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History of wines from Baden Terroir of wines from Baden Grapes of wines from Baden Classifications of wines from Baden

The best wines from Baden

Located in Germany's southernmost region, Baden stretches along the Rhine from Lake Constance to Heidelberg and features diverse landscapes including the Black Forest and the vineyard-covered slopes of the volcanic Kaiserstuhl.

As Germany's warmest and one of its 13 official wine regions, Baden's favourable climate supports the cultivation of Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir), and rich Grauburgunder (Pinot Gris) and Weissburgunder (Pinot Blanc), often aged in oak.

The Kaiserstuhl, Ortenau, and Kraichgau regions are known for producing some of Baden's finest wines. Grand Crus such as Meersburg on Lake Constance, Schliengen in the Markgräflerland, and Ihringen in the Kaiserstuhl, along with others in the Breisgau, Ortenau, Kraichgau, and Badische Bergstrasse, exemplify the region's wine excellence.

Suppliers in Baden

Bernhard Huber  |  Dr. Heger  |  Franz Keller  |  Seeger
All wines in Baden
Baden
Wines from Baden have an average of 4.3 stars based on 48 professional reviews

History of wines from Baden

The winemaking legacy of this region dates back to Roman times, though the quality of their wine remains uncertain. Monastic practices refined viticulture, leading to Margrave Carl Friedrich von Baden's pioneering of Riesling monoculture at Staufenberg Castle in 1782, showcasing Baden's departure from convention. His introduction of Gutedel to Markgräflerland in 1780 endures, producing aromatic wines influenced by local soils and Black Forest breezes. Defiant of regulations, innovative winemakers birthed the Badischer Landwein movement, crafting wines independently of strict laws. This rebellion not only diversifies Baden's wine landscape but also champions individual expression over conformity, echoing in regions like Pfalz and Rheinhessen.

The terroir of wines from Baden

Stretching north along the Rhine, Baden's districts borders Alsace and the Palatinate and are protected by the Vosges and Haardt mountains, which ensure a mild climate. The region's diverse soils range from Keuper to sand, with limestone prevailing in Tauberfranken and fertile volcanic soils in Kaiserstuhl. Near Lake Constance, glacial deposits enhance the wine growing area.

Baden has a unique status as Zone B (alongside Alsace and Austria) in the EU's vineyard climate classification, is opposed to Germany's other cooler or Zone A regions. Therefore, Baden's varied terrain and warm climatic features are suitable for the production to produce a wide range of wines. The nine distinct regions of Baden vary in landscape, soil types (from gravel to loam), and climate, with the warmest temperatures recorded on the Kaiserstuhl's southern slopes.

The grapes of wines from Baden

Contrary to most German regions, Baden is renowned for its red wines, though white wines make up the bulk of its production. Dominating in the landscape of Baden is Pinot Noir, cultivating an area that is fivefold bigger than Riesling the primary grape in the remaining regions of the German wine country. After Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Müller-Thurgau, and Pinot Blanc are the most planted, collectively covering an area comparable to the area occupied by Pinot Noir plantings. Riesling and Gutedel are grown in smaller quantities in the region.

The classifications of wines from Baden

The Baden wine region comprises nine districts, with over 80% of its vineyards operated by cooperative wineries. It holds a unique classification in the EU's Growing Zone B subjecting its wines to stringent EU standards. This classification, attributed to its historically warm climate, particularly in Kaiserstuhl, entails stricter rules than other regions, notably against chaptalization. Baden's diverse subregions, from Bodensee to Tauberfranken, host varied winemaking traditions, ranging from prestigious VDP members to innovative garagistes. This diversity encapsulates Baden's rich wine culture, fostering exceptional wines within the region.



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