What is Kröver Nacktarsch? Kröver Nacktarsch is one of Germany 's most famous wine names. It refers to the vineyards surrounding the village of Kröv, beautifully situated on a bend of the Moselle river between Bernkastel and Traben-Trarbach. For centuries, the steep slate slopes here have been planted mainly with Riesling — the grape that made the Moselle world-famous. The cool climate and slate soils give these wines their signature combination of fresh acidity, juicy fruit and vibrant minerality.
Once considered a simple everyday wine, Kröver Nacktarsch has grown into a true cult classic: light, aromatic and instantly enjoyable. It is made in several sweetness levels — from bone dry to honeyed sweet — so there is a perfect bottle for every taste and every occasion.
Where does the name Nacktarsch come from? Nacktarsch literally means "bare bottom" — making it one of the most memorable wine names in the world. According to the best-known legend, a winemaker once caught a boy secretly tasting wine in his cellar. He grabbed the lad, pulled down his trousers and gave him a spanking on his bare behind. That scene still decorates many a wine label from Kröv today. Linguists favour a less colourful explanation: the name may derive from an old word for the bare, "naked" ridge above the village. Either way, the name has been inseparable from Kröv for centuries — and a bottle of Kröver Nacktarsch always comes with a good story for the dinner table.
Kröver Nacktarsch wines: from dry to sweet Our range covers four styles, in ascending order of sweetness: Trocken (dry), Feinherb (off-dry), Lieblich (medium sweet) and Süss (sweet). All four are made from Riesling (sometimes complemented by Rivaner) and share the same fresh Moselle acidity — the difference lies in the amount of natural residual sweetness. The table below shows the differences at a glance.
Style Sweetness Character Best with Trocken Dry Fresh, lively, mineral Fish, salads, aperitif Feinherb Off-dry Fruity with subtle sweetness Poultry, mildly spicy dishes Lieblich Medium sweet Soft, round, exotic fruit Asian cuisine, fruity desserts Süss Sweet Full, juicy, honeyed Desserts, blue cheese
Kröver Nacktarsch Trocken The dry version is the modern take on this classic and the natural starting point for lovers of fresh white wine. Expect notes of ripe apple and citrus, carried by the fine minerality so typical of slate soils. Dry, bright and energetic — excellent as an aperitif and with fresh salads, white fish and poultry. Serve well chilled at 8 to 10 degrees Celsius.
Kröver Nacktarsch Feinherb Feinherb — off-dry — is for many enthusiasts the quintessential Moselle style: just enough residual sweetness to let the fruit shine, while keeping all the fresh acidity. The result is a remarkably approachable wine that performs beautifully both on its own and at the table. Try it with mildly spicy dishes: the subtle sweetness tames the heat and lifts the flavours.
Kröver Nacktarsch Lieblich The lieblich version is all about fruit, softness and charm. Exotic aromas of passion fruit, ripe apple and peach, a velvety palate and a clearly present yet perfectly integrated sweetness. At just 11% alcohol the wine stays light and easy-drinking. Ideal with fruity desserts and Asian cuisine, or simply as a gentle moment of pleasure on its own.
Kröver Nacktarsch Süss The sweet version is the traditional style that made Kröver Nacktarsch famous. Full, juicy and honeyed, yet never cloying thanks to the fresh Moselle acidity. A delightful dessert wine that also pairs surprisingly well with blue cheese — and for many, a nostalgic reminder of holidays on the Moselle.
What is the difference between trocken, feinherb and lieblich? The difference lies in the wine's residual sweetness. Trocken is dry: nearly all the sugar has been fermented, putting fresh acidity and minerality centre stage. Feinherb is off-dry, with a subtle sweetness that supports the fruit without actually tasting sweet. Lieblich and süss are distinctly sweet, with süss being the sweetest. If in doubt: choose trocken if you normally drink Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, feinherb if you prefer a soft and fruity wine, and lieblich or süss if you love sweet wines. Or order a tasting case and discover your favourite style for yourself.
The winemakers: two family wineries from the Moselle Our Kröver Nacktarsch comes from two family wineries in the region. Weingut Beth has mastered the art of winemaking for 250 years, cultivating steep vineyards in Kinheim, Kröv and Wolf — its Nacktarsch is 100% Riesling. Weinhaus Hans Beth blends Riesling with Rivaner for an extra approachable style. Both wineries bottle, pack and ship their wines themselves — it doesn't get any fresher or fairer than that.
Serving Kröver Nacktarsch All styles of Kröver Nacktarsch are at their best well chilled, at 8 to 10 degrees Celsius. Use a standard white wine glass or a Riesling glass with a slightly inward-curved rim, which concentrates the fruit aromas beautifully. The dry and off-dry versions also make excellent terrace wines; serve the sweet styles at the end of the meal, ideally a degree colder still.
What to eat with Kröver Nacktarsch? Thanks to its fresh acidity and range of sweetness levels, Kröver Nacktarsch is exceptionally versatile at the table. The table below matches each dish with the best style.
Dish Recommended style White fish and shellfish Trocken Fresh salads and aperitif Trocken Poultry and light pasta dishes Feinherb Spicy Asian dishes (Thai, Indian) Feinherb or Lieblich Fruity desserts and blue cheese Lieblich or Süss
Buy Kröver Nacktarsch at ONWINE At ONWINE you buy Kröver Nacktarsch directly from the winemaker in Kröv. The winemaker sets the price and the range, with no middleman — so you pay a fair price and a larger share of your purchase goes to the people who actually make the wine. Whether you're looking for a crisp trocken for the terrace or a sweet süss for dessert: at ONWINE you'll find every style of this Moselle classic — with free shipping on 12+ bottles, delivered straight to your door. Prefer to taste a bottle first? Come and visit our wine shop in Utrecht.
