The German wine producing area is divided into thirteen wine-growing regions.  These regions were designated so due to the commonality of the wines from there.  To further clarify the origin of German wines, these regions are sub-divided into Bereiche, or Districts.  Each Bereiche is made up of multiple wine-growing villages and is usually named after the most famous one. 

In general, wines from the north tend to be lighter, with more fruit, elegance, and acidity, while wines from the south are usually fuller with more fruitiness and flavor (but with a more subtle acidity).  Following are the principal western wine regions in Germany, listed from north to south (click on the region below the map for a list of recommended wineries in that region).

Germany's smallest wine region, the Ahr wine region is located on the west bank of the Rhine, south of Bonn where the Ahr flows into the Rhein. Predominantly a red wine region (Spätburgunder and Portugieser), the soil is actually a volcanic slate.  The dark soil and reflected heat from the rock formations and the protection from the winds create a microclimate that allows red wines to do very well in this northernmost wine region.  Most of the wine produced here is consumed locally or by European tourists (much of the wine has been created to please the tourist palate).  One wine to definitely try here is the Weissherbst, a rosé that is lively and refreshing due to the tartaric acid giving the wines a structure that is not unlike what one would find in French wines.

The Mittelrhein wine region starts just below Bonn and follows the River Rhein sixty miles south, sharing space with medieval castles and ruins on both sides of the river all the way down to where the Rhine makes a 90º turn to the east.  The large volume of water flowing through the Rhine creates a microclimate that keeps the temperature warm enough during early Spring and late Fall months, creating a long growing season. With Riesling (75% of production) and Kerner being the best producers, the wines get a distinct acidity from the clayish/slate soil. Most of the good wine comes from the stretch of the Rhine to the south of Koblenz, especially around Bacharach and are usually consumed locally.

Probably the most famous and most important region in today's wine market, the Mosel-Saar-Ruwer valleys starts at the ancient Roman city of Trier and snake through the Rhineland to Koblenz where it empties into the Rhine.  The dramatic slate-covered slopes of the valley (especially in the Middle Mosel) are the keys to the region's success. As the valley is at the same northern latitude as Newfoundland, the exposure to the sun is minimal and therefore vineyards need to be on slopes with a dramatic angle.  This angle plus the heavy amounts of slate in the soil that store and reflect up the sun's heat, thereby maximizing the impact. Riesling is the most prominent grape grown here, and is found at its best around the towns of Wiltingen and Schwarzhofberg in the Saar-Ruwer district, and around Bernkastel, Piesport, Wehlen, Brauneberg, Graach, Zeltingen, and Erden in the Middle Mosel district.  Wines of the Mosel and its tributaries, the Saar and Ruwer, tend to be pale in color and light-bodied with crisp fruity acidity and have the potential to age in complexity. In warm vintages, Auslese and higher wines show the full potential of the region.  100 years ago, a good wine from the Middle Mosel 100 years ago, would have cost more than a premier cru from Médoc.  Today, though, even quality Mosel wines are under-priced due to the flood of wines, allowing wine consumers to experience phenomenal wines without spending a lot of money.

The principal vineyards in the Mosel Valley fall into one of three Bereich or districts (click on the district for a list of wineries):

Located just west of Frankfurt-am-Main, Germany's most prestigious wine region is the natural home for the Riesling (the earliest recorded references of the Riesling date back to 1435).  The home of Schloss Johannisberg (where Johannisberg Riesling is from), over 80% of the Rheingau is planted with Riesling, creating wines that are Elegant while young, fruity, and racy with good acidity and has extensive aging potential, achieving intense complexity with a wonderful balance.  The vineyards can be found on the north bank of the Rhine River, climbing up the gradual slope up the Taunus Hills (although never getting further than two or three miles from the river).  The region is also protected by the wooded uplands on the Taunus Hills, which create a microclimate that enables grapes to be legally harvested later in the season when they are more ripe and developed.

Even among German consumers, the Nahe Valley is probably the least known wine region.  An hour to 90 minutes west/southwest of Frankfurt, the Nahe Valley stretches from Bingen (where the Nahe River meets the Rhine) forty miles south to the town of Monzingen.  Unlike other regions, Nahe wines tend to have an "identity crisis."  The best description is that it is a cross between a Mosel wine (highly aromatic) and a Rheingau (more body).  95%of grapes grown are white, with Riesling and Weissburgunder being the most dominant grapes, almost a quarter of which is produced in a dry style.  Due to a lack of major tourist attractions, the Nahe Valley a great destination for the Wine Traveler.

Rheinhessen contains ¼ of all of the German vineyards.  Most of this yield, however, is typically used for bulk wines.  One zone on the eastern edge of the region (between Mettenheim and Mainz), though, is where some of the most famous wine estates in the region are located.  These wines have a quality level that is comparable to those of the Rheingau, but at almost 50% of the cost.

Formerly known as Rheinpfalz (or the Palatinate), Pfalz is merely a topographical extension of Alsace, with the Rhine to the east and forested hills to the west.  Like the Nahe, this is a wonderful destination for the Wine Traveler, offering small villages where wine is sold directly to the consumer.  With an abundance of new, young producers, the Pfalz is one of the most promising regions in Germany's wine market.  Due to the climate and topography, most of the wines here are made into a dry style, utilizing the Weissbugunder, the Grauburgunder, Gewürztraminer, and Riesling.  Spätburgunder is also taking advantage of the climate to create very tasty reds.