When we left off at this time last year, VDP growers across Germany were still reeling from a bitter cold snap that had arrived just prior to the annual Mainzer Weinbörse. Germany’s most important annual trade fair for VDP wines, transformed, in essence, into an informal damage-assessment centre as reports rolled in of the devastating ‘advective’ frost...
Beyond the frost line – Germany's 2024 VDP wines
Wednesday 18 June 2025
• 6 min read
Part one of a two-part review of this memorable vintage. Today, the Nahe, Franken, the Mosel, Saale-Unstrut, Sachsen and the Ahr. Come back tomorrow for part two. Above, the main hall at this year's Mainzer Weinbörse 2025 (© VDP by Peter Bender).
Become a member or log in to continue reading
Go for gold with your wine knowledge.
The world just came together in Italy – and there’s never been a better time to explore its wines and beyond.
For a limited time, get 20% off all annual memberships by entering promo code GOLD2026 at checkout. Offer ends 12 March. Valid for new members only.
Member
$135
/year
Ideal for wine enthusiasts
- Access 290,246 wine reviews & 15,942 articles
- Access The Oxford Companion to Wine & The World Atlas of Wine
Inner Circle
$249
/year
Ideal for collectors
- Access 290,246 wine reviews & 15,942 articles
- Access The Oxford Companion to Wine & The World Atlas of Wine
- Early access to the latest wine reviews & articles, 48 hours in advance
Professional
$299
/year
For individual wine professionals
- Access 290,246 wine reviews & 15,942 articles
- Access The Oxford Companion to Wine & The World Atlas of Wine
- Early access to the latest wine reviews & articles, 48 hours in advance
- Commercial use of up to 25 wine reviews & scores for marketing
Business
$399
/year
For companies in the wine trade
- Access 290,246 wine reviews & 15,942 articles
- Access The Oxford Companion to Wine & The World Atlas of Wine
- Early access to the latest wine reviews & articles, 48 hours in advance
- Commercial use of up to 250 wine reviews & scores for marketing
More Tasting articles
Tasting articles
A focus on single-village, single-vineyard and single-variety Rioja. Above, Juan Carlos Sancha and his mule working the Cerro la Isa...
Tasting articles
Picking out value and genuine interest in California wine. See Zinfandel - the beauty of age. Above, an old Zinfandel...
Tasting articles
Thirty-seven wines that argue the case for investment in Santorini’s precious and threatened vineyards. Above, Matthew Argyros among his precious...
Tasting articles
A flurry of wines to chase the winter blues away. Above, Ina and Heiko Bamberger, makers of one such wine...
More from JancisRobinson.com
Nick on restaurants
A gem for wine lovers in London’s Soho. Just part of its giant wine list (temporarily stolen) is shown above...
Wine news in 5
Also news on Germany’s Henkell group buying out legendary Cava company Freixenet (pictured above) and lawsuits on France’s copper fungicide...
Free for all
If you’re looking for character, individuality and real significance, go Zin, from vines planted in another era of American history...
Inside information
Ferran finds Rioja as vibrant as it has ever been over its hundred-year existence as Spain’s preeminent wine region. In...
Wines of the week
A sparkling wine from Spain that dances on the tongue with vim and delicacy. And it sells for as little...
Mission Blind Tasting
How to evaluate everything you feel and taste in a sip of wine. Last week’s MBT article focused on evaluating...
Inside information
The race to revive Santorini’s vineyards – and the challenges its winemakers are up against – in a time of...
Book reviews
The enduring power of truly great writing. The New France A complete guide to contemporary French wine Andrew Jefford Published...