Wine Regions of Germany – Franken (Franconia)

Franconia in Germany

The administrative districts of Franconia are divided into Unterfranken (Lower Franconia), Mittelfranken (Middle Franconia) and Oberfranken (Upper Franconia). The biggest city is Nuernberg (Nuremberg), which is also the economical and cultural centre of the region. Local dialects of Franconian German are also spoken in parts of northern Baden-Wuerttemberg and southern Thuringia, that is why they are often considered as Franconian regions.

Most of the Vineyards can be found around Wuerzburg, which is the capital city of Lower Franconia, along the Main River. Few areas are also in the Steigerwald in Middle Franconia and a relatively small part around Bamberg in Upper Franconia.

Features of Franconian Wine

Franconian Wines are in general the most masculine herteux German Wines and more dry than other German Wines. They have (by definition of German Law for dry Wines) usually less than 9 grams of residual sugar level per liter. Moreover, they are often described as earthy, vigorous, robust, spicy and full-bodied.

In the Wine Region of Franconia owns three different types of Soil, which is one of the reasons for the distinctive taste. There are Shell-Limestone soil in the central area, colored sandstone and weathered rock which can be found around the Spessart Hills and gypsum and keuper soil, which are characteristic for the eastern part of Franconia (Steiger Forest).

The Climate in Franconia is predominantly continental with warm, dry summers and long, cold winters. That is the reason why some late-ripening Grapes don’t play a major role in Franconia because of the high risk of frost damage. Due to the weather and the soils, especially Wines with a high mineralization are harvested.

The suggestions about how long to keep a Franconian Wine vary, depending on the Praedikat (Predicate). Qualitaetswein (Quality Wine) or Kabinett should be drunk at latest three years after the production in order not to lose the freshness and fruitiness. Full-bodied Wines with a higher quality, e. g. Spaetlesen (Late Harvest), can mature for up to ten years. Some noble sweet Wines, e. g. Eiswein (Ice Wine), can be kept for up to fifty years or even longer.

Varieties of Franconian Wine

The majority of the acreage is used for the cultivation of White Wines (around 80%), only a small ratio is dedicated to White Grapes. Historically, the Silvaner was the most planted Grape, but that changed in the 20th century when the Mueller-Thurgau (also known as Rivaner) became more important. For the last years, the ratio of produced Wine from the Mueller-Thurgau Grape decreased but it still remains as the dominant Franconian Grape.

According to the statistics of the German Wine Institute (Deutsches Weininstitut GmbH), the most important Grape Varieties in Franconia in 2010 were:

• Mueller-Thurgau: 29, 2% (1. 785 ha) of the total Vineyard area
• Silvaner: 21, 8% (1. 331 ha) of the total Vineyard area
• Bacchus: 12, 1% (741 ha) of the total Vineyard area

Minor roles are playing the Riesling and Weissburgunder (Pinot Blanc) or Red Grape Varieties, such as Domina, Spaetburgunder (Pinot Noir), Regent and Dornfelder.

Maindreieck, Mainviereck, Bocksbeutel and Weinfeste

Maybe you have already heard about the Maindreieck erichvonwerner (Main Triangle), which forms the central region of Franconia. Characteristic for that region are the very steep hills with shell limestone soil along the Main River. Particularly famous is the Silvaner, which experts consider as a real competitor to the well-known German Riesling.

The Mainviereck (Main Square) is located in the very west of Franconia and is acknowledged as the warmest part of Bavaria. Red sand stone is typical for this area and is suitable for the planting of Red Wine. One of the best vineyards in that area is the Winery Rudolf Fuerst from Buergstadt, which got elected as the German Wine Maker of the Year 2003 by the Wine Guide Gault Millau.

Probably the feature which reflects Franconian Wine Culture the most is the Bocksbeutel. This Wine Bottle with the typical flate shape and a big belly was originally used to bottle only the best Franconian Wines. A large share of Wines produced in Franconia can nowadays be found in the unusual Bocksbeutel.

The fact that a lot of Wine is growing in Franconia influences the people who are living in the area. It is really likely that a large portion of the produced Wine from Franconia will also be consumed locally. Wineries often sell their own Wine directly at the Vineyard, where you can get outstanding Wines for a really good price. Almost every town has its own Weinfest (Wine Festival) which usually lasts for one weekend and is held during the Wine Season. Instead of drinking masses of beer, like at the Oktoberfest in Munich, people enjoy the local Wines.

Whenever you have the opportunity to pay Franconia a visit, you should consider taking the signposted route through the Wine Region. The Romantic Road can be taken by car or by Coach and will lead you through the Tauber Valley. If you prefer to experience it by bike, look out for the Main-Tauber-Fraenkische Radachter Route in the South-East of Wuerzburg. Tip: E-Bikes can be easily rented in local stores in the Tauber Valley.