One of the first words that I learned while I was travelling around German was Spätburgunder. It is fun to say, and possibly one of my favorite German words. What does Spätburgunder mean? Pinot Noir! Spät means late-ripening and Burgunder (or Burgundy), Pinot. In Germany Spätburgunder is as quintessential to wine as Riesling. In fact, Germany is the third largest producer of Pinot Noir!
A German Pinot Noir will definitely show a different and special sense of place and terrior as compared to a Burgundy or California Pinot Noir. They tend to be lighter in color, not as full in body and have a vibrant acidity. In recent years German wine makers have been dialing back the new oak to product Pinot Noir that matches more of the traditional style i.e. fuller-bodied, deep red wines with higher tannin levels. This makes me sad, because I truly enjoy the uniquely German style of Pinot Noir. In my world, there is a time and place for all styles of Pinot. PROST!
