MORE ABOUT GERMAN WINES

I am no wine expert, so I have referred to "A Short Guide to German Wines," by the Deutsches Weininstitut, Mainz for good information about the local wines.  Here is what I've gathered from their information. 


White Grape Varieties:

The Mueller-Thurgau is a white grape variety that is most widely planted in Germany.
Wine: flowery bouquet; milder acidity than Riesling; slight muscat flavor; best consumed while fresh and young.

The Riesling is the best known of Germany's white varieties.
Wine: fragrant, fine-fruit bouquet; lively, pronounced acidity; piquant taste; potential for aging because of racy acidity.

The Silvaner is a taditional variety.
Wine: neutral bouquet; mild acidity; full-bodied, pleasant wines; best enjoyed while young.




The Kerner is a popular new crossing developed from Trollinger (a red variety) and a Reisling (a white variety)
Wine: light muscat bouquet; racy, lively acidity; similar to Riesling

The Scheurbe is another new crossing of Silvaner and Riesling
Wine: lively acidity; bouquet and taste reminiscent of black currants.


The Rulaender (Pinot gris) is among the best varieties in Germany
Wine: robust, full-bodied, smooth, soft, and full on the palate.


Red Grape Varieties:

The Spaetburgunder (Pinot noir) is the Riesling's red counterpart.
Wine: velvety, full-bodied, with hints of almonds.


The Portuguiser originally came from the Danube Valley in Austria (not Portugal).
Wine: flavorful, light, mild; very pleasant, easygoing wines


The Trollinger grows almost exclusively in Wuerttemberg.
Wine: fragrant, fresh, fruity, good acidity, hearty.


Here are some other links to German wines.  Why not try a glass bottle of each and see which one you prefer? (Not at the same time, mind you!)  Cheers!

• German Wine Information Bureau , http://www.germanwineusa.org/

• Robert Parker's Wine Advisor & Cellar Manager Software, http://www.winetech.com/

• The German Wine Page by Peter Ruhrberg, http://www.cogsci.ed.ac.uk/~peru/german_wine.html

• Wine Lover's Page, http://www.iglou.com/wine/wine.html

• Clos Pepe Vineyards, www.clospepe.com/links.htm