bernkastel, making it the world’s largest producer of Riesling. The Mosel is home to small producers (e.g., Egon Müller and Markus Mollitor) and to major wine companies such as F.W. Langguth, who source wine for the large Erben and Blue Nun brands from other parts of Germany and other countries.

Question 37

Describe the two major tributaries of the Mosel River.

Answer 37

The Mosel regions also covers the valleys of the rivers Saar and Ruwer, both tributaries of the Mosel. The best vineyards are located in the sheltered side valleys of these rivers, with south, south-east, and south-west aspects. Due to the slightly higher altitude of the vineyards, temperatures are a little lower in the Saar and Ruwer than in the Middle Mosel and acidity levels in the wines can be even higher. A number of highly reputed vineyards include the most famous, Scharzhofberg in Saar.

Question 38

Describe where Franken is.

Answer 38

The vineyards aof Franken create a W-shaped course along the south-facing slopes of the river Main and its tributaries.

Question 39

Describe Franken’s climate.

Answer 39

Being further east, Franken has the most continental climate of Germany’s principal wine regions, meaning warmer summers but a shorter growing season with cooler autumns and harsh winters. Spring frosts are a particular hazard.

Question 40

Describe the wine grape varieties grown in Franken.

Answer 40

White grapes account for the vast majority of plantings and the production of drier styles is a more long-standing tradition than elsewhere. The most planted variety is Müller-Thurgau, whereas Riesling makes of a relatively small proportion of plantings.The second most planted variety, Silvaner, produces some of the region’s best and most distinctive wines (although plantings have fallen considerably in the last 30 years). Silvaner is an early-budding and early-ripening variety, meaning it can reach full ripeness before temperatures fall in the autumn. This also makes it susceptible to spring frost, but due to its historical significance in the region, Silvaner tends to get the best sites, which are less frost-prone. Very good Silvaner wines are produced on south and south-east facing slopes of chalky soils around the town of Würzburg, giving full-bodied dry wines with floral and wet stone aromas.

Question 41

Describe the red grape varieties in Franken.

Answer 41

In the west of Franken, steep terraces of sandstone produce some very good Spätburgunder. Weingut Rudolf Fürst is arguably the most well-known producer.

Question 42

What is a Bocksbeutel?

Answer 42

A Bocksbeutel is a flat, round-shaped bottle with a short neck. Many Franken wines use this traditional bottle.

Question 43

Name some Franken producers.

Answer 43

Much of Franken’s production is consumed locally, but its distinctive wines are starting to gain recognition on export markets. High-quality estates include Horst Sauer, and a few owned by charitable institutions, such as Bürgerspital and Juliusspital.

Question 44

Describe the region of Nahe.

Answer 44

Situated between Mosel and Rheinhessen, Nahe consists of a relatively small number of vineyards, mainly small estates, scattered over a relatively large area. This results in a wide variety of soils and growning conditions, although the region as a whole is protected by the Hunsrück Mountains, resulting in mild temperatures and low rainfall.

Question 45

Describe the white grapes in Nahe.

Answer 45

White wine in Nahe make up just over 75% of all plantings with Riesling almost 30%. Because Nahe is slightly warmer, its Rieslings have slightly lower levels of acidity but riper fruit flavours and more body than those from Mosel, though less body and fruit flavours than Rieslings from Rheingau and Rheinhessen. Müller-Thurgau is the region’s second most planted variety and is grown where the slopes are gentle and the soils are deeper and more fertile. Some very good quality Grauburgunder and Weissburgunder wines are also grown on these gentle slopes.

Question 46

Describe the climate and topography of the Nahe vineyards.

Answer 46

The Nahe vineyards in the east, particularly those on the south-facing banks of the Nahe between Schlossböckelheim and Bad Kreuznach have some of the warmest conditions, benefitting from the moderating influences of the Rhine and Nahe Rivers and gaining maximum sunlight. In this strip, the slopes can be as steep as in Mosel. The soils are a mixture of slate and sandstone. Cooler conditions can be found to the west of the region, where harvesting can be a couple of weeks later.

Question 47

Name two significant producers in Nahe.

Answer 47

Significant producers in Nahe include Weingut Dönnhof and Emrich-Schönleber.

Question 48

Describe the red grapes in Nahe.

Answer 48

Dornfelder is the most planted red variety in Nahe, ahead of Spätburgunder, but black varieties makes us just under 25% of plantings.

Question 49

Describe Rheingau.

Answer 49

Rheingau is a small but highly prestigious region producing some of Germany’s highest quality and most age-worthy Rieslings. It covers a stretch of the Rhine from Wiesbaden to Lorchhausen as well as a short section of the River Main around Hochheim. Located across the river from Rheinhessen, it is also protected from cold, northerly winds by the wester end of the Taunus Mountains, which along with the south-facing aspect of its vineyards, means that Rieslings here can be fuller-bodied with riper fruit characteristics than those of the Mosel. The Rhein is also much wider here–about 1 km across–and has a moderating influence on temperatures reducing frost risk. It also increases humidity providing conditions are that perfect for the development of botrytis in the autumn.

Question 50

Describe the grapes of Rheingau.

Answer 50

White wines dominate in Rheingau (85% of plantings with Riesling alone making up 78%). The majority of these wines are made in a dry style (the country-wide trend toward drier styles arguably started in Rheingau), but Rheingau is also famous for its botytised sweet wines.

Question 51

Describe the producers in Rheingau.

Answer 51

Rheingau was once the home of the German aristocracy, and “Schloss” is found in many of the winery names, denoting a castle or manor house. Production comes mainly from estates and Rheingau is home to some of Germany’s most famous, such as Schloss Johannisberg, Schloss Vollrads, and the large, state-owned Hessische Staatsweingüter Kloster Eberbach. Co-operatives are less influential here than elsewhere.

Question 52

Describe Ahr.

Answer 52

Ahr is one of Germany’s smallest wine-producing regions with only a few hundred hectares under vine. It is also one of the most northerly.

Question 53

Describe the grapes of Ahr.

Answer 53

Black grape varieties dominate with 83% of plantings. This is made possible because the river Ahr cuts a narrow, sheltered valley with steep, south-facing slopes, and the soil is dominated by heat-retaining dark slate and greywacke (a dark sandstone). Traditionally, black grapes were late-harvested in Ahr and were produced with RS. However, the region now is a source of very good Spätburgunder, fermented to dryness with relatively high tannins and spice notes from oak aging.

Question 54

Describe the producers in Ahr.

Answer 54

Wines from small estates are increasingly making their way on to the export market, although co-operatives still produced around 75% of Ahr wine. The Mayschoss cooperative was formed in 1868 and is thought to be the oldest cooperative in the world. Significant producers include the cooperative Winzergenossenschaft Mayschoss-Altenahr and Jean Stodeen.