German Wine Exports Climb 3% to 1.2 Million Hectoliters as Global White Wine Demand Surges

German wine producers increased their exports last year, with the total volume rising by three percent to 1.2 million hectoliters, according to figures released Monday by the German Wine Institute (DWI) in Bodenheim, Rhineland-Palatinate. The DWI attributed this growth to a global trend toward higher white wine consumption. Monika Reule, managing director of the DWI, said that Germany, as a traditional white wine country, is well positioned to benefit from this development. White grape varieties now account for 69 percent of German vineyards.

Despite the increase in volume, the value of German wine exports remained steady at 384 million euros. The average price per liter received by producers abroad fell by eleven cents to 3.24 euros, due to the higher export volume. The DWI noted that this is the producer price; additional charges such as taxes are added in export markets.

The United States remains the most important export market for German wines, accounting for one-sixth of total export revenues. The DWI warned about the possible reintroduction of suspended punitive tariffs on EU wines. When these tariffs were first imposed in October 2019 during President Donald Trump’s administration, German wine export revenues dropped by 20 percent.

The Netherlands became Germany’s second-largest wine export market last year, overtaking Norway. Poland also showed strong growth, with exports there rising by 14 percent. Exports to China increased even more sharply, with demand focused on lightly sweet Riesling wines.

In a separate development, the German Winegrowers’ Association (DWV) issued a statement on Monday regarding proposed changes to national wine regulations. The DWV welcomed improvements made in the second draft of the new regulation but called for further adjustments to ensure practical and legally secure implementation.

One key issue is the deadline for mandatory record-keeping in the so-called “Herbstbuch,” a logbook documenting harvest activities. The DWV supports keeping the current deadline of January 15 rather than moving it up to November 15, arguing that many producers would be disadvantaged by an earlier cutoff.

The association also raised concerns about new wording related to vineyard location documentation, warning that changes could create confusion or alter established practices regarding how origin is recorded.

Regarding quality designations such as “Classic” and “Crémant,” the DWV expressed caution about transferring regulatory responsibilities to producer associations under new European rules. The group called for a transition period lasting at least until the 2028 harvest to allow time for adaptation without undue pressure.

The DWV also addressed changes involving prestigious private quality labels like “Erstes Gewächs” and “Großes Gewächs.” The association supports transferring responsibility for these terms to private organizations such as the VDP (Association of German Prädikat Wine Estates), provided that regional producer interests remain protected and that any regulatory changes require approval only for significant modifications.

The DWV thanked government officials for their willingness to engage with industry representatives and encouraged continued dialogue as regulatory reforms move forward. The association represents German winegrowers at both national and international levels and works to protect and promote their professional interests.