Best German White Wine Types
Riesling most likely hails from the Rhine region of Germany, but it has shown great success in other European wine regions, primary Austria and Alsace, as well as the United States and Australia. However, the best expressions of the grape are thought to be in Germany where Riesling remains the most planted grape variety.
Always high in natural acidity, Riesling wines are incredibly versatile and may range from dry, medium dry or medium sweet to sweet styles. Their primary aromas include a complex combination of ripe peaches, nectarines, pears, apples, and citrus that are often accompanied by herbal, floral, mineral, and earthy nuances, while a distinctive element found in aged Riesling wines is the smoky aroma of petrol.
THE BEST Riesling Wine Varieties
Weingut Ökonomierat Petgen-Dahm
Perler Hasenberg Riesling Eiswein
Berlin Wine Trophy - Grand Gold 2023, 2021, 2020
Weingut Hans Wirsching
Iphöfer Julius-Echter-Berg Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese
Berlin Wine Trophy - Grand Gold 2023
Domaine Weinbach
Riesling Grand Cru Schlossberg Ste Catherine - 2022
James Suckling - 100 points 2024
Spätlese Riesling is one of the categories for late-harvest German Riesling wines. It falls under a broader category of Prädikatswein—which is a classification based on the ripeness level at which the grapes are harvested.
Apart from Spätlese, this category also includes Kabinett (the least amount of sugar), Auslese, Beerenauslese, Trockenbeerenauslese, and Eiswein. Spätlese is made from fully ripe grapes, and it is the lightest variety of late harvest wines.
The grapes are typically picked one week after regular harvest. However, as the term only refers to the degree of ripeness, these wines can vary in character—from dry to medium-sweet.
THE BEST Spätlese Riesling White Wines
Liebfraumilch is a semi-sweet German wine style produced in Rheinhessen, Pfalz, Rheingau, and Nahe wine regions. Although official regulations stipulate that at least 70% of the blend has to include Müller-Thurgau, Bacchus, Silvaner, or Riesling, most producers opt for Müller-Thurgau.
Liebfraumilch is mostly made for export. It enjoys a poor reputation, and it is often dubbed as a sweet and cheap supermarket wine. It was especially popular during the 1970s when it was usually regarded as a bulk wine intended for mass consumption.
Kerner is a German grape that was developed in 1929 as a cross between Riesling and Trollinger (also known as Schiava Grossa and Vernatsch). It was introduced in the 1960s, first in Germany and then Italy, where it is mainly used in several regional appellations in Alto Adige/Südtirol.
It is also cultivated in Switzerland, Canada, England, and Japan. The grape has a fresh and fruity Riesling-like character. If treated properly, the wines are well-structured and rich in flavor, while the aromas are reminiscent of pear, citrus, and stone fruit.
Solaris is a white grape variety that was created by crossing Merzling grape with Zarya Severa and Muscat Ottonel varieties. The grape was first released in 1975 by the Freiburg Wine Institute in Germany. Solaris is especially suitable for cool climates, and apart from Germany, it is cultivated in Poland, Denmark, the Netherlands, England, Switzerland, some parts of Belgium, and Sweden.
The wines produced from Solaris grape are usually dry, though in some regions it can also be used in the production of dessert wines. Dry Solaris wines tend to be light, fruity, and fragrant. They will typically display aromas of pears, peaches, citrus, and exotic fruit, as well as nuances of honey.
Best German White Wine Producers
The Hans Wirsching wine estate is one of the most traditional and renowned estates in Franconia. Our family has been growing grapes for several centuries. Currently, Andrea Wirsching manages the estate. On 90 hectares in and around Iphofen, we produce mainly dry white wines – that is our specialty.
The most important grape varieties are Silvaner, Riesling, Scheurebe, and white Pinot varieties (Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, and Pinot Gris).
AWARDS
Berlin Wine Trophy - Grand Gold
2023
Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold
2023, 2022
Decanter World Wine Awards - Platinum
2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2016
Weingut Dr. Loosen is a family-owned winery located at St. Johannishof 1, 54470 Bernkastel-Kues, Germany, in the Mosel wine region. The estate has been in the Loosen family for over 200 years, specializing in Riesling wines. Under the leadership of Ernst "Erni" Loosen since 1988, the winery has gained international acclaim for producing high-quality Rieslings that reflect the unique characteristics of their vineyards.
The estate's vineyards are situated on the steep slopes of the Middle Mosel, featuring various soil types, including red slate, blue slate, and red volcanic conglomerate. Some of the vines are up to 140 years old and ungrafted, contributing to the distinctiveness of their wines.
AWARDS
James Suckling - 97 points
2023
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Gold
2023
Berlin Wine Trophy - Grand Gold
2023
BEST Weingut Dr. Loosen Wines
AWARDS
Falstaff - 100
BEST Weingut Joh. Jos. Prüm Wines
AWARDS
Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold
2024, 2023, 2022
AWARDS
Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold
2024, 2022
BEST Winzergenossenschaft Kallstadt eG Wines
AWARDS
Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold
2024, 2022
Asia Wine Trophy - Grand Gold
2019, 2018
Portugal Wine Trophy - Grand Gold
2018
BEST Weingut Werner Anselmann Wines
AWARDS
Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold
2024, 2023, 2021
BEST Weingut Martinshof, Martin GbR Wines
AWARDS
Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold
2023, 2022, 2021, 2019
BEST Grande Vitae Wines
AWARDS
Concours Mondial de Bruxelles - Grande Médaille d'or
2022, 2021
BEST Zamora Company Global S.L.U. Wines
AWARDS
Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold
2022, 2021, 2019
BEST Winzergenossenschaft Königschaffhausen-Kiechlinsbergen eG Wines
Best German White Wines
An ode to freshness and maturity, this award-winning Premier Cru Brut Blanc Champagne will transport you to the lushness of the French countryside after rain. With crisp apples, juicy plums, and an earthy, vegetal edge, the nose pays homage to a variety of garden flavours.
All while subtle notes of cinnamon and exotic fruits linger further afield, unfolding at the perfect moment and staying for a prime length.
AWARDS
Portugal Wine Trophy - Grand Gold
2022, 2021
Berlin Wine Trophy - Grand Gold
2021, 2020
AWARDS
Berlin Wine Trophy - Grand Gold
2023
International Wine Challenge - IWC Champion Sweet Wine 2023 - Alois Kracher Trophy
2023
AWARDS
Decanter World Wine Awards - Best in Show
2024
AWARDS
Decanter World Wine Awards - Best in Show
2024
AWARDS
Decanter World Wine Awards - Best in Show
2023
AWARDS
Decanter World Wine Awards - Best in Show
2016
AWARDS
Decanter World Wine Awards - Best in Show
2018
AWARDS
Decanter World Wine Awards - Best in Show
2019
AWARDS
Decanter World Wine Awards - Best in Show
2019
AWARDS
Falstaff - 100
Winzergenossenschaft Königschaffhausen-Kiechlinsbergen eG Königschaffhauser Vulkanfelsen Müller- Thurgau Auslese
Winzergenossenschaft Königschaffhausen-Kiechlinsbergen eG Königschaffhauser Vulkanfelsen Cuvée Weiss Qualitätswein Trocken
Weingut Gernod Lichti Grosskarlbacher Burgweg, Sauvignon Gris -Aus Versuchsanbau- Spätlese, im Holzfass Gereift
TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot, nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable. TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.