German pinot noir

In a covert comparison sample of 20 top international and German Pinot Noir wines, which took place at the initiative of the German Wine Institute (DWI) in London, the Pinot Noir from the German wine-growing areas performed outstandingly.Seven of the ten best wines of the sample came from Germany.

The best German Pinot Noir was the 2008 Pinot Noir, Saulheimer Hell, from the vineyard Thörle from the Rheinhessen Saulheim in third place. The 2009 Pinot Noir Eola Amity Hills of the Argentine winery, Antica Terra and the 2008 Au Bon Climat Isabelle Pinot Noir from California took the first and second rankings. The ranks of four to seven, and nine and ten also went to Germany at the wineries Paul Fürst (Franken), ornamental iron (Baden) with two wines, Gutzler (Rheinhessen), Stodden (Ahr) and Heitlinger (Baden).

The 13-member international jury, which was comprised of, among others, the British wine critic Jancis Robinson and Master of Wine Tim Atkin, was completely surprised by the outstanding qualities and stylistic diversity of the German plants. "This great performance of German Pinot Noir here has absolutely astounded the experts," said DWI-marketing manager of the German Wine Institute, Steffen Schindler, from London. "We realize this challenge, because we were convinced long ago by the international competitiveness of our Pinot Noir. These wines have proven impressive today," beamed DWI-director Monika Reule.

The 20 German wines for tasting at the London restaurant Texture were determined in September as part of an organized selection from the DWI sample of 380 Spätburgunders. The jury in this case was the sommelier Christina Fischer, wine journalist Stephen Reinhardt, director of the International Wine Institute Alexander Kohnen and the British wine expert Tim Atkin MW and Hamish Anderson, who was also selected for the London international wine tasting.