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Spätburgunder is the German name for the variety known worldwide as Pinot Noir. Germany is the third largest producer of this grape in the world, and the red wine Spätburgunder is valued no less than the white Riesling. Spätburgunder is literally translated as “late” (spät) “burgunder” (that is, Pinot), because the variety ripens later than others.
Historical information
Pinot Noir was brought to Germany from French Burgundy, which explains its German name. This variety likes a warm but not hot climate and grows well in chalky soils. It produces an elegant, well-balanced wine with a velvety structure, hints of bitter almonds and blackberries.
In Burgundy, Pinot Noir is believed to have been cultivated since the XNUMXth century, although the first documentary evidence dates back to the XNUMXth century.
Production regions Spätburgunder
The main part of the vineyards is located in the Ahr Valley, but Spetburgunder is also produced in the regions of Baden, Württemberg, Palatinate, Rheingau and others.
Differences between Spätburgunder and traditional Pinot Noir
The German version of this wine is usually lighter than its counterparts from warmer countries, it has less acidity and tannins, the standard strength is 11-14% vol. Local producers often age the drink in small oak barrels, which makes the bouquet more complex and adds notes of vanilla to it. Other characteristic features are the aroma of cherries, raspberries, ripe strawberries.
In addition, thanks to the cool climate and limestone soils, Spätburgunder acquires nuances of cranberries, cherries and damp earth, and cinnamon, cloves, anise and other spices can also be distinguished in the aftertaste. What this wine lacks is a French “jam” flavor.
Pinot Gris is called Grauburgunder in Germany, and Pinot Blanc is called Weißburgunder.
German wine is usually cheaper than French: even the best examples of Spätburgunder are unlikely to cost more than a hundred dollars a bottle, and quite a decent middle-class wine can be bought for 25-30 dollars.
Types of Spätburgunder
On the labels of German Pinot Noir, you can find the following markings:
- This means that the wine is made from the latest berries, harvested last and accumulated the maximum sugar content. Wine Shpetburgunder with this mark belongs to the highest category.
- Trocken – “dry”. This marking can be found on almost all brands from the Valley of Ar, it indicates the minimum sugar content of the drink.
- Blanc de Noirs is a white and/or sparkling wine made from dark Pinot Noir. It is achieved through a method in which the juice does not come into contact with the pulp, therefore it does not stain.
How to drink Spätburgunder
This wine is drunk both young and aged, and aging in oak barrels can exceed 10 years.
Spätburgunder goes well with a wide variety of dishes and cuisines. For example, traditional Bavarian food, poultry, mushrooms, vegetables can be served with it.
The best years and stamps of Spätburgunder
In 2014, the Spätburgunder harvest was rather indistinct, the wine turned out to be very heterogeneous, there are both successful and unsuccessful representatives, the latter being the majority.
In 2015, on the contrary, the harvest was poor, which had a positive effect on its quality. This year’s wines are considered a good buy.
2016 was even better than the previous one, but bottles of this vintage are rare on the market.
In 2017, there were difficult weather conditions, with rain and frost. It is worth drinking only wines of the highest price category.
2018 was similar to 2015: the grapes ripened especially late and turned out to be very sugary.
Famous manufacturers: Meyer-Näkel, Mayschoss-Altenahr, Erwin Riske.