Many of you know, Germany is where my Sommelier passion and career started. I was attending the German Wine School in Koblenz, Germany when I realized just how much I love wine. It wasn’t just the alcohol that made me love the career, it was the passion, romance, and hard work that goes into producing something so special. Wine brings people together in many ways and is a symbol of life and celebration.

German wines hold a very special place in my heart, because if it wasn’t for my training there, I may not be where I am today. German wines are often misunderstood by the consumer. As a wine geek, I absolutely love when someone breaks out a German Riesling at dinner, but not everyone understands the wines, nor do they know which ones to buy.

Luckily I am here to help and recently tasted four wonderful wines from Germany that you can pair and sip at your next party. On a virtual tasting with Snooth Media, one of the most popular online wine education and buying, we enjoyed a discussion while sipping some great German whites!

I love pairing German wines with ethnic foods such as Indian and Asian cuisine. For this tasting, I decided to pair Indian “Chicken Wings” which were out of this world delicious, especially when paired with the Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris. Using one of my favorite Indian Sauces by Framhouse, I first fried the chicken wings in a wok (for healthier deep frying) and then tossed them in the Makhani Masala sauce.

The wines for the evening included:

Borell-Diehl Muller-Thurgau 2017: Bright and fresh with tons of citrus and nice flinty minerality. This wine is the perfect sipping wine and comes in a liter bottle, so there’s a little bit extra for another glass or two! Easily this will pair with all your favorite fall foods including sweet potatoes, breaded or roasted chicken, pumpkin soup, and more. $12.36

Koehler Ruprecht Pinot Blanc 2016: Pinot Blanc is one of my favorite varietals, so I was so happy this was in the mix. This wine is fruit forward and well balanced with stone fruit and floral aromas and flavors. Make this wine one for the Thanksgiving table… everyone will thank you! $20

Weinreich Basisweiss Pinot Gris 2017: This bold and beautiful Pinot Gris is fragrant and floral with plenty of fruit right up front on the nose and palate. The acidity is well balanced and this wine will win the palates of all your friends. Pair this one with grilled scallops or creamy polenta with mushrooms! $12

Von Winning ‘Winnings’ Riesling 2015: This is a winning riesling with subtle notes of pear, apple, and honey. This to me is a perfect fall Riesling boasting with stone fruit, fresh minerality, and alluring aromas. This wine is one I could not put down during the tasting, especially when paired with my Indian chicken wings! $17.95

For those of you seeking new and exciting white wines for fall, I recommend trying some German wines. You will be transported through the glass, and there are plenty of foods to pair. Snooth’s site even makes suggestions with the wines too!

Always remember, eat what you like and drink what you love. Please pair responsibly!