Ten years ago, I had the opportunity to live in Stuttgart, Germany for a year. I lived in a small apartment near the vineyards of the city. As I traveled around the Baden-Württemberg state and sampled rich red wines such as Trollinger, I realized that German wine is more than the sweet Rieslings I used to encounter back in the United States. After I left Stuttgart and moved back to Brussels, I continued to travel to Germany and learn about their wines. As you drive to southwest Germany, you can see the rolling hills lined with vines. I am here to tell you: you need to make a stop.
Beyond Riesling: Have a German Red
Germans are known to be perfectionists at everything they do. It’s in their blood to master a craft with distinct precision. Winemaking is one of those crafts. Although the misconception is that German wine is all about Riesling, other varietals are grown and slowly gaining steam beyond Deutschland. You can sample rich reds from grapes such as Trollinger, which pair well with the rich Swabian cuisine such as sausages or stewed meats. If you have a lighter palate, a Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir) may be a better choice and is equally as food-friendly. This is the red German wine most widely available in the US. It’s dry with light tannins and flavors and aromas of red berries.
Where to Travel for German Wine
Most German wines are produced in the southwest part of the country with a small exception in Saale-Unstrut and Sachsen in the east. If you want your trip to center around German wine, I suggest you fly into Frankfurt Airport, rent a car and drive along the many wine routes and rivers of the regions. The best time to go is in the late spring, summer, and fall as the winters can be snowy and frigid. Of Germany’s 13 official wine-growing regions, our favorites are Baden, Württemberg, and the Mosel Valley. More about them:
Baden & Württemberg
I admit that I am biased to the neighboring regions of Baden and Württemberg as I spent most of my time there. These are the two southernmost wine-growing regions in Germany and also border the Black Forest. Except for a few small cities and Stuttgart, the area is known for its rolling hills lined with vines that produce rich, full-bodied red wines. A great way to discover the local winemakers of Württemberg is to plan your trip around the Weindorf in Stuttgart. This annual festival is one of my favorite festivals in Europe. Wine producers descend on the city center and turn the square into wine taverns that serve local made wine and dishes. Over 500 different wines are served and in many cases by the winemakers themselves.
Baden, directly west of Württemberg extends even further south between the hills of the Black Forest and the Rhine River and is known as Germany’s “Pinot Paradise” for the Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir), Grauburgunder (Pinot Gris), and Weissburgunder (Pinot Blanc) grown there. Travelers are drawn to the Heidelberg castle within Baden, where you can see the world’s largest wine barrel!
Photo Credit: Wines of Germany
Mosel Valley
The Mosel (Moselle) valley is one of the most picturesque parts of Germany. You will find it following the Mosel River and its tributaries, the Saar and the Ruwer rivers, from Koblenz at its northernmost point to Trier and the Luxembourg border in the south. It doesn’t get any dreamier: the meandering river, gorgeous little villages, and towns with their cobblestone streets and typical centuries-old “Fachwerk” architecture buildings, vineyards lining the river banks on either side.
The delicious grapes are catching plenty of sunshine year-round, some heat lingering in the valley and a cool breeze passing through making for a perfect microclimate. Wander the streets of towns like Bernkastel-Kues (Bernkastel on one bank, Kues on the other), Wintrich, Trier, Piesport, and you’ll come across countless restaurants and ‘Weinstuben’ (wine bars) to enjoy the local produce and famous Mosel Riesling.
Can’t Travel? Try German Wine in the USA
Can’t hop on the next Lufthansa flight to Frankfurt? We totally understand. However, you can get your German wine fix in the United States. More restaurants, supermarkets, and wine stores are offering German wines. For example, Harris Teeter is having a series of free German Wine tastings in the mid-Atlantic this late summer until September 2. Head to the German Wine USA website to check out the tasting dates in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and Washington DC.
Why should you travel for German wine: The Verdict
Gorgeous nature, refreshing Rieslings, rolling green hills, and hospitable people are the many reasons why you should visit Germany for the wine. Whether you are at a cozy winery in the Mosel valley or the Weindorf in Stuttgart, there are plenty of options to discover German wine culture. Prost!
Disclaimer: this post is sponsored by Wines of Germany USA. As always, opinions are my own. Seriously, go to Germany and indulge in German Wine. Taste their wines, they are amazing… along with German bread, pastries, cars…
