Dessert wines
Germany is probably best known as a country that produces very sweet dessert wines and is the country that invented ice wine. They produce at least four different levels of dessert wines, all with increasing intensity and sweetness: Auslese, Beerenauslese, Trockenbeerenaulsese and Eiswein.

Labelling system
The problem here is that for years an almost indecipherable labelling system – coupled with the need to know who the good vintners were – made for a very consumer-unfriendly buying game. Consumers were also supposed to be able to recognize vineyard names and wacky terms related to sweetness and certain vintages. Luckily this is changing, albeit not overnight, so here's a quick rundown of German labelling.

• QbA (Qualitätswein bestimmter Anbaugebiete) – like Canada's VQA labeling. Means good-quality wine from one of 13 good-quality regions.

• QmP (Qualitätswein mit Prädikat) – Translated as "quality wine with distinction," QmP wines are the pinnacle of the German wines. Every QmP wine must be 100 per cent natural and the level of sugar and alcohol must come solely from the grape.

Germany's backyard
Germany is divided into 13 wine-growing regions that are primarily concentrated in the south and southwest of the country. Riesling predominates in the more northern areas, with Pinot Noir and other reds found further south.

By global standards, Germany itself is one of the most northerly grape-growing regions, but due to a long growing season with a temperate summer, harvests can be extended to allow fruit to be picked ripe and juicy.  The climate is moderated by humid Gulf Stream air from the west and dry easterly air, ensuring consistent moisture that results in a diverse range of wines, reflective of varying soil conditions and production techniques.

We would be remiss not to mention a few last nuances about the German wine experience. Sekt is German bubbly and although not extensively consumed in North America, Germans represent the largest per-capita consumer of the fizzy stuff globally.  In addition, as with almost any other region, local dialect supercedes common international terms, so the next time you're shopping for a Grauburgunder, you'll understand it's a Pinot Gris. 

Or, should you're favourite haunt run out of Weissburgunder, you can calm alarms by suggesting a nice Pinot Blanc. It may seem confusing at first, but Germany's unique products and high-quality grapes can make for great values. 

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Ryan Jennings and David Steele are the authors of Cooking with Booze<. For more on wine visit www.cookingwithbooze.com.