Germany

Pfalz

Germany wine regions

About Pfalz

Germany's warmest and second-largest wine region, blessed with an almost Mediterranean climate along the Haardt Mountains. Riesling here achieves a riper, more opulent style than cooler regions, with tropical fruit notes joining the classic peach and citrus. The Pfalz has emerged as Germany's premier source for red wine, with Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir) reaching Burgundian heights in the hands of top producers. Villages like Forst, Deidesheim, and Ruppertsberg in the Mittelhaardt produce world-class Grosses Gewächs, while the southern Pfalz offers excellent value. The region's warmth and diverse soils create wines of immediate appeal with surprising aging potential.

94–429 m

Elevation range

237 Einzellages

Avg. slope 4.2°

Germany wine regions

Vintages

84 · 1990–2024

Rating:

95+

90-94

85-89

80-84

<80

PeakReadyHold

Year	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015	2014	2013	2012	2011	2010	2009	2008	2007	2006	2005	2004	2003	2002	2001	2000	1999	1998	1997	1996	1995	1994	1993	1992	1991	1990
Red
White

Outstanding Pfalz Vintages

The best recent vintages rated excellent or exceptional.

Red

2023

Hold

94Excellent

Outstanding vintage with exceptional depth. Burgundian complexity and aging potential.

2029Peak 2035–20442048

2022

Hold

92Excellent

Excellent vintage from warm year. Concentrated with ripe tannins.

2028Peak 2033–20402044

2021

Almost ready

91Excellent

Classic vintage with elegant structure. Fine tannins and bright fruit.

2027Peak 2032–20392043

2020

Hold

95Exceptional

Superb vintage rivaling top Burgundy. Profound depth and silky texture.

2028Peak 2034–20452050

2019

Almost ready

95Exceptional

Magnificent vintage with exceptional quality. Rich yet refined.

2027Peak 2033–20432048

2018

Ready

96Exceptional

Outstanding vintage with perfect ripeness. Concentrated and age-worthy.

2026Peak 2032–20422046

2016

Ready

91Excellent

Very good vintage with classical elegance. Fine tannins and freshness.

2024Peak 2029–20382042

2015

Ready

2023

Hold

93Excellent

Müller-Catoir Rieslaner TBA scored 100 points James Suckling, compared to their legendary 1990. Stuart Pigott: their best vintage ever.

2028Peak 2032–20502058

2017

Ready

93Excellent

Quality sweet wines from botrytized selections. Pfalz delivered good results at the top.

2022Peak 2027–20452052

2015

At peak

93Excellent

Full range from dry to noble sweet succeeded. Healthy botrytis with high ripeness and high acidity.

2020Peak 2025–20452050

Einzellagen

Classification System

VDP Vineyard Classification

The Pfalz is home to many leading VDP estates. Vineyards are classified by quality, with the best sites producing powerful dry Rieslings and Pinot Noirs.

Grosse Lage

Grand Cru equivalent, the finest vineyard sites

Erste Lage

Premier Cru equivalent, excellent sites

Ortswein

Village-level wines from a named commune

Gutswein

Estate-level, entry point from VDP members

Prädikat System (Ripeness)

Classifies wines by minimum grape ripeness at harvest. Ripeness level does not determine sweetness: wines at any Prädikat level can be made dry (trocken), off-dry (halbtrocken), or sweet.

Trockenbeerenauslese

Rarest, from individually selected dried berries

Eiswein

Pressed from naturally frozen grapes

Beerenauslese

From individually selected overripe berries

Auslese

From selected bunches of very ripe grapes

Spätlese

Late harvest, richer and riper

Kabinett

Lightest Prädikat, elegant and lower alcohol

What Pfalz produces

White

Riesling, Weissburgunder, and Grauburgunder, Germany's sunniest wine region.

Red

Spätburgunder and Dornfelder, increasingly refined.

Regional appellations

Qualitätswein (QbA)

The regional quality wine tier. Grapes must come from one of the 13 Anbaugebiete and meet minimum ripeness levels. Most everyday German wine falls here.

Prädikatswein

Quality wine distinguished by ripeness at harvest, from light Kabinett through Spätlese, Auslese, and the rare sweet Beerenauslese, Trockenbeerenauslese, and Eiswein.

Notable producers

Estates that shape how this region tastes.

Muller-Catoir

Benchmark Pfalz whites, Haardter Burgergarten

Burklin-Wolf

Historic VDP estate, biodynamic Grand Crus

Christmann

Biodynamic, Idig and Reiterpfad Riesling

Philipp Kuhn

Bold reds and whites, Kirschgarten

A. Christmann

VDP president, Gimmeldinger Mandelgarten

Grapes of Pfalz

Pinot Noir

Spätburgunder in Pfalz

strawberryraspberryred cherryviolet

Known as Spätburgunder, increasingly refined and Burgundian in style

Riesling

Body

Sweetness

Acidity

green applelimelemonwhite peach

Warmer, fuller-bodied Riesling than the Mosel. Mostly bone-dry, with stone fruit, mango, and citrus over loam and limestone, and 12-13% alcohol that carries weight.

Gewürztraminer

Body

Sweetness

Acidity

lycheerosepeachapricot

Lighter, drier style. Aromatic but more restrained than Alsace.

Pinot Gris

Grauburgunder or Ruländer in Pfalz

Body

Sweetness

Acidity

lemonpeachmangobanana

Known as Grauburgunder, producing dry, medium-bodied whites

Climate

continentaldrymediterranean

Continental with Mediterranean influences, featuring warm, dry summers and mild winters. Protected by the Vosges Mountains and Haardt hills, the region enjoys Germany's highest sunshine hours and lowest rainfall, creating ideal ripening conditions for both white and red varieties.

Terroir

loessdiverse soilssandstoneporphyryclaylimestone

Diverse soils ranging from red sandstone and volcanic porphyry in the north to limestone, loess, and clay in the south. The varied geology, combined with gentle slopes of the Haardt foothills, creates distinct microclimates that allow different grape varieties to express their unique character while maintaining the region's signature richness and depth.

Typical Aromas

white peachapricotacacia honeywet limestoneelderflowerMeyer lemon

Explore the aroma wheel

More in Germany

Ahr

Mittelrhein

Mosel

Nahe

Rheingau

Rheinhessen

Württemberg

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Pfalz wine special?▼

Pfalz is Germany's warmest wine region with an almost Mediterranean climate, which gives their Riesling a much riper, more opulent style than you'd find in cooler German regions. Instead of the typical lean, mineral profile, Pfalz Rieslings show tropical fruit notes alongside classic peach and citrus flavors. It's become Germany's premier region for producing world-class wines that balance power with elegance.

What are the best Pfalz vintages?▼

2023 is absolutely outstanding - a 5-star vintage for both whites and reds with perfect ripeness and freshness. 2022 and 2021 were both excellent 4-star vintages, with 2022 showing ripe, concentrated wines from the hot summer, and 2021 delivering classic balance with fresh acidity and pure fruit expression.

What grapes are grown in Pfalz?▼

The key grapes are Riesling, Pinot Gris (called Grauburgunder locally), and Gewürztraminer. Riesling is the star here, producing those signature opulent styles with tropical fruit character. Pinot Gris and Gewürztraminer also thrive in the warm climate, developing rich, aromatic profiles.

Is 2023 a good year for Pfalz?▼

2023 is exceptional - it's rated 5 out of 5 stars for both whites and reds. The whites achieved perfect ripeness while maintaining freshness, and the reds show outstanding depth with Burgundian complexity and serious aging potential. It's definitely a vintage to seek out and cellar.

When should I drink Pfalz 2023?▼

The 2023 whites are drinking beautifully now but will age gracefully for 10-15 years given their perfect balance of ripeness and acidity. The reds have exceptional aging potential with their Burgundian complexity, so I'd give them 3-5 years to develop and they'll reward patience for decades. Both styles are already showing their quality if you can't wait.

What food pairs well with Pfalz wines?▼

The opulent Pfalz Rieslings are fantastic with spicy Asian cuisine, rich pork dishes, and aged cheeses - their tropical fruit notes and good acidity cut through rich, flavorful foods beautifully. Pinot Gris works wonderfully with roasted poultry and mushroom dishes, while Gewürztraminer is perfect with aromatic dishes and even foie gras.

How does Pfalz compare to Alsace?▼

Both regions share a warm climate and grow similar grapes, but Pfalz Rieslings tend to be more opulent with tropical fruit character, while Alsace versions are often drier and more mineral-driven. Alsace has a longer reputation for premium wines, but Pfalz has really emerged as a serious competitor in recent decades. The styles are becoming more similar as both regions push quality boundaries.

Map data: Landwirtschaftskammer Rheinland-Pfalz