White wine and oak is a mixture I am not always comfortable with; actually, even some reds I find over-oaked. Having said that, a few wineries demonstrate that it can be done to great effect. In Germany, Heger is one of them. Knipser and Salwey would be two others to look out for. Last year, we went to a wine tasting in Munich where they showed off some of their top wines, which included several oaked Pinot Blancs and Pinot Gris.
Generally, the oaked whites are of a somewhat heavier type, expected to mature a few years in the bottle before reaching their full potential. A representative from the Heger winery told me that he finds their barrique matured whites needed 3-4 years before he really enjoyed them. Having tasted a few of those I can say that they do indeed age quite well - it is just a different style from the lighter, fruitier Pinot Grigio that many people would be used to. This wine is somewhere in the middle.
Glad you enjoyed the review. And thanks for your perspective on the Alsace, David!
In reply to Pinot Gris and oak by David Strange
re: Pinot Gris and oak
White wine and oak is a mixture I am not always comfortable with; actually, even some reds I find over-oaked. Having said that, a few wineries demonstrate that it can be done to great effect. In Germany, Heger is one of them. Knipser and Salwey would be two others to look out for. Last year, we went to a wine tasting in Munich where they showed off some of their top wines, which included several oaked Pinot Blancs and Pinot Gris.
Generally, the oaked whites are of a somewhat heavier type, expected to mature a few years in the bottle before reaching their full potential. A representative from the Heger winery told me that he finds their barrique matured whites needed 3-4 years before he really enjoyed them. Having tasted a few of those I can say that they do indeed age quite well - it is just a different style from the lighter, fruitier Pinot Grigio that many people would be used to. This wine is somewhere in the middle.
Glad you enjoyed the review. And thanks for your perspective on the Alsace, David!