Markus Schneider, Grauburgunder 2008

Markus Schneider, an up-and-coming wine maker from the Palatinate, seems to like very simple, clean labels - a no-nonsense approach that has nothing of the sometimes overly decorated, old-fashioned German wine labels.

The has similar qualities: dry, clean cut and straightforward (without being simple), it is easy to drink and should suit any lover of Pinot Gris: a fresh wine with notes of pear and apple that we enjoyed a lot, especially as it provided a nice contrast to the fruitier, over boarding wines that we had the same night.