Germany: Viticulture

The vine-growing regions of the eu are divided into climatically different zones. In Germany, Baden shares Zone B with a number of French regions including Alsace, Champagne, and the Loire Valley. Although the remaining German regions are all in Zone A, their macroclimates and mesoclimates are perhaps the most varied of all the world’s vineyards. Mesoclimatic variations within a single site or einzellage can result in simultaneous pickings of the same variety which exhibit significant differences in potential alcohol and flavour. According to research at geisenheim, the average alcohol content of wine of the same vineyard can vary from one vintage to another by over 6%. The degree of latitude, topographical features such as a favourable exposition to the sun, shelter from frequent cold winds or damaging frosts, and the elevation are some of the factors which dramatically influence the quality of its viticulture.