This spring, the German Wine Institute (DWI) invited a 15-person jury of experts from 15 different countries to select “Germany’s Best Rosé Wines” of 2020 from around 200 entries, including both still and sparkling Rosés.
Due to the special circumstances around social distancing, the winners were honored on March 23rd through a video message from DWI managing director Monika Reule. (The video is available in German at this link).
In the sparkling wine category, the jury selected the 2017 Pinot Noir Rosé Brut from Wilhelmshof in the Pfalz. Second place went to the Pinot Noir Rosé Brut from Eymann in the Pfalz, followed by the 2015 Le Grand Rosé Extra Brut from Schloss Sommerhausen in Franken.
Amongst the still rosé wine producers, the Braunewell-Dinter team from Rheinhessen was awarded the best rosé for their wine named “der Rosé”. In second place was the 2018 Rosé Fumé from Weingut Dr. Heger in Baden. Third place went to the Johanninger wine estate in Rheinhessen for its Spätburgunder & Frühburgunder Rosé from the Kreuznacher Junker vineyard.
The international jurors noted the quality and stylistic diversity of the entries. “We wanted to achieve exactly this effect with our Rosé focus this year,” explained DWI Managing Director Monika Reule. “Many experts, especially abroad, are not yet aware of how much the style of German rosé wines has changed in recent years. Today they are much more fruit driven, full of character and increasingly found in the premium segment. They are also excellent menu accompaniments and no longer perceived purely as summer wines,” says Reule.
The DWI will continue its theme of “Drink Pink!” at ProWein 2021, pending the trade fair’s postponement.
In addition to the three winning still wines and three winning sparkling wines, the jury selected an additional 14 rosés to round out a “top 20” list, which can be viewed on the DWI website. Among the honorees, a few producers offer wines available for sale in the U.S. market:
- Heger, Baden – Imported by Schatzi
- The estate’s 2018 Pinot Noir Rosé is available in the U.S.
- Weingut Franz Keller, Baden – Imported by Schmitt-Söhne
- Weingut Darting – Imported by Skurnik
- The 2018 vintage of the award-winning Weingut Darting Pinot Noir Rosé Trocken is available in the U.S.
- Wein- un Sektgut Barth – Imported by Truly Fine Wine
- The NV Barth Pinot Noir Rosé Sekt Brut is available in the U.S.
Looking to sip some German wine while social distancing? Check out our online German wine delivery hub.
