Schäfer-Fröhlich, Weißer Burgunder trocken, 2009
We have had a lot of Pinot Blanc this spring and early summer - because it is a wonderful grape, because it seems to be made for this season and because it is one of the best companions for asparagus. And especially I tend to eat a lot of asparagus when it is in season. The asparagus season is over now, of course, but that does not mean it can't still be Pinot Blanc (Weißburgunder) season!
This dry specimen comes from the Nahe valley and is made by a producer who has received a lot of praise for his Riesling over the past few years. Earlier this year, I met Tim Fröhlich at a wine tasting in London and was particularly impressed with his grand cru Rieslings. What about the entry level Pinot Blanc though?
The wine certainly looks pretty, both the clear label design and the actual wine, a light lemon gold colour with a touch of green. It also smells very pleasant, a fresh and floral aroma of pear and lots of apple with a slightly rougher, edgier touch of green, under-ripe fruit and some smoke.
Schäfer-Fröhlich's Weißer Burgunder is one of those "honest" wines that, when you get to drinking it, keeps the promise made by the bouquet: light and fresh, with good acidity, but also some depth and precise focus - plus an intense taste of green fruit with a light bitter-apple aftertaste that ends on pear drops. While it has its creamy moments, the texture is overall more on the crisp side, with a nice mineral touch. Oh, and did I mention that after two days in the bottle it was as focussed and precise as when we opened it?
A really good entry level wine that is a step away from something bigger and certainly delivers what you would expect from this price range.