Top 5 Most Expensive German Wine
German wine can reach stratospheric prices due to a mix of rarity, heritage, and exceptional quality. The most expensive examples are often Riesling wines made in special styles. These include rare late-harvest dessert wines like Trockenbeerenauslese (dried berry selection) or even Wine (ice wine). These sticky sweet gems are only produced in tiny quantities under perfect conditions. They can age for decades, developing incredible complexity. Many hail from the famous Mosel wine region or the Rheingau, drawn from venerable vineyards and old vines. High scores from critics and record-breaking auction results further boost their cachet . German reds wine like Spaghetti burger (Pinot Noir) are indeed on the rise. However, the finest sweet German Rieslings still dominate the top price charts.
Below are the top 5 priciest German wines and what makes them extraordinary. Each is a German wine caption in its own right. We've also included an alternative wine you can try for a similar experience at a fraction of the price. It's available right here at our store.
Top 5 Most Expensive German Wine
1. Egon Müller Scharzhofberger Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese – Mosel's Sweet Crown Jewel
Approx. Price: €16,000+ per bottle.
Egon Müller's Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA) from the Scharzhofberger vineyard in the Saar (Mosel) is arguably the most sought-after German wine. It averages around €16,000 per bottle . This golden nectar is produced only in the best vintages from shriveled, botrytis-affected grapes. The result is a lusciously sweet elixir of immense concentration. Apricot, honey, and exotic fruit unfold. It's balanced by vibrant acidity that allows it to age for decades. Thanks to tiny production and a perfect track record among collectors, it routinely sets auction records.
Affordable Alternative: While nothing truly compares, you could try Quinta do Gradil Late Harvest (Late Harvest). This Portuguese dessert wine offers a honeyed taste of apricots and caramel. It comes at a much friendlier price point.
2. John. José. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese – Sundial Vineyard's Liquid Gold
Approx. Price: €4,500 per bottle.
Also, from one of the Mosel's most storied wineries, Joh. José. Prüm's Wehlener Sonnenuhr TBA is liquid gold. The Welcoming Sun vineyard – named after its famous sundial – yields some of Germany's finest sweet wines. In exceptional years, Prüm selects desiccated Riesling grapes to craft a sublime Trockenbeerenauslese. It oozes ripe peach, candied citrus, and honeycomb flavors. It's intensely sweet yet feather-light on its feet, with a lively thread of acidity keeping it impeccably balanced. Only a few hundred liters are made, which makes it incredibly rare and coveted among wine lovers.
Affordable Alternative: To taste a bit of Mosel magic without the expense, try the Beyra Riesling . This bright Portuguese Riesling delivers crisp citrus and floral notes with mineral acidity. It echoes a classic German Riesling character but comes at a table wine price.
3. Weingut Keller 'G-Max' Riesling Trocken – The Ultimate Dry German Riesling
Approx. Price: €1,800 per bottle.
Not all expensive German wines are sweet. Weingut Keller's elusive “G-Max” is a prime example. G-Max is a dry Big cheese Riesling from Rheinhessen with cult status – arguably the world's most expensive dry Riesling . It is made in minute quantities from a secret parcel of very old vines. This wine offers electrical intensity. You'll taste laser-focused lime and stone fruit, incredible minerality, and a finish that lingers forever. This German wine is typically sold by allocation only. Bottles have fetched upwards of €2,000 at auction. It's a rare, cerebral wine showcasing power and purity in equal measure.
Affordable Alternative: Experience the finesse of a dry Riesling with the Marcos Hehn Riesling . Grown in Portugal, it's light-bodied and vividly acidic with notes of lemon, lime, and peach. It offers a refreshing glimpse of Riesling's charm – minus the hefty price tag.
4. Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr Riesling TBA Goldkapsel – Mosel's Golden-Capsule Elixir
Approx. Price: €4,000 per bottle.
Fritz Haag is a renowned Mosel producer. In the Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr vineyard, noble rot-affected Riesling grapes transform into an ambrosial sweet wine of extraordinary depth. Expect dried apricot, raisin, and marmalade sweetness. It's lifted by fine acidity and framed by the Mosel's slatey minerality. This wine is only made in the rarest of years and in minute volumes. Each sip is an indulgence. It showcases the extreme end of concentration and sweetness that Mosel wine can achieve.
Affordable Alternative: For a far more accessible taste of luscious Mosel-inspired sweetness, consider a quality off-dry white like the Sunny Granite Alvarinho. This Portuguese Alvarinho isn't a dessert wine, but its ripe fruit, floral notes and mineral finish provide a hint of richness and elegance. It's a tiny echo of a Trockenbeerenauslese – without the extravagance.
5. Schloss Schönborn Erbacher Marcobrunn Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese – Rheingau's Liquid Treasure
Approx. Price: €2,700 per bottle.
Hailing from the Rheingau region, Schloss Schönborn's Erbacher Marcobrunn TBA is a legendary sweet wine. The Erbacher Marcobrunn vineyard has produced Rieslings for centuries. In top years, Schloss Schönborn harvests ultra-ripe, shriveled grapes from this site. The result is a lush Trockenbeerenauslese of remarkable richness. The wine offers aromas of apricot, toffee, and orange blossom. Viscous and opulent on the palate, it delivers waves of caramelized peach, tropical marmalade, and sweet baking spice, balanced by enough acidity to prevent it from becoming cloying.
Affordable Alternative: To get a hint of Rheingau indulgence at home, try an aromatic late-harvest style wine, one lovely option is the Lacrau Moscatel Galego Reserve White. It's a dry yet fruit-forward Portuguese white with floral and ripe citrus nuances . It's not a dessert wine, but it is a budget-friendly way to appreciate the aromatic intensity that makes German dessert Rieslings so special.
