Pinot Noir is Germany’s most important red grape variety – but not the only one that shapes a wine’s sense of place and style. The results of the 2026 German Red Wine Award show just how broad the spectrum is: from Württemberg Lemberger to Cabernet Franc and Syrah, through to Franconian Tauberschwarz. These are competition results, rather than our own tasting assessments; what makes them interesting is what the varieties reveal about winegrowing and possible styles.
Lemberger: Württemberg’s versatile, distinctive character
The strongest counterpoint to Pinot Noir comes from Württemberg. Lemberger, usually known as Blaufränkisch in Austria and other countries, originates in what is now north-eastern Slovenia. It buds early and ripens late – a combination that calls for warm sites sheltered from the wind. According to the German Wine Institute, Germany had 1,917 hectares planted with Lemberger in 2023, of which 1,757 hectares were in Württemberg.
Its range is broad: there are lighter, fruit-driven wines as well as versions with firmer tannins and more structure. This is also a matter of maturation: oak can bring spice and body to the fore; in the 2026 competition, both Lemberger and wines labelled Blaufränkisch achieved high placings. At the table, this means a lighter style can accompany a spread of cold meats, cheese and bread, while a denser version can stand up to heartier dishes – such as braises or mature cheese. These are suggestions, not hard-and-fast rules.
Frühburgunder and Tauberschwarz: small plantings, stories of their own
Frühburgunder ripens earlier than Pinot Noir and is a niche variety in Germany. In the 2026 competition, a Frühburgunder from Randersacker took first place; a wine from the Ahr also achieved a top placing. Its early ripening makes it an option in its own right, rather than merely a minor copy of its better-known Pinot relative. The separate St. Laurent/Frühburgunder competition category groups together two varieties that should not be treated as equivalent in the glass.
Even more closely tied to a particular region is Tauberschwarz, a historic classic from the Taubertal. First place in the “German Classics” category in 2026 went to a Tauberschwarz from Franken; another also made it onto the podium. Results like these raise a variety’s profile, but on their own say nothing about how widely available it is or how much demand there is for it. Its value also lies in making regional wine identity tangible beyond the familiar names.
International varieties and their place in the market
Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Franc also find suitable sites in German vineyards. Their wins at VINUM show that they need not be confined to supporting roles in blends: in 2026, a Merlot from Württemberg, a Syrah from Baden and a Cabernet Franc, also from Baden, all won. In blends, meanwhile, different varieties can be combined to balance fruit, acidity, tannins and body.
The rankings, however, represent only a snapshot of the top performers. In everyday practice, vineyard area, price, availability and familiar names all help determine which varieties make their way into retail and hospitality. In Rhineland-Palatinate, home to much of Germany’s vineyard area, Dornfelder and Pinot Noir were the most widely planted red varieties in 2025; Dornfelder’s area declined, while Pinot Noir’s rose slightly. A wide range of varieties in a competition does not, therefore, automatically mean that every variety is widely available.
Diversity is more than a ranking
The Red Wine Award, organised by VINUM since 1987, celebrates its 40th edition in 2026. This year’s list spans established varieties, historic grapes and international plantings. It makes diversity visible, but remains a competition with categories and a selection of submitted wines. For wine enthusiasts, that is precisely what makes it a useful starting point: rather than looking for a replacement for Pinot Noir, seek out varieties that suit the region, style and occasion. On 28 November 2026, the award-winning wines will take centre stage at the awards ceremony and public event in Stuttgart.
Original reviewed by the editors · 5 November 2026
