Harlekin VI
Fru by Georges Schiltz - 2018 - Vin de Luxembourg
Description
Harlekin VI is not a wine 'off the shelf', but part of a deliberately playful series from Fru by Georges Schiltz. Each Harlekin is a one-of-a-kind idea that appears, surprises, and then disappears again. Like the Harlequin figure from theatre tradition, recognizable by the diamond pattern also featured on the label. 'VI' simply means the sixth interpretation in this series: a new wine, not a reissue. For Harlekin VI, winemaker Georges takes one of Luxembourg’s most typical grape varieties, Pinot Gris, and shows it from a side that many would not expect. The base is a late harvest (Vendange Tardive) from 2018; grapes with particularly high ripeness, sweetness, and concentration. The twist: the vinification is Orange Style (Orange Wine). This means the juice is not immediately separated from the skins; instead, the grapes ferment for about two weeks on the mash (juice with skins). This process not only brings the orange hue but also gives the wine more grip and structure, as fine tannins and phenolic compounds are extracted from the skins. That’s what makes it exciting: late harvest brings sweetness and fullness; in Riesling, this is often balanced by acidity. Pinot Gris generally has lower acidity and tends to be rounder. Here, the balance is provided by the structure gained from skin contact—the tannins add support and a slightly bitter counterpoint, making the wine not 'just sweet' but layered and extremely interesting with food. Then there’s the age: 2018 was a very sunny, warm year with excellent ripeness. According to the winemaker, the structure was initially quite broad; over time, with maturation, more finesse and harmony appeared, and the wine still has aging potential. For food pairing, Georges notes: Harlekin VI is as unconventional as its concept—dark chocolate (or simply as a dessert on its own), Asian or Thai dishes (sweet-sour, mildly spicy), seafood, and spiced poultry with crisp skin. In short, Harlekin VI is a rare combination of late harvest concentration and orange wine structure;a Pinot Gris that shows how expressive the variety can be when approached differently.
Sommelier Review
Harlekin VI Fru by Georges Schiltz is a characterful off dry orange hued wine that emphatically plays in the register of complexity and texture. Citrus stone and tropical fruits form the aromatic core while buttery nutty dried fruit and leather notes together with a hint of wet stone and fine bitterness give a multi layered almost meditative palate that unfolds over a long finish. Best enjoyed now or within the next two years it shines with hard cheeses game dishes vegetarian and vegan plates with depth and even chocolate desserts where its spice wood and gentle sweetness can really come into their own.
About Harlekin VI
Harlekin VI is part of the creative wine series by Fru by Georges Schiltz, where each edition is a one-time concept. The sixth release is made from Pinot Gris harvested in 2018 as a late harvest, delivering natural richness and concentration. The wine is crafted in the Orange Wine style, with about two weeks of skin contact that adds color, grip and light tannins. This creates balance between sweetness and structure, resulting in a textured, complex wine rather than a sweet one. The warm 2018 vintage contributes depth and aging potential. Harlekin VI unfolds with layers of fruit, spice and subtle bitterness. It pairs beautifully with dark chocolate, spiced poultry, Asian dishes or seafood. A distinctive Pinot Gris that redefines the variety through the lens of creativity and craftsmanship.
Fru by Georges Schiltz
Georges Schiltz
Food that goes well with this
MeatPoultry (white meat)
CheeseBlue cheese
International cuisinesAsian (spicy)
Sweet dishes & dessertsFruity desserts
Snacks & aperitifNuts
Sauces & flavor profilesHot sauces
Fru by Georges Schiltz
Luxembourg winemaker Georges Schiltz stands for sustainable viticulture on the Moselle and the Sûre. In vineyards such as Palmberg, he brings together biodiversity, craftsmanship, and origin. His wine “Fru” stands for fruit, joy, and authenticity.
