Silvaner ★ 4.9
Franken's identity grape at roughly a quarter of the vineyard area, first documented here on 6 April 1659 at Castell. Bone-dry and mineral, it is the grape most associated with the Bocksbeutel bottle.
The grapes that define Franken: the canonical varietals and how the region expresses them.
Canonical grapes of Franken
Riesling ★ 4.6
Franken's second white grape after Silvaner, grown on Muschelkalk and Keuper soils. More mineral than aromatic here, it defines top Grosse Lage sites like the Wuerzburger Stein and Escherndorfer Lump.
Mueller-Thurgau ★ 4.0
A Riesling-descended crossing bred by Hermann Mueller from Thurgau, still one of Franken's most planted whites. It produces soft, early-drinking wines that fill out estate ranges alongside Silvaner.
Bacchus ★ 4.1
A Silvaner times Riesling times Mueller-Thurgau crossing bred at Geilweilerhof in 1933. Franken carried 742 of Germany's Bacchus hectares in 2015, an aromatic white now yielding some ground to Chardonnay.
Spaetburgunder (Pinot Noir) ★ 4.8
Pinot Noir on red Buntsandstein sandstone is Mainviereck's specialty, centred on Buergstadt, where local red wine was first recorded in 1612, and the terraced Klingenberg Schlossberg.
Domina ★ 3.9
A Blauer Portugieser times Spaetburgunder crossing bred at Geilweilerhof in 1927. Franken held 331 of Germany's 380 Domina hectares in 2015, a deep-coloured red used to add weight to Franconian blends.
Rieslaner ★ 4.3
A Silvaner times Riesling crossing bred in 1921 at the Bavarian viticultural institute in Veitshoechheim, just outside Wuerzburg. Franken remains its main home, usually bottled as late-harvest Spaetlese or Auslese.
Scheurebe ★ 4.2
A Riesling times Bukettraube crossing bred by Georg Scheu in 1916 at Alzey, especially widespread in Franken from Kabinett quality upward. Its blackcurrant-leaf aromatics stand out against the drier Silvaner mainstream.
Signature Grapes in Franken, FAQ
When is the best time to visit Franken for wine?
Peak wine-travel season in Franken is spring through autumn, with harvest the standout window.
Do I need an appointment to taste at Franken estates?
classified-growth and grand-cru estates require booking days to weeks ahead; smaller family domaines often take walk-ins midweek.
What hours do Franken cellars and tasting rooms keep?
most estates open 10:00 to 17:00 by appointment, often closed Sunday and Monday.
How does tipping work at Franken tastings?
tipping is not expected at tastings; buying a bottle from the cellar door is the customary thank-you.
What is the one wine to try in Franken?
Ask the next local you meet what they would order. Franken rewards trust.