PriSecco Cuvée Nr. 7

Timing is the trick here. The fragrant Gelbmöstler pear ripens in mid September, and Manufaktur Jörg Geiger picks the Hauszwetschge plum early at that same moment, while it still carries more acid than sugar. That deliberate under-ripeness is what stops the blend turning into dessert, and the herbs push the freshness further still. The nose runs to ripe plum with lemon verbena over the top and a wintry, spiced undertone. On the palate the pear and plum sweetness arrives first, then herbs and a fine acidity, and the soft finish carries those winter spices back through. It's 55 percent pear juice and 40 percent plum, both from Swabian WiesenObst orchards. Unlike the house's dealcoholized wines, this one never had alcohol in it to begin with. Serve at 8 to 10°C in a sparkling wine or Burgundy glass, with game terrine and lingonberries, plum crumble, or Kaiserschmarrn. 45 calories per 100ml.