When you think of great European wine countries, your mind might flicker to France or Italy as the top choices.
However, further inland, Germany has become one of the largest producers of wine in the world with plenty of fantastic wines to choose from.
From sweet whites to fragrant reds to refreshing rosés, Germany has a lot to offer in terms of high-quality wines.
In this helpful list, we’ve gathered 10 of the best German wines that you need to try and taken a closer look at what makes them so great.
We’ve also included a handy Buyer’s Guide to help you choose the wine that’s best for you, along with an FAQ section to answer any questions you might have.
So let’s get started, shall we?
The 10 Best German Wines
1) Reh Kendermann Kendermanns Riesling Spatlese
Overview
Starting off our list strong is this elegant riesling from Reh Kendermann.
Riesling grapes are iconic in German wines, and it’s easy to see why here.
The slight acidity of the grapes helps to balance out the sweet and fruity flavors present in this wine, which contains notes of citrus, elderflower, and honey.
Don’t let this sweetness fool you, however – Kendermanns Riesling Spatlese is far from cloying, with a refreshing purity that makes it an ideal choice for dinner.
Pairing perfectly with some spice or sweet dishes, this riesling is definitely one you shouldn’t ignore!
What We Like
- The fruity, floral notes of lemon and elderflower are perfectly balanced with a slight acidity
- Despite its sweetness, the wine stays refreshing and pure
- It has incredible value for its quality
What Could Be Better
- The sweetness and fruitiness may be overpowering for some palettes
- At just 9% ABV, it is much weaker than other wines
2) Heinz Wagner Brut Nature
Overview
This delightful sparkling wine is a delicious mix of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay, for a well-balanced and complex wine that spares no expense when it comes to flavor.
With bold notes of citrus and orchard fruits and an aroma of candied fruit, this golden wine can be a bit overpowering at first.
Despite this, however, it more than makes up for it with a delicate mouthfeel and vibrant flavor profile.
Combine this with a 12.5% ABV, which is stronger than most standard German wines, and you have a white wine that doesn’t hide its bold nature.
Perfect for serving with any meal from starters to dessert, this Brut Nature can be enjoyed with a meal or on its own.
What We Like
- A mix of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay gives this wine a complex twist
- Its vibrant flavors include citrus, apple, and candied fruits
- The 12.5% ABV gives it more of a kick than other wines on this list
What Could Be Better
- The bold flavor profile can become overwhelming
- It can also be too sweet for many
3) Anselmann Silvaner Eiswein 2016
Overview
Silvaner grapes are a close second to riesling when it comes to quality German wines; this 2016 offering from Anselmann Silvaner Eiswein shows just how great they can be.
This delicate white wine blends gentle notes of apricot and peach with some hints of tropical fruit, with a hint of acidity that balances the whole thing out.
Despite its fruitiness, the Anselman Silvaner Eiswein has a semi-dry finish that separates it from other, sweeter German white wines.
A great pairing with white meat, cheese, and chocolatey desserts, this wine proves how silvaners are just as good as rieslings when it comes to German wines.
What We Like
- The semi-dry finish and slight acidity balance out the fruitiness
- Its subtle flavors and silky mouthfeel make it go down smooth and give it lightness
- Despite its delicate flavors, the wine is still full-bodied
What Could Be Better
- There could be more of a punch with its taste
- It can feel a little one-note
4) Max Mann Pinot Noir
Overview
The first red wine on this list, this Pinot Noir from Max Mann is a great example of how the German climate produces acidic and fruity reds.
With a fruity flavor profile of strawberries and cherries along with hints of blueberry and blackberry, this full-bodied red is light and easy to drink.
While it definitely has a higher level of acidity than most Pinot Noirs, this stays well-balanced and compliments the lighter flavors of the wine.
Dry yet juicy, this wine pairs well with red meat such as beef and veal, as well as game meat like venison.
What We Like
- The full-bodied flavors pair perfectly with red meat and game
- It’s hard to beat this wine in terms of value for money
- The high acidity doesn’t become overpowering or acrid
What Could Be Better
- The flavor profile is very simple without any complex notes
- This simplicity limits the wine’s versatility
5) Schloss Johannisberg Riesling Beerenauslese Purpurlack
Overview
Another Riesling, this premium wine balances the grape’s fruity notes with subtle sweetness for a pure and refreshing wine that is well worth its hefty price tag.
Its gentle aroma of saffron, rose petals and violet gives way to a delicate spiciness that works perfectly with its juicy flavors of peach, apricot, and King Alfonso mango.
Despite its delicate fragrance, this riesling packs a lot of flavor that never becomes overpowering.
Ideal for sipping on a warm summer evening, it’s hard to resist this delicious wine’s fruity grasp!
What We Like
- The delicate nose of rose and violet pairs wonderfully with the juicy flavor profile of peach and mango
- A gentle acidity balances out the flavors and keeps it refreshingly pure
- Its subtle sweetness is never overpowering, unlike other rieslings on this list
What Could Be Better
- The hefty price tag can put it out of most people’s budget
- Its flavors can actually be underwhelming without discerning tastes
6) Franz Keller Spätburgunder vom Loss
Overview
A fruity and dry Pinot Noir, this wine takes full advantage of the acidity of the soil to create a zesty and tart flavor profile packed with complex aromas.
With a full-bodied taste built on a foundation of strawberries and tart black cherries, this wine gives way to smoky, woody notes that give this otherwise unextraordinary wine a far more nuanced flavor that is greater than the sum of its parts.
Fresh, fruity, and robust, this Pinot Noir goes down smooth and is a great accompaniment to fatty fish, white meat, and heartier vegetable dishes such as mushrooms and butternut squash.
What We Like
- The bold fruity tones are balanced with acidity and smoky notes
- Its black cherry and strawberry flavors give it a tart dryness
- Despite its simplicity, it has a complex and nuanced profile
What Could Be Better
- The high acidity can be a bit too much, erring on an almost bitter taste
- There isn’t much that sets it apart from other Pinot Noirs
7) Heinz Wagner Rosé Brut Nature
Overview
A close cousin to the standard Heinz Wagner Brut Nature, this rosé variation brings some sweeter fruit and candy flavors to its profile.
While it still keeps the same 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay blend as its counterpart, this wine sets itself apart through a more complex and sugary flavor profile.
The main body contains notes of summer berries and peaches, while the nose conjures hints of fresh pastries and bubblegum.
It’s definitely more of a dessert wine, and its lighter mouthfeel makes the perfect accompaniment to a fruit tart, pavlova, or black forest gateau.
What We Like
- The same blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay now has a lighter twist of summer fruits
- Notes of cherry bubblegum and fresh pastries give it a more complex taste
- Its sweetness makes it an ideal dessert wine
What Could Be Better
- The sweeter flavor profile can be slightly sickly and limits this wine’s versatility
- Its sugary flavors are only suited to those with a sweet tooth
8) Divino Nordheim Thüngersheim Nordheimer Vögelein Orange Silvaner
Overview
One of the most complex German wines out there, this silvaner takes advantage of the grape’s more subtle flavors to build a complicated flavor profile packed with vibrant flavors and aromas.
As the name suggests, one of the most recognizable notes is tart citrus and orange.
This also refers to the color of the wine itself, which is a rich golden orange.
The citrus notes are combined with spicy ginger on the nose along with peach, honey, and hints of cider.
Dry and with a distinctly strong tannic finish, this wine also carries the mineral undertones that make silvaners so iconic.
While it isn’t a sweet wine by any means, the bold citrus flavors and complex profile make it best suited for after dinner and even after dessert.
What We Like
- The complex flavor profile balances bold flavors with the subtle taste of silvaners
- It counteracts its sweetness with dryness and high tannins
- The 13.3% ABV makes it stronger than most German wines
What Could Be Better
- The high tannin count can be too bitter for some people
- Its complex flavors can be overwhelming
9) Dr. Loosen Erdener Pralat Riesling Auslese Goldkapsule
Overview
Dr. Loosen is well-known for producing premium wines, and this riesling is no exception.
With a sweet profile of apricot, mango, honey, and marmalade accentuated with spicy earthy notes of saffron and slate, this isn’t just a dessert wine – it can replace your dessert entirely!
Delicate despite its bold fruitiness, this sweet riesling is a delicious wine that is well worth its premium price.
What We Like
- Packed with delicate fruity flavors, this wine’s flavor profile is deliciously complex
- A perfect dessert wine that can replace dessert altogether
- The sweetness is balanced with earthy and lightly spicy notes
What Could Be Better
- Its price point is higher than many other German wines
- The fruitiness would be better with more acidity or tartness
10) Maximin Grunhauser Pinot Noir 2018
Overview
This robust and full-bodied Pinot Noir is jammy and fruity, packed with the flavors of red fruits and berries.
Plums, cherries, and cranberries make up the body of this wine and complement the acidity of its German grapes.
This combines with earthier, woody tones along with vanilla and clove for a well-rounded wine with hints of herbs on the nose.
Its plum body and hints of herbs make it the perfect pairing for red meat, poultry, and game, or for rich stews and casseroles.
What We Like
- The combination of red fruits and light spices gives it a well-rounded flavor profile
- It’s dry and acidic, which perfectly complements the fruity taste
- The perfect wine for red meats and rich stews
What Could Be Better
- The high price tag can put it out of some people’s budget
- It is limited in what you can pair it with
Buyer’s Guide
Now that you’ve seen 10 of the best German wines out there, it’s time to start choosing which one you want.
There are several factors that you should take into consideration when picking your wine, however, and it can be hard to choose given how wide the selection of great German wines is.
To make things easier, we’ve made this handy buyer’s guide with some of the most important factors you need to take into account when choosing your wine, so you can pick the one that’s right for you.
Color
A wine’s color (red, white, and rosé) is the biggest influence on its taste, and is dependent on the types of grapes used.
While choosing the color of a wine is generally down to personal preference, it’s important to note that German wines have a slightly different taste due to the climate they are grown in.
As Germany is colder and wetter than most other European wine-growing countries, the flavors of wine can differ; red wines are more acidic and aromatic, white wines are more tart, and rosés have added fruitiness and tartness.
A wine’s color can also affect its alcohol content, and darker wines are typically stronger than lighter ones.
While this isn’t always the case, it’s definitely something to consider when choosing your wine.
Flavor Profile
Most German wines have a more complex flavor profile than others.
As covered on this list, many of the wines here include various fruity notes and an increased level of tartness due to the acidity of the growing conditions.
Rieslings in particular (such as Kendermanns Riesling Spatlese and Dr. Loosen Erdener Pralat Riesling Auslese Goldkapsule) generally contain notes of fruits such as apricot, peach, and citrus.
Silvaner wines (like Anselmann Silvaner Eiswein 2018) also contain floral and fruity notes that aren’t found in many other wines.
When picking out your wine, consider the types of flavors that you want from it. Again, this is entirely down to your personal preference!
Classification
The German Wine Classification System is the most definitive sign of quality when it comes to German wines, and covers a variety of different metrics.
These include the ripeness of the grapes at harvest, along with features like sweetness, dryness, acidity, and flavor quality.
This classification is one of the most important aspects of high-quality German wines, and can be found on the label of the wine itself.
Before you choose a wine, take a look at the classification to see whether or not it’s actually the right choice for you.
Choosing the right wine can be tricky, but by putting in the right level of research and thought, you’re guaranteed to find something you love!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is German Wine Expensive?
Like all wines, prices of German wines can differ based on several factors.
However, German wine is typically priced lower than wines from other wine-growing countries like Italy, France, and Spain.
While luxury wines from premium winemakers can easily cost a fortune, the average bottle of German wine works out much cheaper than other countries’ wines of similar quality.
What Are The Best Wine Regions In Germany?
Germany is home to several wine-making regions – 13, in fact! These include Rheinhessen, Baden, Rheingau, Pfalz, and Mittelrheine.
A lot of these wine regions are located in areas surrounding the river Rhine; this is because of a more temperate climate, fine, slate-rich soil, and steep valleys that provide the vineyards with plenty of sun.
Riesling grapes, which account for more than a quarter of wine produced in Germany, is almost entirely grown in the valleys surrounding the Rhine.
How Is German Wine Classified?
German wine classification can be pretty complicated due to the range of different metrics it is examined under.
The main categories that German wines are classed under are their quality, ripeness, alcohol content, dryness or sweetness, and age.
There are also several ‘special categories’ that German wine can fall under; these include its lightness, the time of harvest, whether the grapes were frozen when picked, and whether they were specially selected at harvest (for additional sweetness and/or richness).
These can be confusing at first glance, but the label on the bottle will guide you through all you need to know about the wine’s classification.
Final Thoughts
And there you are – 10 of the best German wines on the market!
German wine is some of the best in the world, and its obscurity relative to wines from other countries is definitely an injustice.
From fragrant reds to tart whites, German wines have something that everyone can enjoy.
So now that you’ve seen some of the best German wines out there, all that’s left for you to do is choose one (or more) for you to try!
Enjoy!