Vintage 2022 - GermanWineEstates - The Site for German Wine Lovers

The 2022 vintage in Germany was defined by extreme weather conditions that produced a challenging but ultimately successful harvest. The year began with a mild winter followed by spring frosts in some regions, then an exceptionally hot, dry summer with record-breaking temperatures and drought conditions across most of Germany. August brought some relief with beneficial rainfall, but September and early October were again warm and dry, allowing for an extended harvest under mostly favorable conditions. The extreme heat and drought significantly reduced yields—down 20-40% in most regions—and concentrated flavors dramatically. The resulting wines show high ripeness levels, rich fruit character, and moderate to low acidity in many cases. Alcohol levels are elevated, often rivaling or exceeding the warm 2018 vintage. Quality is generally very good to excellent, though the vintage favors rich, powerful styles over classic elegance. Drought-resistant grape varieties and older vines with deep root systems performed best.

1. Ahr

The Ahr Valley continued its recovery from the devastating 2021 floods while facing the extreme heat and drought of 2022. Many estates were still rebuilding infrastructure and had limited production capacity. For those able to harvest, conditions were challenging but favorable for red wine production. The exceptional warmth benefited Spätburgunder, which achieved excellent ripeness with concentrated flavors. However, drought stress affected yields significantly, particularly in younger vineyards and those with damaged root systems from the floods. Older vines with established root systems produced small quantities of high-quality, concentrated fruit. The wines show ripe dark fruit character, fuller body, and moderate acidity. Some producers made their best wines since before the flood, though volumes remained severely limited. The vintage represents an important step in the region's ongoing recovery, demonstrating that quality wine production can resume despite the challenges.

2. Mittelrhein (Middle Rhine)

The Mittelrhein's steep slate slopes experienced extreme heat and drought in 2022, with the Rhine River reaching historically low water levels by autumn. The slate soils retained heat during the scorching summer, pushing ripeness levels unusually high for this typically cool-climate region. Yields were significantly reduced due to water stress, with some vineyards down 40-50%. The Rieslings show atypical richness and power for the Mittelrhein, with ripe stone fruit and tropical notes rather than the usual crisp, mineral character. Alcohol levels are elevated, often 12.5-13.5% or higher for dry wines. Acidity is moderate rather than racy. Some producers embraced the ripe style, while others found the wines lacking the region's traditional tension and elegance. The vintage demonstrates how extreme heat can transform regional character. Quality is good but stylistically different from classic Mittelrhein.

3. Mosel

The Mosel experienced one of its warmest, driest vintages on record in 2022. The region, famous for delicate, low-alcohol Rieslings, produced wines of unusual power and concentration. Drought conditions were severe, with the Mosel River at very low levels and vines showing significant water stress. Yields were reduced 30-40% across the region. The slate soils amplified heat, accelerating ripening. Harvest began unusually early, in some cases by late August. The resulting Rieslings show ripe peach, apricot, and tropical fruit rather than the typical citrus and green apple. Alcohol levels are high for the Mosel—dry wines often reaching 12.5-13% or more. Acidity is moderate, and some wines lack the characteristic tension and minerality. However, old vines with deep roots produced remarkably concentrated wines with better balance. The vintage favors off-dry and Prädikat styles over bone-dry wines. Top producers made impressive Spätlese and Auslese with concentrated fruit and sufficient acidity for balance. The 2022s are powerful, opulent Mosels that divide opinion—some celebrate the richness while others miss the classic elegance.

4. Nahe

The Nahe's diverse soils responded differently to the 2022 drought conditions. Volcanic and deep slate soils with better water retention produced more balanced wines, while shallow soils and younger vines struggled with water stress. Yields were down 25-40% depending on site and soil type. The Rieslings show ripe stone fruit, herbal complexity, and full body. Alcohol levels are elevated, typically 13-14% for dry wines. The best wines come from old vines that could access deep water reserves, producing concentrated yet balanced Rieslings with the Nahe's characteristic complexity. Volcanic sites around Bad Kreuznach yielded particularly powerful wines with spicy, mineral notes. Some wines lack acidity for long aging, but the best show impressive concentration and structure. Weissburgunder and Grauburgunder performed well, producing rich, textured wines. The vintage emphasizes power and ripeness, rewarding producers with old vines and well-established vineyards.

5. Rheingau

The prestigious Rheingau produced powerful, concentrated wines in 2022 but faced significant drought stress. The region's proximity to the Rhine provided some moderating influence, though the river reached record low levels. Yields were reduced 30-40% across most estates. The Rieslings show exceptional ripeness and concentration, with ripe stone fruit, honey notes, and full body. Alcohol levels are high, often 13.5-14.5% for dry wines from top sites like Berg Schlossberg, Steinberg, and Schloss Johannisberg. Acidity is moderate, and the wines emphasize power over classic Rheingau elegance. Old vines in grand cru sites performed best, producing concentrated wines with structure and complexity. Some producers compare the vintage to 2003 or 2018 for ripeness levels. The wines are impressive but require careful winemaking to maintain balance. Spätburgunder achieved excellent ripeness, producing rich, full-bodied reds. The vintage favors rich, powerful styles and may challenge perceptions of classic Rheingau character.

6. Rheinhessen

Germany's largest wine region experienced severe drought in 2022, with some areas receiving minimal rainfall from June through September. Yields were substantially reduced, often by 30-50%, making it one of the smallest harvests in recent years. The extreme conditions sorted vineyards by root depth and soil water retention. Old vines and deep soils around Nierstein, Nackenheim, and on the Roter Hang produced concentrated, powerful wines. The limestone terraces' ability to retain moisture proved valuable. Rieslings show ripe fruit, full body, and elevated alcohol—often 13-14% for dry wines. The red limestone (Roter Hang) sites produced particularly impressive wines with concentration and mineral complexity. Younger vines and shallow soils struggled, with some vineyards shutting down entirely during the heat. Silvaner, Weissburgunder, and Spätburgunder all achieved high ripeness levels. The vintage rewards established vineyards and old vines, producing wines of power and concentration. Quality is very good from top producers but variable across the large region.

7. Pfalz (Palatinate)

The Pfalz, already Germany's warmest major region, experienced extreme conditions in 2022. Temperatures exceeded 40°C (104°F) on multiple occasions, and drought was severe. Yields were dramatically reduced, with many estates reporting losses of 40-60%. The Rieslings show exceptional ripeness and concentration, with tropical fruit notes, full body, and high alcohol—often 13.5-14.5% or higher for dry wines from top sites. The sandstone and limestone soils of the Mittelhaardt performed relatively well due to better water retention. Sites in Forst, Deidesheim, and Wachenheim produced powerful, concentrated wines with structure and complexity. Some wines approach the ripeness levels typically associated with warmer climates further south. Spätburgunder achieved excellent ripeness, producing rich, full-bodied reds with ripe tannins. Mediterranean varieties like Gewürztraminer thrived. The vintage emphasizes power and opulence, producing wines that showcase the Pfalz's warm-climate potential but may lack refreshment. Quality is excellent from top producers, though stylistically very different from cooler vintages.

8. Hessische Bergstrasse

Germany's smallest wine region experienced similar drought and heat to neighboring areas in 2022. The region's protected microclimate and granite/sandstone soils helped somewhat, but yields were still significantly reduced. Riesling achieved high ripeness levels with concentrated fruit and moderate acidity. Production was limited, with most wines consumed locally as usual. The extreme conditions favored established vineyards with deeper-rooted vines. Grauburgunder and Spätburgunder produced ripe, full-bodied wines. The vintage represents one of the warmest and driest in the region's recent history, producing powerful wines that emphasize concentration over the typical elegance and freshness.

9. Franken (Franconia)

Franken experienced brutal drought in 2022, with some areas receiving almost no rain from June through September. The region's continental climate amplified the heat extremes. Yields were catastrophically low in many vineyards—down 50-70% or more—making it one of the smallest Franconian harvests on record. The shell limestone (Muschelkalk) soils, while excellent for minerality, retained little moisture during the drought. Many vines, especially younger plantings, suffered severe stress or shut down completely. However, old Silvaner vines with deep root systems produced tiny quantities of extraordinarily concentrated wine. The best Silvaners show intense concentration, ripe fruit, earthy complexity, and full body—alcohol levels of 14% or higher are not uncommon. The wines are powerful and structured but often lack the refreshing acidity typical of Franken. Some producers made their most concentrated Silvaners ever; others struggled with the conditions. Riesling and Spätburgunder also achieved high ripeness. The vintage is impressive for concentration but atypical for Franken's style, and the severely reduced quantities created economic hardship for many producers.

10. Württemberg

Württemberg's red wine region faced extreme heat and drought in 2022, conditions that were both beneficial and challenging for its signature varieties. The heat allowed Trollinger, Lemberger, and Spätburgunder to achieve excellent ripeness, producing wines with concentrated dark fruit, ripe tannins, and full body. However, drought stress reduced yields dramatically—often by 40-60%—and some vineyards struggled with sunburned grapes and leaf scorch during the most extreme heat waves. Old vines and deep Keuper soils performed best, producing small quantities of intensely concentrated wine. Lemberger achieved exceptional ripeness, producing powerful, age-worthy reds with structure and complexity. Spätburgunder showed ripe, opulent character. The vintage favors rich, full-bodied styles. Riesling also achieved high ripeness with earthy-fruity character. The extremely low yields created financial stress for many producers despite good quality. The wines are impressive but represent an extreme expression of Württemberg's varieties.

11. Baden

Baden, Germany's southernmost region, experienced conditions in 2022 that were extreme even by its warm-climate standards. Temperatures regularly exceeded 38-40°C (100-104°F), and drought was severe across the region's long expanse. Yields were reduced 30-50% or more depending on location and soil depth. The volcanic Kaiserstuhl soils retained some moisture, but even there, vines showed significant stress. Spätburgunder achieved very high ripeness levels, producing powerful, concentrated reds with ripe tannins and full body—alcohol levels of 14-15% are common. Some producers embraced the ripe style, while others found the wines lacking freshness and elegance. Old vines with deep roots on the Kaiserstuhl produced the best wines, showing concentration with some balance. Weissburgunder, Grauburgunder, and Chardonnay all produced rich, full-bodied whites with ripe fruit and moderate acidity. The vintage demonstrates Baden's warm-climate character but pushes boundaries in terms of ripeness and alcohol. Quality is good to excellent from top producers, though the wines are powerful and may not appeal to those preferring classic elegance.

12. Saale-Unstrut

The northernmost German wine region experienced unusual conditions in 2022, with the typically continental climate bringing extreme summer heat and drought. For once, ripening was not a challenge in this marginal climate region—in fact, the heat brought unprecedented ripeness levels. Yields were reduced due to drought stress, particularly in younger vineyards. Weissburgunder, Müller-Thurgau, and other varieties achieved full ripeness with concentrated flavors and moderate acidity. The limestone and sandstone soils contributed mineral character. The resulting wines are atypically ripe and powerful for Saale-Unstrut, with higher alcohol levels than usual. Some producers made their most concentrated wines in recent memory. However, the extreme conditions stressed vines adapted to cooler conditions, and concerns about long-term vineyard health emerged. The vintage produced good quality wines with unusual power for the region, though stylistically different from typical Saale-Unstrut character.

13. Sachsen (Saxony)

Saxony experienced similar unusual warmth and drought in 2022. The Elbe River valley, typically one of Germany's cooler regions, saw unprecedented heat during the summer months. The river itself reached very low levels. For this marginal climate region, the warmth initially seemed beneficial, allowing full ripeness that can be challenging to achieve. However, drought stress affected yields significantly, with many vineyards down 40-50%. Riesling, Weissburgunder, and Grauburgunder all achieved high ripeness with concentrated fruit character. The granite soils contributed mineral complexity. The resulting wines show much higher alcohol and riper fruit than typical for Saxony—dry wines often reaching 13-13.5% alcohol rather than the usual 11-12%. While the concentration is impressive, some wines lack the freshness and delicacy that characterize the region's style. Production was very limited due to reduced yields. The vintage demonstrates how extreme heat affects even the coolest German wine regions.

Overall Assessment: 2022 was an extreme vintage across Germany, characterized by intense heat, severe drought, and dramatically reduced yields. The resulting wines show exceptional concentration, high ripeness levels, and elevated alcohol—often rivaling or exceeding the hot 2018 vintage. Quality is generally very good to excellent, particularly from estates with old vines and deep soils that could access moisture during the drought. However, the vintage emphasizes power, richness, and concentration over classic German elegance and refreshing acidity. The wines represent an extreme expression of their regions' potential in warm conditions. Climate adaptability became clearly visible: old vines, deep soils, and drought-resistant varieties (especially Silvaner and Spätburgunder) performed best, while younger vines and shallow soils struggled. The vintage raises important questions about climate change impacts on German wine regions and the sustainability of traditional styles. For consumers, the 2022s offer impressive concentration and power but may lack the balance and aging potential of cooler vintages. The severely reduced yields created economic challenges for many producers despite good quality.