What does Landwein mean?

Landwein is the protected geographical indication of Germany and Austria: wine from a larger named area, with looser rules than Qualitätswein.

Also known as: Country wine

Landwein is the German and Austrian level for wine with a protected geographical indication and corresponds to IGP in the EU. It sits below Qualitätswein and Prädikatswein but above wine without a geographical indication, which in Germany is called Deutscher Wein.

Germany has more than twenty Landwein areas, such as Landwein der Mosel, Pfälzer Landwein and Badischer Landwein. At least 85 per cent of the grapes must come from the stated area. The minimum ripeness requirements are lower than for Qualitätswein, and the wine does not need to go through the official testing. Traditionally, German Landwein has been dry or medium dry.

For a long time the level was used mostly for simple wines, but today some ambitious producers choose Landwein too. The reason is often freedom: wines that are spontaneously fermented, skin-macerated or bottled unfiltered can differ from what is considered typical at the official Qualitätswein tasting. As Landwein they avoid that assessment.

Landwein therefore tells you about origin but little about style and ambition. In Austria there are three Landwein regions: Weinland, Steirerland and Bergland.