Ziereisen, Heugumber Gutedel (Chasselas), 2022

Named "Grasshopper" for reasons lost to time, the Heugumber vineyard produces one of Markgräflerland's most overlooked treasures: Gutedel, a grape so delicate and fine that most producers treat it as everyday refreshment. Hanspeter Ziereisen treats it as a philosophical statement. Nine months on fine lees in traditional neutral fuder (large wooden vessels) transforms what could be a simple white into something mineral-driven and architectural. The limestone soils beneath contribute pronounced salinity—not oceanic but rather a subtle grip on the palate that invites you to drink deeper. Citric fruit, green apple, stone minerals, and a whisper of herbal complexity create a wine of unexpected sophistication: elegant yet food-worthy, crisp yet textured. This is Chasselas as few know it—serious, contemplative, and endlessly versatile at the table.