Coming from the coolest of the classic European wine countries, where grapes ripen slowly, German wine is about much more than just fruit. It’s about balance, mineral freshness, depth of aroma and flavor, and also a miraculous lightness. Exemplified by the finest Rieslings, German wine displays contradictory characteristics of subtlety and intensity that reflect specific aspects of climate, geography, and soil.
As German wine rises in popularity, this lavishly illustrated and informed guide presents an unrivaled introduction to the country’s primary wine regions and grape varieties, including Riesling, Silvaner, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Noir, as well as wine styles and culture. Stephan Reinhardt profiles 70 leading producers whose personalities, philosophies, and authentic wines best represent today’s exciting German wine scene. This guide adds greatly to the enjoyment and understanding of German wines by telling more of the story under the vines and behind the wines.
Stephan Reinhardt is a former wine merchant and the Editor of Weinwisser. He contributes regularly to The World of Fine Wine.
“This is arguably the best of the titles so far in the ‘Finest Wines’ series and the best book about German wines in English for a generation.” --John Winthrop Haeger, author of North American Pinot Noir
“The author’s voice is consistently engaged and enthusiastic, and his book should appeal to a general readership of wine lovers as well as to anyone with a professional interest in German wine.” --David Schildknecht, German wine authority for The Wine Advocate and the Oxford Companion to Wine
272 pp.6.5 x 8.75Illus: 100 color illustrations, 5 maps
9780520273221$39.95|Paper
Oct 2012