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WAY OF LIFE
TOPIC
LEISURELY ENJOYMENT
Since the beginning of the millennium,
countries, one of the medium-sized wine-pro-
German wine has seen a veritable renais-
ducing nations; in 2014 production stood at
sance internationally, which has much to
9.5 million hectolitres. Organic wine has a
do with the term “Riesling miracle” and is
market share of between four and five percent.
to a large extent embodied by a young gen-
The German wine growing areas are some of
eration of vintners who focus more on high
the most northerly in the world. Apart from
quality than high profits. The long growing
Saxony and Saale-Unstrut they are primarily
season and comparatively low summer heat
located in the south and southwest of the
ensure German wines are refined and do
country. The three biggest growing areas are
not have a high alcohol content.
Rhinehessen, the Palatinate, and Baden. Almost 140 types of grape are grown, whereby
German wines are grown in 13 areas in which,
some two dozen are of major significance for
across a gross area of around 102,000 hectares,
the market, primarily the white Riesling and
a large variety of wines typical of each particu-
Müller-Thurgau varieties. There is a split of
lar region are produced. Given the amount of
about 65 percent white wine and 35 percent
land used, and a grand total of about 80,000
red wine, whereby pinot noir and Dornfelder
vineyards, Germany is, compared with other
are the most important varieties of red grape.
Germany is also a beer-loving country. German beer is appreciated primarily on ac-
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282
count of what is in some cases a centuriesold brewing tradition practised by small
family and monastery breweries. The Beer
Purity Law of 1516, the world’s oldest food
restaurants in Germany, more than ever
before, were awarded one, two, or even
three Guide Michelin stars in 2015.
Eleven restaurants were include in the
top 3-star category. Germany thus
maintained its position as the European
country with the most 3-star establishments after France, the country of
gourmets.
law, applies to all German beers without ex-
→ restaurant.michelin.de
There is no clear picture for eating habits in
ception. It states that apart from water, hops,
and barley, no other ingredients may be
used. Between 5,000 and 6,000 sorts of beer
are produced in Germany, most of them are
Pilsner beers; overall, however, consumption is falling.
Germany. On the one hand, many consumers