Caro Maurer MW, Svetoslav Manolev MS and Marcel Orford-Williams tasted 40 wines, with 4 Outstanding and 9 Highly Recommended.
German whites beyond Riesling: Panel tasting scores
40 wines tasted
Exceptional 0
Outstanding 4
Highly recommended 9
Recommended 18
Commended 4
Fair 5
Entry criteria: producers and UK agents were invited to submit their current-release, dry white wines from any region in Germany, single varietal or blend (in which Riesling could be included, but not as the dominant variety)
Riesling casts a large shadow in German vineyards. With some 24,400ha planted (DWI/Statistisches Bundesamt data for 2023), the German flagship variety occupies a quarter of the 103,687ha of vineyards (which are about two-thirds white varieties).
Though less recognised, other white grapes do exist – and can certainly produce top-class wines. This was demonstrated in the 40 wines reviewed at this panel tasting.
Scroll down to see the top results from the German whites beyond Riesling panel tasting
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German whites beyond Riesling panel tasting scores
Wines were tasted blind
{}
{"wineId":"88299","displayCase":"standard","paywall":true}
{"wineId":"88300","displayCase":"standard","paywall":true}
{"wineId":"88301","displayCase":"standard","paywall":true}
{"wineId":"88302","displayCase":"standard","paywall":true}
{"wineId":"88303","displayCase":"standard","paywall":true}
{"wineId":"88304","displayCase":"standard","paywall":true}
{"wineId":"88305","displayCase":"standard","paywall":true}
{"wineId":"88306","displayCase":"standard","paywall":true}
{"wineId":"88307","displayCase":"standard","paywall":true}
{"wineId":"88308","displayCase":"standard","paywall":true}
{"wineId":"88309","displayCase":"standard","paywall":true}
{"wineId":"88310","displayCase":"standard","paywall":true}
{"wineId":"88311","displayCase":"standard","paywall":true}
{}
The judges
Caro Maurer MW is a German food and wine writer, and a WSET- and MW-level educator. A DWWA Regional Chair, she also contributes to Bonn’s daily newspaper GeneralAnzeiger and food and wine title Der Feinschmecker.
Svetoslav Manolev MS is London regional sales manager for merchant Berkmann Wine Cellars. The first Bulgarian to qualify as a Master Sommelier, in 2019, he is also a DWWA judge for categories including Austria and Germany.
Marcel Orford-Williams is a wine buyer for The Wine Society, covering southern and regional French wines and Germany. He is a longstanding DWWA judge, and was made a Chevalier de l’Ordre du Mérite Agricole for services to French wine.
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