When one thinks of German wines, one automatically thinks of big blonds…I mean white wines. You know, the typical Riesling, Müller-Thurgau or Silvaner. However, on occasion you will find a seductive red with great body that comes from Germany. The most common red German wines being Spätburgunder (pinot noir), Portugieser, Trollinger and Dornfelder.
I’ve discovered a wonderful Dornfelder wine made by Sander Winery just outside of Frankfurt. This organically grown red wine possesses notes of red currant and boysenberry with delicate tannins and low acidity. In other words, it’s gulpable. The Dornfelder grape was actually an experimental hybrid created from the Helfensteiner and Heroldrebe grapes, whose primary purpose was to add color to blended wines.
Dornfelder wines pair well with regional sausages, barbequed meats, sauerbraten, and dark chocolate. Just a thought….a glass of Dornfelder with a Ruben Sandwich would be sehr gut.