Home / Grapes

Pinot Noir

In Germany, the area under Pinot Noir cultivation has grown steadily in recent years to encompass almost 12,000 hectares. That makes Germany the third largest producer of Pinot Noir in the world. As with Riesling, Pinot Noir prefers cool climates so that it has a longer maturing period to combine flavours and acidity. The resulting harmonious balance is why German wine regions are so well-suited to Pinot Noir production. The variety was brought to Germany from Burgundy already in the 14th century. Ambitious German wine-growers have elevated German Pinot Noir to the ranks of the very best red wines thanks to yield reduction, longer mash periods and masterly nurture in the large wooden or small Barrique barrels. The overall impression of German Pinot Noir is of a charming, light, sweet fruitiness with hints of raspberry, strawberry and blackcurrant. The wines usually contain relatively low levels of tannins and pigments compared to other red wine varieties. They are notable for their fruity acidity and smooth, elegant structure. German Pinot Noir is ideally served with ham, roast beef, hearty terrines and pies. 12% of Germany's vineyard area is devoted to Spätburgunder, primarily in Baden, Pfalz or Rheinhessen; it accounts for over half the plantings in the Ahr.

XCompetition

The winner of last month's competition is John Wood from London

Enter our competition to win 12 bottles of delicious German wine!

The next competition ends on 30th September so sign up now to be in with a chance to win.

Congratulations to Jackie Reade for winning the previous competition - a mixed case of top quality German wine is on the way!

Click here to enter the competition

Terms & conditions

  1. Entry to the Competition may only be made via the Wines of Germany website.
  2. Entry to all Competitions in restricted to entrants of 18 years of age or over.
  3. Entry to all Competitions in restricted to entrants based in the UK.
  4. The Competition is updated on a quarterly basis with entry deadlines of 31 March 2010, 30 June 2010, 30 September 2010 and 31 December 2010.
  5. Unless otherwise stated, entrants may make as many entries to a Competition as they wish.
  6. By entering the competition, entrants agree for their details to be used for marketing purposes within Wines of Germany.
  7. The winner will be the first correct entry drawn after the Competition closes from the total entries submitted.
  8. Names of winners and results of Competitions will be available on receipt of a request enclosing a stamped self-addressed envelope and may be published on the website as space permits.
  9. Prizes are not transferable and no cash alternative to prizes will be offered.
  10. If the winner of a Competition is unable to take up a prize for any reason or in the event that time is of the essence and a winner cannot be contacted by Wines of Germany within a reasonable period, Wines of Germany reserves the right to award the prize to an alternative winner, in which case the first winner chosen will not be eligible for any share of the prize whatsoever.
  11. In the case of entry via the website, no responsibility or liability will be accepted for entries which are not received or are lost in transmission for any reason. Proof of sending or transmission will not be accepted as proof of entry. Corrupted, damaged, unintelligible, inaudible or incomplete entries will be invalid.
  12. Employees of Wines of Germany, their agents or their families may not enter any Competition.
  13. In the event of an error of any nature howsoever caused and whether obvious or otherwise which affects a Competition in any way, Wines of Germany reserves the right to administer the Competition as though the error had not occurred. Where deemed appropriate and/or feasible, Wines of Germany will notify entrants of the error and correct it either through the website or through any other suitable medium.
  14. No correspondence can be entered into on any matters arising from any Competition.
  15. Failure to comply with any of these rules may result in the disqualification of the entry. Wines of Germany reserves the right to disqualify any entry at their absolute discretion.
  16. Wines of Germany's decisions are final in all matters concerning a Competition. It is a condition of entry to any Competition that the entrant agrees to be bound by these Rules, whether or not they are published in the relevant newspaper or publication or website and that the decisions of Wines of Germany and judges on any matter whatsoever arising out of or connected with the Competition are final.
  17. A copy of these Standard Competition Rules may be obtained by downloading them from the Wines of Germany website or sending a stamped self-addressed envelope marked "Standard Rules Request" to Phipps PR, 17 Exeter Street, London, WC2E 7DU.
Grauburgunder is the German name for which grape?
Pinot Noir
Pinot Blanc
Pinot Gris


 

Other links