the magazine of the german wine institute - Wines of Germany

46
GERMAN WINE GROWING REGIONS
THE SACHSEN REGION is located to the north and
south of Dresden, roughly between Meißen and
Pirna. With about 500 hectares it is one of the
three smallest wine-growing regions in Germany
and the most easterly. Poland is only a stone’s
throw away.
The continental climate, which means warm
summers and cold winters, is defining for Sachsen.
The alternation of mild day and cool night
temperatures is very good for the vines. The
Sachsen wines – mainly Müller-Thurgau, Riesling
and Pinot Blanc – prove this impressively
with their delicacy.
It was probably a bishop called Benno who planted
the first vines near Meißen in the eleventh
century. Saxon viticulture was documented in
1161 which is why Sachsen celebrated its 850th
anniversary of wine-growing in 2011. Although
the date is not entirely proven the Sachsen wine
is definitely worth celebrating!
THE BLUE RIBBON OF THE ELBE RUNS THROUGH
A LOVELY LANDSCAPE WHICH IS DOMINATED BY
VINEYARD TERRACES AND HISTORIC VILLAGES.
Dresden is the centre of this wine-growing area
and the icing on the cake with its urban beauty.
Dry stone walls that provide picturesque
surrounds for the steep slopes and terraces are
typical for the region. They are not only beautiful
but also offer a habitat to rare plants and
animals.
Sachsen
Eastern highlight