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The trend towards increased cultivation of white wine varieties continued in Germany in 2016, according to figures from the German Wine Institute (DWI). The proportion of red wine declined slightly. As the DWI reports on the basis of data from the Federal Statistical Office, the grape varieties Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc and Chardonnay had the largest area increases in German vineyards in 2016, with a total of 540 hectares.
Pinot Gris (6,179 ha) surpassed the 6,000 hectare mark for the first time in 2016 and Pinot Blanc (5,161 ha) displaced Silvaner (4,926 ha) from fourth place among the most important German white wine varieties. Riesling expanded its top position by about 100 hectares to 23,700 hectares, followed by Müller-Thurgau with 12,623 hectares. According to the figures, German producers are in first place worldwide for the cultivation of Riesling and Pinot Blanc, and in second place behind Italy for the cultivation of Pinot Gris.
The size of the German vineyard area has remained almost constant at 102,493 hectares. White wine varieties now have a share of 63.1 per cent, which corresponds to an increase of 444 hectares or 0.5 per cent.
The cultivation of Sauvignon Blanc also increased again last year. In the meantime, 956 hectares are planted with this aroma variety, which corresponds to a seven percent increase in area compared to the previous year. The bouquet varieties Gewürztraminer (965 ha) and Gelber Muskateller (346 ha) also increased slightly in cultivation.
There are currently 34,975 hectares planted with red wine varieties, 494 hectares less than in 2015. With a constant vineyard area of 11,787 hectares, Pinot Noir is in the lead, followed by Dornfelder with 7,741 hectares. In an international comparison, Germany ranks third behind France and the USA in the cultivation of Pinot Noir.
The increase in the area under international red wine varieties, on the other hand, has been rather restrained. In 2016, the area under Merlot increased by only 20 hectares to 639 hectares and that of Cabernet Sauvignon by ten hectares to 374 hectares. Shiraz was cultivated on only 69 hectares nationwide, Cabernet Franc on 57 hectares.
(uka / Photo: Uwe Kauss)