German Spatburgunder Selection

This estate in the northern part of the Palatinate has earned itself a reputation for its pinot noirs. Silky and round, this has gorgeous fruit flavours and a creamy texture, with a hint of bitter cherry on the finish.

Soft, fruity pinot from the Palatinate in Germany. Packed with ripe cherry flavours, light in structure and refreshing, this could be served lightly chilled. Southern Germany is home to a number of co-operatives, this one being especially good. It is also home to endless numbers of grape varieties. The reason is climate: this is easily the warmest part of Germany, where everything is grown.

A spâtburgunder offering raspberry, cranberry and red plum notes with hints of spice and bacon with an attractive juicy core and fine grained tannins. Stodden wines from the Ahr Valley are considered a showcase of just how good German pinot noir can be. Alexander Stodden, who is fifth generation, has a small estate of 10 hectares, 95% of which is focused on spatburgunder. The label makes reference to the historic bridge in Rech – home to their cellars – that was destroyed in the 2021 floods. This is the estate's entry spätburgunder with grapes coming from plots in Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler, Dernau and Rech itself..

Our second vintage of the successful Exhibition Spätburgunder. The cooler 2023 vintage is reflected in a delicate red-berry and strawberry perfume and lots of energy on the palate. Tannins are fine grained and the wine is incredibly well balanced. One of our Wine Society Pioneers for their commitment to sustainable methods, Weingut Eymann is certified organic (one of the first in Germany in 1982) and biodynamic since 2006. Bought-in grapes come from organic growers well-known to the family as friends, and in the vineyards, soils are left largely undisturbed with a cover of mixed seeds of flowers, legumes and weeds, many sown to be bee friendly. Vine waste, local plants and animal waste are composted and used according to Germany’s strict regulations, and water, though not an issue here, only irrigates young vines. In the winery, Rhine water and rainwater is used and solar panels provide energy, all packaging is from recycled sources and lightweight bottles contain the finished product. With biodiversity encouraged by 100 birdhouses, wildflowers and cover crops, trees grown, stone piles built for local lizards and insect ‘hotels’ well positioned, the estate is a haven. And people aren’t forgotten either with a small, well-looked-after permanent staff joined by seasonal workers who return year after year. They work no more than eight-hour days, have apartments to live in, direct payment and a restaurant that serves three-course meals every day. No wonder people return repeatedly, some for up to 30 years!

Weingut Eymann were trailblazers in Germany to work biodynamically. Young winemaker, Vincent Eymann is transforming the estate in the Pfalz to a producer of high-quality and well-made wines, while focusing on sustainability. A small amount of whole bunches in the fermentation produces a wine that is fresh and floral. The fruit is crunchy and juicy and is sourced from estate owned vineyards in the heart of the Gonnheim village. 2023 is lighter than the 2022 and has so much purity and freshness. This pairs well with spiced lamb, roast chicken or bolognese.

Lots of crushed strawberry and smoky notes combined with refined pinot noir from Baden in southern Germany. Baden is earning itself some renown in the UK for its wines these days, particularly pinot noir. In the Markgräferland, between the Black Forest and the Rhine, the undulating countryside and warm summer weather has led to the area becoming known as the German Tuscany and there is a history of winemaking that goes back almost as long as in the more famous Italian region.