Baden Wine

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Baden is Germany’s most southerly and warmest wine region, a narrow strip nestled between the Black Forest and the Rhine River. Indigenous vines have existed since the end of the Ice Age, and wine-making began to spread throughout the region starting in the 2nd century. From there, little is known about the specifics of who was making it and in what styles, since the area was ruled by various outside counts after the Roman era into the 12th century, when the territory was officially declared. By the 16th century, the wines from the “Upper Rhine” were exported to other parts of Europe, and were well known for their powerful structure and quality.

The soil types vary throughout the region, with areas of clay, granite, limestone, keuper, sand, glacial sediment, and volcanic ash (mostly in the Kaiserstuhl subregion). The starring grape is the red Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir), which fulfills some of its best ripening potential and tannic structure here. The most common white grape is Müller-Thurgau, followed by Riesling, Pinot Gris (Grauburgunder), Pinot Blanc (Weissburgunder), Gewürztraminer, and Chasselas (Gutedel). Ruländer is a fuller-bodied, sweeter style of Pinot Gris.

In all there are nine subregions of Baden, from north to south:

*Tauberfranken - with wines similar to nearby Franconia

*Badische Bergstrasse - centered around Heidelburg

*Kraichgau - known for excellent Rieslings out of Sulzfeld

*Ortenau - known for its high quality white wines

*Breisgau - also a popular vacation destination

*Kaiserstuhl - apart from its unique volcanic soil composition, it is also the warmest subregion. The Weissherbst, a very light pink rosé, is a local specialty.

*Tuniberg - known for lighter styles of wine

*Markgräflerland - known for its quality Gutedel

*Bodensee - the wines are often referred to as “Seewein” (“lakewine”), a reference to Lake Constance, here called Bodensee.

The Baden wine industry is mostly comprised of cooperatives, of which Badischir Winzerkeller is the largest.

– Description from Amanda Schuster (hide)

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German Wine Cooperatives To Be Thankful For

This past September, I visited a number of small, medium, and large German wineries in Baden, Württemberg, and the Pfalz regions. There is a false belief in the wine world that small wineries produce higher quality wines than larger operations, especia...

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Popular wines made in Baden under $20

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Dr. Heger Spatburgunder Gg Achkarrer Schlossberg

Varietals Produced in Baden View all

Syrah

The irony here is that Syrah’s origins could give Carmen Sandiego a run for her international wallet. Syrah’s deepest...
Pinot Blanc

History of the grape: Pinot Blanc was first grown in Burgundy and Champagne, France, and can be traced by some source...
Chardonnay

British wine writer and critic, Jancis Robinson, once noted that throughout the 80’s and 90’s in the United States, C...
Pinot Noir

“With so voluptuous a perfume, so sweet an edge, they make the blood run hot,” Joel Fleischman, wine columnist at Van...

Subregions of Baden

Altenberg

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Baden on Snooth

February 2009

St. Laurent Altenberg 2005

Snoothrank:

Wine made from quite rare grape variety Saint Laurent (synonyms: Saint Laurent, Pinot Saint Laurent, Laurenzitraube, Svatovavinecké). Its a highly aromatic dark wine grape of the same family as Pinot Noir, originating in France. It was imported to Germany and is planted quite frequently in Austria and the Czech Republic. The wine is dark and opa... Read More

Wine review by Alvina
January 2009

Von Buhl Armand Riesling Kabinett Pfalz Germany 2005

Snoothrank:

Very clear and clean looking, frizzante, this light wine is pretty tasty. The nose delivers an undertone of petrol covered by layers of peach and pineapple that bring to the mouth a lovely ripe stone-fruit flavor accompanied with very nice acidity with a medium-length finish that makes we wish I had some spicy Thai food. When you factor in the p... Read More

Wine review by tmpape
January 2009

Achkarren Baden Schlossberg Weissherbst 2006

Snoothrank:

fruity but not sugary lovely colour between pink and amber not acidic Read More

Wine review by pmouland
December 2008

Leitz Josef Rudesheimer Berg Schlossberg Riesling Spatlese White Germany Rheingau 2007

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by stephenmaloney
November 2008

Karl H. Johner Spätburgunder Blauer 2005

Snoothrank:

One of the better Pinot Noirs (Spaetburgunders) that I have had since moving to Berlin. Germany doesn't get enough sun to get the full flavor of the Pinot Noir that I have come to expect from California or Italian wines, but this is close. Nice flavor, a bit more tannin than fruity, but typically light on the palate and short finish. Read More

Wine review by tulaw
January 2008

La Cote du Monts Damnes Henri Bourgeois 2006

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by raymcdermott
August 2007

Alde Gott Sauvignon Blanc 2006

Snoothrank:

Interesting to try a decent German Sauvignon - this was a very modern example, fresh clean nose of grass, grapefruit and fresh coffee bean, high acidity, lime fruit on palate, medium length. Would be nice with fish, thai food, salad (not lemon cake which is what I had it with!) Read More

Wine review by annanoo
July 2007

Dr. Heger Grauburgunder Spätlese Trocken 2004

Snoothrank:

Spitzen Wine aus einer Super Lage Read More

Wine review by Rainer1966
November 2006

Von Schubert Maximin Grünhauser Herrenberg Riesling Kabinett 2002

Snoothrank:

Nose of yeast, minerals, and mild citrus. Flavor was fresh, simple, fruity with pleasingly sour finish. Acid was comparatively low. Lightly sweet. [85] Read More

Wine review by jaye
November 2004

Von Schubert Maximin Grünhauser Herrenberg Riesling Kabinett 2002

Snoothrank:

Lovely. [88] Read More

Wine review by jaye