German Wines
Most German wines exported to the United States are made from Riesling, which can produce wines ranging from completely dry to tooth-achingly sweet. Other grape varieties consumers might encounter include Gewürztraminer, Scheurebe, Sylvaner, and the three Pinots: Pinot Blanc (Weissburgunder), Pinot Gris (Grauburgunder) and Pinot Noir (Spätburgunder). Our guide to German wine labels will help you understand these sometimes confusing entities.
Wine Enthusiast’s German wine reviews can steer you to the styles you prefer, from any of the 13 German wine regions, including Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Rheingau and Pfalz, among others. Search our German wine guide — a comprehensive database of more than 2,000 German wine ratings — for more details on individual wines.
St. Urbans-Hof 2008 Leiwener Laurentiuslay Beerenauslese Riesling (Mosel-Saar-Ruwer)
- Cellar Selection
- Online Exclusive
- $175
From a vintage not known for its supersweet selections, this wine is a revelation. Honey and bergamot notes mingle easily on the nose, while the palate unfolds to reveal layers of honey, dried apricots and orange marmalade. It’s rich, viscous and concentrated without any heaviness, with a finish that’s sweet and lingering. This should age through 2040 easily.
— J.C.
(3/1/2011)
Dr. Pauly Bergweiler 2009 Bernkasteler Johannisbrünnchen Eiswein Riesling (Mosel)
- Cellar Selection
- Online Exclusive
- $95
This eiswein is supersweet, yet remains decently balanced, thanks to a laser beam of bright acidity. After an initial hint of volatility, the flavors of preserved citrus and stone fruits are almost painful in their intensity, so sip it in small doses and savor the nearly endless finish.
— J.C.
(3/1/2012)
Maximin Grünhäuser 2009 Herrenberg Eiswein Riesling (Mosel)
- Cellar Selection
- Online Exclusive
- $228
Von Schubert bottled two eisweins from the Herrenberg in 2009. This one is pale in color, with intense pineapple and honey flavors. The wine is sweet, luscious and viscous yet never cloying, with a long finish that features unfolding layers of fruit flavor.
— J.C.
(3/1/2012)
Dr. Heidemanns-Bergweiler 2009 Bernkasteler Johannisbrünnchen Eiswein Riesling (Mosel)
- Editors' Choice
- Online Exclusive
- $80
This lesser-known vineyard is the source of at least two stupendous eisweins in 2009. This one features demerara syrup and ripe peaches imbued with an incredibly lush texture, yet balanced by bright acids and a slightly briny quality on the finish.
— J.C.
(3/1/2012)
Domdechant Werner 2009 Hochheimer Domdechaney Beerenauslese Riesling (Rheingau)
- Cellar Selection
- Online Exclusive
- $271
A wonderfully drinkable beerenauslese, which makes it a serious accomplishment—sometimes these wines can just be too much. This one balances its intense dried apricot and golden raisin notes with tropical and citrus fruit and lively acidity.
— J.C.
(3/1/2012)
S.A. Prüm 2002 Graacher Domprobst Trockenbeerenauslese Fass 61 Riesling (Mosel-Saar-Ruwer)
- Cellar Selection
- $360
Powerful aromas of dried apricots signal concentrated botrytis, but there is more complexity as well: honey, peach and bergamot flavors are all layered artfully over a deep foundation of apricot preserves. And yet the wine, intensely sweet, isn’t at all cloying. Amazing, but probably impossible to find: 8 cases made.
— J.C.
(8/1/2004)
Maximin Grünhäuser 2003 Abtsberg Beerenauslese Riesling (Mosel-Saar-Ruwer)
- $167
Heavily botrytized, this thick, unctuous wine virtually oozes with dried apricots and spiced applesauce aromas and flavors. So much going on it’s hard to adequately describe, with a long, sticky finish.
— J.C.
(12/15/2004)
Johannishof 2003 Johannisberger Hölle Beerenauslese Riesling (Rheingau)
- $132
Wonderfully rich and sweet, yet while this completely coats the palate with superripe apples and honey flavors, it never seems like too much. Despite low acidity, the sweetness is balanced by powerful minerality on the long finish. Imported by Valckenberg International, Inc.
— J.C.
(2/1/2006)
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