An original German wartime wine bottle labelled “Pfälzer Rotwein – 1941er”, produced during the Second World War. The wine originated in the Pfalz (Palatinate) region of western Germany and was bottled and distributed by Kurt Voll of Villingen, Baden, a regional wine merchant (Weingroßkellerei).
The bottle survives empty, retaining its original paper label with period typography and decorative border. The heavy dark-green glass bottle is of typical late-1930s to early-1940s manufacture, with pronounced vertical mould seams and thick walls, reflecting wartime glass production methods and recycled materials.
Historical Note: In 1941, Germany was fully engaged in the Second World War, and civilian wine production continued under strict state regulation. The Pfalz was one of Germany’s principal red-wine regions, known for varieties such as Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir) and Portugieser, while Villingen lay within the Baden region on the edge of the Black Forest.
Despite labour shortages, transport disruption, and material scarcity—particularly of glass and agricultural chemicals—wine was regarded by German authorities as an important civilian and military morale product. As a result, controlled production and distribution continued throughout the war. Most bottles from this period were later consumed, destroyed, or lost through wartime glass recycling and post-war shortages, making surviving examples scarce.
The 1941 vintage was a warm and favourable year in Germany, producing relatively concentrated wines; however, these were not intended for long-term ageing.
*Condition* Bottle is empty. Original label present with heavy age wear, staining, surface soiling, and edge losses consistent with wartime and post-war storage. Glass intact with no cracks or repairs; visible vertical mould seams are original to manufacture. Interior shows residue and encrustation from historic contents. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
