Weingut Brand Weissburgunder 2020 (1-Liter)

The brothers Brand, Daniel and Jonas, have quickly brought attention to the far northern Pfalz, this cool-climate, limestone-rich, yet otherwise overlooked region. I would say the brothers (along with Andreas Durst) have redefined this place, but that presupposes the place has actually been defined, which is a stretch. The “famous” Pfalz, the Mittelhaardt region, is a good 45-minutes south. Here, however, in the north, in the Brand brother’s village of Bockenheim, well, things are a bit quieter; the historic and gilded estates of the south, with their tended gardens and bustling tourism, give way to a quieter, more gritty, working agricultural feel in the north. For the Brand’s wines, well, first there are the liters – these are the wines that immediately made both John and I look at each other with eyebrows a-raised, sharing that look of delight when something stands apart because of its internal, brightness, purity and zzziiiinnnnng. They still fascinate and delight; there are few better deals in wine.

Soil: Limestone

Vine Age: 5-20 years. Certified organic since vintage 2017. In the vineyards, they will only spray low amounts of copper and sulfur. They are also practicing biodynamics in the vineyard and use assorted soaps, oils, herbs and teas on the vines.

Vinification: No fining and no filtration in most vintages. If filtration is needed, then it is very light and no animal products are used, so all wines are vegan. Sulfur also depend on vintage, but usually 40-60mg/l total.

Weissburgunder 1 Liter – vineyards from the valley around Bockenheimer hill, limestone, loam, loess, young vines

What result pear and honey nuts together? Right, a salty-fresh feeling that you would like to have again

Selected harvests yield 6000l / ha, gentle pressing, maceration, fermentation by wild (spontaneous) yeasts, unvarnished and untreated

Grape variety: 100% Pinot Blanc

Alcohol: 12.5% vol.