German Wine
From the Vine to Your Glass
Germany has a long tradition of wine-making. The Rhine and Moselle River areas and the Pfalz region are particularly known for their vineyards, as well as the annual wine festivals held in each of the local wine towns. There is even a specially designated "Wine Route" through the Pfalz that is lined with vineyards and wineries. Many offer wine tastings, special events and even accommodations. Winegrower Werner Weber, pictured here, runs a vineyard in Ettenheim near Freiburg, just south-west of the Wine Route. Click for a tour through Germany's wine country and a taste of its wine culture.
Queen Riesling
In every wine village, it's common to choose a local wine queen each year during the havest festivals. There's also a national wine queen -- in 2006, it was Sylvia Benzinger. Here, she is enjoying a glass of Riesling, one of the most common varieties made in Germany.
Müller-Thurgau
Winegrower Karl Imgarten shows off a basket of Müller-Thurgau grapes -- a popular variety in Germany.
Terrassed Vines
Many vineyards in Germany are situated on steep hills, which leads to a terrasse effect. The winegrowing tradition in Freyburg, pictured here, dates back over a thousand years.
Somewhere Down There...
We promise: There really is a vineyard underneath the fog here in Bremm on the Moselle River.
The Perfect Cut
Zell on the Moselle River, a well known wine town, has a mild climate that is ideal for growing grapes. Here, the winegrower has to be careful in order to make just the right cut.
Don't Look Down
Harvest is a challenge here in Escherndorf in Upper Franconia, where the vineyards are situated on an incline of up to 70 percent.
Rolling Hills
The wine isn't the only reason to take a trip to Germany's wine country. The scenery is nice too -- like at this autumn-tinged vineyard near Stuttgart.
Rüdesheim
These vineyards belong to the city of Rüdesheim, which, along with the surrounding Middle Rhine Valley, was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2002. The first historical reference to the city was made in the year 1074 and winegrowing was mentioned on the document. These days, the south-western town is famous for its annual summer wine festival.
Federweisser
"Federweisser," made from white grapes, is new wine that has just begun to ferment. But don't let that fool you! It's even more potent and much sweeter than regular wine -- and more likely to lead to a headache the next day. Federweisser is typically enjoyed in the weeks following the fall harvest with "Zwiebelkuchen," a savory onion cake.
Harvest Time
In Franconia, "Federweisser" is called "Bremser." This vineyard near Würzburg is ready to kick off the new wine season.
Cheers, Angie!
Even the chancellor enjoys an occasional glass of good German wine.
Wave Barrel
This barrel was displayed in April at a trade fair for wine, fruit and fruit juice in Stuttgart. The so-called "wave" design expands the interior surface of the barrel by around 20 percent, according to its maker, which intensifies the aroma of the wine stored inside.
Algae Wine
Oceanographer Inez Linke displays a bottle of algae wine in the northern port city of Kiel. The algae was grown at a depth of eight meters (26 feet) and harvested by divers. The wine has an alcohol content of about 16 percent.
Ice Wine
Ice wine is made from grapes that are harvested in the winter during a frost. Germany and Canada are the main producers of the rare speciality.
Sweet Burden
A winegrower and his daughter schlepp bucket-backpacks full of harvested grapes through their vineyard in Nierstein on the Rhine River.