Dominik Mueller

Early flowering and early ripening white grape variety. Other names include Grauburgunder, Grauer Burgunder, Ruländer (Austria, Germany) and Pinot Grigio (Italy). The skin colour can vary, with shades ranging from grey, rusty red to a light brownish colour. Accordingly, depending on the length of extraction in the winemaking process, the wine can be white to yellow (little extraction) or even a little rosé (more extraction) in colour. In terms of aromatics and flavours, Pinot Gris can be fruity (apples, pear, mild citrus) to nutty or buttery. It is typically relatively low in acidity and can be higher in alcohol than many other white varieties - due to high sugar levels. This also makes Pinot Gris perfect for the production of off-dry or sweet wines. It can be medium to full-bodied and oily in texture, although there are good examples of lighter, fresh and more acidic whites produced from this variety, too.

Baden is Germany's southernmost wine growing region. It stretches about 400 kilometers from north to south along the Rhine. Baden is also Germany's warmest wine region. Much like its French neighbour Alsace, its climate is heavily influenced by its location in between the Vosges and the Black Forest, shielding it from cold winds and heavy rains. Best-known for Burgundian varieties, especially Pinot Noir (Spätburgunder), Pinot Blanc (Weißburgunder) and Pinot Gris (Grauburgunder). More than 15,000 hectares of vineyards. Diverse soils, ranging from loess and volcanic stones in the Kaiserstuhl region to shell-limestone in Tauberfranken.