Baden

The historic region of Baden in southwestern Germany is the third-largest wine region in the country. It is also the longest wine region in Germany, stretching nearly 400 kilometers (250 miles) from the north of the country all the way to Lake Constance in the south. The Baden wine region is known particularly for its Pinot (including Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Blanc) wines. Wines from Baden are known to be full-bodied and higher in alcohol content than wines from other regions in Germany.

Unlike other German wine regions, Riesling accounts for only a relatively small share (7.3%) of all wine production. Pinot Noir is the most popular (36.8%), followed by Pinot Gris (10.5%) and Pinot Blanc (7.3%). Baden is also almost the only German wine region where Gutedel (Chasselas) wines are produced, accounting for 97% of the nation’s total production. Overall, wine production is split nearly evenly between red (44%) and white (56%) wines.

Geographically, Baden is located across the Rhine river from the French region of Alsace. Due to a climatic effect is known as the “Rhine rift,” Baden is actually one of Germany’s warmest locations, which is why warm weather grape varietals do better here than elsewhere in the country. The Baden wine region is protected, to a large degree, by the Black Forest and Vosges mountains on one side and the Rhine on the other.

The best-known wine area of Baden is Kaiserstuhl, which has terraced vineyards and hills of volcanic origin, creating a very unique terroir. While Baden is part of the federal state of Baden-Württemberg, for purposes of German wine classification, Baden and Württemberg are separate wine regions.

Here is a brief audio guide on Baden wine region. Check it out.