1.　the charm of German wine

～ a diverse range of German wines ～

German wines are generally known for being elegant, fruity, and relatively low in alcohol. However, there are also German wines with alcohol levels as high as 17%, as well as wines that have been aged for long periods in barrique barrels.

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Even those who do not usually drink wine may find that tasting a noble, sweet Eiswein becomes the moment that inspires them to begin exploring wine — perhaps even changing their lives.

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Those who regularly enjoy wines from France’s Burgundy region may also develop an interest in German wines after tasting a top-quality dry Pinot Noir from the Baden region.

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I believe that one of the great attractions of German wine lies in its remarkable diversity. Owing to the wide range of soils, climates, and grape varieties, Germany offers a spectrum of wines rarely found in any other country.

～ Germany - a country blessed with the ideal conditions for producing high-quality wines ～

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Germany has 13 designated wine-growing regions. With the exception of Saxony and Saale-Unstrut, most of these regions are concentrated in the southwest and south of the country. Although Germany is considered a cool-climate wine country, the influence of the warm Gulf Stream from the west gives it a milder climate than its latitude would suggest, making viticulture possible. In recent years, the effects of climate change have also allowed grapes to reach full ripeness more consistently.

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German viticulture lies at the northern limit of viable grape growing. While vineyards can be found on plains and in rolling hills, many are located along rivers and on steep slopes. Sloped vineyards benefit from optimal sun exposure, and rivers help moderate the surrounding climate by absorbing solar energy and stabilizing temperature differences between day and night.

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Thanks to the long daylight hours during summer, grapes are able to ripen slowly even in relatively low temperatures. During this extended ripening period, the vines draw up minerals from the soil, allowing sweetness and complex aromas to develop gradually.

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In this way, Germany offers a wide range of ideal conditions for producing high-quality grapes and exceptional wines.​

～ German Wines in the Global Spotlight ～

The high quality of German white wines is already well recognized around the world. In recent years, however, partly due to the effects of climate change, Germany has also begun producing red wines of remarkable quality.

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For example, at the Decanter International Pinot Noir Trophy held in September 2008, a German Pinot Noir achieved a historic victory. Among more than 9,000 red wines entered into the competition, the Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir) Grosses Gewächs from Weingut Meyer-Näkel in the Ahr region was awarded the top honor as the finest Pinot Noir (Source: www.decanter.com).

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Furthermore, at a blind tasting held in London in 2011, seven German Pinot Noirs ranked among the top ten. This was a remarkable achievement and clearly demonstrated the significant improvement in the quality of German red wines. Today, Germany is praised as a producer of outstanding Pinot Noir and continues to attract international attention.

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According to statistics, red wine now accounts for approximately 35% of Germany’s total wine production, and the cultivation of international grape varieties has been increasing in recent years. In the past, German wines were often associated with sweetness; however, today nearly 70% of production consists of dry and off-dry styles. As times change, so too does the character of German wine. I believe there is strong potential for German wines to gain even greater recognition in the future.