Where to Try German Wine in London
Humble Grape's London wine bars pour German Riesling and Spätburgunder from small, independent estates by the glass, bottle or guided tasting. This July, a dedicated Germany tasting explores the Mosel and Pfalz through wines from Weingut Würtzberg and Weingut Von Winning, alongside stories from the winemakers themselves.
Why Germany Deserves a Place on Your Wine List
Ask most Londoners to name a great wine country and Germany rarely makes the list. At Humble Grape, we think that's a shame, because behind the sweetened supermarket bottles that gave German wine an unfair reputation lies one of Europe's most exciting, and most overlooked, wine-producing nations. If you're wondering where to try German wine in London properly poured, properly explained and genuinely delicious, our wine bars across the city are the place to start.
Germany's wine story is far bigger than a single grape or a single style. It's a country of steep river valleys, ancient slate soils and small, independent growers who've been coaxing world-class wine out of some of the most demanding vineyard sites in Europe. That's exactly the kind of story we love to bring to our tastings.
Beyond Riesling: Germany's 13 Wine Regions
Germany is home to thirteen distinct wine regions, each shaped by its own soil, climate and winemaking tradition. Riesling is the grape most people associate with the country, and it's easy to see why: German Riesling can be bone dry, honeyed and sweet, or anywhere in between, all while keeping the racy acidity that makes it one of the most food-friendly white wines in the world. But Germany is also a serious red wine producer. Spätburgunder, Germany's name for Pinot Noir, has quietly become some of the most sought-after Pinot Noir in the world, prized for its elegance and precision. Our tastings focus on two of the country's most compelling regions, the Mosel and the Pfalz, to show just how different German wine can taste from valley to valley.
Mosel vs Pfalz: Two Styles Worth Knowing
The Mosel and the Pfalz sit at opposite ends of Germany's wine personality, and tasting them side by side is one of the best ways to understand why this country rewards a closer look.
Mosel: Mineral-Driven Riesling
The Mosel is Riesling country. Vineyards cling to impossibly steep, slate-covered slopes along the river, some so steep that tractors simply can't be used and every grape is hand-harvested. That slate gives Mosel Riesling its signature character: pale, delicate, laced with citrus and orchard fruit, and carried by a mineral, almost stony finish. It's a style that has been made here since the 1890s, and estates that still work these slopes by hand are becoming increasingly rare.
Pfalz: Bold Whites and Spätburgunder
Head south to the Pfalz and the wines take on a different shape entirely. Warmer and more sheltered than the Mosel, the region produces richer, more structured whites alongside some of Germany's finest Spätburgunder. Many of the Pfalz's leading estates farm without herbicides or synthetic fertilisers, and some bottle their wines unfiltered and unfined, letting the fruit speak as directly as possible. The result is wine with real depth and personality, a world away from Germany's sweeter, mass-market reputation.
Where to Try German Wine in London
German wine is still a rare sight on London wine lists, which is exactly why it's worth seeking out a venue that takes it seriously. At Humble Grape Bow Lane,Humble Grape Islington and Humble Grape Battersea, German bottles sit alongside the rest of our independent, small-grower-led list, available by the glass or bottle any time we're open, so there's no need to wait for a special occasion to explore the Mosel or the Pfalz. Our staff are always happy to talk you through a style you haven't tried, whether that's a bone-dry Riesling or a cool-climate Spätburgunder.
For a deeper introduction, our sommeliers periodically run guided tastings devoted entirely to Germany, walking guests through the icons, the rebels and the hidden gems of the country's wine scene with stories from the winemakers themselves woven through every pour. It's a relaxed, structured way to taste several styles side by side and understand what sets each region apart.
What's Poured on the Night
A typical Germany tasting takes guests through seven wines, from a welcome glass of sparkling Sekt through crisp, mineral Rieslings from the Mosel to richer Pfalz whites and two contrasting expressions of Spätburgunder. It's a line-up built to show the full range of what German wine can do, from crisp and mineral to rich and age-worthy, and most tastings include a voucher towards a case to take home.
Meet the Winemakers: Würtzberg and Von Winning
Weingut Würtzberg is run by siblings Annelena and Felix Heimes, who hand-harvest every vine on the Mosel's steepest slopes, a tradition their family estate has kept since 1898. Weingut Von Winning, founded in 1849 in the Pfalz, is now guided by winemaker Jana Niederberger, whose hands-off approach in the cellar lets the estate's terroir come through in every bottle. Both estates represent exactly the kind of independent, story-led winemaking that Humble Grape was built to champion, and their wines regularly feature in our German tastings and on our by-the-glass list.
If you'd rather explore in your own time, keep an eye on our events calendar for the next guided Germany tasting, running this July at Bow Lane, Islington and Battersea.
Ready to see what all the fuss is about? Visit any Humble Grape wine bar to explore German wine by the glass, or book a seat at our next guided Germany tasting to taste why this small country makes some of the most exciting wine in the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is German wine known for? German wine is best known for Riesling, particularly from regions like the Mosel, where steep slate slopes produce whites ranging from bone dry to lusciously sweet. Germany is also an increasingly respected producer of Spätburgunder, its name for Pinot Noir.
Is German wine sweet or dry? Both. German wine labelling can be confusing, but modern German Riesling is very often dry (trocken), and many top estates now focus on dry and off-dry styles alongside the classic sweeter Spätlese and Auslese wines.
What is Spätburgunder? Spätburgunder is the German name for the Pinot Noir grape. Germany, particularly the Pfalz and Ahr regions, has become known for elegant, cool-climate expressions that rival Pinot Noir from Burgundy and Oregon.
Where can I try German wine tastings in London? Humble Grape runs guided German wine tastings at its London wine bars, including Bow Lane, Islington and Battersea, as part of its World of Wine Tasting series. Check the events calendar at each venue for upcoming dates.
What food pairs well with German Riesling? German Riesling's acidity and fruit make it a versatile match for London's favourite cuisines, from Asian and Indian dishes with a bit of spice to roast chicken, pork and soft cheeses.
