Spätburgunder

Spätburgunder is the German name for Pinot Noir, a red wine grape widely grown in Germany and used in Austria and Switzerland. The name combines spät meaning late with Burgunder, referring to Burgundy, and reflects the grape’s late-ripening character and its lineage in the Pinot family. In Germany, Spätburgunder is the leading red variety by planted area and forms the basis of many high-quality wines from several regions.

The key German production areas include Baden (notably the Kaiserstuhl and Tuniberg), Pfalz, Württemberg, and the Ahr valley, with important plantings also in Mosel, Nahe, and Rheingau. In Austria and Switzerland the grape is also called Spätburgunder, with notable plantings in cooler sites that favor elegance and acidity. The style of Spätburgunder ranges from light, low-to-moderate tannin wines in cooler areas to deeper, more structured and color-rich wines from warmer sites.

Vinification often emphasizes the grape’s bright red fruit characters—cherry, raspberry, and cranberry—alongside earthy, mushroom, or spice notes as it ages. Cool-climate examples tend to be lighter with higher acidity, while warmer sites produce more concentrated fruit and tannin. The grape is also used for rosé wines and for high-quality sparkling wines (Sekt) in Germany. Spätburgunder benefits from careful oak use and aging, with excellent examples aging well for a decade or more. It pairs well with pork, poultry, mushrooms, and richer fish dishes.