What is Halbtrocken Wine?

Halbtrocken is a style of German wine. It translates literally as “half dry” and is often used to mean wines that are produced in an “off dry” style. This style is most commonly associated with German Rieslings, where the residual sugar can complement the grape’s natural acidity and fruit flavours. 

What is the sweetness level of Halbtrocken?

In the German wine classification system, Halbtrocken is an official level of ripeness, which means that producers must adhere to strict regulations around the wine’s level of dryness or sweetness to label their wines as Halbtrocken. This style has gained popularity in Germany and internationally as consumers seek out balanced, food-friendly white wines.

Stylistically, Halbtrocken wines tend to strike a balance between bone-dry and noticeably sweet. They typically contain between 12-18 grams of residual sugar per litre, which is enough to provide a subtle, refreshing sweetness without being cloying. The law states:

“There must be 10 g/l residual sugar more than the acid content, with a maximum of 18 g/l.”

A bottle of Koster-Wolf Flonheimer Rothenpfad Riesling Kabinett Halbtrocken

Food Pairing

Halbtrocken wines are versatile and can pair well with a wide range of foods, from rich meat dishes to spicy Asian cuisines. The moderate sweetness can help to tame heat and balance robust flavours. These wines also often exhibit floral, stone fruit, or citrus notes that can complement many types of dishes.

Try with:

Spicy Asian cuisine
Richer fish dishes like salmon or tuna
Poultry dishes
Salads with sweet or tangy dressings
Mild cheeses such as brie or goat cheese)
Fruit-based desserts

Halbtrocken vs. Feinherb?

Today, the term Halbtrocken is considered outdated and is used less often than it used to be. Many producers prefer to use the term “Feinherb” instead. Feinherb is an unregulated designation, which is often used for wines that are slightly sweeter than a halbtrocken.

Halbtrocken Sparkling Wines

Halbtrocken can also be used for sparkling wines and indicates a residual sugar content of between 33 and 50 g / l. For sparkling wines, the expression “medium dry” can also be used.