German pinot noirs assert themselves as well internationally

The best German pinot noir, the 2008 pinot noir “Saulheimer Hölle” from the wine-growing estate Thörle in Saulheim in the Rhine Hesse region came on third. The 2009 pinot noir Eola Amity Hills from the wine-growing estate of Antica Terra, Oregon, USA) and the 2008 pinot noir Isabelle of the wine-growing estate of Au bon climat, Kalifornia, USA achieved the first and second rank. The German wine-growing estates of Paul Fürst (Franconia), two wines of the wine-growing estate Ziereisen (Baden), the wine-growing estates Gutzler (Rhine Hesse), Stodden (Ahr) and Heitlinger (Baden) achieved the fourth to seventh rank as well as the ninth and tenth rank.

The jury, consisting of 13 international experts, among them Jancis Robinson, a British wine critic, and Tim Atkin, Master of Wine, expressed their absolute surprise at the excellent quality and the variety of styles of the German growths. “This great success of the German pinot noirs has absolutely astonished the experts”, Steffen Schindler, marketing manager of the DWI, reported from London. “We took this challenge deliberately because we have been convinced for long of our pinot noirs being competitive on the international level. Today, our wines have proved this impressively,” Monika Reule, DWI executive, said happily.

The 20 German wines to be tasted in the Texture Restaurant in London had been chosen out of 380 pinot noirs as early as in September in a selective tasting organized by the DWI. In this case, the jury consisted of Christina Fischer (sommelier), Stephan Reinhardt (wine journalist), Alexander Kohnen (director of the International Wine Institute), as well as Hamish Anderson (wine expert) and Tim Atkin MW, who had also chosen the international wines for the tasting in London. (red.youpress)

Here is the ranking of the German pinot noirs:

• RANK 3: Winzerhof Thörle - 2008 Hölle QbA
• RANK 4: Weingut Rudolf Fürst - 2009 Centgrafenberg Qualitätswein (Großes Gewächs)
• RANK 5: Weingut Ziereisen - 2007 Tafelwein (Alte Regen)
• RANK 6: Weingut Gutzler - 2008 Westhofener Morstein Qualitätswein (Großes Gewächs)
• RANK 7: Weingut Ziereisen - 2008 Badischer Landwein (Alte Regen)
• RANK 9: Weingut Jean Stodden - 2009 AbA (Alte Reben)
• RANK 10: Weingut Heitlinger - 2009 QbA (Große Lage)