Finest Wines of Germany

Book excerpt: Focusing on one of the twenty-first century’s most exciting and innovative wine producing regions, this edition covers the most majestic of Rieslings, lesser-known varieties of Silvanor, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris and upcoming classics such as Pinot Noir – hailed as the new ‘Red Riesling’. With a history and wine culture dating back to the Middle Ages, German wine once had a reputation for subtlety and quality; Rieslings from the Rhine, Mosel and Saar were among the most sought-after and expensive wines in the world. However, throughout the World Wars, a perception of German wine as being ‘cheap and sweet’ emerged – a development encouraged by the 1971 German Wine Law, which based wine categories on sugar levels. Now 100 years since the last Golden Age of German Wine, a new era of rejuvenation, innovation and variety has dawned. The author looks in depth at topics including: climate and soil, the new generation of wine growers, developments in German drinking culture, as well as considering grape varieties and viticulture. The book concludes with a profile of the most noteworthy producing regions, vineyards and a list of classic vintages.