Riesling birthday: celebrations worldwide

These range from influencer events, seminars and evening events to digital media campaigns and can be followed via the information offices of the German Wine Institute (DWI) and its social media channels. According to GOOGLE Trends, the media reach of the term "Riesling" is continuously increasing worldwide.

A selection of individual campaigns from previous years:

China

Tasting in Shanghai. Artist Vikki Zhang unveils “Riesling's 590th Bday Cycling Dream” and invites interactive activities, such as coloring her work on canvas and making spring flower bouquets. Raffle promotions on WeChat and RED for best comments on German Riesling. 50 offline events organized by importers and retailers. More: Wines of Germany - China.

Japan

Wines of Germany Japan continued its influencer campaign around Riesling's birthday: e.g. with influencer events from the lifestyle sector and postings on #rieslingbirthday.

Netherlands

In The Netherlands, a 6-pack of Riesling was raffled off in previous years for the most original photo with German Riesling that was posted on Facebook or Instagram. The winner was announced on the birthday of the Riesling.

Norway

In Norway, for example, there were celebrations in wine bars in Oslo: Vin Bjørvika offered a programme with special promotions on Riesling from various German regions. In Bergen, the Don Pippo wine bar organised a seminar in which all 13 growing regions were presented. Sommeliers presented selected Riesling wines from each region to the guests. In Trondheim, the "Vinbar of the Britannia Hotel" served three different Riesling sparkling wines. Sommeliers provided information about sparkling wines, growing regions and wine producers.

Finland

In Finland, 'Wines of Germany' called for the best Riesling birthday cake to be submitted on its website and Instagram (photo): The three best suggestions were awarded prizes on 13 March and celebrated in a special way.

Poland

In previous years, 'Wines of Germany' Poland called for the birthday slogan to be staged via Facebook and Instagram. On 13 March, the 'Wines of Germany' team celebrated with media representatives in Warsaw: At the Zoni Michał Gniadek restaurant, they were served a 5-course meal with selected Rieslings and a Riesling cake to finish.

Great Britain

Wines of Germany UK sent out Riesling birthday hampers to lifestyle influencers in the UK, which contained a bottle of Riesling and Riesling cake pops as well as other props needed for a great birthday party. There were also Riesling birthday cards with the hashtag #rieslingbirthday, providing information about the grape variety. Many Riesling posts were generated on social networks. In the channels of Wines of Germany (Instagram, Facebook).

USA

Wines of Germany in the USA created Riesling-specific posts on germanwineusa.com . Among others, the magazine "Wine Enthusiast" was involved in the communication of the festive day. For example, 'Wines of Germany USA' took over the Wine Enthusiast's Instagram feed for 24 hours and posted Riesling-specific content there. The Wine Enthusiast website was given a Riesling birthday banner on 13 March.

Background: More knowledge about Riesling

Almost a quarter of the vineyards in Germany are planted with Riesling grapes. More than any other grape variety, Riesling defines the global image of the 13 German wine-growing regions. Germany is regarded as the home of Riesling, with around 24,233 hectares (2024), or 45 per cent of all Rieslings in the world, grown here.

The early spread of Riesling, with the first evidence dating back to the 15th century, its growth, the size of the grape berries, the long ripening period and frost resistance show that it is related to wild vines. Winegrowers in the Rheingau and on the Mosel have the longest Riesling tradition; there are historical documents from there dating back to 1435 and 1465 respectively. Evidence of its spread in today's Rheinhessen and the Pfalz dates back to the end of the 15th and the first half of the 16th century.