Grauburgunder 2023

Wine Description for Pinot Gris 2023 by Klaus Vorgrimmler

Colour & Appearance

Golden shimmering straw yellow with clear varietal character – a Pinot Gris that immediately announces itself visually.

Nose

Complex and multifaceted, this wine shifts between light and red fruit. Red apple with skin, ripe pear and candied ginger form the foundation, whilst sour cherry, raspberry and redcurrant provide tension. These are joined by freshly roasted almonds, warm brioche with salted butter and a yeasty complexity. Herbal notes of sage, thyme and fennel along with a hint of undergrowth and freshly broken fir branches round off the fascinating aromatic spectrum.

Palate

Forceful and racy, this Pinot Gris presents itself with angular edges where others come polished smooth. The medium to high acidity cuts through any emerging fullness and keeps the wine in perpetual tension. Nutty and pastry aromas return retronasally without relying on creamy textures. The core is herbaceous and compact, bitter compounds make the fruit cling to the palate. A fascinating interplay of bitter, fruity, fresh and herbal that seems to repeat endlessly. Chalky minerality with light smoke on the finish.

Finish

Long, persistent and characterised by herbal freshness. The bitter compounds provide grip and structure, whilst the mineral component brings finesse.

Terroir & Origin

The vines are rooted in fertile loess over Dogger and Jurassic limestone – formations from the Middle Jurassic period 180 to 159 million years ago. Cultivated for 40 years, the soils are no longer worked today and harbour over 80 plant species as part of lived biodiversity.

Grape Variety & Vinification

The KV cut reduces yields to moderate 30-40 hl/ha. Early harvest for optimal acidity levels, fermentation at 18°C in steel tank without any additives, natural malolactic fermentation, ageing on fine lees. Sulphur added only once before bottling – as little as possible. An uncompromisingly natural approach.

Food Pairing Recommendations

Perfect with pan-fried char, veal sweetbreads with mushrooms, pike-perch on fennel vegetables or creamy goat’s cheese preparations. The herbal spice harmonises beautifully with poultry in herb crust.

Special Characteristics

A Pinot Gris that deliberately swims against the current – angular rather than pleasing, structured rather than flattering. Vorgrimmler’s radical natural wine approach creates a distinctive, authentic character.