Baden: Klumpp 'Cuvée No. 1' 2020

Blaufränkisch is widely planted in Austria, but also appears in Southern Germany where it is sometimes known as Lemberger. Here it is blended successfully with another rare Austrian variety Saint Laurent, plus Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Baden, positioned just across the Rhine from Alsace in south-west Germany, is the country’s 3rd largest wine-producing region. Stretching 400km down to Lake Constance in the south and provided with natural protection by the Vosges mountains and the Black Forest, it is the country’s warmest grape-growing region, ergo the wines tend towards fuller flavours and higher alcohols. The most common grape varieties found are Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc and over 80% of Baden’s production comes from co-operatives. The Kraichgau district is located in the north of Baden and is known as the “region of a thousand hills” as it comprises gentle rolling countryside. Topographically this area was actually formed around 65 million years ago and has a rich variety of soils and terroirs.

Sourced from 2 vineyards, the first of which is on a Gipskeuper limestone rich in fossils with high clay content. This allows the vines to root deep and retains moisture in warm vintages. Cool easterly winds keep disease and rot at bay and allow gentle, slow fruit ripening. This produces concentrated small berries giving depth and structure. The second plot which provides fruit for this wine is located on deep loamy loess soils with high lime content providing good nutrients on a 35% gradient. This ensures characterful fruit with good minerality, bountiful fruit and lovely elegance. Combining fruit from both gives a fresh, elegant yet seductively-fruited cuvée.