Sylvaner, Stefan Vetter, Franken, Germany, 2017

Vital Signs: One of the world's less-revered wine grapes (its reputation falls far behind that of other Germanic varieties such as Riesling and Grüner Veltliner) Silvaner is something of a quiet achiever. While Silvaner lacks Riesling's aromatic intensity and bracing acidity once vinified, the variety ripens earlier than Riesling and is much less fussy about where it will thrive. This iteration is unfiltered, made in a mix of barrels and stainless steel. Very little sulfur is added, as is the case with many of Stefan’s wines.

Uncle Bill's Take: This wine is astoundingly fresh and herbal, as grassy as the bucolic Bavarian countryside it comes from. It's unpretentious and utterly charming in its own way albeit better suited to natural wine veterans than novitiates.