RIESLING is Number One with 27% of the acreage ... it varies from bone-dry to dry, from off-dry or semi-dry to late harvest sweet – or even late harvest dry; or is nectare-like nobly sweet... all balanced with fine acidity.

RIVANER aka MÜLLER-Thurgau follows with 10%. It frequently is used as a blending wine in a Cuvée being less acidic, broader in flavor than Riesling. Generally good with tomato sauces or preparations.
Can also be a fine wine on its own with low-yield concentration and some ageing.

GRAUBURGUNDER (Pinot gris/Pinot grigio) is 10% from the Pfalz is well-structured, and shows good minerality very different from its French and Italian cousins. Low Acidity is another virtue.

GEWÜRZTRAMINER  circa 3% follows as local blending grape for Sparkling White Wines and as aperitif and dessert wine depending on how it is vinified – either traditionally sweet or new-style dry. Unmistakeable spicy flavors!

SCHEUREBE and HUXELREBE , both naturally sweet grapes, and SILVANER, basically dry, are making strides gaining popularity here, also.

DORNFELDER with 18% surface area is in the lead given its dense color, and an uncanny ability to present itself well as a dry, semi-dry or even sweet red wine showing dark fruit flavors.

PORTUGIESER at 14% is a close second. This grape is a lighter-colored red wine showing mild strawberry, red currant and cherry flavors as both a red wine for afternoon and early evening meals and sipping -- or as a delightful Rosé. Made from aged vines and with high concentration, it can indeed be a very “serious“ noble drop.



Spätburgunder or Pinot Noir at 7% -- the great Burgundian grape can be used in German white sparkling wines, as in real Champagne, being a “blanc de noir,“ that is, white wine made from red grapes and even as a dessert wine! It has wonderful expression revealing delicate, almost surreal light red fruit flavors (various cherries, red currants, wild strawberry, violets,) for meats ranging from veal and lamb, to pork and poultry, delicate fine cheeses and egg dishes, and even to red- or pink-fleshed fish (tuna, salmon, skate, shark). Spätburgunder is of growing importance and is increasingly planted in the south Pfalz.