Baden is the third largest wine region in Germany, located in the lower Rhine, across the river from the Black Forest, across the river from the Alsace appellation in France. It is the southernmost region in Germany, with extremely long sunshine hours and the warmest area in Germany, so it is often referred to as the Provence of Germany.
The Baden appellation has a long history of viticulture. After the Ice Age, wild grapes began to grow in the region. In the 2nd century AD, viticulture began to spread from Lake Constance to the north and reached its peak in the 16th century. The wines of the time were "bright, strong and very good for health...", with an annual per capita consumption of about 140 litres and transported by boat to the lower Rhine. Today, the per capita consumption of wine in Germany is 32 bottles per year, while the per capita consumption of 53 bottles in baden is the highest per capita consumption in the whole of Germany, which shows how enthusiastic people in the region are.
Stretching more than 400 kilometres from south to north, the Baden appellation is the longest wine region in Germany and has a diverse soil of gravel, limestone, clay, volcanic rock and mesocarp lime, which gives the region's wines a rich and varied flavour profile.
Overall, the appellation is sunny and has a warm climate. However, due to the vast territory, some of the climates are different and more changeable. The most well-known appellation in Baden is the Kaiserstuhl district north of the city of Freiburg. The environment here is very special, it is an extinct volcanic area, covered with volcanic ash containing many minerals, and the climate is also particularly warm, which is most suitable for the growth of Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris.
Due to the climate, the region is more suitable for the growth of red grapes, with 55% of the vineyards grown with grapes of the same family as Burgunder, including Spatburgunder, Grauburgunde and Weissburgunder, with Spatburgunder alone accounting for 26%. As for the white grape variety Riesling, it accounts for only 8%. Muller-Thurgau cultivation has declined significantly in recent years and has gradually been replaced by Spatburgunder. Gutedel grows more than 97% of the entire german population, making it the only and veritable Gutedel region in Germany.