Pinot Noir (or Spätburgunder as it is known in German) is Germany’s most important red grape variety. Germany is also the third largest producer of Pinot Noir internationally.
For anyone who has seen Sideways knows, Pinot Noir is delicate and subtle, needing great wine makers and grape growers to make them spectacular. They are finicky and disease prone, and lighter in body and colour than most all other red wines. This wine is deceptively complex, exemplifies the unique characteristics of the terroir, and is easy to pair with so many foods.
“Ruby Red Symphony”
On October 31st, this Pinot Noir tasting event held in the wine cellar at Georg Breuer Winery in Rüdesheim brought together 18 Pinot Noir producers from the Rheingau region for a day of “ruby red symphony”, as the event name in German translates.
In attendance were the following wineries:
- Fritz Allendorf
- Walter Altenkirch
- Bischöfliches
- Georg Bruer
- Chat Sauvage
- Diefenhardt’sches
- Goldatzel
- Hessich State Winery from domain Assmannshausen
- August Kessler
- Klaus König
- Robert König
- Krone – Assmannshausen
- Künstler
- Hans Lang
- Laquai
- Gerog Müller
- G.H. Von Mum
- Thilo Strieth
From fresh and fruity to smoky and bold; from sparkling wine to blanc de noir still wine style; this tasting event had something for everyone. With a 25 Euros per person entry fee however, the price was a bit steep. But the opportunity to sample great Pinot Noirs from the Rheingau made it worth it.
Sour Cherries, Cassis, Raspberries, Licorice, Oak…
My top pick of the day in the rosé category goes to the 2014 Weiβherbst from Gerog Breuer, with dynamic notes of pear, licorice and lemon.
In the bubbly category, the winner is the non-vintage red sekt brut from Hans Lang Winery, a nice and dry sparkling wine with notes of cassis and raspberries.
For good old Pinot Noir wine, the first prize goes to Diefenhardt’sches Winery’s 2014 WILDSAU GG Spätburgunder trocken, with 18 month in oak, lots of bright, balancing pizzaz to go with the dark and brooding smoky complexity.
The lesson of the day is to go out and find yourself a German Pinot Noir to try. They come in many different styles, so find the one that suits you best.
heatheruncorked.com 