Germany

Region: Germany, Baden

Grape variety: Muller Thurgau

Background: Martin Wassmer is a bit of a genius in the vineyard and the winery. Take his Muller Thurgau for example. This is a striking example of what can be achieved by using old vines, low yields and having some of the best terroir - plus taking care and attention from the vineyard to the winery. The reason why you have never heard of Muller Thurgau is because Muller Thurgau has had a blotted history Dr Hermann Müller's 1882 crossing of Riesling with a table grape called Madeleine Royale played an important part in allowing the reputation of German wine to plummet.

Taken up with enthusiasm by German growers after the Second World War, the vine has the practical advantages (in the cool German climate) of ripening extremely early, before the arrival of autumn rain in most years, and (unlike Riesling and Silvaner) yielding reliably on almost any site. The disadvantage is that the wine, especially if produced from high yields, has so little character and can be dangerously short of acid. It is almost invariably the major ingredient in Liebfraumilch and Germany's other cheap QbA blends.

Tasting notes: Pale yellow with light greenish reflections. Aromas that are reminiscent of orange blossom and nutmeg. Juicy, fresh, with a pleasant acidity, beautiful fruit and a very fine fruity finish.

Food pairing: Ideal with crunchy salads and fine vegetable dishes, with fish and white poultry.

Region: Germany, Baden

Grape Variety: Pinot Noir

Background: Baden is earning itself some renown in the UK for its wines these days, particularly Pinot Noir. In the Markgraeferland, between the Black Forest and the Rhine, the undulating countryside and warm summer weather has led to the area becoming known as the German Tuscany and there is a history of winemaking that goes back almost as long as in the more famous Italian region. Here you will find the vineyards and cellars of Martin Wassmer, whose family have lived in and around the Baden town of Schlatt for many generations, most of them involved in the making of wine.

He specialises in the Pinots - Noir, Blanc and Gris (known here as spätburgunder, weissburgunder and grauburgunder), though he also grows and produces chardonnay, muscat, gewürztraminer and chasselas (aka gutedel). This part of Germany is, after all, a hop, skip and a jump away from the Alsace which shares all these varieties. Winemaking is traditional, with only natural yeasts used for the slow, long fermentations, and the wines are all aged in barrel with the top cuvées in Burgundian barriques for up to 18 months, with a minimal filtration before bottling.

Tasting Notes: Aromatically restrained with a hint of cinnamon and anise. Opens up well with a surge of toasty oak, dark chocolate and ripe red fruit with touches of coffee and bacon. Grainy tannin and fine length give it an authoritative stamp.

Awards:

International Wine Challenge 2017 - Silver

International Wine Challenge 2013 - Gold

Region: Germany, Baden, Markgräflerland

Grape Variety: Pinot Noir

Background: Martin Wassmer makes some of the best value top of the range Pinot Noir in Germany. Single vineyard, old vine with a touch of elegant oak ageing. Most of his production is sold in good restaurants across Europe.

Tasting Notes: Purple with cherry red reflections. Shows classic aromas such as sour cherries, raspberries and blackberries. Juicy, paired with ripe tannins, a balanced body and a good aromatic length. The fruity aromas in the nose can be found on the palate.

Food Pairing: Pan-fried or grilled meat, veal, beef, dark poultry and fine game dishes.

Awards:

International Wine Challenge 2018 - Gold

Region: Germany, Baden

Grape Variety: Pinot Noir

Tasting Notes: Distinctly lighter than your average German pinot noir, unadulterated by oak and carrying a breezy charm. Perfumed and with sweet raspberry fruit, there's a lovely intensity with the soft tannins before an attractive red cherry hit on the finish.

Food Pairing: This German wine is best enjoyed tempered at 15 - 18 degrees. It is perfect as an accompanying wine to baked sheep cheese parcels, lemon chilli chicken with bulgur or red onion stuffed with couscous and apricots.

Region: Germany, Baden, Markgräflerland

Grape Variety: Pinot Noir

Tasting Notes: Purple with subtle violet reflections. Very elegant, classic aromas. Discreet hints of sweet cherries, raspberries and sour cherries. Fine toasted aromas in the background. Juicy on the palate, with ripe berry fruit, cherry aromas and elegant wood spice. An excellent wine with potential.

Food Pairing: Ideal for pan-fried, grilled or braised food. With strong poultry, as well as shellfish and cheese.

Region: Germany, Baden, Markgräflerland

Grape variety: Grauer Burgunder

Tasting notes: Light yellow with slight greenish reflections. Reminiscent of ripe apples, Williams pear and subtle citrus notes. Melting and fruity on the finish, with an elegant acidity.

This stunning wine reveals ripe apple, crisp pear fruit along with a slight tropical fruit scent on the nose. Spicy notes with hazelnut, pastry, toffee and vanilla creates a full bodied white wine full off flavour and character.

Food pairing: Ideal with short fried fish dishes, white poultry, or hard cheese.

Region: Germany, Baden, Markgräflerland

Grape variety: Gewürztraminer

Tasting notes: Dark golden yellow. Ripe lychee, white garden roses and candied pineapple. A fine minerality appears in the background. Opulent sweetness on the palate, fine acidity and good length.

Region: Germany, Baden, Markgräflerland

Grape variety: Pinot Noir

Tasting notes: Fine fruit such as raspberry, wild strawberry and cranberry. Clearly characterized by its berryness, this rosé convinces with its freshness, which it owes to the fine acidity

Food pairing: This wine is best suited for hot summer days, an uncomplicated, light and fresh wine.

Region: Germany, Baden, Markgräflerland

Grape variety: Muller Thurgau

Tasting notes: Pale yellow with light greenish reflections. Aromas that are reminiscent of orange blossom and nutmeg. Juicy, fresh, with a pleasant acidity, beautiful fruit and a very fine fruity finish

Food pairing: Ideal with crunchy salads and fine vegetable dishes, with fish and white poultry.

Region: Germany, Baden, Markgräflerland

Grape variety: Muskateller

Tasting notes: Pale yellow with light golden reflections. A hint of candied orange blossom, candied lemon and jasmine blossom. In the background, exotic fruit aromas such as pineapple and passion fruit can be found. Despite the aromatic opulence, the wine does not seem overloaded, it rather shows its elegant side. As in the bouquet, it also shows a fine, pronounced fruity aroma in the taste.

Food pairing: Ideal as an aperitif. Exotic finger food, dishes from Thai or Cantonese cuisine and mild blue cheese are suitable companions.

Region: Germany, Baden, Markgräflerland

Grape variety: Riesling

Tasting notes: Light yellow, with greenish reflections. Delightful citrus notes, fresh herbs and grassy-herbaceous hints. Aromas of citrus and vineyard peach with a pleasant acidity.

Food pairing: Delight fish dishes, antipasti and Asian food.

Region: Germany, Baden, Markgräflerland

Grape Variety: Spätburgunder

Tasting Notes: Dense garnet red. Fine mineral notes, ripe cherry, berry fruits and subtle toasted aromas. A concise and juicy acidity with a filigree fruit component of sour cherry and blackberry.

Food Pairing: Ideal with game meat, mature or mild cheese.

Awards:

International Wine Challenge 2018 - Silver

International Wine Challenge 2017 - Gold

International Wine Challenge 2015 - Silver

International Wine Challenge 2013 - Silver