Germany

German wine is so much more than just sweet "Blue Nun" nostalgia—it’s a high-voltage, acid-driven joyride through some of the steepest, most dramatic vineyards on Earth! While the world bows down to the Riesling king—which can dance from bone-dry and petrol-snappy to lusciously sweet and honeyed—the German wine scene is actually a brilliant mosaic of cool-climate heroes.

From the slate-sloped, mineral-drenched valleys of the Mosel to the sunny, "Tuscany of Germany" vibes in the Pfalz, you’ll find zingy Weissburgunder (Pinot Blanc), nutty Grauburgunder (Pinot Gris), and the elegantly floral Silvaner. And don't let the white wines hog the spotlight; Germany is secretly a red wine powerhouse, with Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir) from regions like the Ahr or Baden offering a silky, earthy sophistication that gives Burgundy a serious run for its money.