Germany — wine

Baden Wine Region

Baden is Germany's southernmost and warmest wine region, stretching 400km along the eastern bank of the Rhine from Lake Constance in the south to Heidelberg in the north, with the Black Forest forming a western backdrop. The region's diversity is extraordinary: Pinot Noir (Spätburgunder) and Pinot Gris (Grauburgunder) dominate, producing wines of Burgundy-like depth unusual for Germany. The Kaiserstuhl — a volcanic hill rising from the Rhine plain — produces the region's finest wines. Baden is also home to the Badischer Winzerkeller, one of Europe's largest wine cooperatives.

Year Rating Notes
2022 Good quality across the region; Kaiserstuhl Spätburgunder showed concentration and elegance; Grauburgunder was aromatic and full-textured
2021 An outstanding vintage for Baden Spätburgunder — cool growing season with warm ripening produced Pinot Noir of Burgundy-like precision and structure; Kaiserstuhl sites showed exceptional mineral depth
2020 Warm vintage produced generous, full-bodied Spätburgunder with good structure; Grauburgunder showed ripe stone fruit and textural richness
2019 Baden's finest recent vintage — precise, structured Spätburgunder from volcanic Kaiserstuhl sites showed remarkable ageing potential; whites were equally impressive