Jaspis Zipsin Pinot Noir 2021

The Jaspis Zipsin Pinot Noir from the Ziereisen estate comes from vineyards located around Efringen-Kirchen, in the far south of Baden, a few kilometers from the French and Swiss borders. The plots lie on well-exposed slopes overlooking the Upper Rhine Valley, in an area characterized by a relatively warm and dry climate for Germany. The soils, rich in limestone and marl, impart structure and finesse to the wine, while the influences of the Black Forest massif and the Rhine currents promote a slow and balanced ripening of the grapes.

The Pinot Noir grapes are harvested by hand, carefully sorted, and then placed in vats as whole bunches or partially destemmed depending on their ripeness. Fermentation occurs naturally with indigenous yeasts, with gentle extractions through limited punch-downs or pump-overs to preserve the fruit's finesse. After racking, the wine is transferred to oak barrels, mostly used, for extended aging on its lees, without extensive filtration, before bottling, aiming to express the estate's limestone terroir as faithfully as possible.

This wine reveals notes of black cherry , raspberry , and plum , enhanced by floral touches of violet and dried rose, as well as spicy nuances of pepper, clove, and licorice. Subtle woody accents, reminiscent of cedar and gentle smoke, mingle with a slightly mineral structure. On the palate, the wine is elegant, supported by lively acidity, fine yet present tannins, and a long, precise, and flavorful finish that retains considerable freshness.

Germany has a long and illustrious history of winemaking. The Romans established the country's first vineyards along the banks of the Moselle River, near the present-day city of Trier. By the third century AD, vineyards had spread to various neighboring valleys, primarily those of the Moselle's tributaries. During the Middle Ages, the Christian church, particularly the Cistercian and Benedictine monasteries, had a significant influence on the development of viticulture and the production of quality wine in Germany. Germany has always been renowned for its excellent white wines: slightly sweet, low in alcohol, but always of high quality. However, in recent years, wine drinkers have tended to prefer drier wines. Consequently, the German market has evolved to cater to all tastes with some splendid dry Rieslings and other white wine varieties, such as Pinot Blanc, Gewürztraminer, and Grauburgunder. Warmer summers and milder winters have also favored rosés and reds, with Pinot Noir being the third most planted grape variety in the country. So, take your pick—from traditional Rieslings to great reds, the range is wide and still expanding. The German wine industry lost its way in terms of quality during the 20th century, expanding plantings onto less favorable sites and increasing yields to levels where quality was severely compromised. However, Germany's greatest wine producers were never completely lost, and since the end of the 20th century, considerable efforts have been made to restore Germany's former glory. Yields are now limited by law, and many leading producers have joined forces to form the VDP association (see German Wine Labels). Members of the VDP are bound by a commitment to focus their efforts on quality rather than quantity. In terms of volume, Germany ranks among the top ten countries in the world for annual wine production. Just over 60% of the wine produced is white, and it is widely acknowledged that the white wines from Germany's best vineyards and most reputable producers are among the finest in the world. German red wines are also gaining in popularity and quality, particularly those made from Spätburgunder, the local name for Pinot Noir. The second most popular red grape variety (in terms of planted hectares, at least) is Dornfelder.