Baden

The Breisgau is one of the warmest regions in Germany. All the more is the pity that only very few producers in this area are committed to producing high quality. It is true that there are only a few really top-rated vineyard sites in the region, but there is widespread potential for producing really convincing wines to make up for this. The exceptional wines are produced in the cellar of Bernhard Huber, a francophile quality fanatic whose white and red wines from Burgundian varieties, produced on the Malterdinger Bienenberg site, are regularly among the very best produced in Germany. Here, just as on the steep Hecklinger Schlossberg site, the vines are rooted in soils of decomposed shell limestone, which give the wines tremendous power and a firm structure. The Pinot Noir grape, on particular, finds ideal conditions here. The resulting wines are often on a par with the top-class Premiers Crus of Burgundy, and can beat many an expensive Grand Cru. On the whole, the taste profile is somewhat „lighter“, more open and more fruity than one would find in a top Burgundy red. Also, the wines are ready to drink a little earlier, although the very best will improve and mature for 10 years, and will keep for 15 years.

(translation by Peter Gebler)