Comparative Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays Tasting: Germany and Burgundy

Please plan to join the German Wine Society on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at 7:00 pm for a comparative presentation on Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays in Germany and the Burgundy region of France, and tasting of twelve wines to illustrate the varieties of wine made from these grapes in these countries, by our own Annette Schiller.  Registrations for this event are due by Tuesday, April 28, 2026, and the price is $55 for GWS members, $62 for non-members.  Please be aware that, due to limited supply of the wines and size of the venue, we have a maximum cap of 40 for attendance at this event.  Reserve early to avoid disappointment!

What comes to your mind when you hear: “Chardonnay” or “Pinot Noir”? Burgundy, of course! That is rightly so. Burgundy is one of the world’s most revered wine regions and unique in focusing on two grape varieties: Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. For more than 1000 years Burgundy vintners have understood that different soils and climates give different wines. They have honed their skills to produce wines from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir that reflect the place they are coming from. 

When you hear: “Germany” – you think Riesling. Riesling also is a terroir expressive grape variety and the Germans know about producing a wine that reflects its place. But Germany is not a mono-varietal wine region like Burgundy. There are many more grape varieties growing successfully here. For more than 1000 years Pinot Noir has been grown in Germany, where it is called “Spätburgunder,” directly translating as “late Burgundy.”  Pinot Noir is now the most widely planted red grape in Germany, accounting for 11.8% of all plantings.  Chardonnay, in contrast, has only officially been allowed since 1991, though there were earlier trial plantings, and is still only about 2.2% of total cultivation, while Riesling has remained the flagship grape. 

Climate change presents new opportunities for German vintners. There is an evolution beyond traditional wine styles and grape varieties. At the same time, Burgundy’s prices have soared and wine lovers often get priced out of their favorite wine. Germany offers a genuine alternative.

At this tasting we will show you Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from both wine regions side by side. We start with a comparison of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from Germany and Burgundy on the regional level. The next flight will be a step-up quality-wise: a comparison on the village level. As a highlight we have a comparison of 1er Cru Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from Burgundy and Erste Lage (Germany’s designation of 1er Cru) Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from Germany.  We will taste 12 wines with many in the upper price bracket. Join us for this one-of-a-kind opportunity to have wines from top Pinot Noir and Chardonnay producers from two different but also in some aspects similar regions.  It will be fun to discuss the wines during the tasting and it will be very interesting to hear the verdict of the audience on the favorites.

The planned wine list is depicted below:

Part 1: PINOT NOIR / SPÄTBURGUNDER

Germany                                                                     Burgundy

FLIGHT A: REGIONAL LEVEL

2023 Weingut von Winning, Pinot Noir Royal,     2022 Albert Bichot, Bourgogne

         Pfalz      

FLIGHT B: VILLAGE LEVEL

2018 Weingut Bercher, Burkheimer, Baden          2022 Domaine Raquillet, Mercurey

FLIGHT C: 1er CRU / ERSTE LAGE LEVEL

2022 Kallstädter Steinacker,                                   2022 Volnay Santenots, 

         Weingut Rings, Pfalz                                                Domaine Thierry Matrot

Part 2: CHARDONNAY

Germany                                                                     Burgundy

FLIGHT A: REGIONAL LEVEL

2021 Weingut Kühling-Gillot, Réserve,                  2022 Maison Vincent Girardin, 

         Rheinhessen                                                               Cuvée St.-Vincent, Bourgogne

FLIGHT B: VILLAGE LEVEL

2024 Weingut Jülg, Schweigen, Pfalz                     2023 Domaine Ferret, Pouilly-Fuissé

FLIGHT C: 1er CRU / ERSTE LAGE LEVEL

2023 Bönningheimer Sonnenberg,                          2023 Beaune – Grèves, Le Clos Blanc

         Weingut Dautel, Württemberg                               Louis Jadot

A tasty buffet of cheeses, bread, crackers, charcuterie, grapes and veggies will be provided to accompany the wines. 

Our tasting will begin at 7 p.m on Saturday, May 2, 2026, with the doors opening at 6:30 p.m. to admit guests.  The location is the Van Ness Room that we have often used before for membership meetings and other events, including many of Annette’s presentations to the GWS, at 3001 Veazey Terrace NW, Washington, DC 20008.  Enter through the main lobby of the apartment building on the 5th floor, and then go down to the 2nd floor by elevator and proceed down the hall to the clubroom.  While there is not off-street parking at this location, on-street parking is available (bear in mind DC parking restrictions and meters), and there is easy access to Metro, at the Van Ness Red Line station.

You can register and pay for this event in either of two ways.  

First, you can register on our chapter website, https://germanwinesocietydc.org , and make payment by PayPal.   You will need to create a GWS account for the website if you do not already have one, and you will also need to have a PayPal account, as we cannot accept payment by other forms of credit or online transfer.  If you are coming as a couple or other group, you can either register and pay for each individual separately, or do it as part of a single transaction and complete the payment on PayPal together.  If you do a single transaction, please also email the Secretary of the GWS Capital Chapter at the address below to provide the names of each individual coming, as the individual names will not all appear on the website form for multiple persons registering together.

Second, if you prefer to register by mail and pay by check for the event, please clip off the registration form attached to this notice, indicate the names of all who will be attending, and mail a check made out to the German Wine Society in the proper amount along with the form to: 

Carl Willner

President and Secretary, GWS Capital Chapter

1014 Reserve Champion Drive

Rockville, MD 20850

You can also reach the Secretary by e-mail at carl.willner1@verizon.net .

Whether you are registering by mail or online, please be sure to provide the names of all persons for whom you are registering, and pay the appropriate price depending on whether each person is a GWS member (with annual dues paid), or a non-member.   You can also become a member or renew, if your membership is not current, together with your registration for this event by including an annual $35 dues payment (for an individual or a couple), through PayPal, or by mail using a check, in the same manner as registering for the event.   If you have been a member of the GWS Capital Chapter in the past but are not sure of your current membership status, please email the Secretary at the above e-mail to confirm your status.      

We do request that if you are experiencing symptoms of covid-19, flu or other contagious illness, or have tested positive for such an illness, you stay home and recover, and avoid putting other guests at risk.  Refunds can be provided in these circumstances if you notify us before the day of the event, to allow us time to find another guest to take your place.  Otherwise, refunds can only be made if you notify us before the deadline for registration.

All GWS members and guests are reminded that alcohol consumption can lead to intoxication.   Members and guests should use public transportation to events, rely on a designated driver, or taste the wines rather than finish them.

If you have questions about this event, you may contact the event organizer and presenter, Annette Schiller, at aschiller@ombiasypr.com , or by phone at 703-459-7513.  Annette’s website is www.ombiasypr.com . For questions about registration and membership, please contact Carl Willner, Capital Chapter President and Secretary, at  carl.willner1@verizon.net .

If you no longer wish to receive our announcements, please reply to this email to the sender.

To register by mail, please fill out and cut the reservation form below with your check – do not mail the entire notice.

_______________________________________________________________________

REGISTRATION FORM FOR GERMAN WINE SOCIETY COMPARATIVE PINOT NOIRS AND CHARDONNAYS TASTING, MAY 2, 2026

$55.00 Members / $62.00 Non-Member Guests

Member(s) Names: _________________________________________________________________

Guest(s) Names: _________________________________________________________________

Total Enclosed: _________________________________________________________________

Daytime Phone Number: __________________________________________________________________

E-Mail: __________________________________________________________________