Germany

Germany is the home of world class Riesling, producing wines of remarkable purity, precision and longevity. Its finest vineyards stretch across regions such as the Mosel, Rheingau, Pfalz, Nahe and Rheinhessen, where differences in climate, aspect and soils - from the steep slate slopes of the Mosel to the limestone-rich vineyards of Rheinhessen - create an extraordinary range of styles.

The Mosel is particularly renowned for beautifully fragrant, finely balanced Rieslings, where intense fruit and mineral character are underpinned by vibrant acidity. Great vineyards such as Scharzhofberger, Bernkasteler Doctor and Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr can produce wines of exceptional complexity and ageing potential, with historic estates including Egon Müller, Willi Schaefer and von Kesselstatt among the region's leading names. Further south, the Rheingau, Pfalz, Nahe and Rheinhessen produce increasingly powerful and structured expressions, including outstanding dry Grosses Gewächs (GG) Rieslings from producers such as Wittmann.

Few countries demonstrate Riesling's versatility quite like Germany. Styles range from bone-dry Trocken and Grosses Gewächs to delicately sweet Spätlese and richer Auslese, through to the rare concentration of Beerenauslese and Eiswein. With age, the greatest examples develop remarkable complexity while retaining their characteristic freshness and precision, making mature German Riesling one of the most distinctive and rewarding styles in the world of fine wine.