I don't expect too many replies on this, but I'll try anyway..

I'll be visiting my German exchange family in August. I haven't seen them for 12 years and thought it would be nice to take some wine from my home country (or home state would be even better). I'm from Australia.

However, as I am travelling through Europe for 3 weeks before I see them it's not feasible for me to take wine all the way from home. The last place I visit before seeing them is Cologne, so wondered if any Fodorites had knowledge about German liquor stores and whether they might carry non-European wines.

I'm kinda hopeful they would as when I travelled to the tiny Scottish island of Iona their SPA minimart actually stocked wine from my home state. I was quite chuffed about that.

>German liquor stores and whether they might carry non-European wines
Have fun in Germany! You'll be impressed ;-), no problem...

I don't remember in Germany particularly about Australian wine (they have tons of French and Italian, for obvious reasons), but I know there is lots of Australian in Britain and I'd be startled if there wasn't any available in the bigger supermarkets and stuff in Germany (probably also in smaller places).

I don't know how alcohol sales are set up in Germany. Try to look for an upscale wine specialty store for your best chances in finding a decent Australian wine to give to your exchange family.

Would it really be very difficult for your to carry 1 or 2 bottles with you while travelling? (i.e. the difference between slight inconvenience and royal pain in the ass)

Princess - I'll be travelling through 8 towns in 3 weeks, so to me there is too much risk of breakage in the suitcase. ie royal p.i.a.

Logo and Grsing - thanks for your input. I'll try and find a shop in Cologne and hope for the best.

I've run chains of convenience stores in a number of countries - including Germany. You'll find it a lot tougher to find Oz or NZ wine in downtown Cologne than in the remotest Scottish island. As far as we're concerned, Australian wine's British. The Queen serves it, and it's widely drunk at the House of Commons.

The e-shopping website of Tengelmann, Germany's largest supermarket chain, however, shows characteristic Continental insularity. For example, it has just one Aussie wine (Rocky Creek), with a slightly wider choice of Californians. All at the crap end though.

I strongly suggest, unless you get an answer from someone who's found a serious choice of your really outstanding wines in Cologne, that you either:

- divert via Britain where you'll find your country's finest on every street corner (as well as some decent wine), or
- contact the AWB. The poor sod trying to teach Continentals to stock proper wine is [email protected]. He'll know, if no-one else does, how to find something you can really impress your family with.

You're ill adviced to shop a Tengelmann!
>Tengelmann, Germany's largest supermarket chain
Come on, don't tell him such nonsense!!!
Largest what.....?, the operate tiny expensive grocery stores under their name. Never heard of Karstadt, Metro???

http://www.karstadt.de/kategorieAnze...6&kid=6193
It's only a small selection of what's available at you local Karstadt. And that's not a specialty wine store.

speckles - ok, fair enough. Good luck in finding something (I think it'll go fine)

I second logos999's recommendation of Karstadt groceries. I have bought excellent (Australian) Rosemount wine there, among them an award-winning GSM.

You won't have problems to find Australian wine in Germany. It's very popular.

I was at a small wine shop in Idstein, Germany yesterday and saw several very nice Aussie wines. In fact,they had moe Australian wines than they did Californian.

Thanks for replies. I'll see what info I can find out about Karstadt.

Cotswold, can't say I've ever heard of the brand Rocky Creek. No option to divert to UK (but heading that way later in trip). Tim at AWB might be the go.

Just checked the Karstadt website (thanks logos) and they sell enough Australian wine to choose from and most of it from my state.

While Karstadt is indeed a good suggestion, I'd want to add Moevenpick Weinland. They have outlets in most bigger German cities and usually a very good selection of wines, some of which a bit more exclusive.
Their Cologne outlet is located on Bonner Str. 271, 50968 Cologne.

See the Australian reds in stock at

https://www.moevenpick-weinland.de/c...=62055&pn=

And the Australian whites at

https://www.moevenpick-weinland.de/c...=12101&pn=

Thanks hsv. More to choose from. Looks like I won't need to worry in Cologne. We only have one night there and I want to see the Cathedral and have a mooch around the shops, including buying wine. We're based in the city centre near the train station, so should be enough time to do what I need to.