Understanding German wines can be like learning to fly fish – from a guy with a thick Bavarian accent. It's difficult and confusing but can be incredibly rewarding – once you've hooked your first fish. Germany produces some of the greatest white wines on the planet, and once you learn the language you'll be able to navigate this section of your local wine shop with greater ease and precision – like driving a Mercedes.

Riesling
Germany put Riesling on the map and produces some of the greatest – and purest – examples of this wine anywhere. With its light but distinctive full fruit flavour and high acidity, Riesling is a great accompaniment to a broad range of food or enjoyed on its own before a meal.

Canada's Niagara region also produces wonderful examples of Rieslings, so if you're familiar with these, treat yourself to a tasting evening with both countries. You'll notice distinct differences in the wines, attributable to climate and handling methods. And it's a great way to bring two nations together!

Gewürztraminer
Arguably the most difficult grape to pronounce is Gewürztraminer, another signature white produced extensively in Germany and Alsace, France. The most notable quality of a Gewurzt is the unmistakable nose of lychee. This highly aromatic wine makes a good candidate to pair with a broad range of foods including dishes that are difficult to match with wine such as spicy dishes or Asian cuisine.

Pinot Noir                                        
Another noteworthy varietal is Spätburgunder, or as we like to call it, Pinot Noir. It has been at the forefront of German viticulture for the last 25 years. With its cool nights and warm summer days, Germany has a perfect microclimate for the finicky Pinot Noir grape and has allowed it to compete with the top Pinot producers in the world.

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