Palatinate, a perfect German wine weekend

The Palatinate (Pfalz in German) is one of the best choices if one casts around Europe’s most promising wine-growing regions – and a perfect German wine weekend destination.

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Among Europe’s top trending wine regions, the Palatinate is unquestionably one of the most propitious destinations. And for a wine junket combined with superb food, Pfalz, which stretches from Alsace to Frankfurt, is an ideal choice.

A excellent new book, «Fabulous Wineries Palatinate» (Vinum Publisher, Zurich, 216p, 24.90 € – www.vinum.eu), introduces some fifty wineries from this northerly region blessed with an exceptionally mild, almost southern climate. The Romans were well aware of this particularity when they established the very first wine presses here. Today, the exquisite Pfalz wines are pressed at 1’700 estates.

Famous names…

The authors of this splendid book- journalist Rudolf Knoll and photographer Armin Faber – draw up profiles of Pfalz’ illustrious winemakers such as Bürklin-Wolf, von Bassermann-Jordan or the legendary Friedrich Becker. Each presents three wines considered most typical and successful for the winery.

… and young guns

Of particular interest are the Palatinate’s young, rising stars who will turn a weekend trip into a memorable expedition. Leafing through the book, names such as Thomas Hensel, Bergdolt-Reif&Nett and Sabine Mussler quickly stand out (and a glance at Johnson’s Pocket Book will confirm) : extraordinary wines, both white and red, emerge from this young generation’s  estates.

Pinot Noir is the secret treasure

Although Riesling reigns supreme over the Palatinate’s and indeed, Germany’s wine production, this book helps discover and promote its superb Pinot Noir wines (known locally as Spätburgunder) . Two outstanding champions deserve a particular mention : the Knipser Family Estate and the Weingut of hyper-talented Philipp Kuhn (see photograph)

Pfalz harbours a few curiosities, too. The Oberhofer winery boasts what is possibly the world’s oldest vines still in production. They were planted around 1600 CE, before the Thirty Years’ War. It is also of interest to note that several of Pfalz’ vineyards are actually located in Alsace, France, another mark of Europe’s complex history. This oddity results from a treaty concluded between President Mitterrand and Chancellor Kohl, both lovers of fine phials.

An oenological weekend

Pfalz is ideal for easy motoring. It is located a mere hour’s drive from Frankfurt Airport and less than six hours from Calais. Its 130 km or so Weinstrasse is lined by picturesque medieval towns where charming wineries are to be found in half-timbered houses. Alsace without over-tourism, in short. Between them lay the rolling Palatinate hills of breathtaking beauty. Pfalz wine region can also easily be explored by bicycle. The local Tourism Office has selected a dozen charming and easy itineraries.

Ubiquitous food stars

Last but not least, the book’s final chapter on local gastronomy highlights one of the region’s major delights: exquisite food to go along with its fabulous wines. There are no less than eight Michelin-starred restaurants around its 100 miles axis ! Without counting in Frankfurt’s eight other starred venues.

Jancis Robinson, the celebrated Master of Wine, considers Palatinate « one of the most exciting regions for the wine lover to visit ». «Fabulous Wineries Palatinate» provides expert guidance in hunting down its hidden treasures.

For exploring on the Web :

Becker https://friedrichbecker.de/de/1/startseite.html

Kuhn  https://www.weinshop-philipp-kuhn.de/

Müssler https://wirwinzer.de/weinregionen/pfalz/weingut-mussler

Hensel https://henselwein.de

Bergdolt-Reif&Nett https://www.nett-weine.de