May wine

The base is made by steeping the fragrant creeping herb sweet woodruff (Galium odoratum, sometimes called Asperula odorata, known in Germany as Waldmeister) that grows in the forests of Northern Europe in a white German wine.

The Council of the European Communities legally defines Maiwein as: [A]n aromatized drink obtained from wine with added Asperula odorata [Galium odoratum] plants or extracts thereof so as to ensure a predominant taste of Asperula odorata.

A variation might include strawberry flavoring or fermentation techniques to make it lightly sparkling.

[citation needed] Commercial May wine produced in Germany has been made with artificial flavoring and coloring agents since the 1980s.

[citation needed] Maywein is produced in German cultural regions of the United States such as Frankenmuth, Michigan.