Main White Grapes in Germany
- Riesling: Originates in Rhine, grown in Mosel, Pfalz, Rheingau, Rheinhessen, Nahe, Mittelrhein, and Hessische Bergstraße, produces crisp, acidic wines with notes of apples, honey and peach, aged Rieslings have notes of petrol. The sweeter the wine, the longer the aging potential.
- Müller-Thurgau: also known as Rivaner, a cross of Riesling and Madeleine Royale (Chasselas), grown in Rheinhessen, Baden, Franconia, Mosel, Saale-Unstrut, and Sachsen.  Created by Hermann Müller from the Swiss Canton of Thurgau in 1882. Produces low acid wines with green apple, nutmeg and citris. Has limited potential for aging. Easier to grow than Riesling, ripens earlier and produces greater yields. Second most widely planted grape in Germany.
- Silvaner: Grown in Rheinhessen, Franken, Saale-Unstrut, and the Ahr. Silvaner is blended in Liebfraumilch and generally produces acidic terroir expressive wines. It is sometimes made into dessert wine but is otherwise a dry white. Together it produces Alsace Grand Cru. Silvaner was brought to Germany from Austria in 1659 after the 30yrs war. Pear, hay, mint and smoke.
- Grauburgunder: Pinot Gris or Ruländer, originally grown in Burgundy. In Germany they produce full-bodied white wines with a good balance of acidity and slight sweetness, pineapple, citrus, butter, and vanilla.
- Weißburgunder: Pinot Blanc, grown in Baden, Saale-Unstrut, and Saxon. Notes of pineapple, apricot, citrus, and butter.
- Scheurebe: Created by German viticulturist Georg Scheu in 1916 was thought to be a cross of Riesling and Silvaner but was later shown not to trace back to Silvaner. Grown mainly in Pfalz, Rheinhessen and Nahe. Scheurebe can be more seductive than Riesling but shows less acidity.
- Rieslaner: Cross of Silvaner and Riesling. Bred in 1921 in Franken, Germany by August Ziegler. Rieslaner was bred to do well with botrytis. Planted mainly in Franken and Pfalz.
- Kerner: Planted mainly in Rheinhessen and Pflaz & Württemberg where it was bred from Trollinger and Riesling. Named after a 19th century writer of drinking songs
- Huxelrebe: Created by Dr. Georg Scheu in 1927 in Alzey (Rheinhessen). It’s a cross of Chasselas & Muscat Precoce de Saumur. Named after Fritz Huxel who was the first to cultivate it extensively in Westhofen (Rheinhessen).
- Elbling: Said to have been grown in the Mosel since Roman times. It’s an offspring of Gouais Blanc and Traminer + some unidentified variety. Elbling has the same parentage of Riesling.
- Bacchus: Silvaner & Riesling + Müller-Thurgau
- Ruländer: Pinot Grigio done in a sweeter style.

Main Red Grapes in Germany
- Spätburgunder: Pinot Noir, grown in Baden, Pfalz, Rheinhessen, Württemberg, Rheingau, and Ahr. Has notes of strawberry, violet, leather, and vanilla.
- Dornfelder: Grown in Rheinhessen, Pfalz, and Nahe. Has notes of sour cherry, black currant, green bell, and vanilla
- Blauer Portugieser: Grown in Pfalz, Rheinhessen, and Ahr. Has notes of red currant, raspberry, and black pepper
- Trollinger: Originated from Alto Adige. Grown in Württemberg since the 14th century. Typically has notes of fruit candy, sour cherry, and citrus
- Schwarzriesling: Pinot Meunier, grown in Württemberg. Notes of sweet cherry, strawberry and smoke.
- Lemberger: Also known as Blaufränkisch in Austria. Grown in Württemberg, notes of black currant, blackberry, cherry, and green bell pepper.