Weissburgunder GG, Monopol 2022

Wine Description for Weissburgunder GG Monopol 2022 from Odinstal

Colour & Appearance

Medium straw yellow with a light, natural haze – a first sign of the uncompromising, artisanal approach in the cellar.

Nose

The nose is unmistakable and distinctive: flinty smoke and a hint of volatile acidity meet yeast, crisp apple and snappy white-fleshed fruits. Added to this is a fresh yellow citrus fruit and a subtle, perfectly integrated oak note. Not a Pinot Blanc cliché in sight.

Palate

On the palate, a wine of remarkable precision and depth reveals itself. A chalky, mineral backbone – almost reminiscent of crushed oyster shells – forms the foundation. Combined with salt, lemon, flint and the aromatic freshness of verbena and lemon balm. The acidity is nervy, agile and invigorating – it propels the wine forward without dominating it.

Finish

Long, salty and vibrant. A light grip on the palate creates tension, the energy sustained through to the long, mineral aftertaste.

Terroir & Origin

The grapes come from the monopoly vineyard site of Weingut Odinstal above Wachenheim in the Palatinate – shaped by basalt and Keuper soils that lend this wine its distinctive mineral depth. The vines are around 35 years old.

Grape Variety & Vinification

Pure Pinot Blanc, vinified with the greatest respect for the raw material: Approximately 90% of the juice was fermented directly from the press in 5–10 year old barrels and aged on full solids. A further 10% was fermented on the skins, which adds additional texture and complexity to the wine. The blend was assembled in the autumn of the following year, followed by harmonisation in stainless steel. Alcohol: 12.5% vol., dry.

Food Pairing Suggestions

The salty minerality and lively acidity make this wine an ideal companion for oysters and raw seafood, grilled turbot with herb butter, goat’s cheese or a classic bouillabaisse. Also an excellent choice with calf’s sweetbreads and lemon jus.

Special Features

This wine is an outlier in the best sense: Among the great Pinot Blanc wines, it occupies a completely distinctive position – less appealing, but all the more honest and characterful. Andreas Schumann’s signature is unmistakable. If you want to rediscover Pinot Blanc, start here.