Pfeffingen Scheurebe 'Dry', Pfalz, Germany 2024

Weingut Pfeffingen, a family estate with a winemaking tradition dating back to 1622, is renowned for its exceptional Scheurebe wines. The 2024 vintage showcases the estate's commitment to producing expressive, dry wines that reflect the unique terroir of the Pfalz region.

• WINEMAKER: Jan Eymael

• FARMING: Certified sustainable

• VARIETY: Scheurebe (100%)

• TERROIR: Ungstein, Pfalz — vineyards situated in the Ungsteiner Herrenberg and Ungsteiner Weilberg sites, known for their chalky and terra rossa soils, respectively. These sites provide ideal conditions for the aromatic Scheurebe grape, contributing to the wine's complexity and minerality.

• VINIFICATION: Hand-harvested grapes are gently pressed and fermented in stainless steel to preserve freshness and purity of fruit.

• AGING: Aged in stainless steel to maintain the wine's crisp character and aromatic expression.

• TASTING NOTES: Aromas of lychee, papaya, and pink grapefruit rind. The palate is lush and textural, with flavors of honeydew melon and a cool, minty finish. The wine's vibrant acidity and mineral undertones provide balance and structure.

• FOOD PAIRINGS: Ideal with seafood, root vegetables, squashes, and various Asian cuisines. Its tropical and balanced style also complements dishes with creamy or acidic sauces, as well as mild or strong cheeses.

From our March 2021 Bottle Club Notes:

Scheurebe is such a cool grape. There really isn’t much planted in Germany anymore, especially not in regions that can profit much more on Riesling, so to find a producer in Pfalz who proclaims Scheurebe is the favorite wine he makes is astounding! But that’s just why we love Pfeffingen- they are rooted in tradition but always looking towards innovation. 

    (Quick note on pronunciation: Pfeffingen and Pfalz both have a pf consonant, which is pronounced similarly to the English ph. Pfeffingen is pronounced Feff-ing-en. Pfalz is pronounced like “False” with a -tz, or Faltz. Scheurebe is pronounced more like Shoy-rhay-beh with a slightly breathy r. ) 

    What is Scheurebe anyway? Well, named after the grape breeder Georg Scheu, who crossed Riesling and an unknown wild grape in 1916 to produce this delicious grape variety- it gives us the gentle power of Riesling but the acidic and grassy intensity of Sauvignon Blanc. 

    Founded in 1622 with a history of vine growing even before then, this earth is hallowed ground for aromatic white grapes- these soils are a little different from the blue slate of the Mosel to the east or the hard granite of Alsace to the west-- Pfeffingen has a mix of slate and terra rosa, or red, iron-rich soils that just help white grapes POP! 

    Now, you might be wondering: where the women fit in with this winery?  Well, Jan Eymael  may be the head winemaker, but he is the son of Doris, the real head of the estate. She’s been at the helm since the 90s before she handed off the reins to Jan,  and still, day in and day out, she and a group of women tend to the vineyards. 

    A Scheurebe is a cool pairing wine with a multitude of cuisines. Try it out with a Greek salad of herbed feta cheese and  tomatoes, an aromatice Hainanese chicken with jasmine rice, ceviche, shrimp louie, Thai corn fritters, hushpuppies, or latkes!

- Cara Patricia