Top of the Crops returned this year, with the aim to seek out some of the best wine from some of Germany’s top wine-growing regions.

On Thursday 28th February, a team of expert judges from the UK wine trade met at Humble Grape, Fleet Street, to find the Top of the Crops 2019, whittling down hundreds of entries to 40 winners.

The expert panel of judges included: Mark Flounders, Jan Konetzski, Charlotte Prescot, Gustavo Medina, Desiree Russo, Joan Torrents, Dawn Mannis, Jenny Smith, Imogen Bowen-Davies and Mags Janjo. Experts in their field, the judges selected wines for a range of categories; Best On Trade Wines, Best Independent Merchant Wines, Best Multiple Retailer/Online Retailer Wines and Best Unrepresented Wines.

This year saw the introduction of a new category, Germany’s Coolest Wines. These wines were selected from the winning 40 wines by a panel of creative experts. This was judged by the ingenuity and creativity of the bottles’ labels, reflecting Germany’s up-and-coming young winemakers. In addition, the winemakers also provided the stories behind the labels, aiding the selection process.

Please find the full results below, or follow this link to see the results published in full in Harpers Wine and Spirits.

Photo credit: Adam Brazier

Best Independent Merchant Wines

Rheinhessen, Pinot Blanc 2018, Cosmic Beetle, Sander
Pfalz, Sauvignon Blanc Fumé 2017, Oliver Zeter
Franken, Silvaner 2018, Escherndorfer Lump Silvaner S, Horst Sauer
Pfalz, Pinot Noir 2017, Villa Wolf
Rheingau, Pinot Noir 2016, Kloster Eberbach Estate Pinot Noir, Kloster Eberbach
Rheinhessen, Riesling 2017, Estate Riesling, Braunewell
Rheingau, Riesling Dry 2015, Bibo Runge
Rheingau, Riesling 2017, Grauschiefer, Friedrich Altenkirch
Mosel, Riesling 2017, Red Slate, Dr Loosen
Mosel, Riesling 2017, in der Sangerei, AJ Adam
Rheinhessen, Riesling Spätlese 2017, Guntrum Oppenheim Herrenberg, Louis Guntrum
Rheingau, Riesling Kabinett 2018, Victoriaberg, Flick
Mosel, Riesling 2008, S A Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Kabinett, S A Prüm
Mosel, Riesling Spätlese 2014, Berncasteler Doctor, Dr. H. Thanisch Erben Müller-Burggraef

Best On Trade Wines

Pfalz, Pinot Noir 2017, Petri Pinot Noir, Petri
Nahe, Riesling 2016, Queen of Whites Riesling, Tesch
Mosel, Riesling 2017, Markus Molitor Haus Klosterberg, Markus Molitor

Best Multiple Retailer/Online Retailer Wines

Pfalz, Pinot Blanc 2016, Pinot Blanc vom Löss, Reh Kendermann
Rheinhessen, Pinot Noir 2017, Taste the Difference Pinot Noir Qualitätswein Rheinhessen, Weinkellerei Klostor
Mosel, Riesling 2018, Peter & Ulrich Dry Riesling, Heinrichshof
Rheinhessen, Riesling 2017, 50 degrees Riesling Trocken, JWG Johannisberger Weinvertrieb KG

Best Unrepresented Wines

Mosel, Pinot Gris 2017, Grauburgunder, Stephan Steinmetz
Franken, Silvaner 2017, Würzburger Riesling, Bürgerspital
Pfalz, Gewürztraminer 2018, Gewürztraminer Spätlese, Gebrüder Anselmann GmbH
Rheinhessen, Silvaner 2017, Reis & Luff Orangewine, Reis & Luff
Baden, Pinot Noir 2015, Spätburgunder Aus Dem Kessel, Weingut Freiherr von Gleichenstein
Mosel, Riesling 2016, Ober dem Kokusloch, Cowell
Mosel, Riesling 2017, Brauneberger Juffer Goldkapsel Riesling, Martin Conrad
Pfalz, Riesling 2018, Riesling Buntsandstein, Kirchner GdbR
Rheinhessen, Riesling 2017, Riesling Straight, Kraemer
Nahe, Riesling 2017, Burg Layen Riesling, Schlossgut Diel KG
Pfalz, Riesling 2018, Exklusiv Riesling, Deutsches Weintor eG
Mosel, Riesling 2017, Riesling “Primus”, P.Stettler & Söhne
Rheinhessen, Riesling 2017, Roter Hang Riesling, Wedekind
Mosel, Riesling 2017, Royal Riesling Herb, Trossen GbR
Mosel, Riesling 2017, Merler Stephansberg Riesling Spätlese, Albert Kallfelz
Mosel, Riesling 2017, Kaseler Dominikanerberg Riesling Kabinett, Dominikaner
Baden, Silvaner, Winklerberg Silvaner Sekt, Kaiserstühler Winzergenossenschaft Ihringen eG
Rheingau, Riesling 2012, Eser Cabinet Riesling Sekt, Johannishof
Mosel, Riesling 2014, Ludovico Riesling Sekt, Dominikaner

Germany’s Coolest Wines

Rheingau, Riesling Dry 2015, Bibo Runge
Rheingau, Riesling Kabinett 2018, Victoriaberg, Flick
Mosel, Riesling 2018, Peter & Ulrich Dry Riesling, Heinrichshof
Pfalz, Riesling 2018, Riesling Buntsandstein, Kirchner GdbR
Rheinhessen, Riesling 2017, Riesling Straight, Kraemer