Geographical location and climate
Franken is a protected designation of origin for wine in Germany. The wine-growing region is drained by the Main and its tributaries and includes vineyard areas in parts of Upper Franconia, Middle Franconia and Lower Franconia. It is bounded by the uplands of Spessart, Odenwald, Rhön, Haßberge and Steigerwald.
The transitional climate becomes increasingly continental from west to east. Dry, hot summers are contrasted with cold winters. Annual rainfall lies below 550 millimetres. Eastern air currents can cause winter and late frosts.
Landscape and soils
Many vineyards are located on steep slopes, mostly facing south to west, which have been shaped by the meandering Main and its tributaries. Hollow paths and cuttings divide the slopes into small-scale sites with different microclimates.
The most important geological formations are Buntsandstein, Muschelkalk and Keuper. In the western fore-Spessart, gneiss and mica schist occur, while in the Main valley, partly sandy alluvial soils are found.
Grape varieties and wine profiles
The most important grape varieties include Silvaner, Müller-Thurgau, Bacchus, Riesling and Kerner. In addition, among others, Scheurebe, Spätburgunder and Domina are grown. Silvaner is particularly associated with Franconia’s Muschelkalk and Keuper soils.
White wines are described as fruity, often mineral, and dense, with a soft, harmonious acidity and a range from dry to sweet. Red wines show delicate fruitiness, a velvety structure and restrained tannins; stronger expressions may have ripe berry aromas and a pronounced phenolic structure.
Cultivation and traditional designations
Around 20 per cent of vineyard area lies on steep slopes and terraces. Because of the steep terrain and the small, fragmented holdings, manual work in the vineyard remains important. The protected designation of origin includes, among others, still wine, liqueur wine, quality sparkling wine, sparkling wine and partly fermented must.
The Bocksbeutel is considered a traditional hallmark of Franconian wine. The designations “Fränkischer Satz” and “Alter Fränkischer Satz” are linked to specified blends, shared harvest and dry maturation.
