N.V. Sans Souci Alcohol Free Riesling, Bassermann-Jordan

Pfalz

Covering a 75km long and 25km wide tract of land located between the Rhine river and the Haardt mountain range of western Germany, Pfalz is the second largest of the country’s wine regions, second only to Rheinhessen. The roughly 23,500 hectares planted to vine outnumber the region’s inhabitants 600 to 1 owing to just how dense the plants are. Although like many of Germany’s region, the majority of vineyard is given over to white varieties — Riesling most prominently — around 40% of Pfalz’s vineyards are occupied by red varieties. Spätburgunder, otherwise known as Pinot Noir, has increased in popularity and quality since the turn of the century, with many producers making a style not too disimmilar to that found in Alsace. Indeed, the climate of Pfalz is relatively close to Alsace. Protected from rain by the dense Haardt Mountains, in much the same way as the Vosges protect Alsace, the climate is relatively warm and dry. This is reflected in the style of wine produced, with Riesling in particular displaying lots of body and concentration over and above those produced in cooler, wetter regions.