Ökonomierat Rebholz: The Burgundy Purist

Hansjörg Rebholz makes wines in the most Burgundian style in Germany. His Spätburgunder sees careful oak aging, indigenous yeast fermentation, and minimal intervention. When he says 'Germans now expect a lot from their Pinot Noir,' he speaks from experience.

What to do there

3 things to do

1. 1 Book a Terroir-Focused Tasting Wine · Price: moderate

   Understand how different sites express Spätburgunder.

   Book at rebholz.de. Hansjörg Rebholz is vocal about site expression - ask to compare Spätburgunder from different parcels. The Im Sonnenschein vineyard on limestone and red slate produces his most Burgundian wines.

   Log Memory
2. 2 Ask About German Wine Classification History · Free

   Understand VDP, Grosses Gewächs, and how Germany ranks wines.

   Ask Rebholz or staff to explain the VDP (Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter) classification system. Grosses Gewächs (GG) is the top tier for dry wines. Understanding this system is essential for navigating German Pinot.

   Log Memory
3. 3 Compare to Burgundy in Blind Tasting Wine · Price: moderate · Optional

   The ultimate test - can you tell German from French?

   Ask if they can pour a Rebholz Spätburgunder against a village Burgundy blind. Many experts cannot distinguish the two. The climate in Pfalz now matches what Burgundy had decades ago.

   Log Memory

Insider tips

• Rebholz quoted: 'Germans now expect a lot from their Pinot Noir' - this is the new standard

• Im Sonnenschein is his best Spätburgunder vineyard - ask for it specifically

• The estate also makes exceptional Riesling and Weißburgunder

• His winemaking is minimal intervention, indigenous yeast - Burgundian philosophy