2016 Weingut Bercher Weissburgunder

Region:Kaiserstuhl < Baden < Germany

Grapes: Pinot Gris

Vineyard/Cellar Stats: Certified organic farming; volcanic soil, fermented and aged on the lees in large oak barrels; minimal So2 at bottling only; 13% ABV

Winemaker: Martin and Arne Bercher

Fans of white Burgundy take note, this is gorgeous German Pinot Gris gives you all the fruit, texture and minerality of a good Burgundian Chardonnnay without the weight, premox or hefty price tag.  Cousins Martin and Arne Bercher are the 10th generation of the family to run this organic estate in the Kaiserstuhl (a large volcanic mass that rises like an island out of the Rhine) (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6b/Wiki_Kaiserstuhl.jpg) area of Baden, between the Rhine and the Black Forest.   Pinot Gris thrives here, thanks to the warmer climate than the rest of Germany, and the extreme volcanic soils, producing lush and mineral-driven whites, like this classic Pinot Gris, which they call Weissburgunder.  Amazing with food, but also has enough character to stand on its own.  Drink now or age for a bit. Incredible value for the $$