Oktoberfest 2024: A Celebration of Bavarian Tradition
As the cool air of fall settles in, it’s time for one of the world’s most beloved celebrations—Oktoberfest! Running from September 21st to October 6th, this iconic festival in Munich, Germany, brings together millions of people from around the globe to embrace Bavarian culture, enjoy traditional beer, food, and music, and join in the lively atmosphere that makes Oktoberfest truly unforgettable.
A Brief History of Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest traces its roots back to 1810 when Crown Prince Ludwig (later King Ludwig I) married Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. The citizens of Munich were invited to join in the grand festivities, which culminated in a horse race. Over the years, the celebration grew in scale and tradition, eventually evolving into the festival we know today.
Interestingly, despite its name, Oktoberfest actually begins in September to take advantage of the milder weather. The two-week event now concludes in early October, with a massive closing celebration on the final day.
Wines in Germany
For those that want to enjoy the festivities, but prefer to drink wine instead of beer in celebration, we have some options for you from various regions around the country! Germany’s wine culture is as rich and varied as its landscapes. The country is home to 13 official wine regions, each with its own unique terroir and wine styles. From the steep slopes of the Mosel Valley to the sunny, warm climate of Baden, these regions produce some of the most distinctive wines in the world, with Riesling standing out as the crown jewel. However, Germany also offers a variety of other outstanding grape varietals, both white and red, that contribute to its global reputation for quality.
Major German Wine Regions
1. Mosel
- Location: Western Germany, along the Mosel River.
- Famous For: Riesling.
- Climate: Cool continental climate, with steep, slate-covered slopes that help reflect sunlight onto the vines.
- Wine Characteristics: Mosel Rieslings are known for their light body, high acidity, and vibrant minerality. They often feature flavors of green apple, citrus, stone fruit, and floral notes, with the potential for aging to develop honeyed and petrol characteristics.
2. Rheingau
- Location: Just west of Frankfurt, along the Rhine River.
- Famous For: Riesling, Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir).
- Climate: Slightly warmer than Mosel, with varied soils, including loess and slate.
- Wine Characteristics: Rheingau Rieslings tend to be richer and fuller-bodied than Mosel Rieslings, with more pronounced fruit flavors like peach and apricot. The region is also known for its elegant Spätburgunder, with flavors of red berries, spice, and earthy undertones.
3. Rheinhessen
- Location: South of Rheingau, on the west bank of the Rhine River.
- Famous For: Riesling, Silvaner, Dornfelder.
- Climate: Warmer than Mosel, with more rolling hills and diverse soil types.
- Wine Characteristics: Rheinhessen is the largest wine region in Germany, producing a variety of wine styles. The Rieslings from here can be dry or off-dry, with ripe fruit flavors. Silvaner, a lesser-known white grape, offers fresh, herbal, and mineral-driven wines. Dornfelder, a red varietal, produces fruity, deep-colored wines often used for blending.
4. Franken
- Location: Northeast of Rheinhessen, in Bavaria.
- Famous For: Silvaner, Müller-Thurgau.
- Climate: Cool climate, with limestone-rich soils.
- Wine Characteristics: Franken’s Silvaner is highly regarded for its crisp acidity, earthy minerality, and subtle herbal notes. Müller-Thurgau, a cross between Riesling and Madeleine Royale, is a popular white varietal in the region, producing fresh, floral, and easy-drinking wines.
5. Baden
- Location: Southern Germany, near the Black Forest.
- Famous For: Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc.
- Climate: The warmest and sunniest region in Germany, with a climate similar to Burgundy in France.
- Wine Characteristics: Baden is renowned for its Burgundian-style wines, especially Pinot Noir (Spätburgunder), which is full-bodied and rich with dark fruit flavors. Pinot Gris (Grauburgunder) and Pinot Blanc (Weißburgunder) also thrive in Baden, producing wines that are round, ripe, and full of fruit and floral notes.
Key German Wine Varietals
1. Riesling
- Characteristics: Riesling is the flagship grape of Germany, producing wines ranging from bone-dry (Trocken) to lusciously sweet (Trockenbeerenauslese). It is highly aromatic, with flavors of lime, green apple, apricot, and honey, often with a characteristic minerality and high acidity. Riesling’s ability to age is remarkable, developing complex flavors of petrol and spice over time.
- Suggestions: Try our High Def or Fritz Haag Riesling from the Mosel region
2. Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir)
- Characteristics: Germany is the third-largest producer of Pinot Noir in the world. Spätburgunder from regions like Baden and Rheingau is often light to medium-bodied, with flavors of cherry, raspberry, and subtle earthy notes. It’s a delicate and elegant red wine that pairs well with a variety of foods.
3. Silvaner
- Characteristics: Silvaner is an underappreciated grape that produces dry, refreshing white wines with a light body and clean, mineral-driven profile. It has subtle herbal, floral, and sometimes earthy aromas, making it a great choice for food pairing, especially with vegetables and seafood.
4. Grauburgunder (Pinot Gris)
- Characteristics: Grauburgunder in Germany is typically dry, with a fuller body than Riesling. It features flavors of pear, apple, and lemon, with a creamy texture. This varietal is particularly popular in the warmer regions of Pfalz and Baden.
5. Weißburgunder (Pinot Blanc)
- Characteristics: Weißburgunder produces light, crisp, and fresh wines with flavors of citrus, apple, and pear. It’s often unoaked, highlighting its clean fruit profile, and pairs well with seafood, salads, and light pasta dishes.
6. Dornfelder
- Characteristics: Dornfelder is one of Germany’s most successful red grapes, producing deeply colored wines with soft tannins and flavors of blackberry, plum, and dark cherry. It’s often blended but can also stand on its own as a fruity, easy-drinking red wine.
7. Müller-Thurgau
- Characteristics: Müller-Thurgau is a hybrid grape that creates light, floral wines with low acidity. It is often consumed young and is valued for its easy-drinking nature, with flavors of citrus, green apple, and white flowers.