Fruity, tangy, mineral: What to expect from the 2024 vintage wines

The 2024 vintage promises wines with bright acidity, fresh fruit, and excellent balance, despite challenging weather conditions. A cooler-than-usual growing season and a late frost resulted in smaller yields, but the surviving grapes have produced wines that will delight wine lovers with their quality.

Ahr (531 ha)

The Ahr region, famous for Pinot Noir, faced a tough 2024, with a 64% drop in yields due to late frost. However, the reduced crop has led to concentrated, high-quality wines. Expect elegant reds with fresh acidity and vibrant fruit. “The 2024 vintage is a small, fine wine,” says Hubert Pauly. These wines should age beautifully and offer a burst of fresh fruit.

Baden (15,679 ha)

Baden was also hit by frost, with some areas experiencing dramatic losses. However, the late summer brought dry, sunny weather, allowing the remaining grapes to ripen well. The result is fruit-forward wines with great acidity and moderate alcohol. Burgundy varieties, in particular, show promise, offering aromatic fruit and smooth textures. Despite a 14% drop in yields, the quality is exceptional.

Franken (6,173 ha)

Franken’s 2024 vintage had its challenges, but the wines are still of excellent quality. A late frost in April affected some vineyards, but August’s warmth boosted ripening. Expect wines with vibrant fruit, crisp acidity, and fresh finishes, particularly from Silvaner. “The wines are pleasant, with great fruit and aroma,” says Artur Steinmann. Although yields are down by 19%, the quality makes it a vintage to savour.

Hessische Bergstraße (461 ha)

Hessische Bergstraße’s winegrowers faced frost damage and rainfall, but the quality of the wines is still high. Rieslings, in particular, will shine with their bright acidity and delicate flavours. Despite a smaller harvest, Johannes Bürkle is confident that the wines will be enjoyable. Expect light, elegant wines with lower alcohol content, perfect for those who enjoy fresh, crisp whites.

Mittelrhein (460 ha)

Mittelrhein’s 2024 vintage offers Riesling lovers a treat, with wines boasting a beautiful balance of sweetness and acidity. Although frost reduced yields by 14%, the wines are of excellent quality. “These wines will have fresh fruit and refreshing acidity,” says Dr Maximilian Hendgen. With moderate alcohol and well-defined aromas, the Rieslings are sure to appeal to fans of this classic style.

Mosel (8,536 ha)

The 2024 harvest in the Mosel region was the smallest in 50 years, with winegrowers facing frost, fungal diseases, and hail. Despite these challenges, the grapes that survived were of excellent quality, producing wines with wonderful fruit flavours. Henning Seibert of Moselwein e.V. describes it as a “Kabinett and Spätlese year,” with Riesling benefiting from mild days and cool nights in September and October. Yields were down by 30% compared to 2023, with red varieties like Spätburgunder suffering the most. Overall, the harvest will be remembered for its quality despite the small quantities.

Nahe (4,250 ha)

Nahe faced unusual frost damage in April due to icy winds, which affected vineyards on the slopes, while deeper valleys were spared. Some growers reported up to 100% loss. The summer months were wet, leading to mildew concerns, but a dry August allowed the vines to recover. The 2024 harvest is down by 15% to 265,000 hectolitres, with a focus on quality wines. The region’s Rieslings, with must weights between 74 and 83 degrees Oechsle, are expected to offer fresh, fruity styles with moderate alcohol and lively acidity.

Pfalz (23,793 ha)

In the Pfalz, frost and hail affected some areas, but overall, the damage was manageable. The warm summer led to downy mildew outbreaks, increasing the need for plant protection. Despite a 4% drop in yield, the quality remains high, with experts praising the Burgundy varieties and Riesling. The wines are reminiscent of classic vintages, with fruity aromas, fine acidity, and moderate alcohol. Red wines, in particular, show a strong tannin structure and ripe flavours, while the overall quantity is deemed perfect for the market.

Rheingau (3,207 ha)

The Rheingau experienced frost in April, but thanks to its topography, the damage was relatively mild. Yields are only slightly down by 1% compared to 2023, thanks to good drainage and the river Rhine. Plant protection was a major concern due to frequent rain, particularly on steep slopes. While Burgundy varieties saw low yields, the Riesling, which covers three-quarters of the region, thrived, producing aromatic, fruity wines with balanced acidity. Overall, it’s a harmonious vintage, with excellent terroir expression.

Rheinhessen (27,499 ha)

Rheinhessen, Germany’s largest wine region, saw a 7% increase in harvest, producing 2.58 million hectolitres of must. The increase is due to last year’s smaller harvest, which was affected by hail. The April frost did cause damage in places, but the overall impact was manageable. Despite challenges like mildew, the warm weather in August helped ripen the grapes. The resulting wines will be fruity with moderate alcohol and crisp acidity, offering a relaxing vintage with wines that are easy to enjoy.

Saale-Unstrut (853 ha)

In the northernmost region of Saale-Unstrut, late frost caused widespread damage, with 90% of the vineyards affected. Although many vines regrew, grape set was low. Heavy rain and humidity led to mildew issues, making it a challenging year. The estimated harvest dropped by 73%, with only 13,000 hectolitres produced. However, the high quality of the remaining grapes means fresh, fruity wines with good acidity can be expected, with a particular emphasis on rosé over red wines. Limited quantities will make this a rare vintage.

Sachsen (522 ha)

Sachsen also faced challenges in 2024, with frost in April damaging vines that had sprouted early. The region experienced the smallest harvest in decades, with a 70% reduction in yield. Despite the difficulties, the quality of the remaining grapes was very satisfactory, and fresh, fruity wines are expected. While red varieties like Dornfelder were hit hardest, white varieties such as Riesling fared better. The warm summer allowed the second generation of grapes to ripen, and the resulting wines should show vibrant fruit and good acidity.

Württemberg (11,392 ha)

In Württemberg, the late frost caused significant damage, particularly to varieties like Dornfelder, but there are positives to report. Trollinger, in particular, emerged as a “winner” of the 2024 vintage, offering fruity, light wines with moderate alcohol content. Overall, winegrowers are satisfied with the quality despite the challenges. The frost damage, combined with disease pressure from a wet summer, led to a 25% drop in yield. However, quality red wines like Lemberger are expected to shine, offering rich colour and structure, alongside fruity, mineral white wines, especially Riesling.