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A well carbonated balance of both creates a lively structure perfect for showcasing beautiful fruit flavours Riesling is the king of all grape varieties, commanding the best vineyard sites with a significant proportion of Germany’s best wine being made from it. When grown on lesser sites in a lesser year it stands little chance of ripening fully. While Riesling remains the #1 planted variety, many others have seen increased popularity in both the domestic and export markets. In Baden and Pfalz, varieties gaining in popularity include Grauburgunder (Pinot Gris) and Weissburgunder (Pinot Blanc). Hotter summers have yielded wines full bodied enough to withstand oak barrel aging. But most notable is the surge in popularity of red wine varieties. Plantings of Spatburgunder (Pinot Noir) have tripled in a generation and Dornfelder is the fouth most planted variety. In concluding, a number of factors are making Germany a country to watch in terms of wine production. A new generation of innovative wine makers, a rapidly warming climate and ample financial investment are all combining to great effect and to consumers delight.

COCHEM, GERMANY

The glorious historic vineyard sites have been helped by the effects of climate change. Every wine maker I talked to brought the topic up and described how they are adapting their vineyards to benefit from the warming climate. Grapes are now easier to ripen fully and the result in the right hands, is a drier style of wine with more character and flavour. German white wine styles are characterized by a racy elegance no one can imitate. The secret is their ability to balance acid and sugar. Acid without sugar would be sharp; sugar without acid would be flat.

30 CELEBRATE FALL 2018