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.
S.A. Prüm 2008 Essence Riesling (Mosel)
- Online Exclusive
- $13
Aromatic yet not overly complex, with apple, orange and tangerine scents punctuated by faint minerality. The palate is nicely perfumed but a tad on the tart side. Drink up.
— W.E.
(6/1/2010)
Maximin Grünhäuser 2008 Herrenberg Alte Reben Trocken Riesling (Mosel-Saar-Ruwer)
- Online Exclusive
- $39
— J.C.
(11/1/2010)
Maximin Grünhäuser 2008 Riesling (Mosel-Saar-Ruwer)
- Online Exclusive
- $24
There’s some mossy tones under the fresh pear fruit along with a slight spritz that keeps everything lively. Pretty lemon and grapefruit notes show through on the (slightly tart) finish. Drink now.
— W.E.
(6/1/2010)
Dr. H. Thanisch (Erben Müller-Burggraef) 2008 Classic Riesling (Mosel)
- Online Exclusive
- $19
Dry Mosel wines are rarely very successful and this example is no exception. More residual sugar, less acid or both would have been an improvement. As is, it strikes a shrill note, though the white flower aromatics are undoubtedly appealing.
— W.E.
(6/1/2010)
Castell 2008 Casteller Schlossberg Trocken Silvaner (Franken)
- Online Exclusive
This Silvaner shows more aromatic sophistication than most of its brethren; there’s baking spices, white flowers and apples on the nose with a saffron undertone. Crisp and earthy in the mouth, with good palate weight and a short to medium finish of lime peel. Drink up.
— W.E.
(6/1/2010)
Weingut Liebfrauenstift 2008 Trocken Riesling (Rheinhessen)
- Online Exclusive
Lush aromas of mango and lychee are contradicted by the austere structure of this wine. The acidity is severe and the finish, though it shows some nice nut tones, ends on a drying note. Drink now.
— W.E.
(6/1/2010)
Max Wagner 2008 Castle Hill Trarbacher Schlossberg Kabinett Riesling (Mosel)
- Online Exclusive
- $24
Pale lemon color. There’s a slightly resinous nose with strong earthy overtones and hints of citrus. Racy, almost tart and a bit jagged across the palate. Moderate flavor intensity of lemon and grapefruit sherbet. Lacks some flesh, and finishes a touch short.
— W.E.
(3/1/2011)
Josef Rosch 2008 J.R. Junior Riesling (Mosel)
- Online Exclusive
- $24
Uncharacteristically earthy and spicy for a Mosel wine, with flavors of loam accented by musky spice notes. It’s off dry in style yet relatively broad on the palate, again setting itself apart from the mainstream.
— J.C.
(3/1/2011)
Most Reviewed Varietals
advertisement
What We're Tasting
2010 W.H. Smith
How can a wine be softly appealing and yet brisk in acidity at the same…
Facebook Activity
advertisement
Twitter Activity