Schieferkopf Silvaner Franken 2017 is next level. Always flying under the radar, as the German wine machine is dominated by Riesling. Silvaner however, is just such an exciting grape, and when done right it makes pretty decent plonk too. This expression comes from Franken, a lesser-known region in Germany. Located northeast of Baden. The growing season here is hot and dry, essentially a continental climate. Machine harvested in the morning to keep the fruit cool before crushing.

After pressing, the juice is transferred to stainless steel tanks where it settles before fermentation. Temperature controlled throughout the process. This ensures the right flavours are encouraged to develop. The finished wine then spends 3 months on its lees. This adds texture and mouthfeel as well as complexity on the finish. Semi-aromatic with white peach, rose and lemon jumping out the glass. The palate is crisp and dry but with the lees texture hitting the mid-palate.

Franken is the ancestral home of Silvaner dating back to 1665, according to some anyway. We just love the texture of this wine, its perfectly paired with a Margherita pizza or if you're game, Sauerkraut.