Trollinger

Trollinger is a dry, light-bodied red best known from Württemberg in southern Germany. Expect juicy strawberry, raspberry and red cherry with gentle herbs and spice, soft tannins and plenty of freshness. Often served slightly chilled, it’s brilliant with roast chicken, pork, sausages, pizza, charcuterie and grilled vegetables.

Taste:

Light, juicy and very much on the easy-drinking end of the red wine scale.

Trollinger is typically dry and light-bodied, with bright acidity, low tannins and plenty of fresh red fruit. Expect strawberry, raspberry, red cherry and redcurrant, often joined by violet, herbs, pepper and subtle earthy flavours.

It’s usually made to emphasise freshness rather than power, so you won’t find the weight or tannins of something like Cabernet Sauvignon here.

Trollinger is also one of those reds that can be delicious served slightly chilled. Give it 20 or 30 minutes in the fridge and suddenly red wine in the sunshine makes perfect sense.

Food Pairings:

Trollinger’s lighter body makes it brilliantly versatile with everyday food.

Try it with roast chicken, grilled chicken, pork chops, roast pork, ham, bratwurst, sausages or a charcuterie board with salami, prosciutto and other cured meats.

Pizza works well too, particularly Margherita, mushroom, prosciutto, vegetable or sausage pizza.

For meat-free dishes, pair it with mushroom pasta, mushroom risotto, grilled aubergine, roasted vegetables, lentil dishes or a warm vegetable tart.

German classics are naturally a good shout, particularly bratwurst, schnitzel, pork dishes and hearty potato-based meals.

For cheese, try Brie, Camembert, Gouda or other mild to medium-strength cheeses.

Similar Wines:

If you enjoy Trollinger, Gamay and Beaujolais are great next steps for more juicy red fruit, fresh acidity and soft tannins.

Zweigelt brings a little more body and spice while keeping things fresh and approachable, while Spätburgunder is worth exploring if you’d like a more elegant and complex German red.

Bardolino is another great option if light, fruity reds that work well slightly chilled are becoming your thing.

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More About Trollinger:

Trollinger is particularly associated with Württemberg in southwestern Germany, where it’s something of a local favourite and is often enjoyed as an uncomplicated everyday red.

Outside Germany, things get slightly confusing. The grape is known as Schiava in northern Italy, particularly Alto Adige, and Vernatsch in German-speaking parts of the same region. It also has historical links to the table grape Black Hamburg.

In Württemberg, Trollinger’s light body, fresh fruit and low tannins make it a popular choice for drinking young rather than hiding away in a cellar for decades.

Some wines demand patience, decanters and serious contemplation. Trollinger is much happier if you just open the bottle.