The 2025 VDP.Weinbörse in Mainz: my top picks

The VDP.Weinbörse in Mainz is a must-attend event every year for anyone passionate about Germany’s finest wines. In 2025, there were once again many exciting discoveries – and, of course, a reunion with some familiar favorites.

Vintage 2024 – A Year for Riesling Lovers!

A few words in advance about the 2024 vintage: Despite the challenges – especially late frosts and fungal diseases that led to significantly reduced yields in many regions – the VDP estates presented wines of remarkable finesse and expressiveness.

The vintage is shaping up to be a very good one for Riesling, both in dry and fruity styles. The must weights for sweet wines were lower than in previous years, resulting in only a few Auslesen. For me, the sweet spot among the Prädikat wines was clearly the Kabinett – 2024 could well be a benchmark year for this style!

Here is my personal selection of the highlights from this year’s fair.

Riesling GG:
2016 A. Christmann Konigsbacher Idig Riesling VDP.Großes Gewächs
2023 von Oetinger Erbach Marcobrunn Riesling VDP.Grosses Gewächs
2023 von Winning Forster Kirchenstück Riesling VDP.Großes Gewächs

Fruity Rieslings:
2024 Schäfer Fröhlich Riesling Felseneck Kabinett
2024 Schäfer Fröhlich Riesling Felseneck Auslese
2024 Fritz Haag Riesling Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr Kabinett
2011 Zilliken (Forstmeister Geltz) Saarburger Rausch Riesling Auslese
2024 Wwe. Dr. H. Thanisch-Erben Bernkasteler Doctor Kabinett

Rosé:
2022 Aldinger Trollinger Untertürkheimer Gips Rose VDP.Erstes Gewächs

Sparkling wines:
2018 Aldinger Sekt Brut Nature 2018
2015 Raumland XV. Triumvirat Grande Cuvee Brut

Silvaner:
2016 Zehnthof Luckert Silvaner Maustal VDP.Großes Gewächs
2024 Zehnthof Luckert Silvaner Sonnenberg Gelbkalk VDP.Erstes Gewächs
2024 Glaser-Himmelstoss Sommeracher Katzenkopf Silvaner

Red wines:
2023 Meyer-Näkel Spätburgunder Ahrweiler Daubhaus
2022 Jean Stodden Rech Herrenberg Frühburgunder VDP.Großes Gewächs
2022 Aldinger Lemberger Fellbacher Lämmler VDP.Großes Gewächs
2023 Bernhard Huber Hecklingen Spätburgunder VDP.Ortswein

White Burgundy grape varieties:
2023 Bernhard Huber: Malterdinger Chardonnay VDP.Ortswein
2023 Bernhard Huber: Chardonnay Alte Reben
2022 Weingut Böhme & Töchter Chardonnay Freyburger Edelacker VDP.Großes Gewächs
2022 Franz Keller: Grauburgunder Achkarrer Schlossberg VDP.Großes Gewächs
2021 Salwey Chardonnay Steingrubenberg VDP.Großes Gewächs