-Germany has 102,000 hectares of vineyards.
-It is the northernmost country in which vines can grow.
-Germany is the 8th largest wine producing country

Ahr: Germany’s northern wine region that produces the most amount of red wine, Spätburgunder being number one. Wine has been made in this region since 893 AD. Because of the climate, it produced undesirably light and sweet red wines. In the 1980s a new oak heavy method was developed to produce more tannic wines. The Ahr now produces quality red wines, but with limited production, these wines don’t leave Germany.

Baden: Located in the Black Forest, the southwestern region, it is positioned in a zone that requires more regulations in the wine making process. This means that less sugar can be added to increase the alcohol content and the grapes cannot be picked too prematurely. Kaiserstuhl produces a unique and fiery Spätburgunder because of it’s volcanic stone and warmer climate.

Franken: The only wine region in Bavaria, that place where they don’t speak German. The wines are generally bottled in a Bocksbeutel, which is the shape of a goats scrotum. Hey, I didn’t come up with it. Due to the chalky soil, it produces dry Silvaner wines which they are known for and Müller-Thurgau!

Hessische Bergstrasse: Positioned along the Rhine in Hessen from Darmstadt to Heidelberg. Predominately grows Rieslings and Müller-Thurgau and are know for it’s rich fragrance. These wines are consumed locally and enjoyed during festival time.

Mittelrhein: Located along the middle of the Rhine, hence the name. This region produces mainly Rieslings and is also consumed locally. Let’s talk romance. There are festivals all over this area from Bacharach, named after the wine God Baccus, to Braubach with a castle on the Rhine. St. Goarshausen also has a wine festival with the legend of Lorelei, a siren who lured men to their shipwreck deaths with her voice.

Mosel: Famously produces sweet, flinty, fruity, acidic Rieslings along the Mosel river. South of the ancient roman city Trier.

Nahe: Near the river Nahe and east of Mosel. Produces Rieslings.

Pfalz: The Pfalz produces more wine than any other region in Germany, growing mainly Müller-Thurgau and Riesling.

Rheingau: The region is the home of the longest going wine making traditions and produces mainly Riesling and some Spätburgunder.

Reinhessen: This is the largest wine growing region but is second in production to the Pfalz. The much loved (by foreigners) and hated (by Germans) Liebfrauenmilch started here. Main grapes are Müller-Thurgau and Silvaner.

Saale-Unstrut: Germany’s northern most wine region located in former East Germany that produces fruity, earthy wines. Main grapes are Müller-Thurgau and Silvaner.

Sachsen: The only other wine region in former East Germany, along with Saale-Unstrut, Sachsen is smaller and runs along the Elbe river. Müller-Thurgau and Weissburgunder are produced and consumed locally here.

Württemberg: The largest red wine region in Germany producing Trollinger, Schwarzriesling, Lemberger, Spätburgunder and Portugieser. These wines are consumed locally and don’t get exported.