Silvaner
Franken's Pride
Silvaner is grown in Franconia, Rheinhessen and Pfalz.
- Tastes of
- green apple, pear, herbs and earth
- Goes with
- freshwater fish, pork schnitzel and bratwurst
- Also called
- Sylvaner
The story
Silvaner was Germany's most-planted grape until the 1970s. Then Müller-Thurgau and Riesling overtook it. Now Silvaner is Franken's signature grape—earthy, mineral, food-friendly.
Insider story
Silvaner dominated German vineyards for centuries. It was easy to grow, high-yielding, and made pleasant wine. By 1970, it was Germany's #1 grape.
Then came the Riesling renaissance. Critics dismissed Silvaner as 'boring.' Plantings dropped 70%+. Silvaner became unfashionable.
But Franken (Bavaria) stayed loyal. The region's Muschelkalk (shell limestone) soils produce mineral, earthy Silvaner unlike anywhere else. Franken Silvaner is serious wine—structured, age-worthy, food-friendly.
Now, sommeliers are rediscovering Silvaner. It pairs brilliantly with food (especially asparagus). The renaissance is coming.
Technical deep dive
Silvaner has moderate acidity (5.5-6.5 g/L), earthy and herbal aromatics, and a mineral finish. Alcohol: 12-13% ABV.
Franken's Muschelkalk soils produce mineral, structured Silvaner. Alsace's granite produces softer, fruitier styles.
Grosses Gewächs (GG): Franken's top Silvaner is classified as GG—dry, single-vineyard, age-worthy.
Industry secrets
Franken Silvaner GG from top producers (Horst Sauer, Rudolf Fürst, Bürgerspital) ages 10-15 years. $30-60 bottles rival $80-100 white Burgundy. But nobody knows because 'Silvaner' sounds old-fashioned.
For collectors
Investment grade C+
- Auction records
- Minimal. Horst Sauer GG ($60)
- Blue-chip producers
-
- Horst Sauer
- Rudolf Fürst
- Bürgerspital
- Value picks
- Franken GG ($30-60)
- Price trend
- Stable. Ages well but no auction market.
- Collector’s tip
- Franken GG ages 10-15 years. No auction market but excellent for personal cellar.