Germany

Discover the wines of Germany

Germany's wine history started early: the first grape vines started popping up during the 2nd century BC, in the Moselle Valley and along the banks of the Rhine river. The Romans helped develop wine making, thanks to one emperor Marcus Aurelius Probus (232-282). Later on, the Catholic Church took care of viticulture, planting grapevines in abbeys and monasteries (just like they did in the Burgundy region). Let's also not forget Charlemagne, a huge land owner and wine amateur who possessed more than 600 estates. Thanks to him, winemakers prospered in many regions during the 8th century AC, especially Rheingau and Franconia.

It may be a bit more discreet, but the German vineyard produces some great wines (natural ones as well as regular ones). Unfortunately, it's hindered by weather conditions (colder climates, mainly): the country can only make 9 millions hectoliters per year, forcing the Germans to sometimes buy their wine elsewhere. There are 13 wine regions in Germany, for a total of 102,000 hectares. 60% of the entire production comes from the Rhineland-Palatinate state (which encompasses 6 regions). The most notable regions are the Rhine-Hesse (the biggest, with 26,300 hectares), which mostly produces white wine; Baden, where more than half of Germany's Pinot Noir comes from; or the Wurtemberg, which has the most grape varieties in the country.

Discover the Pleasure Wine selection of German wines.