Knebel Brueder - 2019 Don’t Be Afraid Pét-Nat!

When we visited the Terrassenmosel a few weeks ago, we met up with brothers Chris and Alex in Winningen to taste their range of wines. These small, artisan producers own 0.7 hectares of vines along the steep banks of the Mosel, from which they make stunning, terroir-driven natural wines. On top of their Steillage, overseeing the terraces and the winding river down below, we acutely fell in love with their exciting effervescent wine.

Their 2019 Don’t Be Afraid is a blend of 90% Spätburgunder and 10% Müller-Thurgau, both grown on the Winninger Röttgen, a vertigo-inducingly steep vineyard with a soil consisting of mostly blue-grey slate. The wine finished its fermentation in bottle without any intervention and was then partly disgorged, without dosage. It resulted in a terrific, delicious and dangerously drinkable Pét-Nat – of which the first boxes sold out in record time. Luckily, they sent us enough new stuff to get you through sunny season.

And don’t take our word for it – just read why the esteemed folks at Moselfinewines awarded it 91 out of 100 points: “This very pale pink-colored wine offers a backward nose made of green herbs, a hint of fading rose, some chalky minerals and, above all, floral elements. A subtle mousse underlines the beautiful elegance of this wine on the palate. It leaves a classy feel of cranberry, raspberry, and pear in the long and refined finish. This remarkable effort will offer much pleasure over the coming few summers!”