In our spotlight series, we explore a new city monthly, diving into drinking trends, where to go for great wines, and unique products or services linked to the region. Keeping our finger on the pulse when it comes to the wider world of wine is critical for us, helping us identify areas of opportunity for our clients, our eventing arm ‘Wrapped’, and for our online product offering on Uncorked. Whether curious about the habits and happenings of a city, or looking for wine-centric areas to visit in the area, our ‘spotlight on’ series is for you.
This month, in keeping with the festive mood surrounding the office, we have turned to the centuries old German tradition of the Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas Market), one of the famous and oldest taking in place in Germany’s 3rd largest city, and Bavarian capital, Munich. Of course, a city as rich, vibrant, and old as Munich has plenty more to offer than this seasonal specialty, and the following article will guide through the centuries old wine culture rooted in this city.
OVERALL TRENDS
- Classical mixed representation of European wines (German, French, Italian).
- Focus on white wines, with 80% of wine in local areas being white grapes.
- Pairing crisp, mineral, and earthier white wines with the often saltier and heavier local cuisine.
- A long and defined wine culture dating back to the roman times.
Wines and Vines around Munich
From Franconia to Nahe.
Bavaria is best known for its beer, but, being in the south of Germany — the predominant wine-growing area of the country — Munich has a large and often overlooked host of local wines to explore. Franconia is the only wine growing region actually located within the Bavarian borders, and is home to some of the lesser explored varietals like Bacchus, Scheurebe, and Dornfelder, as well as more staple white varietals like Müller-Thurgau and Riesling. Compared to the famous slate-lined soils of the Mosel and Nahe valleys, where the wines are characterised by clean, crisp, and bright mineralities, over in Franconia the landscape is dominated by sandstone, limestone, and marl, imparting a noticeably darker, earthier tone to the wines — white or red.
Famously, the region is divided (rather haphazardly) into what is called the Franken Trias, a trinity of rough land areas defined by the 3 primary soil types, and thus are planted with the most suitable grapes.
Sandstone: perfect soil for our full-bodied, round red wines – especially Pinot Noir, Domina and Dornfelder,
Limestone: ideal for very mineral, aromatic white wines such as Silvaner (the local favourite) as well as Müller-Thurgau and Bacchus.
Marl: Also called Keuper, this soil type produces spicy white wines and excellent Rieslings.
Scarcely more than 250km west lies the majority of Germany’s wine regions, from Rheinhessen, following the Rhine down south through to the Nahe and Baden. Here splendid arrays of Riesling grown along the famously slate-dominated valleys, but also a large (and growing) cultivation of Spätburgunder (the German equivalent of Pinot Noir). These wines are the ones which have given Germany the largest critical acclaim across the globe, for example the legendary wines of Egon Müller:
Egon Müller, Scharzhof QBA Riesling, 2021
£50.00
The entry-level Riesling from the esteemed Egon Müller estate delivers beyond its modest status. With a nose of green apple and floral notes, the palate is light yet full of character, offering balanced sweetness and acidity. A great introduction to Mosel Rieslings, and a great partner with a huge variety of cuisine, especially rich duck and pork dishes, for example Schnitzel.
BAR HOPPING
Griabig
Location: Bräuhausstraße 8, 80331 München, Germany.
Vibe: Comfortable, down-to-earth, friendly.
Known for: Passionate curation of predominately German wines and international cuisine.
Sticks & Stones
Location: Clemensstraße 7, 80803 München, Germany.
Vibe: Contemporary,
Known for: A large by-the-glass focused offering,
Tantris Maison Culinaire
Location: Johann-Fichte-Straße 7, 80805 München, Germany.
Vibe: 70’s, fun yet serious, avante-garde and playful.
Known for: Experimental yet refined food, in a listed building designed by Justus Dahinden.
GRAPES
Location: Ledererstraße 8a, 80331 München, Germany.
Vibe: Down-to-earth, cosy, modern.
Known for: Huge selection of all wines right in the centre of Munich. Best Wine Bar 2025
CHRISTMAS MARKETS
The Wine & Wonder of Weihnachtsmärkte
Given the time of year, it is an irresistible proposition to discuss the world famous Christmas markets or Weihnachtsmärkte; and whilst cities and civilisations across the entire Christian world celebrate Christmas markets, there is such a distinct heritage to the ones in Germany, especially in Munich — one of the oldest recorded Christmas-specific ‘December markets’ in Europe, where Mulled Wine, Knieküchle, and snow abound.
Being a large city, there a more than one market, and in fact most plazas, squares, and larger park areas will feature one. The most famous however, the Christkindlmarkt, is located in the central in Marienplatz square,
Let’s take a seasonal stroll through the market and see what we can find:
Glühwein (Mulled Wine)
Everyone knows and loves Mulled Wine, or Glühwein (Glow wine) in German. A delicious elixir of red wine, gently warmed and infused with spices; it really is Christmas in a cup, as the heavy red fruit dances with the crisper orange, and deep earthy cloves, cinnamon, star anise, and a zippy ginger finish.
Käsespätzle
Kind of like Germany’s Mac ‘n’ Cheese, but loaded up with a generous topping of the famous Sauerkraut. The rich, comforting, creamy pasta and cheese is a perfect way to warm up as you stroll through the lights and music of the market. And of course you get to walk off all the calories.
Schneeballen (Snowballs)
Nothing says Christmas like snowballs! These tasty German cakes are simple and delicious, filled with anything you can think of, and tossed in icing sugar for that snowy finish.
Knieküchle
A fried semi-sweet pasty, akin to a donut, available with a huge array of toppings from stewed fruits, to chocolate, nuts, and even savoury options with sauerkraut or local cheeses. The name, ‘knee cook’, comes from the tradition of passing the dough over the knees, and some accounts draw to the knee-like dimples in the dough, a symbol of Christian reverence and prayer. Also called Bauernkrapfen in Austria, which translates to Farmers Donut, due to the simple ingredients and process.
