Germany may not be the first country that comes to mind when traveling for wine, but it needs to be on every wine lover's list.  With steeply terraced vineyards, world class wines, UNESCO World Heritage sites, magnificent castles, historic architecture and hearty food, Germany offers a rich travel experience. The small villages and historic towns of Germany's wine regions exude old-world charm with a stunning landscape - not to mention delicious comfort food and, of course, beer!

There are 13 wine regions in Germany growing a variety of grapes. While most may think of white wine from Germany, there are some high quality red wines as well, such as the deep-colored and spicy Dornfelder and elegant Spätburgunder, aka Pinot Noir. In fact, Germany is the world's third-largest producer of Pinot Noir!

Nearly 65% of grapes grown in Germany are in fact white, with Müller-Thurgau, Silvaner and Grauburgunder (Pinot Gris) among the most widely-planted. The grape planted more than any other, however, is Riesling. Ranging from dry to very sweet, German Rieslings are some of the most highly regarded wines in the world. Thanks to the steep vineyards and a long growing season (harvest can run into November), the Riesling grape thrives here. The cool climate preserves the racy acidity that makes exceptional, age-worthy wines. A favorite of sommeliers and wine collectors world-wide, Riesling reins king in Germany.

You can sample wines by the glass in wine taverns (weinstubes), while restaurants offer house wines served in pottery jugs, as well as bottles from the wine list. If you find yourself in Germany at the right time of year, be sure to attend one of the more than 500 wine festivals that take place from July to late October. No visit to Germany is complete, however, without a stop in a traditional beer hall or beer garden. Brewed across the nation, the beers vary from light (helles) to dark (dunkles).

In between visits to taverns and old world cellars, be sure to see the Great Vat, an 18th century 49,000 gallon wine cask. Take a tour through the city of Würzburg, nestled along the “Romantic Road” in the middle of Germany’s largest wine producing region, Rheinhessen. Enjoy a peaceful ride over the vineyards on Rüdesheim’s gondola before indulging in the decadent Rüdesheimer Coffee and traditional Kölsch beer.

Visit Cologne, home to one of Germany’s most revered Gothic masterpieces, the UNESCO-designated Cologne Cathedral. Sample Cochem's famous mustard in Europe’s oldest working mustard mills or hike up to the extraordinary Reichsburg Imperial Castle.

A river cruise is a luxurious way to see the German wine region without spending hours in a car or packing and unpacking. The Rhine River sails through the southwest part of the country, home to most German wine regions, giving you a truly unique view of the landscape.

Docking just steps from the local town means you are immediately immersed in local culture - all while floating on a chic, intimate boutique hotel. Visit the largest Romanesque cathedral in Europe, ride a bike through the countryside and tour the magical Black Forest in a small, private group without lines or crowds.

Germany offers everything a wine enthusiast would love in a wine trip:  delicious, high quality wines, scrumptious food and fascinating culture - all in a stunning landscape. Start planning your trip today!

At Cuvée Wine Travel, we plan custom trips for people who love food and wine. We also offer small group travel, river cruises and small ship luxury cruises escorted by a wine expert, winemaker or vintner. Would you like to travel with a group of friends or clients? Or perhaps join a winemaker on a river cruise? Let’s talk about your next wine adventure!