Jamie Goode
Our expert toasts his favourite rich red pickings from Germany
Germany is a country that most people associate with white wine, and in particular Riesling. But it also makes a lot of red wine.
In the past, Germany was too cool to make convincing reds every year, but hotter temperatures have changed that. Pinot Noir, often known as Spätburgunder, is the star, but look out for Lemberger (known as Blaufränkisch) and Dornfelder. Here are seven good ones.
Palataia Pinot Noir 2020 Pfalz, 13.5% alcohol, £9, Marks & Spencer
This is light and fragrant with juicy raspberry and plum fruit, as well as a touch of cranberry brightness. There’s also a touch of oak.
Louis Guntrum Pinot Noir 2020 Rheinhessen, 13.5% alcohol, £14.99, Waitrose
Pale cherry red in colour, this has aromas of wild strawberry and raspberry, with some fine herbal hints.
The palate is textured and rounded, with subtle spiciness and dried herbs.
Corvers Kauter Pinot Noir 2018, Rheingau, 13.5% alcohol, £24.95, Masters of Malt
This is complex, spicy and sweetly fruited with lovely focused cherry and strawberry. There’s richness to these flavours, but also a strongly savoury edge with spice and earth notes.
Spätburgunder vom Kalkstein Weingut am Schlipf Schneider 2018, Baden, 13.5% alcohol, £22, Swig
This wine is brisk and focused with good acidity and some nice structure under the fresh cherry and raspberry fruit.
Josten & Klein Schiefer Pinot Noir 2016, Ahr, 13% alcohol, £23.50, Good Wine Shop
This has lovely aromatics of red cherries, dried herbs and some autumn leaves, with flavours of spice and a nice citrus bite. .
Dawn Felder Dornfelder 2021 Rheinhessen, 12% alcohol, £11.99, Laithwaites
Deeply coloured, this is soft but juicy with smooth cherry fruit with some ripe raspberry notes and a lovely ease to it.
Karl Haidle Lemberger Bunter Mergel 2021, Württemberg, 12.5% alcohol, £17,
The Good Wine Shop
This is so lovely: fresh and delicate with bright cherry and raspberry fruit, it’s a lighter style red that’s best served chilled a bit.