Surprising Facts About the History of German Wine

Conversations about fine wine often revolve around Italy, France and Spain, but Germany also produces many fantastic wines. Most of the wineries in Germany line the Rhine River and its tributaries, and the oldest wine plantations in Germany have been up and running since the land belonged to the Roman Empire. The country’s total wine production usually averages about 9 million hectoliters, which is enough to make approximately 1.2 billion bottles of wine, making Germany the eighth largest producer of wine worldwide.

While Germans are renowned for their beer-brewing techniques, the foamy beverage ranked well behind wine until about 1500. At that time, German farmers started cultivating land that had formerly been used for winemaking, using it for food crops instead. The decline in production of wine made beer more popular, and by the end of the 16th century, beer rather than wine was the everyday staple. Centuries later, this still reigns true in Germany, as well as here in America.

When it comes to researching the history of winemaking in Germany, some of the oldest artifacts found by archaeologists have to do with viticulture. Pruning knives found near some of the garrisons used by the Roman legions date all the way back to the first century CE. The Roman emperor Probus is widely thought to have founded winemaking in Germany, but the first written documentation appears around 370 CE when Ausonius of Bordeaux wrote praises about the vineyards on the river Moselle.

On the subject of singing praises, wine in Germany is connected to the spread of Christianity. While some might find that ironic given conservative attitudes about alcohol, the truth is that Charlemagne brought wine and winemaking with him east of the Rhine. In medieval Germany, monasteries and churches were the leaders in producing quality wine. The Benedictine and Cistercian orders were heavily involved in winemaking in the region.

The history of winemaking in Germany goes back to antiquity. Those who dismiss German wine as little more than cheap swill overlook the fragrant Riesling varieties that are served on elegant tables around the world. If you have never tried a German wine or if you think you don’t like it, try a crisp Riesling the next time you dine at a fine restaurant and prepare to be pleasantly surprised.

Recommended Reading:

• 5 Famous Wineries Around the World
• Fine Spanish Wines: Types, Storage and Serving
• 4 Dirty Little Secrets About Regional Wines