Germany

Discover German wines with bright fruit, refreshing acidity and plenty of character. From crisp, dry Riesling to fragrant off-dry whites and elegant Spätburgunder, Germany offers styles for seafood suppers, spicy dishes and Sunday roasts. Explore VINVM’s German wine selection and use the tasting notes to find your preferred balance of sweetness, freshness and body.

Find your style of German wine

German Riesling: dry, off-dry and sweet

Riesling is Germany’s signature white grape, loved for its citrus and stone-fruit flavours and lively acidity. A dry Riesling is a good starting point if you enjoy a fresh, precise white. For a softer impression, choose an off-dry bottle with a little residual sweetness. Richer sweet styles bring concentrated fruit balanced by freshness.

Look beyond the grape name when choosing: Riesling can taste very different from one bottle to the next. The producer, vineyard and winemaking style all help shape what ends up in your glass.

German Pinot Noir and other grapes to explore

Spätburgunder is the German name for Pinot Noir. Expect red-fruit character and, depending on the wine, delicate spice or savoury notes. It is an appealing choice for anyone who enjoys reds with elegance and freshness.

White-wine drinkers can also explore Grauburgunder (Pinot Gris), often rounded and textured, or Weissburgunder (Pinot Blanc), typically more subtle and fresh. Silvaner is another variety to know, especially for its understated orchard-fruit and herbal character.

German wine regions to know

Germany’s regions offer useful clues when choosing a bottle, although individual vineyards and producers make a real difference.

• Mosel: renowned for Riesling from steep river-valley vineyards, with styles ranging from dry to sweet. Explore Axel Pauly and Joh. Jos. Prüm.
• Rheingau: a classic Riesling region, worth exploring for wines with concentration and structure.
• Pfalz: a useful starting point for generous dry Riesling and Pinot varieties. Discover Villa Wolf.
• Rheinhessen: a diverse region producing Riesling, Pinot varieties and much more.
• Baden and Ahr: two regions to know for German Spätburgunder.
• Franken: particularly associated with Silvaner and characterful dry whites.

Understanding German wine labels

A few familiar terms make choosing German wine much easier:

• Trocken: dry.
• Halbtrocken: off-dry.
• Feinherb: often used for wines with some residual sweetness; the precise style varies, so check the tasting note.
• Kabinett, Spätlese and Auslese: Prädikat terms linked to grape ripeness at harvest. They are not, on their own, a reliable sweetness scale for the finished wine.

If you prefer dry wine, look for “trocken” or an explicit dry description. If you enjoy a little sweetness, use the wine’s taste profile and tasting note to guide you rather than relying on the Prädikat alone.

What food goes with German wine?

Dry Riesling with grilled fish: its freshness works well with trout, lemon and herbs. It is also a good option for seafood and lighter chicken dishes.

Off-dry Riesling with a mildly spicy curry: a little sweetness can complement chilli, ginger and fragrant spices. Choose the wine to suit the heat and richness of the dish.

Spätburgunder with duck and mushrooms: red-fruit flavours and savoury nuances make German Pinot Noir a natural partner for roast duck, mushroom dishes or roast chicken.

Three pairings to try: dry Riesling with fish, off-dry Riesling with gentle spice, and Spätburgunder with roast duck.

German wine questions

Is German wine always sweet?

No. Germany produces dry, off-dry and sweet wines. Riesling spans all three styles, so check the individual bottle’s description before choosing.

Is Spätburgunder the same as Pinot Noir?

Yes. Spätburgunder is the German name for Pinot Noir, the red grape also closely associated with Burgundy.

Which German wine should I try first?

Start with the flavours you already enjoy: dry Riesling for a crisp white, off-dry Riesling for fruit with a touch of sweetness, or Spätburgunder for an elegant red. Compare the tasting notes in VINVM’s German wine selection to find your starting point.

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