Top 10 German Wines that Are NOT Riesling or Pinot Noir According To Me

Everyone knows that Germany is famous for rieslings, both dry and sweet.  And Germany is starting to produce world class pinot noirs as well. But there are a large number of other grapes that are grown in Germany and are made into very interesting, delicious and sometimes profound wines. Most of these are under the radar (i.e. not imported) and I’ve made it a bit of a personal mission to import as many as I can. Germany is an incredibly diverse wine country, similar to France, and people are really pushing the limits these days with these exceptional wines. Wunderbar!

I love drinking my rieslings and pinots but some days I just feel like something different.

1. Paul Weltner Sylvaner Hoheleite GG - Had to start off the list with this freak show of a wine. There is no other Silvaner like this as it has layers, opulence, intensity, minerality and drive like no other yet remains an elegant and beautiful wine. It needs time are and those who wait will reap the benefits. 
2. Ziereisen Jaspis Gutedel 10-4 - This is Ziereisen's high density planted Gutedel (aka Chasselas) and is one of the most expensive wines in Germany (over $100 at German retail). But make no mistake, there is nothing like it and on an absolute qualitative scale, it can and does compete with Grand Cru White Burgundy, and the top Rieslings in Germany. It is almost devoid of fruit but has endless layers of minerals and complexity. Not for everyone but for the people whose bell it does ring, there is no other wine. 
3. Ziereisen Hard (Chardonnay) - There is going to be a lot of Ziereisen on this list as Hanspeter is a maniac and makes all types of varietals and does them better than anyone else. This is like a German Meursault. Lean, minerally, less opulent than the French version, but racy with loads of German acidity and finesse driven minerals. They use only German oak and a specific toast which makes the oak almost imperceptible. High end 1er Cru quality here.  
4. K.H. Schneider Sauvignon Blanc - There are more expensive ones, and more structured ones, but are there more joyful ones to drink? Not in my experience. With a 2/3rd classic ripe Sauvignon Blanc and 1/3 crazy Nahe Andi Schneider minerality up the wazoo this will always remain my favorite German SB.
5. Zieriesen Jaspis Grauburgunder - There is no other Grauburgunder like this. It is so distinctive and pure. It delivers fruit like no other Grauburgunder out there. Ripe apricots all over the nose. The wine is pressed over night. Incredible purity and complexity with juicy and vivid fruit. Stunning structure. So juicy and complex and long and outrageous fruit. Powerful and fruity finish. Nothing comes close.
6. Enderle & Moll Muller Thurgau "Muschelkalk" - A brilliant bottle of Muller-Thurgau with an elegant and ripe texture, terrific structure, juicy concentrated citrus and wonderful purity. This can age for 3-5 years. Transcendental Muller Thurgau. 
7. Henrik Möbitz Kanzell Weissburgunder - The best Weissburgunder in Germany and also the tiniest production. Electric acids, dynamic structure and elegance, with clearly defined Apple and Pear fruit but really more about the intense minerality of the site. It ages as well, had a dazzlingly fresh 2001 in September of 2015. There is also a new one as of 2015, that is just as great. He has the touch. 
8. Ziereisen Jaspis Syrah - 4 wines from Hanspeter on this list and there could be more. He has the Midas touch with almost all varietals he touches. This Syrah is magic. Like a great elegant Hermitage. It is stunning. Total wow wine. Most floral Syrah nose I've smelled in Germany. What mouthfeel with great complexity and freshness with amazing acidity and even more freshness. Closed a bit right now (13 vintage) but so fine but needs time. Gamey and meaty, so deep, so floral so juicy, has those Jaspis like tannins.
9. Rudolf Furst Fruhburgunder "R" Centgrafenberg - Kind of a Pinot Noir, kind of not in that it gets picked 4 weeks before regular Pinot Noir and is classified as a separate grape. Through all my tastings it is vastly different than Pinot Noir. Amazing aromas that tend to be floral/Violet's and deep cassis fruits. Wonderful depth, sweetness of fruit and structure. Stunning wines. Such depth and purity. I must give a shoutout to our own Christoph Walter who makes a stunner as well. 
10. Paul Weltner Rodelsee Schweinleite Scheurebe Trocken -  Not only does Paul Weltner make the best Silvaner he also makes this insane Scheurebe. For me, dry is the best way to experience Scheurebe as it can get a bit too busy and muddled with residual sugar. Not this one. Mineral with uplifting acidity and electric mineral intensity. Also classic grapefruit, sage and black current flavors. An outrageous wine and always a crazy value.