🗺️ German wine

German wine is the wine and winemaking of Germany. According to OIV estimates, in 2025 the country's vineyards covered 102 thousand ha and production came to 7.6 million hectolitres; the harvest was cut by a hot, dry summer and heavy rain during picking.

Wine law defines 13 regions for quality wines: Ahr, Baden, Franconia, Hessische Bergstraße, Middle Rhine, Mosel, Nahe, Pfalz, Rheingau, Rheinhessen, Saale-Unstrut, Saxony and Württemberg. As of October 2026, the EU's eAmbrosia register lists 19 German designations of origin and 27 geographical indications (Landwein).

The leading variety is Riesling: according to the OIV, 24 thousand ha, or 23% of the vineyards. It is followed by Müller-Thurgau (13 thousand ha) and Pinot Noir, known here as Spätburgunder (12 thousand ha); together these three varieties cover 47% of the area. Others include Dornfelder, Pinot Gris and Silvaner.

The highest category is Prädikatswein. Its levels — Kabinett, Spätlese, Auslese, Beerenauslese, Trockenbeerenauslese and Eiswein — reflect how ripe the grapes are. Beerenauslese and Trockenbeerenauslese are made from berries affected by noble rot or overripe, picked by hand only, while for Eiswein the grapes have to be frozen when picked and pressed.

Germany is the third-largest wine market in the EU: 17.8 million hl in 2025. It imports 12.9 million hl, mostly from Italy, and exports 3.0 million hl, mainly to the Netherlands.

Why it matters to you. An official control number on a bottle of Prädikatswein means the wine has passed an official inspection. The Prädikat level tells you about ripeness, not sweetness: dry wine is labelled trocken. A Landwein has to come at least 85% from grapes of its own area.