A Rhine wine is any wine produced along the Rhine River, which runs through Germany and Alsace, France. The wines of the Rhine valley are often medium dry white wines, which has led to the term “Rhine wine” being used for white blends and Rhine-inspired wine.

Several wine regions are located along the Rhine River, including [Alsace](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/guide-to-the-alsace-wine-region-in-france) in northern France and Nahe, Rheinhessen, Mosel (formerly Mosel-Saar-Ruwer), Pfalz, and Baden, in [Germany](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/a-guide-to-german-wine). The name "Rhine Wine," however, is unregulated, and it does not necessarily imply a geographic location. Rhine wines may be made with a blend of white grapes—perhaps inspired by Liebfraumilch, a mild and sweet white wine that was once Germany's top export wine.

The wines of the Rhine valley vary immensely in taste. In Germany, designations for different styles of wine include Kabinett and Auslese. Wines designated as Kabinett are the lightest and least sweet of the German wines that follow the VDP (Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter) system. Auslese wines are sweet and high in alcohol, often made with grapes affected by noble rot. Inexpensive Rhine-inspired blends might advertise green apple flavor and sweetness. 

There are many grapes grown near the Rhine River (including red wine grapes), but these are some of the best known.

1. __Riesling__: [Riesling](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/learn-about-riesling-grapes-wine-history-and-region) is perhaps the most famous grape grown in the Rhine River Valley. It's reputation was built on a sweet white wine, but it can also be used to make a dry wine.
2. __Müller-Thurgau__: A cross between Riesling and reliable Silvaner, this early-ripening German variety has notes of peach.
3. __Gewürztraminer__: One of the most popular Alsace grapes, Gewürztraminer produces full-bodied, intensely aromatic white wines.
4. __Pinot Gris__: Although it originated in Burgundy, [Pinot Gris](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/pinot-gris-wine-guide) is most popular in Alsace, where it's used to make rich, dry wines.
Want to learn more about the culinary arts? The [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com/) provides exclusive video lessons from master chefs and wine critics, including James Suckling, Lynnette Marrero, Ryan Chetiyawardana, Gabriela Cámara, Gordon Ramsay, Massimo Bottura, and more. 

The Rhine River forms the backbone of Germany's wine-growing regions, which are home to some of the most distinctive white wines in the world. 


The Rhine River forms the backbone of Germany's wine-growing regions, which are home to some of the most distinctive white wines in the world. 


Rhine Wine Guide: Discover the Wines of the Rhine River Valley

A Rhine wine is any wine produced along the Rhine River, which runs through Germany and Alsace, France. The wines of the Rhine valley are often medium dry white wines, which has led to the term “Rhine wine” being used for white blends and Rhine-inspired wine.

What Is Rhine Wine?

Several wine regions are located along the Rhine River, including <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/guide-to-the-alsace-wine-region-in-france' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/guide-to-the-alsace-wine-region-in-france","linkCopy":"Alsace","category":null}'>Alsace</a> in northern France and Nahe, Rheinhessen, Mosel (formerly Mosel-Saar-Ruwer), Pfalz, and Baden, in <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/a-guide-to-german-wine' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/a-guide-to-german-wine","linkCopy":"Germany","category":null}'>Germany</a>. The name &quot;Rhine Wine,&quot; however, is unregulated, and it does not necessarily imply a geographic location. Rhine wines may be made with a blend of white grapes—perhaps inspired by Liebfraumilch, a mild and sweet white wine that was once Germany&#39;s top export wine.

Where Does Rhine Wine Come From?

The wines of the Rhine valley vary immensely in taste. In Germany, designations for different styles of wine include Kabinett and Auslese. Wines designated as Kabinett are the lightest and least sweet of the German wines that follow the VDP (Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter) system. Auslese wines are sweet and high in alcohol, often made with grapes affected by noble rot. Inexpensive Rhine-inspired blends might advertise green apple flavor and sweetness.

What Does Rhine Wine Taste Like?

There are many grapes grown near the Rhine River (including red wine grapes), but these are some of the best known.<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Riesling: <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/learn-about-riesling-grapes-wine-history-and-region' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/learn-about-riesling-grapes-wine-history-and-region","linkCopy":"Riesling","category":null}'>Riesling</a> is perhaps the most famous grape grown in the Rhine River Valley. It&#39;s reputation was built on a sweet white wine, but it can also be used to make a dry wine. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Müller-Thurgau: A cross between Riesling and reliable Silvaner, this early-ripening German variety has notes of peach. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Gewürztraminer: One of the most popular Alsace grapes, Gewürztraminer produces full-bodied, intensely aromatic white wines. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Pinot Gris: Although it originated in Burgundy, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/pinot-gris-wine-guide' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/pinot-gris-wine-guide","linkCopy":"Pinot Gris","category":null}'>Pinot Gris</a> is most popular in Alsace, where it&#39;s used to make rich, dry wines. </li></ol>

4 Types of Grapes Used to Make Rhine Wine

Want to learn more about the culinary arts? The <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/","linkCopy":"MasterClass Annual Membership","category":null}'>MasterClass Annual Membership</a> provides exclusive video lessons from master chefs and wine critics, including James Suckling, Lynnette Marrero, Ryan Chetiyawardana, Gabriela Cámara, Gordon Ramsay, Massimo Bottura, and more.

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The Rhine River forms the backbone of Germany&#39;s wine-growing regions, which are home to some of the most distinctive white wines in the world.