Like many other wine countries in 2024, Germany has struggled against the forces of the weather. The overall harvest volume was not much lower than normal as the large regions of Rheinhessen, Palatinate and Baden managed to produce good volumes, but in some of the smaller regions the volume loss was severe. Saxony lost 70%, Saale-Unstrut 73%, Ahr 64% and Mosel 30%. Germany’s total volume in 2024 of 7.9 million hl is 10% lower than the 10-year average.
The regional differences in yield were mainly due to late frosts in April which in some places severely damaged the young buds. The April frost has also left its mark on the slopes along the Rhine and Nahe rivers as well as in large parts of Franconia and Württemberg. Here, the reductions in harvest volumes range from 19% in Franconia to 25% in Württemberg. The Mosel was hit by large hailstorms in May. Here, the harvest is expected to be the smallest in 50 years.
Despite the difficulties, overall grape quality has been excellent, says the Deutsches Weininstitut.
Read more: winesofgermany
