Wine Club 11/13/13 : The Pfalz Region of Germany

This week at wine club we focused on the Pfalz region of Germany. This region is just across the border from Alsace, and is similar in climate due to the shelter of the Haardt mountain range. The best way to describe wines from this region is energetic. The normal hard acidity of German wines is not as profound here and instead gives way to a energy that excites the palate.

We focused on wines from Villa Wolf Estate produced by winemaker Ernst Loosen.

Accolades for Ernst Loosen
• Top 100 Winery of the Year 2012, Wine & Spirits
• Man of the Year 2005, Decanter
• White Wine Maker of the Year 2005, Wine International
• World’s 50 Most Influential Winemakers, Wine & Spirits
• Germany’s Winemaker of the Year 2001, Gault Millau


2011 Riesling Wachenheimer

I must say I thoroughly enjoy this Riesling, it is full of flavor with a nice minerality that dances over your tongue. The assertion of flavor was fulfilling yet succinct enough not to be ostentatious and for that I am making it my wine of the week.

"The 2011 Wachenheimer Riesling Kabinett is clean and pure with a delicious peachy fruit. It has a stony juiciness that is quite captivating, and a delicate texture that is true to the Kabinett style. A little bit of botrytis-affected fruit was allowed with this wine at harvest time, which enhances the lovely peach fruitiness, but there is no obvious botrytis character and the freshness and juicy acidity shine through to the fine, elegant finish." - Tech Sheet






2012 Villa Wolf Pinot Gris

This Pinot Gris makes a wonderful sipping wine. A beautiful nose complimented by a great balance between acidity and body give this wine an overall well rounded appeal. I recommend allowing the wine to sit at room temperature for a few minutes before pouring.

"Villa Wolf Pinot Gris is made in a fruity, yet dry style that will appeal to anyone seeking a fresh, unoaked, food-friendly wine for every day. To ensure quality, only clean, perfectly healthy fruit is accepted — no botrytis is allowed — and production is limited to about 4,000 cases. Traditionally, a part of each vintage (the exact percentage varies) is vinified in the region’s traditional 1,200 liter, neutral oak casks for depth and complexity, and the rest is made in stainless steel tanks to emphasize the vibrant fruit. Malolactic fermentation is avoided to maintain bright acidity. The wine is bottled with the Stelvin screwcap to preserve freshness." - Tech Sheet




2009 Villa Wolf Pinot Noir

The Villa Wolf 2009 Pinot Noir is a great wine to help you understand what a broad category Pinot Noir is. Gone is the luscious ripe fruits typical of the US northwest, and in its place we find a very layered and structured wine with a hint of smoke and spice.

"Pinot Noir has a long tradition in the Pfalz region, where it is known as Spätburgunder. Villa Wolf Pinot Noir is warm and medium-bodied, with a firm acid structure. Its bright black-cherry fruit is juicy, ripe, and forward, with a spicy mid-palate. Twelve months of aging in used barriques gives the wine a smoky depth and a nice touch of earthy tannins. It’s an excellent, approachable red wine for everyday dining." - Tech Sheet

2009 Michel Schneider Dornfelder Trocken (Dry)

Smoky Smoky Smoky. The very dark red colour and flavours of ripe forest fruits give a strong character to this wine. A very easy drinking red wine due to its low acidity and mild tannins. This wine is very full bodied and delicious!






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Next week at 2113 Wine Club (11/20/13) we will be taking a look at some classics from Northern Italy! Come join us at 2113 Bistro on 11/20/13 at 8PM.