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This weekend marks the start of Oktoberfest celebrations across the valley, which are primarily known for featuring German beer. However, it’s also a great opportunity to explore another of Germany’s renowned products: wine. Unfortunately, the festivals in Beaver Creek, Vail, and Gypsum won’t include German wines this year, but wine enthusiasts can still find some domestic options if beer isn’t appealing.

Germany is famous for much more than beer, especially its riesling, which constitutes nearly 25% of all wine produced in the country. While riesling often dominates, Germany also grows a significant number of red grape varieties, making the wine industry dynamic as climate changes influence viticulture.

Historically, Germany faced challenges regarding its wine quality in the 1980s due to exports of subpar, overly sweet bulk wines, like Liebfraumilch and Blue Nun. Fortunately, there has been a substantial transformation since then. With 13 officially recognized wine regions, German wines include an array of styles, from sparkling to sweet.

Riesling is at the forefront of German wines, thriving in the country’s cool climate and offering a range of flavor profiles from apple and lemon to wet slate. While most understand riesling as a sweet wine, the trend is shifting towards drier versions, gaining popularity among winemakers.

In addition to riesling, German vineyards produce other excellent white wines such as Müller-Thurgau and pinot varieties. Notably, Germany ranks as the third-largest producer of pinot noir worldwide, or spätburgunder, which has increasingly flourished due to improved farming practices and warmer climates.

Interestingly, not all rieslings are sweet. The sweetness level depends largely on whether fermentation is allowed to complete, thereby consuming all natural sugars. Labels indicating "Trocken" usually denote drier wines, which carry higher alcohol content, while those bearing lower ABV percentages tend to be sweeter.

For anyone looking to venture beyond the festivals, local spots like Ein Prosit, Alpen Rose, and Pepi’s supply a selection of German wines for sampling. When shopping at home, retailers such as Beaver Liquors offer a variety, particularly dry rieslings.

As you revel in the Oktoberfest atmosphere, consider elevating your experience with a glass of German wine. Happy sipping!