The iconic bottles that define Pfalz: what they are, who makes them and what they cost.

Iconic bottles of Pfalz

Forster Kirchenstuck Riesling GG ★ 4.8

bassermann-jordanstill dry Pfalz Riesling Grosses GewachsRieslingapproachable from 5, cellar 5 to 25EUR 60 to 110 at retail

Bassermann-Jordan's dry Grosses Gewachs Riesling from the basalt-rich Forster Kirchenstuck.

Tasting notes: Bassermann-Jordan's dry Grosses Gewachs from the basalt-and-limestone Forster Kirchenstuck: dense yellow stone fruit, smoky slate and salt-driven length. Source: www.bassermann-jordan.de.

Forster Kirchenstuck Riesling GG ★ 4.8

von-buhlstill dry Pfalz Riesling Grosses GewachsRieslingapproachable from 5, cellar 5 to 25EUR 65 to 120 at retail

Von Buhl's dry Grosses Gewachs Riesling from the basalt-rich Forster Kirchenstuck.

Tasting notes: Von Buhl's dry Grosses Gewachs from the basalt-rich Forster Kirchenstuck: smoky slate, salty drive, ripe yellow stone fruit and a long mineral close. Source: von-buhl.de.

Forster Kirchenstuck Riesling GG ★ 4.9

von-winningstill dry Pfalz Riesling Grosses GewachsRieslingapproachable from 8, cellar 8 to 30EUR 90 to 160 at retail

Von Winning's barrique-fermented dry Grosses Gewachs Riesling from the Forster Kirchenstuck.

Tasting notes: Von Winning's barrique-fermented dry Grosses Gewachs from the Forster Kirchenstuck: smoky basalt, candied citrus, oak spice and intensely long salty drive. Source: www.von-winning.de.

Forster Kirchenstuck Riesling GC ★ 4.9

buerklin-wolfstill dry Pfalz Riesling Grand CruRieslingapproachable from 8, cellar 8 to 30EUR 80 to 140 at retail

Burklin-Wolf's biodynamic dry Grand Cru Riesling from the Forster Kirchenstuck.

Tasting notes: Biodynamic dry Grand Cru Riesling from the basalt Forster Kirchenstuck: salty slate, herbs, dense yellow stone fruit and a very long mineral close. Source: www.buerklin-wolf.de.

Konigsbacher Idig Riesling GG ★ 4.9

christmannstill dry Pfalz Riesling Grosses GewachsRieslingapproachable from 8, cellar 8 to 30EUR 70 to 120 at retail

Christmann's biodynamic dry Grosses Gewachs Riesling from the Konigsbacher Idig.

Tasting notes: Christmann's biodynamic dry Grosses Gewachs from the Konigsbacher Idig: dense salty mineral palate, herb, citrus and a profoundly long savoury close. Source: www.christmann-wein.de.

Haardter Burgergarten Im Breumel Riesling GG (Monopole) ★ 4.9

mueller-catoirstill dry Pfalz Riesling Grosses GewachsRieslingapproachable from 6, cellar 6 to 25EUR 65 to 110 at retail

Muller-Catoir's dry Grosses Gewachs Riesling from the Im Breumel monopole of the Haardter Burgergarten.

Tasting notes: Muller-Catoir's dry Grosses Gewachs from the wholly-owned Im Breumel parcel of the Haardter Burgergarten: pure salty stone fruit, herb and a striking mineral close. Source: www.mueller-catoir.de.

Birkweiler Kastanienbusch Riesling GG ★ 4.9

rebholzstill dry Pfalz Riesling Grosses GewachsRieslingapproachable from 8, cellar 8 to 30EUR 65 to 110 at retail

Rebholz's biodynamic dry Grosses Gewachs Riesling from the red-slate Birkweiler Kastanienbusch.

Tasting notes: Hansjorg Rebholz's biodynamic dry Grosses Gewachs from the red-slate Birkweiler Kastanienbusch: smoky slate, citrus, herb and a profoundly long savoury close. Source: www.oekonomierat-rebholz.com.

Schweigener Sankt Paul Spatburgunder GG ★ 4.9

friedrich-beckerstill dry Pfalz Spatburgunder Grosses GewachsSpatburgunder (Pinot Noir)approachable from 8, cellar 8 to 30EUR 90 to 160 at retail

Friedrich Becker's dry Grosses Gewachs Spatburgunder from the Schweigener Sankt Paul on the French border.

Tasting notes: Friedrich Becker's dry Grosses Gewachs Spatburgunder from the Schweigener Sankt Paul on the French border: dense red cherry, smoky tobacco, fine tannin and a long savoury close. Source: www.weingut-friedrich-becker.de.

Laumersheimer Kirschgarten Riesling GG ★ 4.7

weingut-knipserstill dry Pfalz Riesling Grosses GewachsRieslingapproachable from 5, cellar 5 to 22EUR 35 to 55 at retail

Knipser's dry Grosses Gewachs Riesling from the Laumersheimer Kirschgarten.

Tasting notes: Knipser's dry Grosses Gewachs from the Laumersheimer Kirschgarten: ripe Pfalz peach, citrus and a long savoury mineral close from calcareous-clay parcels. Source: www.weingut-knipser.de.

Knipser Cuvee X ★ 4.7

weingut-knipserstill dry Pfalz Bordeaux-style red blendCabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Francapproachable from 5, cellar 5 to 20EUR 35 to 55 at retail

Knipser's pioneering Pfalz Cabernet-Merlot-Franc Bordeaux blend Cuvee X.

Tasting notes: Knipser's pioneering Pfalz Bordeaux blend: dark cherry, cedar, dried herbs and firm tannin from Cabernet-Merlot parcels in the north Pfalz. Source: www.weingut-knipser.de.

Kallstadter Saumagen Riesling R ★ 4.8

koehler-ruprechtold-school dry Pfalz Riesling Spaetlese TrockenRieslingapproachable from 10, cellar 10 to 40EUR 55 to 90 at retail

Koehler-Ruprecht's traditionalist Kallstadter Saumagen Riesling R.

Tasting notes: Koehler-Ruprecht's old-school Kallstadter Saumagen Riesling R: spontaneous fermentation in old oak, dense smoke, salty mineral and decades of cellar life. Source: koehler-ruprecht.com.

Mussbacher Eselshaut Rieslaner Auslese ★ 4.7

mueller-catoirlate-harvest Pfalz Rieslaner AusleseRieslanerapproachable from 8, cellar 8 to 50EUR 50 to 90 at retail per 500ml

Muller-Catoir's late-harvest Rieslaner Auslese from the Mussbacher Eselshaut.

Tasting notes: Muller-Catoir's late-harvest Rieslaner Auslese from the Mussbacher Eselshaut: candied apricot, honey, racy slate acidity and a profoundly long close. Source: www.mueller-catoir.de.

Konigsbacher Idig Spatburgunder GG ★ 4.7

christmannstill dry Pfalz Spatburgunder Grosses GewachsSpatburgunder (Pinot Noir)approachable from 7, cellar 7 to 25EUR 80 to 140 at retail

Christmann's biodynamic dry Grosses Gewachs Spatburgunder from the Konigsbacher Idig.

Tasting notes: Biodynamic dry Grosses Gewachs Spatburgunder from the Konigsbacher Idig: pure red cherry, rose petal, fine tannin and savoury length. Source: www.christmann-wein.de.

Von Buhl Riesling Sekt Brut ★ 4.6

von-buhltraditional-method Pfalz Riesling SektRieslingapproachable from 2, cellar 2 to 8EUR 24 to 35 at retail

Von Buhl's traditional-method Riesling Sekt Brut, aged a minimum 40 months on lees.

Tasting notes: Von Buhl's traditional-method Riesling Sekt, aged a minimum of 40 months on lees: bottle-fermented sparkling with green apple, citrus, brioche and a crisp dry close. Source: von-buhl.de.

Odinstal 350 NN Riesling Basalt ★ 4.7

odinstalbiodynamic dry Pfalz Riesling single-vineyardRieslingapproachable from 5, cellar 5 to 20EUR 40 to 60 at retail

Odinstal's Demeter-biodynamic dry Riesling from the elevated basalt monopole above Wachenheim.

Tasting notes: Demeter-biodynamic dry Riesling from the elevated Odinstal monopole at roughly 300 metres: smoky basalt, citrus drive, cool slate and a long savoury close. Source: www.odinstal.de.

Munzberg Schlangenpfiff Weissburgunder GG ★ 4.7

muenzbergstill dry Pfalz Weissburgunder Grosses GewachsWeissburgunder (Pinot Blanc)approachable from 5, cellar 5 to 18EUR 35 to 55 at retail

Munzberg's dry Grosses Gewachs Weissburgunder from the Schlangenpfiff.

Tasting notes: Dry Grosses Gewachs Weissburgunder from the Munzberg Schlangenpfiff: ripe apple, almond, hazelnut and a salty calcareous close. Source: www.weingut-muenzberg.de.

Signature Wines in Pfalz, FAQ

When is the best time to visit Pfalz for wine?

Peak wine-travel season in Pfalz is spring through autumn, with harvest the standout window.

Do I need an appointment to taste at Pfalz estates?

classified-growth and grand-cru estates require booking days to weeks ahead; smaller family domaines often take walk-ins midweek.

What hours do Pfalz cellars and tasting rooms keep?

most estates open 10:00 to 17:00 by appointment, often closed Sunday and Monday.

How does tipping work at Pfalz tastings?

tipping is not expected at tastings; buying a bottle from the cellar door is the customary thank-you.

What is the one wine to try in Pfalz?

If you only open one bottle, open Forster Kirchenstuck Riesling GG by bassermann-jordan. It is the wine most associated with Pfalz.

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