Geil Spätburgunder Trocken Rheinhessen, Germany 2020

Vintage: 2020

ABV: 13.5% 

Region: Rheinhessen 

Country:  Germany 

Varietals:  Pinot Noir aka Spätburgunder 

About:  His ancestors were some of the very first to cultivate and bottle wine here; indeed, plantings in Bechtheim were recognized as superior in the region in the early tax maps of 1780. Once the fruit is picked, Johannes believes in immediate pressing to maintain the liveliness of the juice and favors ambient yeast fermentations, both utilized to preserve what Johannes believes is the most important aspect of a wine – its aroma. Minimal skin contact, cold fermentations in steel and oak, gravity clarification, racking immediately after fermentation, and fine lees contact all contribute to Johannes’ clean and expressive wines. As he says, “Every year we are trying to make one less mistake… or maybe two.” Johannes Geil was the Gault Milleau’s 2004 Discovery of the Year Award recipient.

Pairing Ideas: this punchy Pinot is asking to be paired with roasted chicken, duck, earthy mushrooms, a vast range of cheeses, you name it.