Yes, one of the best red wines in Germany really does come from the Moselle, which is actually famous for its Riesling but not for red wine. In preparation for our Piedmont trip, we also drink a Barolo from Aldo Conterno, which is an alternative to the expensive Romirasco.

The Molitor 2012 Graacher Himmelreich Pinot Noir *** has a sweetish nose of charcoal, coffee, cherry, strawberry and flowers. The wine has full-body, perfect balance, density, mineral, a long finish, complex, and is clearly recognizable as a slate Pinot Noir on the finish. 19.3/20 points.

The Aldo Conterno 2005 Barolo Cicala is a archetypal Barolo with liquorice, cherry, moss, undergrowth, full-body, polished tannin (thanks to the maturity), a long finish and density. 18/20 points.