What is Spätburgunder? Pinot Noir With a Passport, Part 3

2014 Meßmer, Pinot Noir (Spätburgunder), Pfalz, Germany

Wine of the Week with Annette Tomei

What is Spätburgunder? And how did it get into our Pinot Noir flight? Oh, yes, we must be in Germany! Things can be a bit different here. In the case of Pinot Noir, it is simply in the name. Spätburgunder is the German name of the Pinot Noir grape.

Pinot Noir thrives in the temperate rolling hills of the Pfalz region, the second-largest wine-growing region in Germany. It is located near the Rhine River, just beyond the Haardt Mountains. Riesling may rule here, but Pinot Noir plantings continue to increase in the region as the distinct style (fuller-bodied, concentrated fruit) continues to gain international notoriety.

Messmer (Meßmer) is located in the southern Pfalz. Herbert Messmer purchased the historic property in 1960; his son Gregor took the lead in 1984. Organic practices have long been in place at Messmer. Then, in 2011 they made the move toward biodynamic vineyard practices.

About this Wine

Initial aromas of lanolin and red roses, followed by juicy red cherries and smoky sweet spice mean the best of both New and Old World styles. This is a medium-bodied wine of moderate intensity. It was aged in large format neutral barrels for 9 months and bottled in 1-liter bottles.

This Spätburgunder is pleasing in every way. And it’s very easy to settle in with for a cozy evening with this wine–with or without a full meal. I most enjoyed it as an accompaniment to great conversation with some crusty bread, country ham, soppressata, and creamy ricotta with fresh herbs. To make it a full meal, this snack could easily could be easily supplemented with simple mushroom risotto, roast chicken, or easy oven-roasted salmon with cucumber-herb salsa.

The Verdict

So, what is Spätburgunder? Well, at approximately $13/bottle this Spätburgunder is possibly one of the best Pinot Noir deals out there. Although it’s labeled Pinot in some markets, I believe it is now labeled as Spätburgunder in others. Either way, same delicious wine made by a respected and conscientious producer. Messmer is possibly best known for their Riesling and Scheurebe (both whites), as well as vineyard designate wines made from a variety of regionally celebrated grapes.

I hope you enjoyed the last pour of our Pinot with a Passport flight. And that you will continue to join me over the next few weeks as we continue our summertime flights of fancy! (To review the other Pinot with a Passport wines, check out this recommendation and this one.)

For more about where I enjoyed this and other flights, please visit Crush Bistro.

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Annette Tomei

Chef, Wine Educator & Culinary Consultant at Wander, Eat and Tell

Annette Tomei is a chef, educator, writer, and cultural tourism consultant. She has a Master’s of Arts in Gastronomy and extensive education in wine and spirits including Italian Wine Scholar with Highest Honors. She is a classically trained chef and former restaurant owner. As a sought-after cooking instructor, she has created popular Port to Table cooking classes for Holland America and has contributed to several food books including Culinary Careers for Dummies. She currently works as a food, wine and spirits educator and consultant though her company, Wander, Eat and Tell.

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