German red wine

German red wine almost always means Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir) — and for good reason. The German Pinot Noir tradition has significantly improved in quality over the last two decades and now stands on par with Burgundian drinking standards in the Palatinate and Rheinhessen.

The selection is dominated by 86 red wines from Palatinate wineries: Knipser with densely tannic Spätburgunder, Rings with more elegant growths, Friedrich Becker with a Burgundy style, Philipp Kuhn for the drinkable middle ground. From Rheinhessen come red wines from Gunderloch and Karl May.

Stylistically medium-bodied, with cherry, forest floor, and an acidity that makes the wine food-friendly. Cabernet, Merlot, and Dornfelder blends complement the assortment as a second track — for those who find Pinot too delicate.

See also: Austrian Red Wine, Italian Red Wine.