Villa Wolf Pinot Gris 2024

Villa Wolf is a Pfalz estate founded in 1756 and now run by Ernst Loosen, who also owns the Mosel producer Dr. Loosen. This is a varietal Pinot Gris from the Pfalz, a warm, dry region in south-western Germany sheltered from rain by the Haardt hills, an extension of the Alsace Vosges. That rain shadow gives long, sunny ripening, so the Pinot Gris fills out with ripe orchard and stone fruit while retaining freshness. The vineyards are farmed with respect for the environment. Made in a fresh, fruit-forward style, the wine is fermented cool in stainless steel to keep the primary fruit clean and preserve the variety's gentle floral aromatics, with no oak to mask the fruit. The colour is pale straw. The nose shows ripe pear, white peach and melon with white flowers and a light touch of ginger spice typical of the grape. The palate is soft and rounded, the ripe fruit balanced by fresh acidity and a clean, faintly spicy finish. Serve chilled at 9 to 11 degrees in a standard white glass. It suits roast pork, chicken and lightly spiced dishes.