Buy German Wine on Auction

Find German Riesling on Auction

When it comes to white wines, we cannot ignore German Riesling, which is Germany's dominant grape. Nearly 25% of all German wines are made from Riesling, producing fresh, acidic wines with great fruitiness and aromatics that vary widely in taste, ranging from completely dry to more lusciously sweet, with a high residual sugar content.

The only drawback with Riesling is the long maturation process this grape requires, often making life challenging for German winemakers. As a result, they have experimented with numerous grape varieties and clones over time to find grape material that could mature earlier (faster) and yield higher harvest quantities. However, the winemakers behind the finest German white wines swear by the classic Riesling grape and predominantly plant it in the finest vineyards in Mosel, Nahe, Rheingau, and Pfalz.

Riesling is highly cherished for its pronounced aromatics and acidity profile, which provide excellent conditions for aging gracefully in the cellar.

Here at ShareWine, you will naturally find a great selection of German Riesling available for sale at auction - see German white wine on auction.

The History of German Riesling

The history of German Riesling dates back to the 15th century when the grape was cultivated in the Rhine Valley. Riesling quickly became a favorite among European aristocrats and was later exported worldwide. During the 19th-century the wine pest "Phylloxera," meant that many vines in Germany were destroyed. However, Germany has recovered, and today it is one of the largest producers of Riesling white wines in the world.

Riesling's Flavor Profile and Regional Variations

The taste of Riesling wines varies depending on the region where the grape is grown. German Riesling has a characteristic freshness and acidity that highlights its fruity flavor. Germany has several wine regions known for their excellent Riesling wines, including Mosel, Rheingau, and Pfalz. Riesling from Mosel is renowned for its slender body and subtle taste, while Riesling from Rheingau and Pfalz is fuller-bodied with a higher alcohol content due to their southern locations.

The Riesling grape is one of the most versatile grape varieties in the world and can produce wines in many different styles, from dry and mineral to sweet and fruity. However, the common denominator for Riesling wines is that they are not matured in oak barrels.

The oxidative style is not synonymous with Riesling, as it is desired to be more reductive and acid driven, whether the wine is made dry or sweet. This means that Riesling can be a good wine for many different meals and occasions. Take a closer look at the selection of German Riesling currently on auction and find your next fantastic Riesling wine experience.

Dry Riesling

Dry Riesling is one of the most common types of Riesling wine. This is referred to as "Trocken" and is often made in Germany but also in other regions such as Austria and Alsace. Dry German Riesling is known for its high acidity and its ability to express the terroir of the regions where it is grown, making it a good choice for light dishes, fish, and seafood.

• Sekt

  A special type of dry Riesling wine is "Sekt." It is a sparkling wine made from the Riesling grape and is often produced in Germany. This wine can be dry or sweet and is a great choice for festive occasions, providing an exciting alternative to wines such as Champagne, Crémant, Cava, and Spumante.

• Feinherb

  Another type of dry Riesling is "Feinherb." This wine is off-dry, meaning it has a touch of sweetness but still remains very fresh and acidic. This type of Riesling is a good choice for spicy and flavorful dishes, such as Thai food or Indian curry.

Sweet Riesling

Sweet Riesling is also known as dessert wine, and it is one of the most versatile wines available. It has a high content of residual sugar, resulting from harvesting the grapes later in the year compared to dry Riesling wines, allowing for greater maturity and sugar content. However, it still maintains good acidity to balance the sweetness. There are many different types of sweet Riesling wines, including:

• Auslese

  Auslese is a type of sweet Riesling wine made from overripe grapes. This wine has a high concentration of residual sugar and is known for its complexity and richness. It is a perfect wine for desserts and cheese.

• Beerenauslese

  Beerenauslese is a type of sweet Riesling wine made from grapes infected with botrytis cinerea, also known as "noble rot." Botrytis increases the sugar concentration in the grapes, resulting in a wine with higher sweetness. Botrytis also imparts distinctive aromas such as spicy honey and orange liqueur to the grapes.

Red Wine from Germany

Although Germany is best known for its white wines, there is serious work being done in red wine production, and the quality continues to improve year after year.

Today, more than a third of all German vineyards are planted with red grape varieties such as Pinot Noir, which is locally known as Spätburgunder. German wine producers have high ambitions (like anything else). These red wines are highly exciting and a good, often more affordable, alternative to wines from Burgundy, for example. Check out the selection of wines from Germany currently on auction.

Prominent Producers

• Weingut Keller - Klaus-Peter Keller (the wizard from Rheinhessen)

• Weingut Falkenstein

• Joh. Jos. Prüm

Sell Your German Wine on Auction

If you have German wine in your cellar that you are considering selling, you should try creating an auction on the ShareWine marketplace. It is risk free since you only pay transaction fees if you sell your wine.

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