October '22
After a brief trip back to Oz last month, October’s wine has us back in Europe. And this time we’re grabbing Adventure by the Kugeln with a delicious day trip into Germany with the 2019 Schneider Weiler Spätburgunder from Weingut am Schlipf. This tongue-twister of a wine hails from the beautiful winegrowing region of Baden in the south-west of Germany. Tucked away within the lush Black Forest, the area known for its thermal baths, magnificent natural parks and magical fairytales. But there’s nothing Grimm about this stunning spätburgunder ‒ aka pinot noir. Produced by a multi-generational, family-owned winery with an obsession with soil, we’re willing to bet this isn’t a style of pinot you’ve tried before. And if you have, then you know all about the hidden gem just waiting to be uncorked and let loose in your glass. Prost!
A pinot by any other name… is Spätburgunder!
Don’t let the umlaut scare you, spätburgunder ‒ pronounced SHPAYT-BURR-GUHN-DER ‒ is the German name for pinot noir and literally means late-ripening (spät) Burgundy (burgunder). It’s believed the grape was brought to the region from its native Burgundy in the 4th century. You might be wondering why, despite this long history, you don’t often come across spätburgunder. Well, international acclaim for German pinot noir is still a pretty recent phenomenon. Better late than never! We’re simply thrilled to have one more set of sumptuous, high-quality pinot noirs to get excited about and enjoy!
A Black Forest Burgunder!
With a history stretching back generations to 1492, Weingut am Schlipf knows a thing or two aboutmaking wine. And shows in spades with their 2019 Weiler Schneider Weiler Spätburgunder. Made in a traditional style, this wine gives a cheeky wink to Burgundy before blowing you away with layers of ripe raspberries, forest fruits and hints of savoury spice. Then, the palate brings us right back to Baden with elements of Black Forest Gateau: juicy cherry fruit, pops of vanilla and a sprinkle of chocolate, backed up by bright acidity and soft, fine tannins. We recommend enjoying this in the flush of youth, with all that exuberant flavour out on display. This wine is certainly bold enough to enjoy paired with dark meat dishes, spicy Moroccan-inspired meals or even on its own.
Got it bad for Baden
With stunning natural beauty, an exciting culinary heritage and a tradition for producing high-quality wines, Baden really has it all. The most southerly of Germany’s wine regions, Baden is located just across the Rhine from Alsace and has the warm, continent climate required to produce seriously impressive reds from pinot noir and bright, full-flavoured whites from pinot blanc and pinot gris. Within Baden, the Schneider Weiler Spätburgunder comes from a particularly unique site located in front of the Belfort Gap, the area where the Rhone and the Rhine valleys connect. This natural junction creates warming air currents which, combined with the vineyard’s heavy clay and limestone soils, make for ideal pinot-growing conditions. It’s no surprise this is one of Weingut am Schlipf’s top single vineyards!
1. Germany is the world's third largest producer of pinot noir. Some of its most famous examples come from the Baden region (psst. that’s where this wine is from!), which has more pinot planted than New Zealand or Australia.
2. This wine was made in 2019, which was a spectacular vintage for German wines. The growing season was warm and dry with naturally low yields, which means small quantities of clean, ripe fruit ‒ perfect for producing concentrated, complex wines.
3. Weingut am Schlipf is a family-operated winery. Since acquiring the estate in 1892, it has passed down through many generations of the Schneider family. Today it is run by brothers, Johannes and Christof, who represent the family's sixth generation of winemakers.
4. Pinot Noir is one of the classic red grape varieties and is grown throughout the wine world. Although each country and region has a unique style, there are still some common descriptors you should look out for: pale colour, soft tannins, red berries, violet florals, sweet spice and mushrooms.
4. Wines often change over time with exposure to oxygen. Give your wine some time in the glass and you might notice it evolve with the fruit becoming better defined, the savoury notes are more pronounced and the overall texture softening.
They don't call it duck sauce for nothing
Duck and Pinot Noir is a match made in heaven. The rich, gamey flavour of duck is perfectly offset by the fruitiness of Pinot Noir, so this month we're heading straight to our favourite BYO Chinese restaurant and ordering several rounds of rich Peking duck pancakes.
If you know One Wine then you know how much we love pinot noir, and the only thing we love more than pinot is its best friend duck. Duck and pinot noir is a match made in heaven. The rich, gamey flavour of duck is perfectly offset by the fruitiness of pinot noir. We recommend having a bit of fun with this one (its a pinot from Germany after all, you're already on your way to adventure), take your Spätburgunder and head to your favourite BYO Chinese restaurant and indulge in some perfectly prepared and deliciously delicate Peking duck pancakes. Peking duck is slightly spicy, slightly sweet, and very crispy. It’s one of the most popular preparations of duck and the acidity in pinot noir helps to cut through the fatty duck skin, while its fruitiness complements the sweetness of the Hoisin sauce. Guaranteed not to disappoint, you'll be sure to impress your pals with your worldly palette.