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Many car enthusiasts know the region of Wurttemberg because it is home to Mercedes and Porsche, but the wines grown in the area in and around Stuttgart are some of Germany's best kept secrets. In Germany, famous for the white wines it produces, Wurttemberg is the dark sister.

Some 70% of the region’s 11,500 ha (28,300 acres) are planted with red grape varieties: Trollinger (Schiava or Vernatsch), Schwarzriesling (Pinot Meunier), Lemberger (Blaufränkisch), and Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir). If you are about to leave - turning up your nose at the thought of German red wines, stay a moment longer. Robert Parker, the wine guru says, "... the German Pinot noir (is) a grotesque and ghastly wine that tastes akin to a defective, sweet, faded, diluted red Burgundy from an incompetent producer. Need I say more?"...Well, yes, Mr. Parker. You do. The latest crop of winemakers turning out red wines in Germany has most of the world disagreeing with that opinion.

If you are tasting wines that resemble vinegar when compared to the best of the regions production...you need to taste the better wines. Yes, there are a great many wines that are not stars, but where in the world is that not true? The top rated German reds can and are competing with the best - and bringing home awards...and besides the red wines of this area, there are other wine related attractions.

The wine school in Weinsberg is Germany’s oldest oenological institute. Founded in 1868, it has always been a pioneer in crossbreeding wine varieties. Of the white wines produced in this region, Riesling is the most popular, but the local Kerner (kair nair), a Weinsberg product of Trollinger crossed with Riesling that was named after the local 19th-century poet and physician Justinus Kerner, is not far behind. Explore the sights, tastes and wines of this region and be open to some wonderful surprises...

Württemberg in Wein-Plus Wine Guide - Read the introduction then click on the map next to it for details of the winegrowers in each area. The links to other resources about region Württemberg tend to be German language only.

Wines of Southern Germany - A wine tasting trip through the region produces some top choices and a few that were of less than stellar quality. The reviewer recommends several wines that are well worth seeking out...

Good German Pinots: oxymoron or reality? - A native of Wurttemberg takes you on a tour of the red wine growing areas of Germany. He is honest about his dimissal of German reds after discovering red Burgundies and California Pinots. Revisiting German reds, the story ends with..."Has Ted changed his mind about German Pinots after this trip? You bet he has. He adores them."

Württemberg - A very nice history and regional guide to the area. Stuttgart's wineries and other vineyards in the area are introduced with stories that explain the roots of the names. After reading this, remembering those strange sounding names will be so much easier!

Willkommen Im Weinland Württemberg - Leider, nur auf Deutsch. But if you do read German, this site is a good introduction to the wines of Wurttemberg with maps of each section and plenty of information on the grapes, vineyards and wines.

also see -> Ahr | Baden | Franken | Hessisiche Bergstrasse

Mittelrhein | Mosel-Saar-Ruwer | Nahe | Pfalz | Rhinegau

Rhinehessen | Saale-Unstrut | Sachsen | Württemberg

also see -> Germany Travel Guides