The best wines from Baden in Germany

Baden is located in the extreme southwest of Germany, on the border with France and Switzerland. With 400 kilometers from north to south, Baden is the largest wine region in Germany. Here you will encounter many different grape varieties and different soil compositions. As a result, the wines from Baden have an enormous variety in character and style.

Baden is considered the most important wine region for German Spätburgunders (Pinot Noir). This delicate grape needs sun and warmth to fully ripen. Baden is not only the largest German wine region but also the warmest. Traditionally, winemakers from Baden tried to imitate the Pinot Noirs from Burgundy with their Spätburgunders. A growing number of producers are now looking for their own 'Badische” style. The wines from Weingut Dr. Heger from Kaiserstuhl are a good example of this. These wines have a mineral, volcanic character. Even when they grow on soils of muschelkalk, keuper, or buntsandstein, the winemakers from Baden can put their own stamp on the Spätburgunder. These wines have a lot of typicity.

Because Baden is so large, you will find many different grape varieties here. Well-known, such as the Riesling, and less well-known, such as the Auxerrois, Schwarzriesling (Pinot Meunier). The Schwarzrieslings from Tauberfranken and Kraichgau are especially worth seeing.

The Silvaner grape is increasingly profiling itself in Baden as a (white) quality wine. The Silvaner produces mild wines with not too much acidity, which combine well with all kinds of dishes. The Weissburgunders and the Grauburgunders from Baden are also increasingly winning prizes. They are pleasant, accessible white wines that can be used for a dinner, but are also delicious to enjoy 'off the wrist'.

In the south of Baden you will mainly find the Müller-thurgau (also called: Rivaner). Wonderfully floral and fresh, as the wine from this grape should be. A lesser-known grape from the south of Baden is the Gutedel (also called: Fendant or Chasselas). You can also find them just across the border in Switzerland. Gutedel wine was once more expensive than Mouton Rothschild! That is no longer the case, but there are still producers from Baden who have managed to bring this grape to great heights.