Oliver Zeter Grauburgunder 2025

Grauburgunder - better known as Pinot Gris elsewhere - is starting to pop up more often on German wine labels, and for good reason. It thrives in the warmer regions like the Pfalz, where it develops plenty of classic character but typically with a fresher, crisper edge than its often richer counterparts from the Alsace. This one strikes that balance beautifully. Mostly fermented in stainless steel, with a third in large wooden barrels, it keeps its bright fruit front and centre while adding just a touch of spice and gentle creaminess. Ripe pear and baked apple lead the way, finishing long, complex, and effortlessly elegant. Polished and refined, yet rounded and welcoming, it combines depth with a light touch.

Very food-friendly, this is spot on with dishes that have a bit of richness but stay light on their feet. The likes of buttery roast chicken, creamy leek and tarragon pasta, or a mildly spiced prawn laksa - flavours that match its ripe fruit, gentle spice, and fresh, balanced feel.

Oliver Zeter didn't inherit a winemaking dynasty - he built one. Coming from a family of wine importers, he struck out on his own in 2007 and, in fairly short order, made a name for himself. Based in the Pfalz, one of Germany's warmer regions, his wines have that ideal mix of ripeness and freshness - more generous than those from the Mosel, or Rheinhessen further north, but still with a bit of zip. The style? Expressive, fruit-forward, and precise, balancing German winemaking tradition with a modern, crowd-pleasing edge. No surprise, then, that they've found plenty of fans well beyond their home turf.