Wines Palatinate Dr. Bürklin-Wolf - Goldbachel - 2016

Dr. Bürklin-Wolf’s Cuvée Goldbachel 2016 is an elegant dry white wine from the renowned Pfalz region in south-western Germany. While the precise grape blend of this cuvée is not specified, Dr. Bürklin-Wolf is celebrated primarily for its expertise with Riesling, though other varietals native to the area, such as Weissburgunder (Pinot Blanc), Grauburgunder (Pinot Gris), or Scheurebe, may also feature in the blend. The 2016 vintage experienced a rather mild growing season interspersed with warm summer months and a balanced autumn, yielding wines celebrated for their purity and ripe, nuanced fruit character. The estate is likewise known for its focus on minimal intervention and careful vinification—often using large wooden casks and employing gentle handling—to highlight the region’s terroir.

Pfalz is a historic and productive winegrowing area, defined by its warm, relatively dry climate and a unique mosaic of soils, including sandstone, limestone, and loess, which contribute to the wines’ freshness, minerality and generous fruit. The region’s location in the lee of the Haardt mountains shelters it from cold winds and excess rainfall, encouraging ripeness and enabling the creation of complex, ageworthy dry whites. Pfalz has long played an important role in German viticulture, with a tradition of producing both racy and rounded white wines that marry intensity with elegance.

Pair this dry white with seafood dishes such as grilled turbot or poached salmon, as well as regional German specialities like forelle blau (blue trout) or lighter poultry recipes. Its minerality and layered fruit would also complement delicate vegetable tarts, young goat’s cheese, or crisp salads with fresh herbs.

Serve chilled but not too cold, ideally at 10-12°C, to allow the aromatic complexity and vivid acidity to shine through. Decanting for a short while before serving may further enhance its textural openness and bring forward subtle aromatics. This wine is poised for enjoyment now, but could reveal further nuances with a few more years in the cellar.