Weisser Burgunder "Im Sonnenschein" GG 2022

A dry-vinified Grosses Gewächs, youthful and clearly defined. The nose shows bright fruit of pear, yellow apple and quince, alongside acacia and elderflower blossom. After extended aeration, notes of brioche, light tobacco and woodsmoke emerge. In the glass, a pale, sparkling golden yellow with delicate green highlights.

The Queich valley runs from the Palatinate Forest into the Rhine valley, opening up south-facing slopes. This Siebeldingen summer-side slope carries the vineyard name Im Sonnenschein, one of the estate's top VDP sites, 160 to 225 metres above sea level with a gradient of 5 to 20 percent. The grapes grow at 185 to 225 metres on the south and southwest-facing slope, on the site's most barren and stoniest parcels. The soil is Triassic shell limestone, deposited 220 million years ago as marine sediment, containing fossils of marine flora and fauna.

Pinot Blanc from vines up to 40 years old. Selective hand harvest, destemming, 24 hours of skin contact, then gentle pressing via basket press. After 24 hours of must sedimentation, the wine fermented in stainless steel tank and rested five months on full lees, racked in March 2023, bottled in July 2023. 13.0 percent alcohol.

The entry is charming, with fine, silky texture and creamy structure. The refreshing acidity sits embedded in this silkiness and subtle fruit sweetness, giving the wine tension and ageing potential. A spicy note lingers on the finish. At this young stage, open early and decant.

Celery schnitzel with roasted walnuts and bulgur salad, salmon and pikeperch roulade in puff pastry with spinach, or veal ragout with mushrooms and thyme gnocchi.

Hansjörg and Birgit Rebholz farm 26 hectares biodynamically and vinify their wines to full dryness, completely fermented out. What began in 1889 with great-grandfather Eduard is now carried on by twin sons Hans and Valentin.