Wild Rosé

Overview

• Producer: Weingut Brand, a family estate in Bockenheim, northern Pfalz, Germany, run by fifth-generation winemakers Daniel and Jonas Brand. Since 2014, they’ve produced natural wines, transitioning to fully organic farming (certified) and zero-sulfur, minimal-intervention winemaking. Their 18-hectare estate focuses on ecological vineyard practices, using herbal extracts and wild herbs to promote biodiversity.

• Wine Name: Wildrosé Pur 2021, a rosé classified as a Vin de Table (no specific appellation due to its natural wine status).

• Region: Pfalz, Germany, known for its cool climate, limestone-rich soils, and breezy conditions influenced by the Donnersberg mountain, which aids in preventing mildew.

• Characteristics

  • Grape Varieties: Primarily Blauer Portugieser, with some sources noting a blend with Pinot Noir and a touch of Riesling in 2021 to lower pH and ensure stability without sulfur. Blauer Portugieser, an old varietal popular in Eastern Europe, contributes minerality and acidity.

  • Vinification:

    • Whole-bunch fermentation for 3–4 days, followed by aging in large 1200L and 2200L neutral barrels with some lees from white cuvées for added complexity.

    • Spontaneously fermented with wild yeasts, unfined, unfiltered, and zero sulfur added (a hallmark of the “Pur” line).

    • The addition of Riesling in 2021 helped maintain cleanliness without additives.

  • Alcohol: 10%, making it a light, low-alcohol “glouglou” (easy-drinking) wine.

  • Profile:

    • Aromas: Bright red fruits (raspberries, cherries, elderberries, sour cherries, cranberry sauce), with earthy, tart, and slightly smoky notes. Some describe a mineral and acidic touch from Blauer Portugieser.

    • Palate: Juicy, vibrant, and lightly sparkling, with a smooth, charming character. It’s described as “wild” yet controlled, teetering between a dark rosé and a light red, with a rich acidity and a savory, soul-warming quality.

    • Vibe: Romantic, intense, and slightly tragic, evoking the “wildness of first love.” It’s a winter rosé, ideal for cozy settings, though versatile year-round.