German wine still suffers from its 1970s reputation, when cheap, sweet Liebfraumilch filled supermarket shelves. Today the picture couldn’t be more different. Germany makes some of the most exciting white wines in the world, led by Riesling, in styles from bone-dry to lusciously sweet. If you like fresh, aromatic whites, German wine is well worth exploring.
Riesling: Germany’s star grape
Riesling is the grape most closely tied to Germany. It has piercing acidity, aromas of lime, green apple, peach and flowers, and it’s very low in alcohol in its lighter styles. It also expresses where it’s grown more clearly than almost any other grape, picking up a distinctive minerality from slate soils.
Unlike Chardonnay, Riesling is almost never oaked, so its pure fruit shines through.
Understanding sweetness on German labels
This is the bit that confuses most people. German wines can be dry or sweet, and the label gives clues:
- Trocken: dry.
- Halbtrocken or Feinherb: off-dry, with a touch of sweetness.
- Kabinett: light and delicate, often off-dry, made from fully ripe grapes.
- Spätlese: “late harvest”, riper and often sweeter.
- Auslese, Beerenauslese and beyond: increasingly sweet, rich dessert wines.
As a rule of thumb, the lower the alcohol, the sweeter the wine. A Mosel Kabinett at 8–9% will have noticeable sweetness, balanced by racy acidity.
The key regions
- Mosel: steep slate slopes along the Mosel river, producing light, delicate, floral Rieslings.
- Rheingau: fuller, richer Riesling, often in drier styles.
- Rheinhessen: Germany’s largest region, with great-value wines and a new generation of talented growers.
- Pfalz: warmer and sunnier, producing riper dry wines and good reds.
The German wines we’d buy
Kloster Eberbach Riesling Kabinett from the Rheingau is a classic: light, limey and gently off-dry. It’s a fantastic all-rounder with spicy food. Schmitt Söhne Piesporter Michelsberg from the Mosel is softer and sweeter, the kind of wine that converts people to Riesling.
For dry styles, Hans Baer Riesling from Rheinhessen is crisp and great value, and comes in a handy bag-in-box. If you want to explore, the German Wine Mixed Case is a great way to try several styles.
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Kloster Eberbach – Riesling Kabinett – White wine from Germany (1x 0.75 L)
£15.14 -
Schmitt Söhne Piesporter Michelsberg Mosel German White Wine – 75cl 9% ABV – Serve Chilled; Fragrant Peach & Green Apple, Clean Fresh Finish | Pairs with Meat & Seafood – Gift-Ready
£13.95 -
Kloster Eberbach – Gift Set – 3 Premium Riesling (Classic, Dry) from Rheingau, Germany (3 x 0.75 l)
£39.90
Gift-worthy Riesling
For a present or a tasting evening, the Kloster Eberbach Riesling gift set includes three styles from the Rheingau, a lovely way to taste the difference between dry and off-dry.
German reds
Germany’s reds are less well known but improving fast. Spätburgunder, Germany’s name for Pinot Noir, can be excellent, especially from Baden and the Pfalz. Dornfelder makes soft, fruity, deeply coloured reds.
What to eat with German Riesling
- Off-dry Kabinett: Thai, Chinese and Indian food, especially anything with chilli.
- Dry Riesling: pork, roast chicken, fish and salads.
- Sweet styles: fruit desserts and blue cheese.
Riesling’s high acidity also makes it brilliant with rich, fatty dishes like roast pork belly. For more spicy food pairings, read our guide to the best wine with Thai food.
FAQs
Is all German wine sweet?
No. Most German wine today is dry. Look for “Trocken” on the label if you want a dry style.
What’s the difference between Mosel and Rheingau Riesling?
Mosel Rieslings are lighter, more delicate and often a touch sweeter; Rheingau wines tend to be fuller and drier.
Does Riesling age well?
Yes. Good Riesling can age for decades, developing honeyed, toasty notes.
Take a look at neighbouring Austria too, in our guide to the best Austrian wines.