German wine facts for kids
German wines are special drinks made from grapes grown in Germany. Germany is one of the oldest places in the world where wine has been made for a very long time. Many people think German wines are among the best!
Wine is a very popular drink in Germany. Depending on the year, Germany is usually the eighth largest wine producer in the world. This means they make a lot of wine!
Grapes for wine can only grow in certain parts of Germany. These areas are mostly in the south-western parts of the country. The main states where grapes are grown are Rhineland-Palatinate, Hesse, and Baden-Württemberg. Together, these regions have over 102,000 hectares of vineyards. That's a huge area dedicated to growing grapes!
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Why Germany is Great for Wine
Germany's climate and geography make it a unique place for growing grapes. Even though it can be quite cool, the vineyards are often found on steep hillsides, especially near rivers like the Rhine and Moselle. These rivers help keep the vineyards warm by reflecting sunlight onto the grapes. The steep slopes also mean the grapes get lots of sunshine.
The soil in these regions is also very important. It can be made of slate, volcanic rock, or limestone, which all add special flavors to the grapes and, in turn, to the wine.
Popular German Grapes
Germany is famous for its white wines, especially those made from the Riesling grape. Riesling wines can be sweet, dry, or somewhere in between, and they often have a fresh, fruity taste.
Other important grape varieties grown in Germany include:
- Müller-Thurgau: This grape is easy to grow and makes light, flowery wines.
- Silvaner: Often grown in the Franken region, it makes earthy, dry white wines.
- Pinot Noir (called Spätburgunder in Germany): This is a red grape that makes light to medium-bodied red wines. Even though Germany is known for white wines, red wine production is growing!
How Grapes are Grown
Growing grapes on steep hillsides is hard work! Farmers often have to tend to the vines by hand because machines can't easily work on such slopes.
Some vineyards use special ways to train the vines. For example, in the Mosel region, vines are often grown on individual wooden stakes. This helps the grapes get enough sunlight and air, which is important for healthy growth. In other areas, like the Palatinate, older systems like the Pfälzer Kammertbau were used, which involved specific ways of arranging the vines.
German Wine Bottles
You might notice that German wines sometimes come in unique bottles. For example, wines from the Franken region are often sold in a special flat, round bottle called a Bocksbeutel. This shape is very traditional for that area. Other regions, like the Rheingau, have their own specific bottle designs too.
Images for kids
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Steep vineyards along the Moselle, close to the village Ürzig
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Vine trellising according to the Pfälzer Kammertbau system traditional to the Palatinate, where it was widely used until the 18th century. In an all-wooden version (without the steel wires), this system is supposed to date back to Roman times.
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German wine from Franken in the characteristic round bottles (Bocksbeutel)
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Per cent share of common grape varieties in Germany 1964–2007. Data taken from German Wine Statistics.
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In the Mosel region, such as here close to the village of Zell, vines are often trained on individual wooden stakes, Einzelpfahlerziehung
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A German wine bottle, designed for Rheingau wine
See also
In Spanish: Vino de Alemania para niños
