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Under its German moniker, Pinot Noir has had a long and varied history. Today it is widely planted across the country’s top wine regions, where winemakers are reacting to the effects of climate change and focusing on fruit purity.
Spätburgunder is the German name for Pinot Noir, and means literally ‘late Burgundy’, in reference to its ripening time and origin. It is possible that the variety first arrived in Germany as early as the ninth century. An often-cited story recounts how Charlemagne [d. 814 AD] ordered monks to plant a vineyard in the Rheingau, on a hill below what is now known as Schloss Johannisberg. It may well be Pinot Noir that they planted, as wild Pinot grapes have been found growing on a nearby island in the Rhine.
Scroll down to see tasting notes and scores for 12 fantastic Spätburgunders
See tasting notes and scores for 12 fantasticSpätburgunders
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