schiller-wine

Pictures: Annette and Christian G.E. Schiller at L' Embarcadere with a Plateau des Fruits de Mer (for 2)

Bordeaux City

The city of Bordeaux is a jewel, with vestiges from the Roman era and medieval town gates. However, the 18th century was its golden age. Victor Hugo once said: “Take Versailles, add Antwerp, and you have Bordeaux.”

Bordeaux is often referred to as "Little Paris". Baron Haussmann, a long-time prefect of Bordeaux, used Bordeaux’s 18th century, big-scale rebuilding as a model when he was asked by Emperor Napoleon III to transform a then still quasimedieval Paris into a “modern” capital that would make France proud.

The city was ruled by the English for a long time, which is why Bordeaux seems to have an "English flair". After the marriage of Henry II to Eleanor of Aquitaine, Bordeaux came under English rule between 1152 and 1453. It was then that the British first developed their taste for Claret, as the red Bordeaux wine is called in the UK.

The city has recently been classified by UNESCO as an “outstanding urban and architectural ensemble”.Bordeaux has a million inhabitants, including a lively university community of over 60,000.

Pictures: Visiting Bordeaux City

Bordeaux is a flat city, built on the left banks of the Garonne. The Garonne merges a dozen kilometers below the city with the Dordogne to form the Gironde, which is biggest estuary in France. The two main entertainment spots are: (1) Formerly inhabited by wine merchant warehouses, the docks (les quais) are now home to gardens, bike and skate paths, boutiques, museums, cafés, bars and restaurants. (2) La Victoire is the other area for entertainment: Historical monuments meet student life and bars. Most of the pubs and bars of the town are here. Virtually, all the shops in the surroundings of this area are bars.

See:
In the Wine Capital of the World: the City of Bordeaux, France
Bordeaux Wine Tour 2013 by ombiasy

Schiller's Favorite Seafood Places in Bordeaux City

L' Embarcadere

3 Rue de Pas Saint Georges

The decor is reminiscent of a pub or brasserie, with wood paneling and rich velvet seating, but the cuisine is seafood all the way. The menu is vast and can suit any seafood tastes and budgets. Known in town as a restaurant serving high-quality dishes at reasonable prices.

Picture: L' Embarcadere

Le Petit Commerce

Restaurant et Pecherie
Chai du Petit Commerce

18, 19- 22 Rue Parlement Saint-Pierre

Jim Drohman: The Petit Commerce, a bistro specializing in seafood, reminds me of two points regarding the city of Bordeaux that are not necessarily the first that come to mind when I think of this capital of wine.

First, Bordeaux is a port city and as such, has a rich culinary tradition surrounding fish and shellfish. Although officially located on the river Garonne, it is very near the river’s mouth and therefore close the rich fishing of the bay of Biscay. Bordeaux is also in the center of one of the most renowned oyster producing regions in France, very close to the famous oyster beds at Arcachon and around Oleron.

Second, Bordeaux is close enough to both Spain and the Basque countries that its cooking reflects some of these regions culinary traditions. In this case, I am thinking of cooking on a “plancha” or flat topped grill. Its a very simple, rustic way of cooking that adds a rich, caramelized, note to any ingredient. And one finds it often in Bordeaux.

The daily choices, which usually number 15-20 fish and an equal number of crustaceans, are listed on a chalk board.

The same owner has recently opened a shellfish bar directly across the street and diners at either restaurant can request dishes from the other…so you can start your meal with local oysters on the half shell or a plateau de fruites de mer that might include raw oysters, clams, mussels, crab, shrimp and sea snails.

Service can be brusk but I don’t take it personally…Le Petit Commerce seems always full and perpetually understaffed, although the staff that is there is working at full speed.

Recommended by Ray and Gisela Leon.

Fernand

7 Quai de la Douane

If you like your dining experiences to offer a feast for the eyes in addition to a feast for the stomach, this restaurant should be on your agenda. The antique-clad decor provides an authentic bistro atmosphere. The seafood platters and oysters are well known, but beef dishes are superb as well.

Chez Jean-Mi - Bistro à Huitres

Halle des Capucins

Go to the morning market at les Capucins around 11 am and stay for a little snack and glass of chilled white Bordeaux wine. There are just a few specialties, but all outstanding: the freshest of oysters, good bread, wine, and soupe des poissons with the traditional rouille and grated cheese.

From 7:00 am to 1:30 pm.

La Belle Epoque

109 Rue Pelleport

Not a specific seafood restaurant, but a typical French brasserie: waiters in long white aprons, art deco rooms and brasserie food , including seafood, as it should be served and eaten. The 2014 Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy will have dinner there.

Pinasse Café

2 bis ave Océan Cap Ferret,33950 Lège-Cap-Ferret

Not on Bordeaux City, but in Cap Ferret, about 45 miles from Bordeaux City.

Bottin Gourmand: Authentique et chaleureux, le Pinasse Café jouit d'une situation privilégiée. Les pieds dans l'eau du bassin d’Arcachon, vous pouvez déguster des moules aux aiguilles de pin, une blanquette de seiche, ou encore d'incroyables homards rôtis sauce sauternes, le tout préparé par le chef Emmanuel Goncalves. Généreux plateaux de fruits de mer. Vue imprenable sur la dune du Pilat. C'est assez magique.

Pictures: Pinasse Café

The 2013 Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy stopped there - and the 2014 Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy will stopp there - for lunch on a Sunday. Great, food and relaxed ambiance, with a gorgeous view over the bay, the oyster farms and the village of Arcachon and the Dunes de Pilat, the largest in Europe, in the distance. I like the Plateau des Fruits de Mer.

See also:
Visiting an Oyster Farm at Arcachon Bay, Bordeaux: Raphael Doerfler at Earl Ostrea Chanca , France

Schiller’s Favorites

This posting is part of the Schiller’s favorites series.

Schiller's Favorite Seafood Places in Bordeaux City, France

Schiller's Favorite Wine Bars in Bordeaux City, France

Schiller's Favorite Wine Bars in Berlin, Germany

Schiller’s Favorite Wine Bars in St. Emilion, France

Schiller’s Favorite Wine Bars in New York City, USA

Schiller’s Favorite Wine Bars in Seattle, USA

Schiller's Favorite Wine Bars in Washington DC, USA

Schiller’s Favorite Restaurants, Brasseries, Bistros, Cafes and Wine Bars in Paris, France

Schiller’s Favorite Crab Houses in the Washington DC Region, USA

Schiller’s Favorite Wine Bars in Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Schiller’s Favorite Wine Bars in New York City, USA

Schiller’s Favorite Wine Bars in Charleston, South Carolina, USA

Schiller’s Favorite Wine Bars in London, UK

Schiller's Favorite Wine Bars and Other Wine Spots in Vienna, Austria

Schiller’s Favorite Wine Bars in San Francisco, USA

Schiller's Favorite Wine Bars in Bordeaux (City), France (2012)

Schiller's Favorite Wine Bars in Budapest, Hungary

Schiller’s 12 Favorite Restaurants of Antananarivo, the Capital of Madagascar

Schiller's Favorite Apple Wine Taverns in Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Schiller’s Favorite Spots to Drink Wine in Vienna, Austria (2011)

Schiller’s Favorite Wine Taverns in Mainz, Germany

Schiller's Favorite Wine Bars and Other Places Where You Can Have a Glass of Wine in Healdsburg, California

schiller-wine: Related Posting (Bourdeaux Tour by ombiasy PR and WineTours 2013)

Ombiasy Wine Tours: Bordeaux Trip Coming up in September 2013

Bordeaux Wine Tour 2013 by ombiasy

An Afternoon at Château Pape-Clément (in 2013), Appellation Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux

Visiting a “Holy” Construction Site: Château Angélus in Saint-Emilion, France

Dinner at Château Canon La Gaffeliere, Appellation Saint-Emilion, Premier Grand Cru Classé, France

Tour, Tasting and Lunch at Organic Château Beausejour in AOC Puisseguin-St.Emilion, France

Lunch at Château Le Bon Pasteur with Winemaker/Owner Dany Rolland, Pomerol, France

Visit of an Ultra-premium Non-mainstream Bordeaux Producer: Tertre Rôteboeuf, with Owner and Winemaker François Mitjavile

Visiting and Tasting at Château Climens, with Owner Bérénice Lurton, Bordeaux, France

Lunch, Tour and Tasting with Owner Catherine Thibault d'Halluin (nee Boyer) and Winemaker Julien Noel - Château du Cros, Château Mayne du Cros, Château Courbon and Clos Bourbon, Bordeaux, France

Visiting an Oyster Farm at Arcachon Bay, Bordeaux: Raphael Doerfler at Earl Ostrea Chanca , France

Tour, Tasting and Lunch at Château Léoville-Poyferré, with Didier Cuvelier and Anne Cuvelier, France

Tour and Tasting at Château Pontet-Canet, with Owner Alfred Tesseron, Bordeaux

A Tour and Tasting at Château Lafon-Rochet in Saint-Estèphe, Bordeaux, with Winemaker and Owner Basile Tesseron (2013), France

A Tour and Tasting at Château Coufran, Haut-Médoc, with Co-owner Frédéric Vicaire, France

Tour and Tasting at Château Lynch-Bages in Bages, Bordeaux, France

Tour at Tonnellerie Berger et Fils: How is a Barrique Made? Bordeaux, France

Wine Dinner at Château Haut-Bailly, Cru Classé de Graves, France

Schiller's Favorite Wine Bars in Bordeaux City, France

Schiller's Favorite Seafood Places in Bordeaux City, France

schiller-wine: Related Postings (Oysters)

Visiting an Oyster Farm at Arcachon Bay, Bordeaux: Raphael Doerfler at Earl Ostrea Chanca , France

Fine Wine and Fine Oysters in Madagascar: Oysters from Fort Dauphin and Wine from Clos Nomena

In the Glass: 2007 Rheinhessen with Oysters at the Ten Bells in the Lower East Side in Manhattan

New Hampshire, US: Cheese ... Lobster and Oysters ... and Wine!

Plateau des Fruits de Mer and a Pessac-Leognan Wine in Bordeaux City, France

Oysters and Wine

The Best Wines for US West Coast and Other Oysters

West Coast Oysters and Wine with Jon Rowley in Seattle, USA

Maryland Crabs and Wine, USA

Wine and Crab Cakes: Amy Brandwein from Casa Nonna and Chris Clime from PassionFish win the 6th Annual Crab Cake Competition in Washington DC, USA

In the Glass: A Rust en Vrede 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon With South African Oysters in Stellenbosch

A Plateau des Fruits de Mer and a Pessac-Leognan Wine in Bordeaux City, France

Schiller's World of Seafood

In the Glass: A Rust en Vrede 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon with South African Oysters in Stellenbosch

Oysters - and Wine - at Zuni Café in San Francisco, USA

The 2012 Pacific Coast Oyster Wine Competition - 10 Oyster Wines

Tasting Virginia Chesapeake Bay Oysters with Oyster Producer Travis Craxton at the Rappahannock River, USA

Rappahannock Oyster Bar at Union Station– Virginia Oysters in Washington DC, USA

America's Best Oyster Bars (2013)

Picture: Christian G.E. Schiller with Marco Pallanti, Owner/Winemaker at Castello di Ama, Chianti Classico in Italy

See also:
Extraordinary Art and Wines at Castello di Ama in Chianti Classico, Italy

The best Italian wine guide is Gambero Rosso’s Vini d’Italia. Italy’s top winemakers and the top wines are awarded glasses, from 1 glass to 3 glasses - Tre Bicchieri.

This is the 27th edition of Vini d’Italia, which was first published in late 1987 in newsletter format with reviews of a limited number of wines. It has grown in size and coverage each year since then. The latest edition is over 1,000 pages.

The Gambero Rosso Vini d’Italia 2014 was issued in November 2013. The German and English versions are scheduled to be released in February 2014.

See here for previous years:
Italy’s Top Wines and Wine Makers – The 2013 Gambero Rosso Vini d’Italia
Italy’s Top Wines and Wine Makers – The 2012 Gambero Rosso Vini d’Italia
Italy's Top Wines - 2011 Gambero Rosso's Vini d'Italia Wine Guide

Italian Wine

Italy is home of some of the oldest wine-producing regions in the world. Etruscans and Greek settlers produced wine in the country long before the Romans started developing their own vineyards. Two thousand years later, Italy is world leader in wine, accounting for about 20% of world wine production. Italians also lead the world in wine consumption by volume, 59 liters per capita, compared with 8 liters per capita in the US. Wine is grown in almost every region of the country.

Wine Regions

There is wine everywhere in Italy, from the Alps in the North to Sicilia in the South, clustered into 20 wine regions, which correspond to the 20 administrative regions. The about 30 DOCG wines are located in 13 different administrative regions but most of them are concentrated in Piedmont and Tuscany.

The Piedmont area of northwestern Italy is further divided into the two popular regions of Barbaresco and Barolo. The predominant grape there is the Nebbiolo. Northeastern Italy has the Veneto area. Soave and Valpolicella are two important regions that produce many local varieties. The large area in central Italy is Tuscany and is known for Chianti and Chianti Classico. The Sangiovese is the predominant red grape in Tuscany. In Italy’s South are Puglia and the island of Sicily. The Negroamaro grape is widely grown in this area.

Picture: Christian G.E. Schiller with Giovanni Folonari from Ambrogio e Giovanni Folonari Tenute

See also:
Kobrand’s Impressive Tour d'Italia 2011 in Washington DC, USA

Italy’s Grapes

There are several hundreds of indigenous grapes in Italy. The following is a list of the most common and important ones.

Rosso

Sangiovese - Italy's claim to fame, the pride of Tuscany. It produces Chianti, Chianti Classico, Vino Nobile de Montepulciano and Brunello di Montalcino.

Nebbiolo - The most noble of Italy's varietals. Nebbiolo is difficult to master, but produces the renowned Barolo and Barbaresco.

Montepulciano - The grape of this name is not to be confused with the Tuscan town of Montepulciano; it is most widely planted on the opposite coast in Abruzzo. Its wines develop silky plum-like fruit, friendly acidity, and light tannin.

Barbera - The most widely grown red wine grape of Piedmont and Southern Lombardy, most famously around the towns of Asti and Alba, and Pavia. Barbera wines were once considered as the lighter versions of Barolos. But this has changed. They are now sometimes aged in French barrique, intended for the international market.

Corvina - Along with the varietals Rondinella and Molinara, this is the principal grape which makes the famous wines of the Veneto: Valpolicella and Amarone.

Nero d'Avola - Nearly unheard of in the international market until recent years, this native varietal of Sicily is gaining attention for its plummy fruit and sweet tannins. The quality of Nero d'Avola has surged in recent years.

Dolcetto - A grape that grows alongside Barbera and Nebbiolo in Piedmont; a wine for everyday drinking.

Picture: Christian G.E. Schiller with Emanuela Strucchi Prinetti (Owner) at Badia a Coltibuono in Italy

See also:
Wining and Dining at Badia a Coltibuono in Tuscany with Wine Makers and Owners Roberto and Emanuela Stucchi Prinetti, Italy

Bianco

Trebbiano - Behind Cataratto (which is made for industrial jug wine), this is the most widely planted white varietal in Italy. It is grown throughout the country, with a special focus on the wines from Abruzzo and from Lazio, including Frascati. Mostly easy drinking wines.

Moscato - Grown mainly in Piedmont, it is mainly used in the slightly-sparkling (frizzante), semi-sweet Moscato d'Asti.

Pinot Grigio - A hugely successful commercial grape, known as Pinot Gris in France and Grauburgunder in Germany. Produces crisp and clean wines. Typically mass-produced wine in Italy.

Arneis - A crisp and floral varietal from Piedmont, which has been grown there since the 15th century.

Garganega - The main grape varietal for wines labeled Soave, this is a crisp, dry white wine from the Veneto wine region.

The 2014 Gambero Rosso Tre Bichieri Wines

In the 2014 Guide, 415 wines got the top award of Tre Bichieri. This compares with 399 in the 2013 Guide and 375 wines in the 2012 Guide.

Four regions (Piedmont, Tuscany, Veneto and Alto Adige) got 212 awards between them, accounting for more than half of the total. Wines from the Piedmont received the largest number of awards (77), with Barolo and Barbaresco wines dominating the list. As usual, the producers listed read like a who’s-who of Italian wines – Gaja, Vietti, Giacosa, Conterno, and Grasso, to name a few.

Tuscany received 72 Tre Bicchieri awards, the second-largest number of awards. Chianti Classico wines garnered 17 awards, 4 more than in the previous year. 15 Brunello di Montalcino wines received awards. The list of Tre Bicchieri wines from Tuscany includes numerous Super-Tuscan wines from pedigreed wineries such as Tenuta San Guido, La Macchiole, Montevertine and Rocca di Frassinello, to name just a few. 4 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano wines received awards, an increase of 2 from the previous year.

The 2014 Gambero Rosso Vini d’Italia Awards

Best red wine of the year is the Amarone della Valpolicella Cl. Calcarole 2009 – Guerrieri Rizzardi in Bardolino at Lake Garda

Best white wine is the A. A. Pinot Bianco Sirmian 2012 – Cantina Nals Nals Margreid in Nals in South Tyrolia

Best sparkling wine is the Alta Langa Brut Zero Cantina Maestra 2007 – Enrico Serafino in Canale in the Piedmont

Best sweet wine is the Orvieto Cl. Sup. Muffa Nobile Calcaia 2010 – Barberani in Orvieto in Umbria

Best winery of the year is Colle Massari in Cinigiano in Tuscany

The title “best value for money” went to Bianco Maggiore 2012 – Rallo in Marsala in Sicily

The title “winemaker of the year” went to Sandro Princic, Azienda Agricola Princic in Cormons in Friuli

The award “up and coming winemaker” of the year went to Pala from Sardinia

Salcheto from Muntepolciano in the Tuscany region received the award for sustainable wine production

schiller-wine: Related Postings

The Wines of the 2010 Giro d'Italia

Italian Natural Wines

The Ultra-premium Querciabella Wines and a Taste of Tuscany at Open Kitchen in Virginia, with Querciabella’s Giorgio Fragiacomo

Meeting Winemaker and Owner Massimo “Max” di Lenardo from Friuli, Italy and Tasting His di Lenardo Vineyards Wines

Kobrand’s Impressive Tour d'Italia 2011 in Washington DC, USA

Blogging, Wining and Dining at the European Wine Bloggers Conference (#EWBC) October 2011 in Brescia, Italy – A Tour D’ Horizont

Wining and Blogging in the Soave Region, Italy

Wining, Dining and Blogging in Chianti Classico (#EWBC), Tuscany, Italy

Dining and Wining where the Royals Eat: Dario Cecchini’s Solo Cicca Restaurant in Panzano– the Butcher of Chianti Classico

Meeting Wine Maker Paolo Cianferoni at his Caparsa Estate in Chianti Classico, Italy

Wining and Dining at Badia a Coltibuono in Tuscany with Wine Makers and Owners Roberto and Emanuela Stucchi Prinetti, Italy

Extraordinary Art and Wines at Castello di Ama in Chianti Classico, Italy

Tasting Wines where Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa was Born – With Wine Maker and General Manager Francesco Nardi at Vignamaggio Estate in Chianti Classico, Italy

The Up and Coming Premium Sparklers of Franciacorta (#EWBC), Italy

The Premium Sparklers of il Mosnel, Franciacorta, Italy

Visiting Barone Francesco Ricasoli and his Castello di Brolio in Chianti Classico, Italy

Pio Boffa and the Wines of Pio Cesare, Piedmont, Italy

The 1 Star Michelin Food of Chef Stefano Cerveni from the due colombe Ristorante and the Premium Sparklers of il Mosnel, Franciacorta - Wining and Dining at il Mosnel, Italy

Picture: Christian G.E. Schiller and Stuart Pigott in Washington DC

In the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung of December 2013, German wine journalist Stuart Pigott published his favorite German wines and favorite German wine makers of the year – in German. I am re-issuing his comments and have translated the parts that might be most interesting to an international reader into English – in the most cases the beginning and the end of the section.

For last years' lists, see:
Best German Wines and Winemakers – Stuart Pigott’s Favorites (2012)
Best German Wine and Winemakers – Stuart Pigott’s Favorites (2011)

Stuart Pigott

Stuart Pigott was born in the UK and has lived in Berlin since 1993. Stuart mostly writes in German, and focuses on German wine. Notably, he writes for the specialist magazines Feinschmecker and Weingourmet as well as the Sunday edition of the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. He currently spends a lot of time in New York City. If you wan to follow him: Stuart Pigott Riesling Global

See also:
Late Night German Riesling Tasting with Riesling Gurus Paul Grieco and Stuart Pigott in Washington DC on the 2013 Riesling Road Trip, USA

Stuart Pigott’s Favorites of 2013

Winemaker of the Year

Hans-Joseph Becker, Weingut J.B. Becker, Walluf/Rheingau

It is a paradox: In the wine scene, Hajo Becker is sometimes dismissed as old-fashioned winery, but a community of young, dynamic sommeliers and retailers adore his wines. For them, his wines belong to the most original wines in Germany – and they are right. Hajo Becker is a traditionalist - in comparison with many colleagues in the Rheingau, who run after each wine-cellar fashion. One of his most important resource is time. His Rieslings all remain a whole year in old oak barrels on the lees, which is neither nostalgia nor wanted, but simply his method. So they mature into a great harmony, regardless whether the vintage is rather lush and rich in alcohol or lean and acidic. The Becker wines are delicate and subtle. They always improve through aging in the bottle.

Picture: German Wine Journalist Manfred Klimek and Christian G.E. Schiller with a Bottle of Weingut Becker Riesling (on the right side) in Berlin

Those, who are only interested in the newly bottled 2012 Becker wines, miss an important dimension of Becker's flavor universe! Of course, dry wines are the focus, since Hajo Becker took over the family estate from his father in 1971. But he also produces impressive Riesling Spätlese wines with some residual sweetness, which also goes against the trend.

Der 2011er Wallufer Walkenberg Riesling Spätlese trocken „Alte Reben“ (feine Kräuterwürze und geschliffene Rasse) und der 2009er Wallufer Oberberg Riesling Spätlese (spannendes Spiel und feine Eleganz) sind ziemlich perfekte Beispiele dieser zwei Stilrichtungen. Dazu kommen Spätburgunder, die zu den besten deutschen Rotweinen gehören, obwohl sie ganz ohne die Rauch- und Vanillearomen neuer Holzfässer auskommen. Der sehr kraftvolle und samtige 2009er Wallufer Walkenberg Spätburgunder Spätlese trocken ist ein Paradebeispiel dafür. Im heutigen Kontext sind es lediglich die Preise zwischen 15 und zwanzig Euro, die man als ein wenig altmodisch bezeichnen könnte.

Sommelier of the Year

André Macionga, Restaurant „Tim Raue“ in Berlin.

André Macionga fällt auf, weil er eine der schwierigsten Aufgaben der Republik meisterlich löst, nämlich die Weinbegleitung der Küche von Tim Raue. Der Grund ist, dass Raue mit sehr viel asiatischen Aromen und manchmal auch einer ziemlichen Schärfe arbeitet. Macionga hat sich an den Stil seines Chefs allerdings auch gründlich gewöhnen können. Gleich zu Beginn seiner Laufbahn kam er im Jahre 2006 ins Raues Berliner Restaurant „44“ unter die Fittiche von Marie-Anne Raue und folgte Raue auch ins „Ma“ und „Uma“. Im „Restaurant Tim Raue“ in Kreuzberg wurde er dann Oberkellner und Sommelier. Macionga verfügt über eine Weinkarte mit 1400 Posten und einem besonders hohen Champagneranteil. Die Begleitung der Küche Tim Raues mit von Macionga ausgewählten Champagnern gehört zum Besten, was man in puncto Weinbegleitung in Deutschland im Moment bekommen kann.

Picture: Markus Schneider, Tim Raue and Wife, Joachim Dreissigacker in Front of Schloss Charlottenburg (Source: Belvini.de Weinversand)

See:
The Wines Chancelor Merkel Served President Obama and Michelle Obama in Berlin (and the Wines she did not Serve), Germany

Rising Star of the Year

Karsten Peter, Gut Hermannsberg, ehemalige Weinbaudomäne Niederhausen/Nahe

When the young winemaker from the Pfalz, Karsten Peter, drew attention to himself with a dry Riesling from the 2001 vintage called "fingerprint", no one could have guessed that a decade later, he would make a splash with extraordinary wines from the Nahe Valley, a very different wine region. Weingut Hermannsberg (named after its monopoly vineyard Hermannsberg) was founded in 1901 as a Prussian state-owned enterprise and is since 2009 owned by Jens Reidel and Dr. Christiane Dinse. Peter Karsten is since that time General Manager and Winemaker. The winery was substantially restructured with a view of producing premium wines. Right from the beginning, the wines of Pater Karsten have impressed the wine experts.

Picture: Christian G.E. Schiller with Karsten Peter in Wiesbaden

Es sind enorm mineralische, ausdrucksstarke Weine, deren rassige Art die extrem steinigen Böden der Spitzenlagen von Niederhausen und Schlossböckelheim widerspiegeln. Die 2011er und 2012er Großen Gewächse bilden die Krönung des Sortiments, aber auch der 2012er „Von den Steinterrassen“ trocken ist ein markanter Wein, der nirgendwo hätte wachsen können. Karsten Peter hat den Mut zu dieser gewagten Eigenständigkeit, aber auch das Können, um sie in die Flasche zu übersetzen.

Discovery of the Year

Julian Haart, Weingut Julian Haart, Piesport/Mosel

Julian Haart originally wanted to become a Michelin Star Chef and had already started this career (including at the 3 Michelin Star restaurant Gästehaus Erfort in Saarbrücken), but fortunately did not follow through and instead became a winemaker. He learnt a lot from top winemakers such as Werner Schönleber, Weingut Emrich-Schönleber in Monzingen/Nahe, and Klaus-Peter Keller, Weingut Keller in Flörsheim-Dalsheim/Rheinhessen and is now using this knowledge in his home region, the Mosel Valley. His mini-winery (only 1.4 hectares and about 10 000 bottles per year) was founded only in 2010.

Aus den Spitzenlagen von Piesport und Wintrich erzeugt er herbe und süße Rieslinge von einer beachtlichen Eleganz. Der mittelgewichtige, feinwürzige 2012er Wintricher Riesling für 19,90 Euro ab Hof ist ein Paradebeispiel der herben Richtung, während der 2012er Ohligsberg Riesling Spätlese für 19 Euro ab Hof durch frühlinghafte Heiterkeit, saftige Fruchtsüße und rassige Säure brilliert. Doch sämtliche 2011er und 2012er Weine von Julian Haart beeindrucken.

He is on his way towards becoming an elite winemaker and has added to the Mosel Valley a very convincing and new facette.

Dry White Wine of the Year

2012er Morstein Riesling „Großes Gewächs“, Weingut Wittmann, Westhofen/Rheinhessen.

It is not easy to choose a "winner" in this category, because there are now so many German winemakers who produce excellent dry white wines, especially the Grosses Gewaechs (GG) wines of the leading members of the Association of Prädikatsweingüter. In several vintages, Philipp Wittmann’s Riesling GG from the Morstein has already been one of the best dry wines of the country.

Picture: Christian G.E. Schiller with Philipp Wittmann in Mainz

Der 2012er Morstein GG ist trotz enormer Reife (Pfirsich, Maracuja und ein Hauch von Mango) ein kühler, distinguierter Wein, dessen Kraft und Tiefe ganz im Hintergrund bleiben, bis man ihn schluckt und der Wein eine fast atemberaubende salzig-mineralische und feinwürzige Spur hinterlässt. Aber eigentlich deutet sich im Moment nur an, welche Feinheiten er entfalten wird, wenn man ihn geduldig einige Jahre in den Keller packt. Er wird vermutlich noch besser reifen als frühere Jahrgänge und kann gut gelagert zweifellos zwanzig Jahre und länger reifen.

Red Wine of the Year

2011 Schlossberg Spätburgunder „Großes Gewächs“, Weingut Dr. Heger, Ihringen/Baden

Even before he took over the family estate in the Kaiserstuhl region in 1992, Joachim Heger had already produced ambitious reds, which were outside of the mainstream. But with his Pinot Noir from recent vintages he has reached a whole different level.

Picture: Christian G.E. Schiller and Joachim and Silvia Heger, Weingut Dr. Heger

See:
Joachim Heger, Weingut Dr. Heger: Winemaker of the Year, Gault Millau WeinGuide Deutschland 2013, Germany

Der 2011er Achkarrer Schlossberg „Großes Gewächs“ mit seinem enormen aromatischen Reichtum, reifen Kirschen, roten und schwarzen Beeren, Sandelholz und vielen Gewürzen sowie der Kombination von Kraft und Seidigkeit ist ein großer Rotwein. Er ist ohne jeden Zweifel dem Vergleich mit Spitzengewächsen aus dem Burgund (Heimat dieser Traube) gewachsen, die ein Vielfaches kosten, ohne eine Nachahmung davon zu sein. Die feinen Rauchund Kräuternoten im Finale machen ihn zu einem einzigartigen Wein, der auch vom vulkanischen Boden geprägt ist.

Joachim Heger has added another world class wine to the range of red wines produced in Germany.

Best Price Value Ratio Wine of the Year

2012er Westhofener Riesling trocken, Weingut Katharina Wechsler

It is a coincidence that the wine with the best price value ratio is from Westhofen and thus from the same village in Rheinhessen, where the white wine of the year comes from. But of course, it speaks volumes about the creative spirit and the urge for high quality prevailing among the young winemakers in Rheinhessen. The last few years have already seen many awards going to young winemakers in Rheinhessen. Rheinhessen has long since become the dream factory for dry German white wine. What distinguishes this wine from others, is the combination of strength of character and a great harmony.

Hier ist die besondere Würze und Eigenart, die Kenner mit den Spitzenlagen von Westhofen assoziieren (er stammt aus der Spitzenlage Kirchspiel, auch wenn nur der Ortsname auf dem Etikett steht), doch er kommt etwas schlanker daher als die Spitzenweine aus diesen Lagen, zum Beispiel Katharina Wechslers eigener „Kirchspiel Riesling trocken“. Das Ergebnis ist ein großartiger Trinkspaß - vorausgesetzt, man steht auf trockene Weißweine mit einer gewissen Säure.
And that of a newcomer who was a television journalist in Berlin until 2009.

Best Sweet Wine of the Year

2011er Vintage Port, Niepoort Vinhos, Oporto/Portugal

Nach wie vor wird Portwein in Deutschland drastisch unterschätzt, nicht zuletzt, weil es sich um einen süßen Rotwein handelt und nach der allgemeinen Vorstellung Rotwein trocken zu sein hat. Wie engstirnig diese Haltung ist, zeigen die „Vintage Ports“ - ausgewählte Spitzenweine eines besonderen Jahrgangs, die früh auf die Flasche gezogen werden, um eine möglichst lange und langsame Entwicklung zu ermöglichen - die höchste Stufe der Portwein-Klassifizierung. Die kräftige Süße dieser Portweine ist natürlich und wird im Wein erhalten, weil die Gärung durch Zugabe von Branntwein unterbrochen wird, bevor die gesamte Traubensüße von der Gärhefe in Alkohol umgewandelt wurde. Im Gegensatz zu Weinmachern in anderen aufstrebenden Weinländern und -regionen hat der charmante, omnipräsente Dirk Niepoort aus dem portugiesischen Oporto nicht auf internationale Rebsorten und massenkompatiblen Einheitsgeschmack, sondern auf die historische Rebsortenvielfalt seiner Heimat gesetzt. Außerdem nutzt er den traditionellen Mischsatz: Weinberge, in denen die Traubensorten munter durcheinander gepflanzt sind. Solche Lagen bringen im Idealfall unverwechselbare Tropfen von ganz eigenem Charakter hervor, Weine von großer Komplexität und Individualität. Der 2011er Vintage Port von Niepoort Vinhos ist solch ein großartiger Vertreter der Kategorie Vintage Portos. Er duftet nach getrockneten Feigen und Datteln, besticht mit enorm konzentrierter Frucht, mächtigem Gerbstoff und einer satten, traubigen Süße. So extrem diese Beschreibung klingt, besitzt doch schon der ganz junge Wein eine sehr stimmige Harmonie, und im Finale entfaltet sich eine geniale Frische, die an Salz und Minze erinnert. Im dunklen Keller bei gleichmäßiger Temperatur gelagert kann er mindestens weitere 50 Jahre auf der Flasche reifen. Dies ist Dirk van der Niepoorts bisher größter Wein.

Innovation of the Year

2012 Blaufränkisch & 2012 Blaufränkisch „Reserve“, Weingut St. Antony, Nierstein/Rheinhessen

Blaufränkisch is the Austrian synonym for Lemberger (Germany) and Kékfrankos (Hungary), but a number of German winemakers have Austrian role models for their red wines from this grape and therefore also use the Austrian designation. Nowhere this is done with more authority than at Weingut St. Antony in Nierstein General Manger Felix Peters has planted vines with the genetics of old Austrian vineyards.

Eigentlich ist „gepflanzt“ nicht ganz zutreffend, weil Blaufränkisch-Holz in mehreren Weinbergen auf die bestehenden Reben anderer Traubensorten gepfropft wurde. Das ist in unseren Breitengraden ein gewagtes Spiel und kann sehr leicht scheitern, aber in diesem Fall ist das Wagnis bestens aufgegangen. Die noch größere Überraschung ist jedoch, welche Qualität die Trauben von diesen Reben innerhalb weniger Jahre erreicht haben. Die nächste große Leistung war und ist, aus ihnen charaktervolle und sehr originelle Weine zu erzeugen. Sie schmecken ganz anders als die üblichen deutschen Lemberger-Weine, hinter denen moderne, auf Ertragsmenge gezüchtete Klone stecken. Bereits der „normale“ 2012er Blaufränkisch von St. Antony zeigt die besondere Würze (schwarzer Pfeffer, Nelken) und die animierende herbe Frische der Sorte in Reinform, hat aber sanfte Gerbstoffe, die ihn keinesfalls schwer schmecken lassen. Die 2012er „Reserve“ fügt dem komplexe Kräuternoten, seidige Fülle und richtige Tiefe hinzu. Erst seit 2011 bringen diese Weinberge richtig Ertrag, zweifelsohne darf man auf die nächsten Jahrgänge sehr gespannt sein.

For many years, there has not been any comparable breakthrough red wine from Germany, and there are good reasons to believe that it will take some time until that might happen again.

Sparkling Wine of the Year

„1900“ Riesling Brut, Weingut van Volxem, Wiltingen/Mosel

Sparkling wines from the Riesling grape are usually animating and refreshing, but with the second glass, they often come across as a bit acid and thin. In this sense, the "1900"– this is a name, not the vintage (which is 2008) - by Roman Niewodniczanskis Weingut van Volxem is an excellent atypical Riesling Sekt, with notes of tangerines, many yellow fruits and honey on the nose.

Picture: Roman Niewodniczanski at Schloss Johannisberg

Winzer Niewodniczanski steckt viel Ehrgeiz in den Wiederaufbau vergessener Spitzenlagen, und der „1900“ wirkt reichhaltig und geschmeidig im Geschmack, aber ohne jegliche Schwere, und betont herb im Ausklang. Damit transportiert er auf wunderbare Weise die besondere Aromatik und Balance der Stillweine des in Wiltingen an der Saar gelegenen Guts in einem Schaumwein. Um die besondere Balance zwischen hoher Reife und Frische zu erzielen, werden gezielt die Trauben aus besonders kühlen Lagen spät gelesen und mit einer Reifezeit im Holzfass und auf der Flasche von knapp fünf Jahren gearbeitet. Auch wenn der „1900“ hervorragend als Aperitif schmeckt, hat er mehr als genug Kraft, um zum Essen serviert zu werden, etwa zu einem Huhn mit Pilzen.

At 26 Euros, this Sekt is not cheap for a German sparkling wine, but offers a taste experience that beats many Champagnes, which can easily cost several times the price of this Sekt.

schiller-wine - Related Postings

Late Night German Riesling Tasting with Riesling Gurus Paul Grieco and Stuart Pigott in Washington DC on the 2013 Riesling Road Trip, USA

German Wine Basics: Sugar in the Grape - Alcohol and Sweetness in the Wine

Stepping up: From 3 … to 4 Quality Levels - The New Classification of the VDP, Germany

Approaches to Classifying German Wine: The Standard Approach (the Law of 1971), the VDP Approach and the Zero Classification Approach

Joachim Heger, Weingut Dr. Heger: Winemaker of the Year, Gault Millau WeinGuide Deutschland 2013, Germany

Visiting Wilhelm Weil at his Weingut Robert Weil in Kiedrich, Germany

Tasting with Wilhelm Weil the 2010 Weingut Weil Wines in Kiedrich, Germany

Visiting Weingut Josef Leitz in Ruedesheim – Johannes Leitz is Germany’s Winemaker of the Year, Gault Millau WeinGuide 2011

With Wine Maker Clemens Busch in Puenderich at his Winery in the Mosel Valley, Germany

Kuenstler, Meyer-Naekel, Wirsching – Winemaker Dinner at Kronenschlösschen in Hattenheim, Rheingau, Germany

One of the Fathers of the German Red Wine Revolution: Weingut Huber in Baden

With Wine Maker Clemens Busch in Puenderich at his Winery in the Mosel Valley, Germany

An Afternoon with Riesling Star Winemaker Helmut Doennhoff at Weingut Doennhoff in Oberhausen in the Nahe Valley, Germany

Weingut Dautel in Wuerttemberg– A Profile, Germany

Schiller’s Favorites at the 2013 Riesling and Co Tasting in New York City, USA

The Wines Chancelor Merkel Served President Obama and Michelle Obama in Berlin (and the Wines she did not Serve), Germany

Picture: Christian G.E. Schiller with Winemaker Sabrino Loffredo Alba Osteria in Washington DC

Winemaker Sabrino Loffredo’s Pietracupa Wines presented his wines at Alba Osteria in Washington DC. Excecutvie Chef Roberto Donna and Chef de Cuisine Amy Brandwein prepared an excellent 5-course dinner.

Winemaker Sabrino Loffredo and his Pietracupa Wines

Maurizio Farro, from Cantiniere Imports and Distributing Company, introduced us to Sabino Loffredo and his wines: Sabino Loffredo is a young winemaker from the south of Italy. He has taken over the family winery and turned his talents as gifted wine taster and dedicated wanderer, not to mention his technical skills, to making it one of the most extraordinary Italian wine businesses of recent years. Pietracupa wines represent his style and his idea of the wine world. He is one of the most successful examples of how a small producer can produce great wines.

Pictures: Winemaker Sabrino Loffredo Alba Osteria in Washington DC

Pietracupa is situated near Avellino, in the hinterland of the Campania region. It is a mountainous terrain that has little to do with the usual idea of southern Italy, but at the same time it reflects its sunny, open nature. The limited production focuses on the grape varieties typical of the area: Fiano and Greco for the whites, and Aglianico for the red wines. The company’s wines are like its owner. They tend towards the original but are able to speak faithfully of their land. Elegant, deep, and highly mineral, they are immediately good, and make a striking impression at first taste. However, they also have wonderful ageing potential and become magnificently complex in the bottle.

The winery was established in 1993. The 3 hectares of vineyards are planted to Fiano, Greco, Falanghina and Aglianico. The soil in the vineyard contains a thin layer of clay and sand over a compact core of tufaceous rock, the legacy of the ancient volcanoes that made up the majority of inland Campania. The volcanic rock is responsible for the mineral and chalk elements that make up these incredibly pure, crystal clear wines.

Pictures: Chef Roberto Donna

The Gambero Rosso guide recognized the winery as the „up and coming‟ winery of the year in 2006, the first time it had been awarded to Campania. In 2007 Cupo was awarded best white of the year: the first time a Fiano had been recognized. The 2008 guide awarded „tre bicchiere‟ to the Greco di Tufo, the first time a standard non oaked Greco had taken the prize.

Alba Osteria

This is a brand-new restaurant. Executive Chef: Roberto Donna. Chef de Cuisine: Amy Brandwein.

Pictures: Christian G. E. Schiller with Executive Chef Roberto Donna and Chef de Cuisine Amy Brandwein

The restaurant will focus on the cuisine of Roberto Donna's heritage, the Piedmont region of Italy, with an emphasis on wine, cheeses, wood-fired Neapolitan-style pizzas and salumi. Eventually, Roberto Donna will roll out a separate prix-fixe menu for a chef's table, as well as weekend brunch.

Picture: Alba Osteria

Charlene Giannetti from Woman Around Town

I was seated with Charlene Gianetti from "Woman Around Town", who already published a posting about the event: Campania Wine Dinner at Alba Osteria. I am copying her comments on the food that was served and a little paragraph about me (with a picture) that she included in her posting.

Charlene Giannetti, editor of Woman Around Town, is the recipient of five awards from the New York Press Club for articles that have appeared on the website. A graduate of Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, Charlene began her career working for a newspaper in Pennsylvania, then wrote for several publications in Washington, covering environment and energy policy. In New York, she was an editor at Business Week magazine and her articles have appeared in many newspapers and magazines including the New York Times. She is the author of 11 non-fiction books, eight for parents of young adolescents written with Margaret Sagarese, including "The Roller-Coaster Years,""Cliques," and "Boy Crazy." She and Margaret have been keynote speakers at many events and have appeared on the Today Show, CBS Morning, FOX News, CNN, MSNBC, NPR, and many others. Charlene divides her time between homes in Manhattan and Alexandria, Virginia.

Picture: Christian G.E. Schiller (Photo by Charlene Giannetti)

Charlene Giannetti (Woman Around Town): A bonus (for me) was sharing my table with an extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic group of diners who generously shared their opinions as well as made recommendations for other area restaurants whose wine dinners they enjoyed. Most well versed on the subject of wine was Dr. Christian G.E. Schiller (above), who divides his time between Washington and Frankfurt, but truly travels the world to taste and write about wine. His blog, schiller-wine, is must reading for oenophiles.

The Dinner and the Wines

Roasted Head-On Shrimp - Oven Roasted Tomato Bufala Mozzarella - Basil Dressing

Charlene Giannetti (Woman Around Town): Our first course was roasted head-on shrimp served with oven roasted tomato, Bufala mozzarella, and a basil dressing. The roasted tomatoes proved to be the key ingredient here, turning what is a popular summer dish into something warmer and more satisfying in cold weather.

2012 Fiano di Avellino, Pietracupa ($34.99) I put the regular retail prices, as communicated by Maurizio Farro, in parenthesis.

Callmewine: The Pietracupa project starts from the primary goal to provide an authentic and genuine expression of the great white wines that have always characterized the winemaking scene in Campania, among which the Fiano d'Avellino stands out. Several years have passed since Peppino Loffredo chose to return to country life, buying a property on the hill of Montefredano in the early 70s with the sole purpose of making wine for himself and his friends. Very soon his son Sabino succeeded to his father in the farm management, giving substance to a project that very soon would have measured with the scene of great wines linked to the territory. Today, the starting points have received a proper consolidation, paving the way towards the production of white wines with unmistakable aromas and impressively characterized, whose most striking example is Fiano d'Avellino. Planted around the house-cellar on an extension of just one hectare and a half, the rows of Fiano di Pietracupa lay on a clay and limestone soil that gives minerality to the great wines produced here. The vinification techniques used are inspired by a fundamental respect for the purity of the raw material, able to assist in its natural development towards a fresh and immediate result, played on a comparison between acidity and flavor. For this reason, Fiano Pietracupa is a perfect summary of the expressiveness of the Avellino area, with a highly distinctive imprint able to gain the most important national and international awards.

Gnocchi Alla Sorrentina - Eggplant

Charlene Giannetti (Woman Around Town): There were two pasta dishes included in this meal, and while they were different, they were enough alike that perhaps one would have been enough. The first was gnocchi alla Sorrentina with eggplant, the pasta light and the eggplant hearty. (I couldn’t help thinking, though, that an eggplant dish without the pasta would have been a better choice.)

2012 Greco di Tufo, Pietracupa ($34.99)

Paul Caputo: Greco di Tufo is one of the great white wines of Southern Italy. Best consumed a year or two from the vintage, Greco di Tufo is a wine capable of showing complex layers of tropical fruit and a fresh, mineral body rarely found this far south. Many wine makers emphasise Greco di Tufo’s peculiar nature by describing it as a red wine dressed as a white. The warm yellow colours, high acidity and sometimes oxidative flavour characteristics that come out of the villages of Santa Paolina, Tufo, Prata di Principato Ultra and Montefusco, are so intense that tasting them blindfolded can be very misleading.

On the whole 2012 seems to have produced a lighter style of wine, crisper and more refreshing than the typical, full bodied Greco. Acidity and mineral character seem to be more evident than the traditional floral and almond notes for which Greco has built its reputation.

Straw yellow with a green tint, the nose is lightly floral with white peach and lemongrass. In the mouth it is crisp and refreshing, slightly saline and well endowed with stone fruit.

Paccheri - Roasted Red Pepper Sauce

Charlene Giannetti (Woman Around Town): The second pasta dish was paccheri with roasted pepper sauce. Paccheri are large pasta tubes. Even though I’m a big gnocchi fan, the paccheri won hands down. This was not a wimpy dish; the pasta was big and thick, the peppers meaty and sweet. A real winner and one I hope Chef Donna has on his regular menu since it’s one I would order again (and again).

2010 Aglianico “Quirico”, Pietracupa ($29.99)

Chain Bridge Cellars: Campagna's top red grape shows off a fun and easy-going side in this juicy bistro quafffer. The flavors and aromas are classic - black and sour red cherry with hints of roses and fruit blossoms. But, unlike most Aglianico, the texture is fresh, open, and juicy with loads of ripe fruit supported by bright acids and light tannins. Sort of a Pinot Noir take on Aglianico, but full of flavor and ready to sing with olives, peppers, or even lamb.

Slow Roasted Lamb - Roasted Portobello Mushroom - Broccoli Rabe

Charlene Giannetti (Woman Around Town): Our main course was slow roasted lamb with a roasted portobello mushroom and broccoli rabe. A few at my table complained that the meat was overcooked. Since I like my lamb true to its medium rare billing, mine was perfect. The meat was tender, the sauce tangy, and the accompanying vegetables a nice addition.

2007 Taurasi, Pietracupa ($68.99)

ViniItaliani: Warm & inviting complex aromas. Cooked berries, fruit cake, cloves and sweet spice. The palate is initially soft, warm & rounded; ripe berries, cassis, sweet spice with an almost creamy texture. Firm fine grain silky tannins with powerful length. Food Pairing: it goes well with meals of pasta flavoured with oil and red pepper, followed by roasts of beef, lamb and goat.

Sfogliatelle - Traditional Italian Layered Pastry

Charlene Giannetti (Woman Around Town): We enjoyed a traditional Italian dessert, sfogliatelle, a layered pastry.

2011 Moscato d’Asti “Ciombo”, Il Falchetto

Grape Occasions: 2011 Tenuata Il Falchetto Moscato d’Asti “Ciombo,” Piedmont, Italy, $17.99: As an Italian wine it is considered Frizzante, their main term for sparkling wines. This wine is made of 100% Moscato grapes and tank fermented. The grapes are grown in the Ciombo region on 25 year old vines. The results is a very intense, floral, honey wine with low alcohol. It’s a perfect after dinner offering.

schiller-wine: Related Postings

The Wines of the 2010 Giro d'Italia

Italian Natural Wines

The Ultra-premium Querciabella Wines and a Taste of Tuscany at Open Kitchen in Virginia, with Querciabella’s Giorgio Fragiacomo

Meeting Winemaker and Owner Massimo “Max” di Lenardo from Friuli, Italy and Tasting His di Lenardo Vineyards Wines

Kobrand’s Impressive Tour d'Italia 2011 in Washington DC, USA

Blogging, Wining and Dining at the European Wine Bloggers Conference (#EWBC) October 2011 in Brescia, Italy – A Tour D’ Horizont

Wining and Blogging in the Soave Region, Italy

Wining, Dining and Blogging in Chianti Classico (#EWBC), Tuscany, Italy

Dining and Wining where the Royals Eat: Dario Cecchini’s Solo Cicca Restaurant in Panzano– the Butcher of Chianti Classico

Meeting Wine Maker Paolo Cianferoni at his Caparsa Estate in Chianti Classico, Italy

Wining and Dining at Badia a Coltibuono in Tuscany with Wine Makers and Owners Roberto and Emanuela Stucchi Prinetti, Italy

Extraordinary Art and Wines at Castello di Ama in Chianti Classico, Italy

Tasting Wines where Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa was Born – With Wine Maker and General Manager Francesco Nardi at Vignamaggio Estate in Chianti Classico, Italy

The Up and Coming Premium Sparklers of Franciacorta (#EWBC), Italy

The Premium Sparklers of il Mosnel, Franciacorta, Italy

Visiting Barone Francesco Ricasoli and his Castello di Brolio in Chianti Classico, Italy

Pio Boffa and the Wines of Pio Cesare, Piedmont, Italy

The 1 Star Michelin Food of Chef Stefano Cerveni from the due colombe Ristorante and the Premium Sparklers of il Mosnel, Franciacorta - Wining and Dining at il Mosnel, Italy

Italy’s Top Wines and Winemakers - Gambero Rosso’s Vini d’Italia 2014

Picture: Phil Bernstein and his German Wines

The annual “New German Vintage” tasting of the German Wine Society (Washington DC Chapter) around February/March, led by Phil Bernstein, is always a highlight for the German wine aficionados in the Washington DC area. Phil Bernstein is very entertaining and knowledgeable about German wine. He knows more about German wine than many of my wine friends in Germany. He is in charge of German wines at MacArthur Beverages, one of the best German wine retailers in the country.

For previous years, see:
German Wine: Tasting with Phil Bernstein of MacArthur Beverages the 2011 Vintage in Washington DC, USA
The 2010 Vintage Tasting of the German Wine Society (Aaron Nix-Gomez)
Phil Bernstein’s Third Annual German Riesling Tasting with the German Wine Society, Washington DC Chapter - Rieslings With a Touch of Sweetness

Of course, in contrast to the wine consumption pattern in Germany, consumption of German wine in the USA is heavily tilted towards fruity-sweet wines. Accordingly, this year’s tasting – as always – was dominated by fruity-sweet Kabinett and Spaetlese wines. But, as in the years before, Phil paid tribute to the emerging group of lovers of dry wines from Germany and presented 2 “trocken” wines, including a Grosses Gewaechs from super star Klaus Peter Keller.

Pictures: "Professor" Phil Bernstein

There is a red wine revolution going on in Germany. About 1/3 of the German wine production is red wine. Germany is the third largest Pinot Noir producer in the world and can compete now with the best red wines in the world, but Phil Bernstein did not go that way. Although he has red wines in his portfolio, he did not present a German red wine.

I know that Phil Bernstein is a Riesling fan and he thinks, Germany should focus more on Riesling (“because this is what they do best”) and less on other grape varieties. But he also included a non-Riesling flight in the tasting, with two most interesting Scheurebe wines.

Picture: The Tasting

Lastly, the tasting ended with an ice wine – a true ice wine, as Phil Bernstein said (with the grapes frozen in the vineyard and not in the fridge, as is legal in some other countries). The about 50 attending German wine lovers were very thankful. Reports from Germany indicate that there will not be any ice wine in 2013, i.e. in next year's "New German Vintage" tasting.

German Wine and Culture Tours 2013 and 2014

My wife Annette Schiller and I were very pleased to see wines of Weingut Klaus Peter Keller, Weingut Doennhoff and Weingut Kruger-Rumpf included in the tasting. Visits of the latter two wineries were among the highlights of the German Wine and Culture Tour 2013 by Ombiasy PR and WineTours, organized and led by Annette Schiller. We will again visit them on the 2014 Tour, as well as, for the first time, Weingut Klaus Peter Keller in Rheinhessen.

Picture: Annette Schiller, Ombiasy PR and WineTours, Phil Bernstein and Christian G.E. Schiller

See:
German Wine and Culture Tour by ombiasy, 2013
Cellar Tour, Vineyard Tour, Tasting and Lunch with Georg Rumpf, Weingut Kruger-Rumpf, Nahe Valley, Germany
An Afternoon with Riesling Star Winemaker Helmut Doennhoff at Weingut Doennhoff in Oberhausen in the Nahe Valley, Germany

The 2012 Vintage

2012 has been widely lauded as an outstanding vintage.

Terry Theise: The wines are amazingly dense and full, materially rich in substance, yet not even slightly fat. You’re going to have to call this an outstanding vintage.

Phil Bernstein: Another terrific vintage. Germany has been blessed with good vintages recently. Production was relatively low and the growing season long. It produced wines than are already very approachable now, but also wines than have a good aging potential.

Starter Wine

2012 Doennhoff, Riesling Estate ($18.99)

Terry Theise: So, as always this is from the porphyry site, Oberhäuser Felsenberg and the gravelly site Oberhäuser Kiegelburg, and so it’s a mini-Grand Cru. It’s another in a string of beauties, barely perceptible sweetness, literally incredible class, and in my opinion the single greatest white wine value in the world. And if you want to, you can age it for twenty years or more.

Phil Bernstein: Not dry – not fruity sweet, the perfect balance. This is the best vintage of this wine Doennhoff has ever done.

Pictures: Helmut Doennhoff Receiving the 2013 Ombiasy Group

See:
An Afternoon with Riesling Star Winemaker Helmut Doennhoff at Weingut Doennhoff in Oberhausen in the Nahe Valley, Germany

First Flight

2012 Wagner-Stempel, Riesling Vom Porphyr Trocken ($25.99)

Phil Bernstein: This is a superb producer in the Rheinhessen. While the nearby Weingut Keller gets all the attention, I think Daniel Wagner is giving them a serious run for the money. This is awesome dry Riesling for the money.

2012 Weingut Keller, Westhofener Kirchspiel Grosses Gewaechs Trocken (not available)

Jancis Robinson: Introvert nose and some real structure. Made for the long term. Intense and layered. Far from simple. Citrus on the finish. A little more astringent than the other Keller bottlings at this stage. 12.5% (JR)

An ultra-premium dry wine, i.e. a Grosses Gewaechs. Grosses Gewaechs is a new term in the German wine vocabulary: A Grosses Gewaechs is a dry wine from a Grosse Lage vineyard (which is also a new term). The news is only slowly arriving and being absorbed in the USA, but Germany’s elite winemakers - the VDP winemakers - have introduced a new wine classification system.

Following their colleagues in the Bourgogne, the terroir principle has taken center stage in the VDP classification. Effective with the 2012 harvest, the VDP classification has the following 4 quality layers (In brackets, the equivalent quality classes in the classification system of the Bourgogne):

• VDP.Grosse Lage (Grand Cru in Burgundy)
• VDP.Erste Lage (Premier Cru in Burgundy)
• VDP.Ortswein (Village level in Burgundy)
• VDP.Gutswein (Bourgogne régional in Burgundy)VDP Classification

In the new VDP classification system, the top wines are wines from a Grosse Lage vineyard (like a grand cru vineyard in Bourgogne). And if the wine is dry, it is a Grosses Gewaechs. If the wine is fermented in a fruity-sweet or noble-sweet style, it is labeled as Kabinett, Spaetlese or Auslese and Beerenauslese or Trockenbeerenausles, according to the sweetness level of the wine. Importantly, in the new VDP classification, the predicates have been relegated to indicators of sweetness (and are no longer indicators of quality).

Second Flight

2012 Kruger-Rumpf, Scheurebe Spaetlese ($24.99)

Terry Theise: I happen to have learned these grapes are a mixture of Würzburg and Alzey clones. There’s a piece of otiose information with which you can bamboozle your wine friends. As often this wine’s a lot like Riesling with chef’s-special-sauce, some mix of papayas, vetiver and sage; slinky and slithery but not as id-suffused as the kinky `11. Don’t know Scheurebe? It’s why you can ignore all but the very best Sauvignon Blancs, because this grape does much the same dance, but far better.

Pictures: In the Vineyard and at Lunch cum Tasting with Georg Rumpf during the 2013 German Wine and Culture Tour

See:
Cellar Tour, Vineyard Tour, Tasting and Lunch with Georg Rumpf, Weingut Kruger-Rumpf, Nahe Valley, Germany

2012 Darting, Duerkheimer Fronhof Scheurebe ($17.99)

Terry Theise: You could surmise this is a spicy Grüner Veltliner with residual sugar; there’s some Scheu-typical sage, but it’s subtle all in all, more apple and grapefruit than overt cassis, but `12’s fülle and spice are there, and the wine is long and dense, if not especially kinky.

Phil Bernstein: The wines of Weingut Darting are honest wines at good prices. This wine, at less than $20 is a very good deal.

Third Flight

2012 Selbach Oster, Zeltinger Schlossberg Kabinett ($24.99)

Terry Theise: ZELTINGER SCHLOSSBERG is mineral to the MAX! I think it's time to give this vineyard its due: it's a great Grand Cru site, fully deserving the status of a Wehlener Sonnenuhr or Erdener Prälat. The pity is most of it is worked by the small growers of Zeltingen, amoung whom standards aren't particularly high. Flavors are borealis of slate, buttressed by lime and grassy aspects. Mosel-apple is present but discreet. Medium bodied. If you love Mosels for their cussed Mosel-ness, grab these wines and hang on for dear life!

2012 Merkelbach, Uerziger Wuerzgarten Kabinett #11 ($18.99)

Terry Theise: From an old, steep vineyard planted “some time before the war,” and of course ungrafted. The wine is again not only flawless but actively and tangibly perfect. Tingly brilliant and with gauzy cirrus lightness, but this “flyweight” (as Schildknecht calls them) is both infinitely more complex and will live many times longer than bigger, more ostentatious wines. Absurdly vivid slate and sassafrass.

Fourth Flight

2012 Willi Schaefer, Graacher Himmelreich Spaetlese ($37.99)

Terry Theise: Utmost purity of apple and slate, and the solidity and charge are remarkable. I don’t remember Mosels like these. As dense as paperweights yet as transparent as glass. Himmelreich comes Celtic word for "small hill"; later the name received its Christian meaning - "kingdom of God". It’s a very steep, perfectly southwest facing site of pure blue Devonian slate. It produces elegant but powerful Rieslings with a huge potential for ageing.

Phil Bernstein: Willi Schaefer is one of my favorite German winemakers. His son has taken over and is maintaining the extraordinary quality level of his father. Willi Schaefer wines age very well.

2012 Selbach Oster, Zeltinger Schlossberg "Schmitt" ($52.99)

Terry Theise: In steel this year; not deliberately, just logistics, what was available at which time. But this wine has everything, an herbal aloe fundament of Schlossberg, fabulous mintiness and an absurd equipoise of richness and cut; as digital as Dönnhoff ’s Hermannshöhles, it resolves into a verbena-like finish that starts sweet and gets more green-tea like as it spreads and glows. Schmitt is a micro-parcel in Schlossberg. It is steep and has a perfect southern exposure, and it's subsoil is deep of crumbly, broken slate, mixed with organic matter and loam. The vineyard is more distant from the Mosel and gets less of the effect from the wide water surface but sits smack behind the church and the warm bodies of the village houses beneath which radiate warmth back into the vineyard (a privileged situation akin to that of the Bernkasteler Doctor).

Fifth Flight

2012 Weingut Keller, Westhofener Kirchspiel Spaetlese ($59.99)

Interestingly, Phil Bernstein presented two wines (in the first and fifth flights) that came from the same vineyard, made with grapes probably harvested at the same sweetness level(Spaetlese). But one was fermented to dry and was a Grosses Gewaechs, an ultra-premium dry wine (first flight), and the other was stopped so to produce a sweetness level in the Spaetlese category (fifth flight).

Phil Bernstein: You can see two takes on the same wine.

2012 Doennhoff, Norheimer Kirschheck Spaetlese ($41.99)

Terry Theise: This vintage is dancing, giddy, pretty and snappy; the girl has her wits about her, and will, with impeccable charm, tear you a new one if you misbehave. Signature flavors run towards cherry blossom and lady-apples. The oldest recorded vineyards of the Nahe are located in this part of Norheim. Kirsche means "cherry", so the old name of the site suggests that wild cherries grew among the vineyards. The soils of the purely south-facing site are composed largely of grey slate, mixed with sandstone.

Pictures: Tasting with Helmut Doennhoff at Weingut Doennhoff

See:
An Afternoon with Riesling Star Winemaker Helmut Doennhoff at Weingut Doennhoff in Oberhausen in the Nahe Valley, Germany

Final Wine

2012 Selbach Oster, Zeltinger Himmelreich Eiswein ($89.99)

Terry Theise: Picked 12/12 at 8-below zero Celsius; poised and articulate and as focused and clear as Selbach’s Eisweins always are; a verbena liqueur, nervy and quivering and divine. Zeltingen's Himmelreich is a site with variable exposures and steepness, but the best of it offers "1er Cru" quality in a green-apple and kiwi style, more fruit driven than mineral.

Thanks

Thanks Phil for a very educational and entertaining tasting.

schiller-wine: Related Postings

German Wine and Culture Tour by ombiasy, 2013

Weingut Pawis in the Saale Unstrut Region - A Profile, Germany

Tasting at Weingut Balthasar Ress, Hattenheim, Rheingau, with Stefan Ress, Germany

Impromptu Winetasting with Alexander Jung, Weingut Jakob Jung, Erbach, Rheingau, Germany

A Tasting at Weingut Peter Jakob Kühn, Rheingau, with Angela and Peter Jakob Kühn, Germany

Tasting with Rita Busch at Weingut Clemens Busch in the Mosel Valley, Germany

Ernst Loosen Presented his Wines at Weingut Dr. Loosen, Bernkastel-Kues, Mosel Valley, Germany

Cellar Tour, Vineyard Tour, Tasting and Lunch with Georg Rumpf, Weingut Kruger-Rumpf, Nahe Valley, Germany

An Afternoon with Riesling Star Winemaker Helmut Doennhoff at Weingut Doennhoff in Oberhausen in the Nahe Valley, Germany

The World Meets at Weingut Weegmueller, Pfalz, Germany

Tasting with Johannes and Christoph Thoerle, Weingut Thoerle in Saulheim, Rheinhessen, Germany

Impressions from the Mainz Wine Market 2013, Germany

Picture: Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher, Annette Schiller, Ombiasy PR and WineTours, and Christian G.E. Schiller in Washington DC

I was a loyal follower of the husband and wife team Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher, when they were in charge of a weekly wine column – Tastings - in The Wall Street Journal. An African-American woman and her white husband writing for the – I would guess mostly towards the Republican Party leaning - bankers, investors, entrepreneurs that make up the readership of The Wall Street Journal! I was sad to see them leave The Wall Street Journal in 2009, after having jointly written the column since 1998.

Picture: Annette Schiller and Christian G.E. Schiller in Washington DC at the iCi Urban Bistro in Washington DC

In 1999, Dottie and John launched Open That Bottle Night (OTBN), a celebration of wine, memories and friendship. Since then, my wife Annette Schiller and I have celebrated OTBN many times, always at home, typically just the two of us. This year, we went to a restaurant, the iCi Urban Bistro in Washington DC, for the OTBN. The reason was: Dottie (now the food & wine editor for France Magazine) and John had invited! We brought two wines to share: 2012 Doennhoff, Estate Riesling, Trocken and 2008 Chateau Lafon-Rochet, St. Estephe.

Open That Bottle Night

Dorothy J. Gaiter: The last Saturday of February is Open That Bottle Night, a celebration of wine, memories and friendship that John and I founded almost 15 years ago. The idea is simple: All of us, whether we have one bottle in the house or 1,000, have that special wine that, for one reason or another, is just always too special to drink.

Pictures: Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher, with Christian G.E. Schiller in Washington DC

We may have brought it back from a wonderful vacation or it might be the last bottle of Champagne from our wedding or a gift from a sweet, departed friend. We always mean to open it, but weddings have happened, babies have arrived, graduations and bat mitzvahs have been held—you name it and yet those bottles have remained dusty.

Pictures: Bob Harris and Lynette Harris, with Karen Taylor, Editor of France Magazine, and Dorothy J. Gaiter

Price is not significant. OTBN is about the memories inside the bottle. The important thing is to share those.

Pictures: John Brecher and Annette Schiller

So all over the world, from Tacoma to Thailand, people have observed OTBN, sometimes with just one other person and sometimes with a small group of friends. Sometimes it’s an affair with hundreds, as it is for the Bivona Child Advocacy Center in Rochester, N.Y., where it is the organization's signature fundraising event and has raised more than $1 million. Rabbis and ministers have talked to their congregants about OTBN and, in 2005, it was a $200 question on Jeopardy! Some restaurants waive their corkage fees that night.

Pictures: Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher Talking with Guests

2014 Open That Bottle Night at iCi Urban Bistro in Washington DC

Sofitel’s Executive Chef, Franck Loquet, prepared a four-course dinner with an optional cheese course, for two seatings, at 6:30 and at 8:30. We chose the late seating. Here is what we ate:

Amuse Bouche

Starter: Duck Foie Gras au Torchon

Starter: Wild Mushroom Ragout

Main Course: Seafood Marmitte

Main Course: Moulard Duck

Selection of Imported and Domestic Cheese

Raspberry Mille-Feuille

Our OTBN Wines: Bordeaux and German Riesling

Annette and I had two wines and shared them with our friends Bob and Lynette.

2012 Doennhoff, Estate Riesling, Trocken
2008 Chateau Lafon-Rochet, St. Estephe

Both wines brought back wonderful memories from last year’s Bordeaux Wine Tour and German Wine and Culture Tour, both organized and led by Annette Schiller (Ombiasy PR and WineTours) and created an happy anticipation of meeting the winemakers again later this year during the forthcoming 2014 Bordeaux Wine Tour and 2014 German Wine and Culture Tour (North).

Weingut Doennhoff

Annette Schiller’s 2013 German Wine and Culture Tour by ombiasy included a tasting at Weingut Doennhoff with Helmut Doennhoff - 3 most entertaining and fascinating hours. We went through 16 wines.

Helmut Dönnhoff was described by Hugh Johnson as having a "fanatical commitment to quality, and a remarkable natural talent for winemaking" and as a "superstar" of the region by Robert Parker. Helmut Doennhoff was named German Winemaker of the Year in 1999 by the Gault Millau WeinGuide.

The Dönnhoff family first came to the Nahe Valley over 200 years ago. The Dönnhoffs were a mixed farm up until the 20th century, with cereal crops, vegetables, fruit and livestock in addition to grapes. Helmut's grandfather Hermann made the transition from mixed farm to focus entirely on winegrowing. Helmut Dönnhoff took over day-to-day responsibility from his father in 1971. From the initial 4 hectares of land Helmut Dönnhoff expanded the estate to now 25 hectares. Today, his son Cornelius works alongside in the winery; in fact, ownership and responsibility has been formally transferred to Cornelius Dönnhoff.

Pictures: Tasting with Helmut Doennhoff at Weingut Doennhoff

“Most people in wine today make it for business”, Helmut Doennhoff said. “I make it for me, myself”. Helmut Doennhoff compared his winemaking with music and cooking. “There are many wonderful scores, but only a few people can interpret them well. Or it is like a chef: people have the same ingredients but each chef brings another taste to them”.

See:
German Wine and Culture Tour by ombiasy, 2013
An Afternoon with Riesling Star Winemaker Helmut Doennhoff at Weingut Doennhoff in Oberhausen in the Nahe Valley, Germany

Château Lafon-Rochet

The 2013 Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy PR and WineTours included a tour of and tasting at Château Lafon-Rochet. The tour was conducted by winemaker Lucas Leclercq. For the tasting, we were joined by owner Basile Tesseron. Basile’s father, Michel Tesseron, who had been our guide during the 2012 Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy PR and WineTours was out of the country.

Château Lafon-Rochet is a 4th Grand Cru en 1855 in the Saint-Estèphe appellation of the Medoc. It is one of the 5 classified properties in the appellation of Saint Estèphe. Its grounds are separated from those of Château Lafite to the north by the width of the road and from Cos d'Estournel by a dirt path.

The history of Château Lafon-Rochet starts in the 16th century, when a portion known as Rochet (because of its rocky terrain) eventually passed by marriage to Etienne de Lafon, who established Lafon-Rochet. The estate then passed down through the Lafon generations for almost 300 years.

When Guy Tesseron became the owner in 1959, it needed a serious restoration and Guy Tesseron did restore it to its former glory. Guy Tesseron was from a Chanterais family, specializing in the Cognac production.

Pictures: Tasting at Château Lafon-Rochet with Owner Basile Tesseron and Winemaker Lucas Leclercq

Guy Tesseron first put the vineyards back in order. He then built new chai, and a new château, in the style of the 18th century. Also, some 25 hectares were added to the vineyard.

In 1975, Guy Tesseron also acquired 5th growth Chateau Pontet-Canet from the Cruse family. Both châteaux subsequently passed to the next generation with Lafon-Rochet coming to Michel Tesseron. Currently the property is in the good hands of Michel’s son, Basile Tesseron.

It was Michel Tesseron who oversaw the painting of the château yellow in 2000. At the same time, the bottles were redesigned and matching yellow labels and capsules are used now.

Lafon-Rochet's vineyards covers 45 hectares and are planted with Cabernet Sauvignon 54%, Merlot 40%, Cabernet Franc 4%, Petit Verdot 2%.

To match the 40 different vineyard parcels, the estate has 40 stainless steel, temperature controlled vats. The wine is kept in new oak barrels for 9 months before it is moved to one year old barrels, where it remains for an additional 9 months. The final blending takes place 3 months before bottling.

The Grand Vin is Château Lafon-Rochet (11000 cases per annum), the second wine is Pélerins de Lafon-Rochet (also 11000 cases per annum and once known as Numéro 2 de Lafon-Rochet).

Basile Tesseron took over with the 2007 vintage and he now has full control. He is steering Lafon-Rochet towards biodynamic viticulture, following the example of his uncle at Pontet-Canet. But Lafon-Rochet has not yet been certified.

See:
Bordeaux Wine Tour 2013 by ombiasy
A Tour and Tasting at Château Lafon-Rochet in Saint-Estèphe, Bordeaux, with Winemaker and Owner Basile Tesseron, France (2013)

Dorothy J. Gaiter: The People and Stories from a Memorable Open That Bottle Night 2014

Dottie has already released her account of the evening and it includes a reference to Annette and me. Not a reference to our wines, but to a comment we made on an Alsatian wine somebody else had brought.

Pictures: Annette Schiller Telling the Alsace Story

Dorothy J. Gaiter: One group brought a 1998 Alsace Riesling that proved, once again, how beautifully these wines can age. The postscript: When John mentioned the wine to Christian Schiller, a former economist with the International Monetary Fund and now a wine blogger, Christian asked to see the bottle. He took one look and broke into a wide smile. He and his wife Annette had gone to that vineyard for a wedding a number of years ago and, as the guests were waiting, they were told that the wedding was off. So they stayed on the grounds of the winery and Annette took a midnight stroll through it with their German Shepherd, who goes everywhere with them. The wine was lovely, fragrant, rich and round. Wine -- what a wonderful world, both so large and so small at the same time.

schiller-wine: Related Posting (Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy PR and WineTours 2013)

Bordeaux Wine Tour 2013 by ombiasy

An Afternoon at Château Pape-Clément (in 2013), Appellation Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux

Visiting a “Holy” Construction Site: Château Angélus in Saint-Emilion, France

Dinner at Château Canon La Gaffeliere, Appellation Saint-Emilion, Premier Grand Cru Classé, France

Tour, Tasting and Lunch at Organic Château Beausejour in AOC Puisseguin-St.Emilion, France

Lunch at Château Le Bon Pasteur with Winemaker/Owner Dany Rolland, Pomerol, France

Visit of an Ultra-premium Non-mainstream Bordeaux Producer: Tertre Rôteboeuf, with Owner and Winemaker François Mitjavile

Visiting and Tasting at Château Climens, with Owner Bérénice Lurton, Bordeaux, France

Lunch, Tour and Tasting with Owner Catherine Thibault d'Halluin (nee Boyer) and Winemaker Julien Noel - Château du Cros, Château Mayne du Cros, Château Courbon and Clos Bourbon, Bordeaux, France

Visiting an Oyster Farm at Arcachon Bay, Bordeaux: Raphael Doerfler at Earl Ostrea Chanca , France

Tour, Tasting and Lunch at Château Léoville-Poyferré, with Didier Cuvelier and Anne Cuvelier, France

Tour and Tasting at Château Pontet-Canet, with Owner Alfred Tesseron, Bordeaux

A Tour and Tasting at Château Lafon-Rochet in Saint-Estèphe, Bordeaux, with Winemaker and Owner Basile Tesseron (2013), France

A Tour and Tasting at Château Coufran, Haut-Médoc, with Co-owner Frédéric Vicaire, France

Tour and Tasting at Château Lynch-Bages in Bages, Bordeaux, France

Tour at Tonnellerie Berger et Fils: How is a Barrique Made? Bordeaux, France

Wine Dinner at Château Haut-Bailly, Cru Classé de Graves, France

schiller-wine: Related Postings (German Wine and Culture Tour by ombiasy PR and WineTours 2013)

German Wine and Culture Tour by ombiasy, 2013

Weingut Pawis in the Saale Unstrut Region - A Profile, Germany

Tasting at Weingut Balthasar Ress, Hattenheim, Rheingau, with Stefan Ress, Germany

Impromptu Winetasting with Alexander Jung, Weingut Jakob Jung, Erbach, Rheingau, Germany

A Tasting at Weingut Peter Jakob Kühn, Rheingau, with Angela and Peter Jakob Kühn, Germany

Tasting with Rita Busch at Weingut Clemens Busch in the Mosel Valley, Germany

Ernst Loosen Presented his Wines at Weingut Dr. Loosen, Bernkastel-Kues, Mosel Valley, Germany

Cellar Tour, Vineyard Tour, Tasting and Lunch with Georg Rumpf, Weingut Kruger-Rumpf, Nahe Valley, Germany

An Afternoon with Riesling Star Winemaker Helmut Doennhoff at Weingut Doennhoff in Oberhausen in the Nahe Valley, Germany

The World Meets at Weingut Weegmueller, Pfalz, Germany

Tasting with Johannes and Christoph Thoerle, Weingut Thoerle in Saulheim, Rheinhessen, Germany

Impressions from the Mainz Wine Market 2013, Germany

Picture: Christian G.E. Schiller in Front of Porto Cálem in Vila Nova da Gaia

As part of a pre-conference trip (before the 2013 Digital Wine Communications Conference in Logroño, Rioja, Spain) up the Douro Valley, from Porto to the Upper Douro Valley, close to the Spanish border, I participated in a tour and tasting at Porto Cálem in Porto / Vila Nova da Gaia.

Porto Cálem has been bought recently by the Sogevinus Fine Wines Group, which also owns other famous Port Houses. The tasting included ports from Kopke, Burmester and Barros.

Sogevinus Fine Wines Group

Sogevinus Fine Wines Group is a Portuguese holding company, owned by the Galicia Bank Nova Galicia, focusing on high quality Port wines and Douro D.O.C wines. Since 1998, Porto Cálem is part of Sogevinus, which also includes the famous brands Kopke, Burmester and Barros. The group also owns some vineyards, Quinta S.Luiz with about 125 ha in central Douro and Quinta da Arnozelo with some 200 ha in the more prestigious and difficult to access Douro Superior. Here, they also grow olives and other crop on the steep slopes of the river. The grapes for the Calem wines come from Quinta da Arnozelo.

Picture: Christian G.E. Schiller in Front of Porto Burmester in Vila Nova da Gaia

Porto Cálem

António Alves Cálem founded the Port House Cálem in Vila Nova da Gaia in 1859. Cálem is a large producer. Porto Cálem main market has always been Portugal, but exports have maintained a high significance along its history. The brand logotype - the caravel in which Port Cálem was exported to Brazil - show exactly that importance. In 1880, Brazil represented 40% of total exports. Originally, Porto Cálem was exporting 100% of its port wine to Brazil in exchange of exotic woods and by means of its own fleet.

Pictures: Porto Seen from Vila Nova da Gaia

Tour of Cálem Cellars

We took a very interesting tour of the company cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia, where, after the winemaking process in Douro, the ageing of Porto Cálem wines takes place. Located next to D. Luiz I bridge, these cellars show perfect conditions to successfully age the Port wines, as per their cool and dry air, and little light.

Pictures: Tour of Porto Cálem

This way, Porto Cálem wines age in oak casks for years and years. It is also in these cellars, that Porto Cálem welcomes every year around 120.000 visitors and from where the Port wines are exported to markets abroad.

Calem Portfolio

White Ports

Velhotes Fine White

Porto Cálem Velhotes Fine White ages in oak casks and in wine vats. With a yellow-straw colour, reveals a floral aroma and a flavour of tropical fruits. It is smooth in the mouth, fruity and elegant.

White and Dry

Porto Cálem White and Dry ages in oak casks and in wine vats. With a green-straw colour, it presents floral and young bouquet. In the mouth it is delicately dry, smooth and balanced.

Lágrima

The name Lágrima evokes the “tears” (or drops) of alcohol that slither around and inside the glass, after drinking the wine. It ages in oak casks and in wine vats. With a golden colour, it presents a bouquet of honey and dry fruits. In the mouth is sweet, intense and complex.

Ruby Ports

Velhotes Fine Ruby

Porto Cálem Fine Ruby is young and full of energy. It is blended with young port wines and kept for little time in wood casks, which enhances the original grapes characteristics and ensures a deep ruby colour and a bouquet of red berries. It ages between 3 and 4 years in oak casks. With a ruby colour, it presents young, fruity aromas. In the mouth is smooth, elegant and balanced.

Late Bottled Vintage

Porto Cálem Late Bottled Vintages are produced from a single year crop, ageing between 4 to 6 years in oak casks and in wine vats. Our LBVs present the same deep, intense ruby colour, the same balance and rich aroma of bush fruits as the Vintage Port Wines. LBVs do not require ageing or decanting and can be enjoyed single or serving with roasted or smoked meat, strong cheese and dry fruits.

Vintage

Porto Cálem Vintages results from exceptionally good crops from a single year, such as the ones of 1983, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2002 and 2003, referred as to “Classical Years” due to the high quality grapes obtained in ideal climate conditions.

After 2 years in oak barrels, Vintage Port wines are bottled in our cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia, in the Douro riverside. The Vintage improve and age in the bottle for decades, and should be kept horizontally, in a dark, dry aired place, enhancing its true character through out the times.

Vintage Port should be drunk with a minimum of 8 years old, but it can be appreciated with more than 50.

When recent, Vintage Port is intense, with an impressive deep purple colour and reveals strong aromas of berries (especially, raspberries and blackberries), with firm tannins and a balanced structure. By ageing, it becomes smoother, but more elegant and complex, acquiring softer colours, distinctive aromas and body.

As Vintage Port Wines throw deposit, before decantation the bottle should be kept upright for some hours. It is perfect served with strong cheese.

Quinta da Foz Vintage

Porto Cálem Vintage Port “Single Quinta”: Quinta da Foz Vintage and Quinta do Sagrado Vintage are produced with premium quality grapes exclusively from each one of these “Quintas” (vine estates), located deep in the Douro region.

At present, our Vintages offer include Quinta da Foz 1992, 1995, 1996, 1997 and Quinta do Sagrado 1994 and 1997, produced in years of excellent climate conditions. After 2 years in oak casks, these Vintages were bottled to continue the ageing process lying down in a dark, cooled air place. Such as “Classic” Vintages, the “Single Quinta” start by being intense, strong and full-bodied, ageing to become more elegant, complex and mature.

Before serving, and as per its deposit due to the ageing process, the bottle should be put in the upright position some hours before decantation. It goes splendidly with strong cheese after meals.

Tawny Ports

Velhotes Fine Tawny

Porto Cálem Velhotes Fine Tawny is one of the most popular Port Wines in Portugal. It ages in oak casks for 3 to 4 years. With a brow-tawny colour, it reveals dry fruits and wood aromas. In the mouth is velvety, fruity and balanced.

Reserva Tawny

Porto Cálem Reserva Tawny ages in oak casks for 7 years. With a brown-tawny colour, its aromas are of dried fruits and spice. In the mouth is velvety, balanced and with hints of dry fruits.

Colheita

Porto Cálem Colheitas or Dated Ports are tawny Ports from a single year high quality crop such as 1961, 1988, 1989 e 1990, 1992 and 1994. Each year reveal special characteristics which are developing whilst ageing in the wood casks for a period not less than 8 years. Colheita presents a tawny colour, smooth touch in the mouth and a bouquet of vanilla, honey and dried fruits. Ready to serve single as the bottle is opened without need for decantation, are also ideal to go along with cakes and deserts.

Old Tawnies

10 Years Old

Porto Cálem 10 Anos results from a thorough selection of Port Wines aged in oak casks and blended to average 10 years old. With a tawny topaz colour, we can sense wood, dry fruits and chocolate aromas. In the mouth it is velvety, intense and with a persistent flavour.

20 Years Old

Porto Cálem 20 Anos is obtained by blending selected aged Port Wines, kept in wood for different periods of time, but that average the age indicated in the label. In orange-green tonalities, it reveals spice, honey and wood aromas. In the mouth is balanced and complex, with persistent and pleasant ending.

30 Years Old

Porto Cálem 30 Anos blends different aged Port Wines that in average reach 30 years. The organoleptic characteristics enhanced in wood casks while ageing, are the ones of the specific age indicated in the label. In a green tawny colour, it presents wood, spice and dry fruit aromas. In the mouth it is velvety, intense and with a persistent ending.

40 Years Old

Porto Cálem 40 Anos results from a careful selection of aged Port Wines, which spent in average 40 years in oak casks. With a tawny-green colour, it reveals hints of dry fruits, spice and honey. In the mouth it is involving, complex and presents a powerful ending.

Tasting

We tasted 4 Ports.

Picture: Tasting 4 Port Wines

Kopke White 30 Years

The German Family named Kopke came from Hamburg to Lisbon in 1636. Two years later, in 1638, Christiano Kopke established himself in Oporto, as merchant and exporter of Portuguese products, and he started the export of Portuguese wines already produced in the region, as part of his business. When the Wine - then known as Portwine - was recognized, the House of Kopke which is today the eldest Portwine's export firm, was one of the leaders in the field. Through many generations, the company was run by several members of Kopke's family, obtaining an excellent reputation for its wines, especially its vintage tawny.

Toro Wines and Spirits: Amber color with greenish nuances. Intense nose of great complexity, standing-out the dried fruit aromas, harmoniously combined with vanilla and honey touches. In the mouth, it is wonderfully balanced, unctuous and extremely concentrated. Sublime and endless finish.

Burmester Tawny 40 Years

Burmeister: This 40-year-old Tawny is obtained from wines that have been carefully aged in small oak casks and later blended in a small upstanding oak vat dating from 1864. The final mix, in small oak casks, is a vivacious example of the art of "blending", which CASA BURMESTER has perfected over the years.

Pictures: Panos Kakaviatos and Annette Schiller

Barros Vintage 2011

Robert Parker: (88-90) The 2011 Barros has a high-toned, forward bouquet of violets and iodine that is fresh and lively, displaying both lift and a sense of animation. The palate is very smooth on the entry with a core of sweet, spicy black fruit. Granted, it is not the most complex 2011 Vintage Port, although it is nicely balanced and there is a pleasant fieriness towards the finish. Tasted May 2013.

Kopke Colheita 1940

Kopke: The oldest house of Port celebrates its 375 years, with the presentation of a very limited and exclusive edition of Kopke Colheita Port 1940. The company completes almost four centuries of existence in the world of wine, especially Port wine. 375 years of work is an accomplishment of only few companies worlwide. To celebrate, the company launched a very special wine, Kopke 375 - Special Edition Harvest Port 1940.

Picture: Kopke Colheita 1940

The '375' marks not only the anniversary, but also the number of existing bottles. Wine has been produced during World War 2, and has been resting for 73 years in hull No. 10053, inside an oak barrel of 580 litters. Each bottle comes in a wooden case of rosewood, with black on the inside and with golden printing. The package includes the certificate for "The Oldest House of Port Wine". Each 0.75 liter bottle will cost around 680 Euros.

schiller-wine: Related Posting

Meeting Up-and-coming Winemaker Rita Ferreira Marques from the Douro Area in Portugal at Screwtop Winebar in Clarendon, Virginia

Meeting Rupert Symington from the Symington Family - One of the Oldest Families of Port Producers

The 2013 Digital Wine Communications Conference (DWCC) in Logroño, Rioja, Spain

A Douro Valley Tour from Porto Upstream to the Upper Douro Region, Portugal

Food Tour of Porto with André Apolinário from Taste Porto Food Tours, Portugal

Visit and Tasting at Porto Cálem in Porto / Vila Nova da Gaia, Portugal

Wining and Dining at the Reborn Quinta de Covela, Vinho Verde Region in the Douro Valley, with Owner Tony Smith and Winemaker Rui Cunha, Portugal

Tasting 2011 Vintage Port at Quinta da Boavista, Douro Valley, Portugal

Tour and Lunch at Quinta da Léda in the Upper Douro Valley, with Winemaker Luís Sottomayor, Portugal

Pictures: Annette Schiller, Clemens Busch and Christian G.E. Schiller in Washington DC, USA

German star winemaker Clemens Busch, Weingut Clemens Busch, was in town (Washington DC), and Annette Schiller and I had the pleasure to have a private dinner with him - just the 3 of us - at Ripple, where we could talk about “all things wine” and more.

Annette has a special interest in Weingut Clemens Busch as it is one of the wineries that she visits on her German Wine and Culture Tour by ombiasy PR and WineTours. The tasting with Clemens Busch’s wife Rita was one of the highlights of the 2013 tour. In 2014, the tour will again include a stop in Puenderich in the Mosel Valley at Weingut Clemens Busch.

See:
Tasting with Rita Busch at Weingut Clemens Busch in the Mosel Valley, Germany
German Wine and Culture Tour by ombiasy, 2013

Picture: Annette Schiller and Clemens Busch, Weingut Clemens Busch

Clemens had flown over from Germany to New York City for the second edition of the “Rieslingfeier” and had decided to come down to the Washington DC area to “work the market”. One of those wine store where Clemens presented his wines was The Vineyard in McLean, just a few blocks away from where I live. Clemens Busch and Louis Cinelli, General Manager of The Vineyard, were so kind to let me join their tasting.

See:
Dinner with Owner/Winemaker Eric Bonnet of Domaine La Bastide Saint Dominique, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France/USA

Picture: Annette Schiller, Clemens Busch and Christian G.E. Schiller at Ripple Restaurant in Washington DC

Weingut Clemens Busch

Weingut Clemens Busch is one of the top producers in Germany. And not only that. In a region where the humidity and extremely steep vineyards make most wine makers to rely on some level of pesticide, Clemens Busch is 100% organic/biodynamic. And: In a region where noticeable residual sugar in the finished wine and low alcohol is the standard, Clemens Busch’s focus is on dry premium Rieslings that can compete with the best dry whites in the world. But Clemens Busch also produces some off-dry wines as well as powerfully complex, nobly sweet wines.

Pictures: Clemens Busch Presenting his Wines to Louis Cinelli, The Vineyard in McLean, Virginia

Weingut Clemens Busch is in Pünderich in the Mosel Valley, rather far down stream. The Busch family lives near the banks of the Mosel in a restored half- timbered house built in 1663. Because flooding can occur here, the vaulted cellar, built in the 1970s, lies nearby, on higher ground, at Clemens’s parents’ home.

The business has been run by Rita and Clemens Busch since 1986, with son Florian joining the team in 2008. Clemens is the fifth generation winemaker at this estate.

Vineyard area: 10 hectares

Annual production: 55,000 bottles

The winery is since 2007 member of the VDP (Association of German VDP), the 200 or so German elite winemakers.

Organic/Biodynamic

Weingut Clemens Busch is considered by many to be the master interpreter of the natural winemaking approach in Germany. Clemens Busch began using organic practices in 1984 and more recently moved towards biodynamic. Winemaking is practiced in accordance with the guidelines of the ECOVIN association.

But Clemens Busch also produces off-dry wines as well as powerfully complex, nobly sweet wines.

Picture: In Seattle, Washington State, during the 4th Riesling Rendezvous (see: The German Winemakers at the 4th Riesling Rendezvous in Seattle, USA) Clemens Busch, Christian G.E. Schiller and Hermann Wiemer, founder of Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyards in the Finger Lakes Region in New York State. For Hermann J. Wiemer, see: German Winemakers in the World: Hermann J. Wiemer, Finger Lakes, USA

Pündericher Marienburg

Most of the area under vines is situated in the Pündericher Marienburg vineyard which covers almost the entire hillside on the opposite side of the river from the village of Pünderich.

Until the wine law of 1971, the Pündericher Marienburg consisted of several small plots and not without good reason, because the wines grown in the different parts of today’s Marienburg vineyard are still very different. It is not only the different slate soils but also the special microclimates that play an important role here. To emphasize the specific differences that exist within the Pündericher Marienburg, the corresponding wines of Clemens Busch still bear the names of the old plots: Fahrlay and Fahrlay-Terrassen, Falkenlay and Raffes, as well as Rothenpfad and Felsterrasse.

Pictures: The Pündericher Marienburg - During the German Wine and Culture Tour 2013 by Ombiasy PR and WineTours

Fahrlay and Fahrlay-Terrassen, directly across the river from the Busch’s house, consist mainly of blue slate, producing a Riesling with a particularly intensive mineral flavor and slightly salty notes in the finish.

Falkenlay, including the old-vine section called Raffes, is made up of grey slate, producing particularly creamy, fruit-driven Rieslings.

Wine Cellar

In the cellar, it is obvious that Clemens Busch does without high technology. After crushing, the grapes undergo skin contact and ferment spontaneously in both stainless steel and in oak Fuder (wooden casks of 1000 liters). The fermentation continues for a very long period of time (8-9 months, sometimes even 12). In addition to lees contact, Clemens Busch likes to do lees stirring to increase the wines’ fruitiness and richness. There are no additions to the wine (sugar for chaptalisation, acidity, etc) except for a very small amount of sulfur before bottling. As an exception, special yeast is used for noble-sweet wines where the sugar levels are sometimes so high that wild yeasts would not even begin to work.

Pictures: Christian G.E. Schiller, Annette Schiller and Clemens Busch at Weingut Clemens Busch in Pünderich

Grosses Gewaechs and Grosse Lage

4 of the 5 wines that Clemens Busch presented were Grosse Lage wines and 3 of the 4 Grosse Lage were Grosses Gewaechs wines. These are new terms in the German wine vocabulary: A Grosses Gewaechs is a dry wine from a Grosse Lage vineyard. The news is only slowly arriving and being absorbed in the USA, but Germany’s elite winemakers - the VDP winemakers - have introduced a new wine classification system.

Following their colleagues in the Bourgogne, the terroir principle has taken center stage in the VDP classification. Effective with the 2012 harvest, the VDP classification has the following 4 quality layers (In brackets, the equivalent quality classes in the classification system of the Bourgogne):

• VDP.Grosse Lage (Grand Cru in Burgundy)
• VDP.Erste Lage (Premier Cru in Burgundy)
• VDP.Ortswein (Village level in Burgundy)
• VDP.Gutswein (Bourgogne régional in Burgundy)

Picture: Annette Schiller, Clemens Busch and Rita Busch at Weingut Clemens Busch during the German Wine and Culture Tour 2013 by Ombiasy PR and WineTours

VDP Classification

In the new VDP classification system, the top wines are wines from a Grosse Lage vineyard (like a grand cru vineyard in Bourgogne). And if the wine is dry, it is a Grosses Gewaechs. If the wine is fermented in a fruity-sweet or noble-sweet style, it is labeled as Kabinett, Spaetlese or Auslese and Beerenauslese or Trockenbeerenausles, according to the sweetness level of the wine. Importantly, in the new VDP classification, the predicates have been relegated to indicators of sweetness (and are no longer indicators of quality).

The 5 Wines Clemens Busch Presented

Clemens Busch 2011 Vom Grauen Schiefer

“From Grey Slate” A village wine from parcels all planted on grey slate. 30-35yr old vines, ~6g/l RS

An Ortswein in the new VDP classification system – village level. Clemens Busch has wines at the Gutswein level, the entry-level wines, in his portfolio, but did not present these wines this time. These are the kind of wines I like very much for every day consumption.

Tasting notes: Light lemon yellow in the glass, fresh and crisp, good structure, medium finish.

Clemens Busch: Only healthy grapes are used, 2011 was a good vintage, from 30 years old vines.

Clemens Busch 2011 Marienburg, Grosse Lage, Grosses Gewaechs

I tasted the 2011 Clemens Busch Grosses Gewaechs wines for the first time at the August 2012 Pre-release tasting organized by the VDP for about 200 press and trade people in Wiesbaden, Germany. Here are my comments on the Mosel Grosses Gewaechs wines: …. although I know that my fellow colleagues at the German Wine Society Board (Washington DC Chapter) all love the fruity sweet wines of Ernst Loosen, Dr. Loosen put on a strong performance with his ultra premium Grosses Gewaechs wines from Himmelreich, Wuerzgarten, Praelat, Sonnenuhr and Treppchen. I would also like to mention the impressive Marienburg collection of Clemens Busch, the non-conventional winemaker from Puenderich.

See: Germany’s 2011 VDP Grosses Gewaechs – Grand Cru - Wines Released. Notes from the Pre-release Tasting in Wiesbaden, Germany

From different parcels of Marienberg vineyard, 30-35 yr old vines, ~8g/l RS.

Tasting notes: Light lemon yellow in the glass, notes of peach, light almond on the nose, white jasmine and mineral palate, good finish, impressive wine.

Pictures: Clemens Busch at The Vineyard in McLean, Virginia

Clemens Busch 2011 Marienburg Rothenpfad, Grosse Lage, Grosses Gewaechs

“Red Path" Rothenpfad is a parcel of rare red slate, 80-85 yr old ungrafted vines, ~6g/l RS.

Clemens Busch: 85 years old vines, roots go very deep. More structure, more minerality, more intensity than the previous wine

Clemens Busch 2011 Marienburg Falkenlay, Grosse Lage, Grosses Gewaechs

From the grey slate section of the Marienburg vineyard. 70-75 yr old ungrafted vines, ~8g/l RS.

Clemens Busch: Marienburg Falkenlay is my best vineyard for noble-sweet wines, this one is dry, only healthy grapes, a very opulent wine, normally you get a lot of yellow fruit notes, but here it goes more into the tropical direction, it is dry in terms of the German Wine Law, but it has hints of sweetness

Clemens Busch 2010 Marienburg Falkenlay, Grosse Lage

Clemens Busch: Same wine as the previous, from the same vineyard, but the wine is a tiny bit sweet; this brought him over the dryness limit for the Grosses Gewaechs and thus the wine could not be declared a “Grosses Gewaechs”; it would have fallen into this category if the fermentation had gone a bit further and eaten up more sugar. 15g/l RS.

Tasting notes: Light medium yellow in the glass, notes of ripe peach and sweet apricot on the nose, mineral, ripe grapefruit palate, long finish, excellent wine.

Weingut Clemens Busch Wines in the USA

The Weingut Clemens Busch wines are widely available in the US. Louis/Dressner is the main American importer. In California, Dee Vine Wines (Fine German Wines) is the exclusive importer of Weingut Clemens Busch wines. I also found the Weingut Clemens Busch wines on the website of David Bowler Wine in New York.

schiller-wine: Related Postings

Tasting with Rita Busch at Weingut Clemens Busch in the Mosel Valley, Germany

German Wine and Culture Tour by ombiasy, 2013

The German Winemakers at the 4th Riesling Rendezvous in Seattle, USA

Germany’s Best Winemakers (5 Stars) - Eichelmann WeinGuide 2013

With Wine Maker Clemens Busch in Puenderich at his Winery in the Mosel Valley, Germany

German Winemakers in the World: Hermann J. Wiemer, Finger Lakes, USA

Germany’s 2011 VDP Grosses Gewaechs – Grand Cru - Wines Released. Notes from the Pre-release Tasting in Wiesbaden, Germany

Picture: Annette and Christian G.E. Schiller at Covent Garden Opera in London, UK

3 wine tours to Germany and Bordeaux are planned for September – October 2014. As in previous years, the husband and wife team Annette and Christian Schiller will personally guide the tours throughout the trip. Through our friendships with many winemaker and owners, the tours are a very intimate, personal experience for everyone in the small group (10 people maximum) traveling with us.

Quintessential German Whites (Germany-North)

From September 04 – September 13, 2014, we will explore six (Saale-Unstrut, Franken, Rheingau, northern Rheinhessen, Mosel, Nahe) German wine regions with visits to 19 top wineries and cultural gems. We will get intimate insights into a selection of Germany’s best of the best wineries, normally closed to visitors. A cruise on the romantic Rhine River with its castle- and vine-ribboned banks, the Mosel valley with its dizzying steep vineyards, delving into 2000 years of history, and tasting first class wines under the guidance of great winemakers will be among the highlights. Special treats include wine pairing lunches and dinners with the owners and winemakers at prominent estates.

The tour follows the 2013 German Wine and Culture Tour by ombiasy, with the Franken region added, the Mosel Valley portion extended and the Pfalz region deleted (and included in the Sun-kissed German South Tour) and includes the following wineries: Pawis, Gussek, Kloster Pforta, Juliusspital, Bickel-Stumpf, Robert Weil, Kloster Eberbach, Jakob Jung, Thoerle, Kuehling-Gillot, Kuenstler, Peter Jakob Kuehn, Clemens Busch, Dr. Loosen, Maximin Gruenhaus (Von Schubert), Reichsgraf von Kesselstadt, Doennhoff, Kruger-Rumpf, Diel, Schaezel.

Many of the 2013 German Wine and Culture Tour highlights were covered by postings on schiller-wine. See below.

Picture: With Georg Rumpf, Weingut Kruger-Rumpf (Nahe Valley) in the Vineyard during the 2013 German Wine and Culture Tour by ombiasy

The Sun-kissed German South (Germany-South)

From September 14 – September 20, 2014, we will explore three wine regions (Baden, Pfalz, southern Rheinhessen) in the south of Germany and will experience the German red wine revolution. We will visit 16 crème de la crème wineries in southern Germany, normally not open to visitors. We will cross the Rhine River and visit the Maison Trimbach in Alsace to taste the difference between German and Alsatian wines despite the geographic proximity. Among the highlights will be tasting first class Pinot Noirs with the winemakers, and experiencing the culinary South. A special treat will be wine pairing lunches at 1-Michelin-star restaurants.

This is a new tour, with a large number of southern producers of ultra-premium German wine included: Schloss Neuweier, Karl H. Johner, Freiherr von Gleichenstein, Fritz Keller, Huber, Dr. Heger, Zaehringer, Maison Trimbach, Friederich Becker, Rebholz, Bassermann-Jordan, Christmann, Weegmueller, Markus Schneider, Wittmann, Klaus Peter Keller, Gunderloch.

Picture: Tasting in the Courtyard at Weingut Weegmueller in the Pfalz during the 2013 German Wine and Culture Tour by ombiasy

Immersion in Bordeaux

From September 22 – October 02, 2014, we will travel to the Bordeaux wine region with visits to 18 top Chateaux (15 are classified growth), closed to the normal passers-by, in Pessac-Léognan, Saint-Emilion, Pomerol, Entre-Deux-Mer, Sauternes, Médoc, Saint-Estèphe, Pauillac, Saint-Julien, Margaux. The harvest celebration at Château Phélan-Ségur, the in-depth visit of an oyster farmer, and witnessing the art of barrique making at a first class family run cooperage are among the highlights. Very special treats are the many gourmet wine pairing lunches and dinners in a very private setting at famous chateaux where we will be welcomed by the owners.

The tour follows closely the Bordeaux Wine Tour 2013 by ombiasy, with a few estates changed: Pape-Clément, Domaine de Chevalier, Angélus, Canon La Gaffelière, Beauséjour, Figeac, Le Bon Pasteur, Tertre-Rôteboeuf, de Fargues, du Cros, Millésima, Earl Ostrea Chanca oyster farm, Le Reysse, Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, Léoville Poyferré, Phélan Ségur, Lafon-Rochet, Latour, Cooperage Berger and Fils, Brane-Cantenac, Haut-Bailly.

Many of the 2013 Bordeaux Wine Tour highlights were covered by postings on schiller-wine. See below.

Picture: With Dany Rolland at Château Le Bon Pasteur in Pomerol during the 2013 Bordeaux Wine Tour by ombiasy

For pricing and details please contact:
Annette Schiller
(703) 459-7513
aschiller@ombiasypr.com
wine tours by ombiasy

Follow:
Ombiasy Public Relations and Wine Tours on facebook
@ombiasypr on twitter

Postings - 2013 German Wine and Culture Tour by ombiasy

I have published a series of postings on the 2013 German Wine and Culture Tour by ombiasy. See here:

Ombiasy Wine Tours: Wine and Culture Tour to Germany Coming up in August 2013

German Wine and Culture Tour by ombiasy, 2013

Weingut Pawis in the Saale Unstrut Region - A Profile, Germany

Tasting at Weingut Balthasar Ress, Hattenheim, Rheingau, with Stefan Ress, Germany

Impromptu Winetasting with Alexander Jung, Weingut Jakob Jung, Erbach, Rheingau, Germany

A Tasting at Weingut Peter Jakob Kühn, Rheingau, with Angela and Peter Jakob Kühn, Germany

Tasting with Rita Busch at Weingut Clemens Busch in the Mosel Valley, Germany

Ernst Loosen Presented his Wines at Weingut Dr. Loosen, Bernkastel-Kues, Mosel Valley, Germany

Cellar Tour, Vineyard Tour, Tasting and Lunch with Georg Rumpf, Weingut Kruger-Rumpf, Nahe Valley, Germany

An Afternoon with Riesling Star Winemaker Helmut Doennhoff at Weingut Doennhoff in Oberhausen in the Nahe Valley, Germany

The World Meets at Weingut Weegmueller, Pfalz, Germany

Tasting with Johannes and Christoph Thoerle, Weingut Thoerle in Saulheim, Rheinhessen, Germany

Impressions from the Mainz Wine Market 2013, Germany

Postings - 2013 Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy

I have published a series of postings on the 2013 Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy. See here:

Ombiasy Wine Tours: Bordeaux Trip Coming up in September 2013

Bordeaux Wine Tour 2013 by ombiasy

An Afternoon at Château Pape-Clément (in 2013), Appellation Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux

Dinner at Château Canon La Gaffeliere, Appellation Saint-Emilion, Premier Grand Cru Classé, France

Visiting a “Holy” Construction Site: Château Angélus in Saint-Emilion, France

Lunch at Château Le Bon Pasteur with Winemaker/Owner Dany Rolland, Pomerol, France

Tour, Tasting and Lunch at Château Beausejour in AOC Puisseguin-St.Emilion, France

Visit of an Ultra-premium Non-mainstream Bordeaux Producer: Tertre Rôteboeuf, with Owner and Winemaker François Mitjavile

Visiting and Tasting at Château Climens, with Owner Bérénice Lurton, Bordeaux, France

Lunch, Tour and Tasting with Owner Catherine Thibault d'Halluin (nee Boyer) and Winemaker Julien Noel - Château du Cros, Château Mayne du Cros, Château Courbon and Clos Bourbon, Bordeaux, France

Visiting an Oyster Farm at Arcachon Bay, Bordeaux: Raphael Doerfler at Earl Ostrea Chanca , France

Tour and Tasting at Château Pontet-Canet, with Owner Alfred Tesseron, Bordeaux

Tour, Tasting and Lunch at Château Léoville-Poyferré, with Didier Cuvelier and Anne Cuvelier, France

A Tour and Tasting at Château Lafon-Rochet in Saint-Estèphe, Bordeaux, with Winemaker and Owner Basile Tesseron (2013), France

A Tour and Tasting at Château Coufran, Haut-Médoc, with Co-owner Frédéric Vicaire, France

Tour and Tasting at Château Lynch-Bages in Bages, Bordeaux, France

Tour at Tonnellerie Berger and Fils: How is a Barrique Made? Bordeaux, France

Wine Dinner at Château Haut-Bailly, Cru Classé de Graves, France

Picture: Christian G.E. Schiller at the Nelson Mandela Square in Johannesburg

The undisputed authority in terms of South African wine is the Platter's South African Wine Guide. The 2014 was just released.

For Platters of previous years, see:
Platter’s South African Wine Guide 2013
South Africa’s Top Wines - Platter´s South Africa Wine Guide 2012
Platter´s South Africa Wine Guide 2011

Modern South Africa

I have traveled in South Africa many times in the past 3 decades, in particular during the period 1989 to 1992, when I used to live in Madagascar. When traveling in South Africa today, it quickly becomes evident that apartheid is resting in the dustbin of history. South Africa’s current President is the Zulu Jakob Zuma, who is mired in personal and political controversy. The Txosa Nelson Mandela, who had spent more than 25 years in prison during apartheid, was President in the 1990s and is now a revered elder called "Madiba" ("Papa"). South Africa successfully hosted the Soccer World Cup. The Soccer World Cup was hoped to provide a boost to the tourism industry; but indications are that the expected boost did not materialize, at least not fully. The gap between the haves and have-nots continues to be wide, but is narrowing and a black middle class is emerging. This, however, is not so much evident in the wine region, which continues to be dominated by the whites. 99% of the vineyard area is in the hands of whites. The AIDS pandemic is taking a toll with the HIV infection rate at about 10 percent, though declining.

Pictures: Franschhoek Valley and Cape Town

Over the course of the years, I have detected an increasing openness, pride and camaraderie among all the South Africans – white, colored or black, Boers or Brits; Indians, Jews, Zulus, Txosas or Vendas, I met. Nevertheless, this rainbow society with a share of 75% of blacks, has huge challenges to cope with.

South African Wine Industry

Unlike other New World wine regions, the South African wine industry is strongly influenced by several large wine-cooperatives, including Distel and KWV; in total, there about 60 co-operatives. In addition, there are about 25 trading companies, or negociants, which often operate wineries, but seldom own their own vineyards. Among these are SAVISA, Winecorp, Stellenbosch Vineyards and Graham Beck; Western Wines is among the trading companies that are foreign based and owned; their brand Kumala is by far South Africa’s biggest brand. Over 80% of the total crop is delivered to these large wineries by about 4000 wine growers. However, private wineries have increasingly emerged and seen an impressive growth; there are now about 600 winemakers with their own cellars, most of them in the premium wine segment.

More than half of the total production is exported. The previous Cape powers, the UK and Netherlands, are traditionally the main destinations for wines shipments; but other markets are coming up, including Sweden, Denmark, the USA, Germany and Angola.

The wine industry is firmly in the hands of the whites, both white South Africans and foreign investors. But I had the pleasure to meet Ntsiki Biyela, a female black winemaker, who is producing outstanding wines at Stellekaya in Stellenbosch. Also, the Diemersfontein wine portfolio included a line of wines that was produced in the framework of the Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) program (to promote the black community's involvement in the South African wine industry-including ownership opportunities for vineyards and wineries).

Major Achievers in Platter’s 2014

Winery of the Year

“The award is influenced by the results of the five star tasting,” says editor Philip van Zyl, “and this edition’s haul of four maximum ratings gives Mullineux Family Wines an astonishing 11 five stars to date, and places them firmly in the league of the greatest modern-era South African wineries. This in just seven years of operation! Warmest congratulations go to winemakers/co-owners Chris and Andrea Mullineux and the team on an exceptional achievement.”

Superquaffer of the Year

In an ongoing focus on value for money, Platter's identifies a number of entry-level wines which are exceptionally drinkable and well-priced. The best of these, like the five star candidates, go into a second round of blind tasting to select the Superquaffer of the Year. For the fourth time since Superquaffer inception in 2006, the ultra-easy sipper of the year is a chenin blanc: Boland Kelder Five Climates Chenin Blanc 2013 (Wine of Origin Paarl), praised in the guide as a “cracking crowd pleaser” and an “over-deliverer of note”.

Red Wine of the Year

Of the five star awarded wines, the red and white which receive the most votes from the judging panel are named Platter’s Wines of the Year. This time the Red Wine of the Year is Newton Johnson Windansea Pinot Noir 2012 (Wine of Origin Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley), described in the guide as “rich, fragrant, warmly sensuous”.

White Wine of the Year

The White Wine Of The Year is DeMorgenzon Maestro White 2012 (Wine of Origin Stellenbosch), a blend of chenin blanc, roussanne, viognier and chardonnay noted as “perfectly balanced for delicious current drinking or keeping”.

The Platter 5 Star Wines

In a banner year for the South African wine industry, Platter's South African Wine Guide has chosen a remarkable 80 wines to be awarded the highest honor of five stars in this 34th edition of the guide – up from 62 in the last edition.

Five star wines are exceptional bottlings which are identified by the individual tasters and then also emerge from a second round of blind tasting (without sight of the label), still with the judges’ highest rating. In this edition, three producers (Cederberg Private Cellar, Mullineux Family Wines and Nederburg Wines) garnered 4 five star ratings, one cellar (Newton Johnson Vineyards) amassed 3 five stars, and a further ten wineries (Cape Chamonix Wine Farm, DeMorgenzon, Fable Mountain Vineyards, Klein Constantia Estate, Kleine Zalze Wines, Sadie Family Wines, Stark-Condé Wines, Tokara, Reyneke Wines and KWV) each bagged 2 five stars.

Eleven wineries received five star ratings for the first time, namely Alvi's Drift Private Cellar, Chateau Naudé Wine Creation, Eikendal Vineyards, Hilton Vineyards, Opstal Estate, Raats Family Wines, Richard Kershaw Wines, Sijnn, Silverthorn Wines, Spioenkop Wines and Windmeul Cooperative Cellar. (The full list of five star wines appears below.)

Platter’s, South Africa’s original and trusted wine adviser, now also guides you through the ins and outs of locally produced brandy and “sherry”.

The new Platter’s includes descriptions and ratings of more than 60 brandies and husk spirits (“grappas”) across a broad spectrum - from ultra-exclusive Au.Ra to ubiquitous “Klippies” - together with brief profiles of distillers and brands. The leading South African sherry-style wines are also featured in the 2014 edition.

The five star wines and brandies for 2014 are:

Cabernet Franc

• Raats Family 2011

• Warwick 2010

Cabernet Sauvignon

• Boekenhoutskloof 2011

Picture: Christian G.E. Schiller with Jean Smit, Winemaker at Boekenhoutskloof

See:
Boekenhoutskloof– Producer of Sensational Premium Wines as well as Good Value Table Wines in Franschhoek

• Cederberg Five Generations 2011

• Ernie Els Proprietor’s 2011

• Neil Ellis Vineyard Selection 2010

• Stark-Condé Three Pines 2011

Pinotage

• Chateau Naudé Le Vin de François 2011

• Rijk’s Reserve 2009

• Spioenkop ‘1900’ 2012

Pinot Noir

• Newton Johnson Windansea 2012 (Red Wine of the Year)

• Newton Johnson Family Vineyards 2012

Shiraz/Syrah

• Cederberg CWG Auction Reserve Teen die Hoog 2011

• Eagles’ Nest 2010

• Fable Syrah 2011

• Hilton The Dalmatian 2010

• Mont Destin Destiny 2009

• Mullineux Family Schist Syrah 2011

• Mullineux Family Granite Syrah 2011

• Rust en Vrede Single Vineyard Syrah 2011

See:
In the Glass: A Rust en Vrede 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon With South African Oysters in Stellenbosch

• Stark-Condé Three Pines Syrah 2011

• Saronsberg 2011

• Sijnn 2011

Red Blends

• Bouchard Finlayson Hannibal 2011

• Chamonix Troika 2011

• Delaire Graff Botmaskop 2011

• Eikendal Classique 2011

• Ken Forrester Three Halves 2009

• Thelema Rabelais 2009

• Windmeul Reserve Cape Blend 2012

Chardonnay

• Chamonix Reserve 2012

• Hamilton Russell 2012

Picture: Hamilton Russel Vineyards is a producer of outstanding Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines in the Hemel en Aarde (Heaven and Earth) valley, just behind the seaside resort of Hermanus in Walker Bay.

For more see:
Burgundy Wines in South Africa: Hamilton Russell Vineyards

• Newton Johnson Family Vineyards 2012

• Richard Kershaw Elgin Clonal Selection 2012

Chenin Blanc

• Alheit Radio Lazarus 2012

• Beaumont Hope Marguerite 2012

• Botanica Old Vine 2012

• DeMorgenzon Reserve 2012

• Jean Daneel Signature 2012

• Kleine Zalze Family Reserve 2012

• Mullineux Family Schist 2012

• Opstal Carl Everson 2012

• Reyneke 2012

• Sadie Family Skurfberg 2012

• Stellenrust 48 Barrel Fermented 2012

Grenache Blanc

• The Foundry 2012

• AA Badenhorst Family CWG Auction Reserve White Grenache Vuilgoed 3 2012

Roussanne

• Simonsig CWG Auction Reserve The Russety One 2012

Sauvignon Blanc

• Cederberg David Nieuwoudt Ghost Corner Wild Ferment 2012

• Klein Constantia Perdeblokke 2012

• Kleine Zalze Family Reserve 2012

• Mulderbosch 1000 Miles 2012

• Tokara Walker Bay 2013

Semillon

• Constantia Uitsig 2012

Picture: Constantia Uitsig Vineyard

See:
A Day in Cape Town's Wine Cellars and Vineyards - Constantia Valley in South Africa

White Blends

• Cape Point Isliedh 2012

• Cederberg David Nieuwoudt Ghost Corner Bowline 2012

• David Aristargos 2012

• DeMorgenzon Maestro White 2012 (White Wine of the Year)

• Fable Jackal Bird 2012

• Fairview Nurok 2012

• Flagstone Treaty Tree Reserve 2011

• Nederburg Ingenuity 2012

• Nitida Coronata Integration 2012

• Rall 2012

• Reyneke Reserve White 2011

• Sadie Family Palladius 2011

• Tokara Director’s Reserve 2012

Méthode Cap Classique

• Klein Constantia Brut 2010

• Silverthorn The Green Man Blanc de Blancs 2010

Dessert Wine, Fortified

• Alvi’s Drift Muscat de Frontignan White 2010

Dessert Wine Unfortified

• Delheim Edelspatz Noble Late Harvest 2012

• Fleur du Cap Noble Late Harvest 2012

• KWV The Mentors Noble Late Harvest 2012

• Mullineux Family Straw Wine 2012

• Nederburg Eminence 2012

• Nederburg Edelkeur 2012

• Nederburg Winemaster’s Reserve Noble Late Harvest 2012

Port-Style

• Axe Hill Cape Vintage 2011

• De Krans Cape Vintage Reserve 2011

• KWV Cape Tawny NV

Brandy

• Boplaas Potstill 20 Years Brandy

• KWV 15 Year Old Alambic

• KWV 20 Year Old

• Oude Meester Souverein

• Van Ryn 12 Year Distillers Reserve

• Van Ryn 20 Year Collectors Reserve

• Van Ryn Au.Ra

schiller-wine: Related Postings

In the Plane: Wine on South African Airways from Johannesburg to Livingstone in Zambia (Victoria Falls)

New World Wine Producer South Africa

Boekenhoutskloof– Producer of Sensational Premium Wines as well as Good Value Table Wines in Franschhoek

Lunch with Raphael Dornier in Stellenbosch

Burgundy Wines in South Africa: Hamilton Russell Vineyards

Devon Rocks - A Boutique Producer of Pinotage in South Africa

Wining, Dining and Relaxing with the Chocolate/Coffee Pinotage at Diemersfontein Wine and Country Estate in Wellington, South Africa

In the Glass: A Rust en Vrede 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon With South African Oysters in Stellenbosch

Marianne Wine Estate: South African Wine with a French Soul

Meeting Ntsiki Biyela at Stellekaya in Stellenbosch – South Africa’s Only Female and Black Winemaker with International Recognition

Wine, Art and Food: Donald Hess’ Glen Carlou Estate in South Africa

Riesling in South Africa

Picture: Lunch at Quinta da Léda with Winemaker Luís Sottomayor

This was an amazing tour. Starting in Porto, we travelled up the Douro Valley and into Spain. We spent 2 nights in Porto, 1 night in the Vinho Verde region and 1 night in the Upper Douro Valley, close to the Spanish border. We enjoyed 4 very special winemaker dinners and 3 outstanding tastings in Portugal. The tour was a sponsored pre-conference trip of the 2013 Digitale Wine Communications Conference in Logroño, Rioja, Spain: The 2013 Digital Wine Communications Conference (DWCC) in Logroño, Rioja, Spain

Our last stop in the Douro Valley was a visit and lunch at Quinta da Léda in the Douro Superior which is the most eastern of the three Douro Valley sub-regions and closest to Portugal’s border with Spain. Quinta da Léda is owned by Sographe Vinhos.

We were received by star winemaker Luís Sottomayor and his colleagues.

The Sographe Vinhos Group

Sogrape Vinhos is a family-run company – third generation - with a strong focus on exports and international markets. Sogrape Vinhos owns more than 830 hectares of vineyards in Portugal.

Pictures: In the Douro Superior

What immediately stands out is the presence of two major global Portuguese wine brands - Mateus Rosé and Sandeman as well as the prestigious wines of Porto Ferreira and Offley. Added to which are the renowned specialist brands that represent the major Portugese wine regions. Beginning with the most famous Portuguese wine of all, Barca Velha, the pride of Casa Ferreirinha (Douro) and continuing with the elegant wines of Quinta dos Carvalhais (Dão), the vibrant Herdade do Peso (Alentejo), the fresh Vinhos Verdes of Quinta de Azevedo and Gazela, and the multi-regional Grão Vasco, to name but a few.

Quinta da Leda

Luís Sottomayor: Located to the east of the Douro, Quinta da Leda is one of jewels in Ferreira's crown. With it, Casa Ferreirinha has reinvented itself with wines of great complexity and structure, full of promise with freshness and vigor. This is the same area that produces the excellent wines to create the legendary Barca Velha. The vineyard area totals 76 hectares.

Picture: Reception at Quinta da Leda with Luís Sottomayor

The Quinta da Leda winery, built in 2001, is exemplary in that it follows an approach that allows the winemaker direct contact with the wine. The grapes are received on the uppermost level and gravity is used to move the grapes, ensuring a far more natural flow, with noted gains in wine quality.

Winery Tour

Robyn Bancroft (who has written about the event on her Blog nnnnnn): Upon our arrival, we were served a sparkling wine and some nibbly-bits…

The quinta or winery facility is built into a hillside. The architect took advantage of the topography, so that gravity could feed the grapes from the surface collection hoppers down a series of floors to stainless steel storage containers for final shipping and storage off-site. After harvesting, trucks hauling carts full of grapes pull under a type of open, but covered car-port area where the grapes are dumped into a collection hopper and then gravity fed into vats for punch-over processing or stompers for punch-down processing.

Pictures: Quinta da Leda Tour

We took a flight of stairs down one level to take a look at these two different processing methods. The punch-down process is more violent and cannot be used when the grape skins are thin due to the mechanical arms which “stomp” down the grapes. The day we were visiting, the grapes being handled were thin-skinned due to a season filled with lots of rain, so the punch-over process was demonstrated. A type of wine “sprinkler” system was turned on that pumped grape juice from the bottom of the vats and sprayed it out on top. The grape skins float to the top during this punch-over process resulting in a much more gentle way of separating or extracting liquid from the grapes. The winemakers use presses to squeeze out the remnants of the grapes to collect the last bit of wine. This most-concentrated wine is placed in barrels and used like salt and pepper for final flavoring and seasoning…

Pictures: Quinta da Leda Tour

Our tour continued on down another flight of stairs to the next area so that the workers could get back to filling the punch-over vats. The pumps were super loud and filled the whole building like a busy manufacturing plant… The whole space was open, so we could see the quinta’s activities on all three floors.

Our tour ended at the bottom level of the quinta with a lovely lunch served right beneath all the wine-making activity we had just witnessed. We were greeted with large cups of warm pumpkin soup. Above us, were the bottoms of the stainless steel vats with spouts ready for efficient conveyance directly into trucks for their transport to cooler storage locations off-site which were much more conducive to quality winemaking and final bottling. A long table was elegantly laid out for us to enjoy traditional Portuguese foods.

Lunch

Pictures: Lunch at Quinta da Leda

The Wines we Drank

Reception

Casa Ferreirinha Vinha Grande Rosé 2012

Vinha Grande Rosé is Casa Ferreirinha´s most recent launch, a wine characterised by a combnation between a fine aromatic intensity and a remarkable acidity that provides it with an extraordinary elegance. Vinha Grande Rosé displays the full potential of the Douro region in the making of high-quality rosés.

Lunch

Casa Ferreirinha 2010 Callabriga Douro

Tasting Notes: Casa Ferreirinha Callabriga 2010 has a deep ruby hue. It has an intense and complex bouquet with a prevalence of ripe red fruits (blackcurrant and strawberry), black fruits (plum) and floral notes of rock-rose. Spicy aromas (pepper and curry) are also present, due to the oak maturation. Excellent quality oak notes are very well integrated. The palate has a fine body, fine-quality tannins, a well-integrated acidity, a strong presence of red fruits and warm spicy notes. It has a long and complex finish.

Casa Ferreirinha Planalto Reserva 2012

Tasting Notes: Casa Ferreirinha Planalto White Reserva 2012 has a bright hue with greenish hints and a finely intense and complex bouquet, with a prevalence of white fruits (melon and pear), tropical fruits (apricot and passionfruit) and slight mineral notes. On the palate, it shows great harmony and fine balanced acidity, with mineral and citrus flavours again in evidence. It has a long and delicate finish.

About Luís Sottomayor

When in 1989 he entered the winemaking team led by master Fernando Nicolau de Almeida, Luis Sottomayor knew he was in the right company to take part in making the finest wines of the Douro. Today, his skills recognized and the quality of his work proven, he heads the Œnology team for Casa Ferreirinha and all Sogrape Port Wine brands, a responsibility he assumed in January 2003.

Pictures: Soup with Luís Sottomayor

Although Luís Sottomayor’s career trajectory has afforded him enriching experiences in several other national and international wine-growing regions, his commitment to Douro and Port Wines is unquestionable and had so far seen him awarded the 2010 Winemaker of the Year Award in the Fortified Wines category by Revista de Vinhos, one of the nation’s most prestigious wine publications. In 2012 he was nominated for the Winemaker of the Year accolade at the International Wine Challenge and eventually went on to receive yet another distinction from Revista de Vinhos, this time for outright 2012 Winemaker of the Year.

Author of world-famous wines such as Barca Velha and Quinta da Leda, and of the outstanding 2011 Vintages presented by both Ferreira and Sandeman, Luis expresses great pride in the opportunity he has been given to perpetuate a story without parallel in the world of wines, whilst highlighting the creativity and daring and of those who first set out, unaided by the technological advances of today, to produce wines of a time-defying excellence.

Born in Moreira da Maia, married and a father of three children, Luís Sottomayor has a full academic training that includes courses in œnology from the University of Dijon in Burgundy, France and Charles Sturt University, Australia, in addition to a post-graduate course in Œnology at the Escola Superior de Biotecnologia from Universidade Católica do Porto.

Pictures: Lunch with Luís Sottomayor

Arguing that the secret of great wines rests on the passion of those who write their history in the vineyards and cellars, Luís likes to emphasize the effort made at Sogrape Vinhos to preserve and enhance the legacy inherited from large and prestigious brands, by combining the values of tradition with emerging desires and trends for the future.

An avowed football supporter, Luís Sottomayor devotes some of his leisure time to rugby, horse-riding and hunting.

Bye-bye

Thank you Luis and your colleagues for an extraordinary event.

Pictures: Bye-bye

schiller-wine: Related Posting

Meeting Up-and-coming Winemaker Rita Ferreira Marques from the Douro Area in Portugal at Screwtop Winebar in Clarendon, Virginia

Meeting Rupert Symington from the Symington Family - One of the Oldest Families of Port Producers

The 2013 Digital Wine Communications Conference (DWCC) in Logroño, Rioja, Spain

A Douro Valley Tour from Porto Upstream to the Upper Douro Region, Portugal

Food Tour of Porto with André Apolinário from Taste Porto Food Tours, Portugal

Wining and Dining at the Reborn Quinta de Covela, Vinho Verde Region in the Douro Valley, with Owner Tony Smith and Winemaker Rui Cunha, Portugal

Tasting 2011 Vintage Port at Quinta da Boavista, Douro Valley, Portugal

Picture: Christian G.E. Schiller with Husband and Wife Team M. Jean Francois Meynard and Christelle Gauthier from Chateau La Bouree, Cotes de Castillon, Bordeaux

This was a very exciting winemaker dinner: With 13 visiting winemakers from all around France. It took place a Buck’s Fishing and Camping in the Chevy Chase area in Washington DC. The winemakers were in town for the annual portfolio tasting of Wine Traditions, an importer of French wines.

Ed and Barbara Addiss’ Wine Traditions

Wine Traditions: Created in 1996 by Edward Addiss and Barbara Selig, the philosophy of Wine Traditions is to discover independent winemakers whose passion for their vineyard and mastery of their winemaking craft combine to create a product that is a beautiful expression of the land from which it comes. They believe their portfolio demonstrates that wonderful wines can be found beyond well-known appellations and need not be overpriced. For them, wine is meant to be enjoyed with dinner, every day and at prices that make it an appropriate component of the meal.

Pictures: Christian G.E. Schiller and Barbara Assiss, and Ed Assiss, Owners of Wine Traditions

Buck’s Fishing and Camping

Tom Sietsema, Washington Post: This arty and eclectic restaurant serves classic food made with the best ingredients. There are few local kitchens that do its familiar dishes better than Buck’s.

The 4 expertly prepared courses of American cuisine from Chef James Rexroad were indeed excellent.

Picture: Buck's Fishing and Camping on 5031 Connecticut Avenue, Washington DC

Owner James Alefantis, who told us that he also owns a restaurant in Berlin, Germany, is charming and welcoming as is his restaurant: We are a small, neighborhood independently owned Fish Camp of a restaurant, where a woody, fire lit atmosphere is a great place to enjoy the best local produce, meats and fish.

Pictures: Annette Schiller, Ombiasy PR and WineTours, Christian G.E. Schiller and Owner James Alefantis

See: 3 Wine Tours by ombiasy Coming up in 2014: Germany-North, Germany-South and Bordeaux

Winemaker Dinner with 13 Producers from France

At this totally unique event, after a Champagne and oyster welcome, the 13 French winemakers were on hand to present their wines. We had the opportunity to select one of three wines with each of the 4-courses to pair side-by-side with Buck's beautiful menu.

Pictures: The Dinner

Welcome

Oysters on the 1/2 Shell, Warm Gougeres, and Selection of Saucisson

Bourdaire-Gallois, Brut Champagne NV

First Course

House Applewood Smoked Salmon with its Roe

3 Wines and 3 Winemakers

Pictures: Brigitte Ardurats, Felix Debavelaere and Katia Mauroy-Gauliez, and their Wines

Chateau Magneau, Graves Blanc 2012

Brigitte and Jean-Louis Ardurats: Winemakers/ Owners of Chateau Magneau, a beautiful Graves producer in the south of Bordeaux. The Graves region is often referred to as 'the cradle of Bordeaux wine' and has been described as a beauty asleep in her woods and forests. We were delighted to taste their Graves Rouge.

Picture: Christian G.E. Schiller and Brigitte and Jean-Louis Ardurats, Winemakers/ Owners of Chateau Magneau

Domaine de Bel Air Pouilly-Fume 2012

Owner/ Winemaker Katia Mauroy-Gauliez from Domaine de Bel Air hails from the Loire Valley where the Sauvignon Blanc grape thrives. Katia Mauroy-Gauliez and her brother Cedric Mauroy are the ninth generation to manage Domaine de Bel Air. Their 15 acres of vineyards straddle the towns of Pouilly-sur-Loire and Saint Andelain. Pouilly-Fume is one of the Loire Valley’s most famous wines – a quintessential expression of flinty, vivacious Sauvignon Blanc.

Domaine Rois Mages "Les Cailloux" Rully Rouge 2011

Anne-Sophie Debavelaere, a native Burgundian, began her Domaine in 1984. 5 years ago, her son, Felix Debavelaere, who was sitting next to me at the dinner, took over. He now farms 11 hectares of vines which are mostly in Rully, but include small parcels in Bouzeron and Beaune. The vineyards are all worked with respect for the land in a fashion known as “lutte raisonnée”. The winery or “cave de vinification” is a vaulted cellar which was dug from the Rully hillside in 1850. It was originally built by a local negociant who wanted to have a cellar for sparkling wine similar to those in Champagne.

Picture: Christian G.E. Schiller and Felix Debavelaere

Second Course

Wild Local Mushrooms with Tagliatelle Pasta and Herbs

3 Wines and 3 Winemakers

Pictures: Samuelle Delol, Elisabeth Billard, Michel Champseix with Ed Addiss

Domaine Billard Hautes Cotes de Beaune Blanc 2012

Winemaker Elisabeth and Jerome Billard, Domaine Billard have 12.5 hectares of vineyards in different appellations throughout the Cotes de Beaune. Their largest holdings are in the Hautes Cotes de Beaune with other small plots located in Saint Romain, Saint Aubin 1er Cru, Auxey Duresses and Beaune.

Chateau Vieux Chevrol Lalande de Pomerol 2009

The Champseix family has made wine at Château Vieux Chevrol for many generations and continues to do so in a traditional manner. Jean-Pierre Champseix runs the estate today (20 hectares), aided by his son Michel. He has a profound respect and veneration for his land, a relationship that truly guides his work. The vineyard lies on the Neac plateau overlooking the vineyards of Pomerol. The soil is clay mixed with gravel and iron-rich sandstone known locally as “crasse de fer”. The vineyard is planted to 80% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Picture: Jean-Pierre Champseix, Château Vieux Chevrol, Lalonde de Pomerol, and Christian G. E. Schiller

Chateau Gueyrosse Saint Emilion 2003

Winemaker Samuelle Delol, owns two estates Chateau Bel Air and Chateau Gueyrosse in St. Emilion. Chateau Gueyrosse dates from around 1750 and the Delol family obtained the property in 1850. Samuelle, who has recently taken over from her father, is the sixth generation to make wine at Gueyrosse. The vineyard is in the southwestern corner of Saint Emilion, on the outskirts of Libourne and has a soil of "graves rouge", a soil type similar to that found in the southern corner of Pomerol.

Third Course

Magret Duck Steaks with a Frisee Salad of Duck Cracklins and Farm Poached Egg

3 Wines and 3 Winemakers

Pictures: Ed Addiss, Dominique Ressès, Christelle Gauthier and Catherine Roque, and their Wines

Chateau La Bourree Cotes de Castillon 2011

The husband and wife team M. Jean Francois Meynard and Christelle Gauthier, who were sitting next to me at the dinner, own 4 chateaux with a total vineyard area of 40 hectares. Chateau La Bouree extends over 10 hectares. The vineyard is planted with 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc and Malbec. The yields are kept to 45h/hl by green harvesting and leaves are pulled as needed to insure proper ripening. Fermentation on the skins lasts for three weeks after which the wine is aged in used barrels for a year

Picture: Annette Schiller, Ombiasy PR and WineTours and the husband and Wife Team M. Jean Francois Meynard and Christelle Gauthier, Bordeaux

Chateau La Caminade Commandery Cahors 2009

Dominique Ressès: The Chateau La Caminade vineyards (34 hectares) lie in Parnac, in the heart of the Cahors region. The vineyard covers a variety of soil types including gravelly sand and clay/limestone. The Ressès family has been making wine here for four generations.

One of my early posting were about Dominique Ressès and his beautiful wines: The Wines of Chateau La Caminade in the Cahors, France - Malbec from its Birthplace

Picture: Christian G.E. Schiller and Dominique Ressès, Cahor

Mas D'Alezon Presbytere Faugeres 2012

Catherine Roque, Languedoc, is owner and winemaker of Mas d'Alezon and Domaine du Clovallon. Catherine says that seeing the results of bio-dynamic farming practices has greatly inspired her. Both of her estates are in Languedoc.

Fourth Course

A Selection of 3 Regional Cheeses

3 Wines and 3 Winemakers

Pictures: Julien Teulier, Laurent Charrier, Jean-Marc Grussaute and Ed Assiss, and their Wines

Camin Larredya La Part Davan Jurancon Sec 2012

Jean-Marc Grussaute: The Grussautes have a small but remarkable vineyard (9 hectares) situated in the Chapelle de Rousse area of Jurançon. The word “Camin” used instead of Domaine is the local dialect for chemin or road.

The majority of the vineyard, planted by Jean-Marc’s father 40 years ago, is terraced and lies on steep and curved slopes that form an amphitheater. The vineyard is planted to 60% Petit Manseng and 37% Gros Manseng and 3% Petit Courbu. Jean-Marc Grussaute began estate bottling in 1988. He has farmed organically since 2007 with the first certified vintage being 2010. Jean-Marc names his wines after the vineyard parcels from which they come.

The Jurançon Sec which is called La Part Davan, blends two thirds Gros Manseng with Petit Manseng and a small quantity of Petit Courbu.. The wine undergoes a “maceration pellicullaire” before fermentation in stainless steel tanks and foudres. The wine then is kept “sur lie” for at least six months.

Picture: Jean-Marc Grussaute and Christian G.E. Schiller

Domaine du Pas Saint Martin Jurassique Saumur Blanc 2011

Domaine du Pas Saint Martin is set among troglodyte caves formed out of ancient fossilized marine life that covered the Saumur region 10 million years ago. During the Middle Ages these caves served the Protestants as secret places of worship.

Laurent Charrier and his mother run the domaine which is a certified organic farm. Laurent’s father was not interested in producing wine and thus in 1994 when Laurent took over the responsibility of the domaine, he picked up where his grandfather had left off. He immediately set out to acquire certification for organic farming which he received in 1997. The family vineyards are a bit spread out with small holdings in Anjou and Coteaux du Layon in addition to their primary vineyard in Saumur. The average age of the vines is 25 years with a good part being older than 35 years. Vinification is carried out in temperature controlled stainless steel vats.

Domaine du Cros Lo Sang del Pais Marcillac 2012

Winemaker Julien Teulier: Deliciously fruity red wine from Marcillac, first used to quench the thirst of pilgrims on their way to the shrine of Santiago di Compostella, and then miners from nearby coalfields. Made from the local fer servadou grape from a vineyard that was saved from extinction by a handful of dedicated growers in Southwest France.

Picture: Christian G.E. Schiller and Julien Teulier

Dessert

Tanis Bark and Fresh Ginger Wafers

schiller-wine: Related Posting

3 Wine Tours by ombiasy Coming up in 2014: Germany-North, Germany-South and Bordeaux

Bordeaux Wine Tour 2013 by ombiasy

An Afternoon at Château Pape-Clément (in 2013), Appellation Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux

Dinner at Château Canon La Gaffeliere, Appellation Saint-Emilion, Premier Grand Cru Classé, France

Visiting a “Holy” Construction Site: Château Angélus in Saint-Emilion, France

Lunch at Château Le Bon Pasteur with Winemaker/Owner Dany Rolland, Pomerol, France

Tour, Tasting and Lunch at Château Beausejour in AOC Puisseguin-St.Emilion, France

Visit of an Ultra-premium Non-mainstream Bordeaux Producer: Tertre Rôteboeuf, with Owner and Winemaker François Mitjavile

Visiting and Tasting at Château Climens, with Owner Bérénice Lurton, Bordeaux, France

Lunch, Tour and Tasting with Owner Catherine Thibault d'Halluin (nee Boyer) and Winemaker Julien Noel - Château du Cros, Château Mayne du Cros, Château Courbon and Clos Bourbon, Bordeaux, France

Visiting an Oyster Farm at Arcachon Bay, Bordeaux: Raphael Doerfler at Earl Ostrea Chanca , France

Tour and Tasting at Château Pontet-Canet, with Owner Alfred Tesseron, Bordeaux

Tour, Tasting and Lunch at Château Léoville-Poyferré, with Didier Cuvelier and Anne Cuvelier, France

A Tour and Tasting at Château Lafon-Rochet in Saint-Estèphe, Bordeaux, with Winemaker and Owner Basile Tesseron (2013), France

A Tour and Tasting at Château Coufran, Haut-Médoc, with Co-owner Frédéric Vicaire, France

Tour and Tasting at Château Lynch-Bages in Bages, Bordeaux, France

Tour at Tonnellerie Berger and Fils: How is a Barrique Made? Bordeaux, France

Wine Dinner at Château Haut-Bailly, Cru Classé de Graves, France

The Wines of Chateau La Caminade in the Cahors, France - Malbec from its Birthplace

Picture: Christian G.E. Schiller and Helmut Doennhoff, Weingut Doennhoff, Nahe Valley, at Weingut Doennhoff

The Gault Millau WeinGuide Deutschland uses a scale of 1 to 5 grapes. The Gault Millau WeinGuide Deutschland 2014 was released at the end of last year.

One winery was promoted to 5 grapes: Weingut Rudolf Fuerst in the Franken region. No demotions. Thus, there are now 11 winemakers with 5 out of 5 grapes.

As for previous years, see:

Germany's Top 11 Winemakers (with 5 out of 5 Grapes) - The Gault Millau WeinGuide Deutschland 2014
Germany’s Top 10 Winemakers (with 5 Grapes) - The Gault Millau WeinGuide Deutschland 2013
Germany’s Top 10 Winemakers (with 5 Grapes) - The Gault Millau WeinGuide Deutschland 2012
Germany’s Top 9 Winemakers - the 2010 Gault Millau Wine Guide

Each year, the Gault Millau also selects a winemaker of the year, a discovery of the year, etc. I have already report about these awards:

Best German Wines and Wine Makers – the Gault Millau WeinGuide Deutschland 2013 Awards
2012: Best German Wines (Awards) – Gault Millau WeinGuide Deutschland 2012
2011: Gault Millau WeinGuide Germany 2011– Ratings
Gault Millau Wine Germany 2010

Ahr

None.

Baden

Bernhard Huber

One of the winemakers leading the German red wine revolution. He also produces outstanding white wines. Does not have any sweet or noble-sweet wines in his portfolio. 26.5 hectares.

Picture: Christian G.E.Schiller, Barbara Huber and Peter Lepholt. I visited and wrote about Weingut Huber: One of the Fathers of the German Red Wine Revolution: Weingut Huber in Baden

Franken

Rudolf Fuerst

Weingut Rudolf Fuerst has the reputation of being a specialist for red wines, Spaetburgunder and Fruehburgunder, which account for 60% of the production; but brilliant dry wines are also produced. Sebastian Fuerst in the process of taking over from his father Paul Fuerst. 18.6 hectares.

Hessische Bergstrasse

None.

Mittelrhein

None.

Mosel (Mosel - Saar -Ruwer)

Fritz Haag

Weingut Fritz Haag is located in Brauneberg in the Mosel Valley. It was founded in 1605. It is now run and owned by Oliver Haag and his wife Jessica Haag. Weingut Fritz Haag owns a total of 16.5 hectares of Riesling vines around Brauneberg, with 6.5 hectares within Brauneberger Juffer and 3 hectares in the Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr vineyard.

Picture: Christian G.E. Schiller and German Winemaker Oliver Haag, Weingut Fritz Haag, in Seattle

See:
The German Winemakers at the 4th Riesling Rendezvous in Seattle, USA

Egon Mueller

The legendary Scharzhof lies on the Saar River. Egon Mueller’s fruity-sweet and noble-sweet, low alcohol wines are legendary. 16 hectares.

Joh. Jos. Pruem

For decades now, one of the really exceptional winemakers in Germany. The aging potential of the Weingut J.J. Pruem wines is legendary. Katharina Pruem is in the process of taking over from her father Manfred Pruem. 21 hectares.

The aging potential of the Weingut J.J. Pruem wines is legendary. 21 hectares.

Picture: Christian G.E. Schiller, Ombiasy PR and WineTours, with Manfred Pruem, Weingut JJ Pruem. I met Manfred's daughter Katharina Pruem in Washington DC recently and wrote about Weingut JJ Pruem: JJ Pruem Goes Supermarket: Meeting Katharina Pruem and Tasting the Incredible JJ Pruem Wines at Wegmans

See:
German Wine and Culture Tour by ombiasy, 2013
3 Wine Tours by ombiasy Coming up in 2014: Germany-North, Germany-South and Bordeaux

Nahe

Herrmann Doennhoff

Owner and winemaker Helmut Doennhoff is a Grand Seigneur of German wine. His son Cornelius is in the process of taking over. 25 hectares.

Picture: Tasting with Helmut Doennhoff

See:
An Afternoon with Riesling Star Winemaker Helmut Doennhoff at Weingut Doennhoff in Oberhausen in the Nahe Valley, Germany

Emrich-Schoenleber

Werner Schoenleber was Gault Millau winemaker of the year 2006. Only white wines, mainly Riesling. 16 hectares.

Pfalz

Knipser

A world class producer of both white and red wines. Werner Knipser has been experimenting with international red grape varieties for some years. Virtually all wines are fermented in a dry style. Werner Knipser’s children Sabine Knipser and Stephan Knipser are in the process of taking over. 40 hectares.

Oekonomierat Rebholz

A broad wine portfolio with international grapes, including Chardonnay and 25% Spaetburgunder. 19 hectares.

Rheingau

Robert Weil

A top producer of Riesling wines, in particular fruity sweet and noble sweet wines, well presented in the major wine markets in the world. Now co-owned by the Japanese Suntory company and General Manager Wilhelm Weil, the fourth generation of the founding family. 80 hectares.

Picture: Christian G.E.Schiller, Martina Weil, Annette Schiller, Wilhelm Weil at the 2013 Rheingau Riesling Gala

See:
German Riesling and International Grape Varieties – Top Wine Makers Wilhelm Weil and Markus Schneider at Kai Buhrfeindt’s Grand Cru in Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Visiting Wilhelm Weil at his Weingut Robert Weil in Kiedrich, Germany
Tasting with Wilhelm Weil the 2010 Weingut Weil Wines in Kiedrich, Germany

Rheinhessen

Keller

Leader of the Rheinhessen wine renaissance. Has a broad wine portfolio with 60 % accounted for by Riesling and also including the lesser known autochthon Silvaner as well as Spaetburgunder. 15 hectares.

Saale-Unstrut

None.

Sachsen

None.

Wuerttemberg

None.

schiller-wine: Related Postings

German Spaetlese Wines Can Come in Different Versions. I Have Counted Five.

Visiting Weingut Josef Leitz in Ruedesheim – Johannes Leitz is Germany’s Winemaker of the Year, Gault Millau WeinGuide 2011

Hanging out with Rheingau Winemakers: Dirk Wuertz, Desiree Eser, Alexander Jakob Jung, Hansi Bausch and Christian Ress in Hattenheim, Rheingau, Germany

JJ Pruem Goes Supermarket: Meeting Katharina Pruem and Tasting the Incredible JJ Pruem Wines at Wegmans

Bollinger Chef de Cave Mathieu Kauffmann Moves to Weingut Reichsrat von Buhl in the Pfalz, Germany

3 Wine Tours by ombiasy Coming up in 2014: Germany-North, Germany-South and Bordeaux

German Wine and Culture Tour by ombiasy, 2013

German Riesling and International Grape Varieties – Top Wine Makers Wilhelm Weil and Markus Schneider at Kai Buhrfeindt’s Grand Cru in Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Visiting Wilhelm Weil at his Weingut Robert Weil in Kiedrich, Germany

Tasting with Wilhelm Weil the 2010 Weingut Weil Wines in Kiedrich, Germany

Riesling, Pinot Noir and Indian Cuisine: A tête-à-tête Dinner with Winemaker Ernst Loosen, Weingut Dr. Loosen, at Rasika in Washington DC, USA

The German Winemakers at the 4th Riesling Rendezvous in Seattle, USA

Weingut Huber: One of the Fathers of the German Red Wine Revolution: Weingut Huber in Baden

Picture: Christian G.E. and Annette Schiller in a Tapas Bar

As part of the 2013 Digital Wine Communications Conference, My wife Annette and I spent a couple of days in Logroño in La Rioja, which has an amazing Tapas Bar scene.

See:
The 2013 Digital Wine Communications Conference (DWCC) in Logroño, Rioja

Let me quote Norman Miller (The Guardian, Saturday 1 August 2009): While tapas are ubiquitous in Spain, the question of who serves up the best is divisive. Granada, the spiritual home of the tapa, has a good shout, and it's also one of the few places where they are still offered free with a drink. Seville probably has the most atmospheric old bars, but not the best tapas, while San Sebastian's elaborate pintxos, as they're called in Basque, are delicious works of art.

But my vote goes to Logroño, the untouristy capital of La Rioja, for the sheer concentration of tapas bars in its medieval old town.

Pictures: Logroño in La Rioja

Norman Miller goes on: Almost 50 are crammed into a single block about the size of four tennis courts. I counted 24 in 100 steps along Calle del Laurel, 13 in 50 paces along Travesía del Laurel. Calle San Agustin and Calle Albornoz complete the circuit with a dozen more. Hemingway treated his taste buds here during his Iberian travels, while King Juan Carlos has given them his royal seal of approval.

This concentration grew from old wine shops (envas) that once sold Rioja's wine in these narrow medieval streets. The wine business has now shifted to nearby Haro, whose historic centre has a tiny tapas circuit of its own known as "The Horseshoe".

Pictures: The Tapas Bars of Logroño in La Rioja

With so many bars in so little space you might expect fierce competition, but Logroño, on the river Ebro and a stop-off point for pilgrims en route to Santiago de Compostela, has worked out a simple solution - each bar specialises in just two or three dishes. "There are no rivals here," says Lourdes Sainz, as I start a lunchtime progress along Travesia del Laurel at her brightly-coloured Bar Lorenzo, mingling with blokes on a booze-and-a-bite warm-up for a long Spanish lunch.

Pictures: The Tapas Bars of Logroño in La Rioja

Wendy Crispell, who also participated in the 2013 Digital Wine Communication Conference, shared my enthusiasm for the Tapas Bars in Logroño and has written about them on her blog. Here are 4 Tapas bars she visited and which she liked very much. You may also want to check the official website of Calle Laurel.

Pulpería La Universidad. Founded in 1978 this is the place to enjoy octopus, in MANY forms! From the most incredibly tender fried version to a simple but deadly preparation Galician style, dressed simply with olive oil and paprika. Also enjoy a Galician wine served in porcelain dishes, a tradition of the region.

Donosti. This brightly lit counter style spot is THE place to stop for foie! Glazed with a sweet violet jam and washed down with a local cider or wine. You will be tempted to order two but save room for their potato and ham croquettes as well. Slamming good!

Angel Bar. Who would think 3 stacked mushrooms, doused in a garlic butter and topped with a single shrimp could taste sooooo good? Simplicity rules. This is said to be a secret recipe passed down from Angel Villanueva who opened this gem in 1960. Today his daughter and grandson proudly grill their family secret in view of customers enjoying wines poured from over 20 local vineyards.

Meson del Abuelo. This comfy spot is packed with locals eating both at the counter and in a cozy dining room serving steak, chops and seafood. My pick here is the chorizo cooked down with cider, with a bit of the same to wash it down with! A list of over 30 different Spanish wines is offered at an extremely reasonable price.

Schiller’s Favorites

This posting is part of the Schiller’s favorites series.

Schiller’s Favorite Tapas Bars in Logroño in La Rioja, Spain

Schiller's Favorite Seafood Places in Bordeaux City, France

Schiller's Favorite Wine Bars in Bordeaux City, France

Schiller's Favorite Wine Bars in Berlin, Germany

Schiller’s Favorite Wine Bars in St. Emilion, France

Schiller’s Favorite Wine Bars in New York City, USA

Schiller’s Favorite Wine Bars in Seattle, USA

Schiller's Favorite Wine Bars in Washington DC, USA

Schiller’s Favorite Restaurants, Brasseries, Bistros, Cafes and Wine Bars in Paris, France

Schiller’s Favorite Crab Houses in the Washington DC Region, USA

Schiller’s Favorite Wine Bars in Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Schiller’s Favorite Wine Bars in New York City, USA

Schiller’s Favorite Wine Bars in Charleston, South Carolina, USA

Schiller’s Favorite Wine Bars in London, UK

Schiller's Favorite Wine Bars and Other Wine Spots in Vienna, Austria

Schiller’s Favorite Wine Bars in San Francisco, USA

Schiller's Favorite Wine Bars in Bordeaux (City), France

Schiller's Favorite Wine Bars in Budapest, Hungary

Schiller’s 12 Favorite Restaurants of Antananarivo, the Capital of Madagascar

Schiller's Favorite Apple Wine Taverns in Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Schiller’s Favorite Spots to Drink Wine in Vienna, Austria (2011)

Schiller’s Favorite Wine Taverns in Mainz, Germany

Schiller's Favorite Wine Bars and Other Places Where You Can Have a Glass of Wine in Healdsburg, California

schiller-wine: Related Posting (DWCC 2013)

The 2013 Digital Wine Communications Conference (DWCC) in Logroño, Rioja

Rioja, Portugal, Austria, Italy, Turkey …. Rioja – EWBC 2013 Back in Spain

#DWCC : Comunicatore Digitale della settimana – Wine Blogger of the Week: Christian Schiller

Visiting a Stunning Winery: Bodegas Baigorri in Rioja, Spain

Bodegas Baigorri (Rioja, Spain) Wine Blog Posting Contest .... and the Winner is: Christian Schiller from schiller-wine

A Winery, a Foundation and a Museum: Dinastía Vivanco– Tasting, Tapas and a Tour with Santiago and Rafael Vivanco, Rioja, Spain

A Visit and a Tasting at Bodegas Bilbaínas in Haro with Head Winemaker Diego Pinilla Navarro, Spain

Visiting, Tasting and Eating at Bodegas Palacio, with Winemaker Roberto Rodriguez, Rioja, Spain

Schiller’s Favorite Tapas Bars in Logroño in La Rioja, Spain

schiller-wine: Related Posting (Spain)

Bodegas Marqués de Murrieta Winemaker Dinner at Taberna del Alabardero in Washington DC, USA/Spain

Alejandro Luna Beberide from Bodegas y Vinedos Luna Beberide in Spain at the Taberna del Alabardero in Washington DC

The Wines of Bodegas Epifanio Rivera in Spain

Welcoming Winemaker Ruben Saenz Lopez and his Bodegas San Prudencio Wines from Rioja in Spain to Washington DC

Meeting Didier Soto and Tasting His Biodynamic Mas Estela Wines from Catalonia

Meeting Up-and-coming Winemaker Rita Ferreira Marques from the Duoro Area in Portugal at Screwtop Winebar in Clarendon, Virginia

Meeting Winemaker Yolanda Viadero from Valduero Vineyards in Ribera del Duero and in Toro, Spain, and Tasting Her Excellent Wines

Dinner with Spanish Winemaker Antonio Jose Bleda Jimenez, Bodegas Bleda, at Taberna del Alabardero in Washington DC, USA

Picture: Christian G.E. Schiller and Doug Fabbioli, Fabbioli Cellars. Doug Fabbioli won 2 Gold Medals and one of the two wines made it into the 2014 Governor's Cup Case

See:
Visiting Wine Maker Doug Fabbioli and his Fabbioli Cellars in Virginia, USA

On Thursday evening, February 27, Governor Terry McAuliffe awarded the 2014 Governor's Cup to The Williamsburg Winery for its 2010 Adagio at the Virginia Wineries Association’s Governor’s Cup Gala at the John Marshall Hotel in Richmond, Virginia. The 2010 Adagio, a red wine blend of 42 percent Cabernet Franc, 30 percent Merlot and 28 percent Petit Verdot, had the highest overall score in the competition.

For last year's competition, see: Governor’s Cup Competition 2013, Virginia, USA

Dave McIntyre, from the Washington Post: … the Governor’s Cup win is a real coup for the Williamsburg Winery, also one of the state’s largest, and its winemaker, Matthew Meyer. A graduate of the oenology program at the University of California at Davis, Meyer came to Williamsburg in 2002 after working at several prestigious wineries in Napa Valley. “My goal is to make a bold wine, yet retain the nuances of the Old World style,” Meyer wrote in an e-mail. “When blending any of my wines, I always think of three things: my wife, Elena; my late father; and food. If I can create a wine as beautiful as Elena, as complex as my father, and food friendly, then I am on the right track.” Meyer achieved that with the 2010 Adagio ($72 at the winery), which I described in my notes simply as “luscious.”

Winemaker Matthew Meyer’s tasting notes call the Adagio a very bold, upfront wine with loads of jammy fruit: The blackberries and blueberry notes are accentuated with some elegant mature darker fruit such as figs, dates and prunes. There is a hint of spice (warm cinnamon) with molasses and soy. The earthy notes come across with a touch of nuttiness.

The 2014 Governor’s Cup Case

20 wines earned gold medals (90 to 100 points), with the top 12 scorers becoming the Governor’s Case and the top scorer – The Williamsburg Winery 2010 Adagio - winning the Governor’s Cup.

The 2014 Virginia Governor's Cup Competition – with 410 entries from 96 wineries - was conducted over several weeks of tasting and administered by Jay Youmans, a Master of Wine and Head of the Capital Wine School in Washington DC. The preliminary tastings were held at the Capital Wine School in Washington DC. 133 wines made it to the final round, held in Richmond. 15 judges — sommeliers, retailers, distributors and writers — tasted the wines over three days in early February to determine the winners.

2014 Gold Medals and Governor’s Cup Case

Here are the 12 wine of the Governor’s Cup Case, in alphabetical order. All wines got gold medals.

Barboursville Vineyard – 2008 Malvaxia Passito
Barboursville Vineyard – 2010 Nebbiolo Reserve
Barboursville Vineyard – 2010 Octagon
Barren Ridge Vineyard – 2009 Meritage
Fabbioli Cellars – 2011 Tannat
Horton Vineyards – 2010 Tannat
King Family Vineyards – 2011 Meritage
North Gate Vineyard – 2011 Meritage
Rockbridge Vineyard – 2008 Meritage, DeChiel Reserve, unfiltered
Sunset Hills Vineyard – 2010 Mosaic
The Williamsburg Winery – 2010 Adagio (CUP WINNER)
Two Twisted Post Winery – 2012 Chardonnay

Picture: Christian G.E. Schiller and Mark Fedor, North Gate Vineyard

See: North Gate Vineyard in Virginia, USA – A Profile

7 other wines garnered gold medals – meaning they attained an average of at least 90 points, but they were not in the top 12. These were:

Afton Mountain Vyds – 2012 Festa di Bacco
Cedar Creek Winery – 2011 Cabernet Franc
Fabbioli Cellars – 2011 Tre Sorelle
Jefferson Vineyards – 2010 Estate Reserve
Jefferson Vineyards – 2010 Meritage
Pearmund Cellars – 2010 Ameritage
Veritas – 2012 Viognier

Picture: Christian G.E. Schiller with Chris Pearmund from Pearmund Cellars (and Vint Hill and La Grange)

The 2014 Governor’s Case includes 7 Bordeaux blends, including the 2010 Octagon from Barboursville Vineyards. The 2009 Octagon won last year’s Governor’s Cup. No Cabernet Francs, once touted as Virginia’s most promising red grape, made the final 12.

Impressively, the 2014 Governor’s Case includes 3 wines from Barboursville Vineyards, which is located in the Monticello American Viticulture Area of Central Virginia, in and around the Charlottesville region. The historic Virginia winery is located on the estate of James Barbour, former Governor of Virginia, in Barboursville. The winery was founded in 1976 by Gianni Zonin, a prominent Italian winemaker whose family has roots in Italian viticulture going back to 1821. The Zonin Group is based in Vicenza, Italy. Barboursville is Zonin's sole American venture.

Dave McIntyre: Luca Paschina is Virginia’s premier winemaker, at the helm of a winery that has found the magic combination of commercial and critical success.

The only dry white in the 2014 Governor’s Case is a barrel-fermented Chardonnay from Two Twisted Posts Winery, a Loudoun County newcomer scheduled to open to the public this spring. The general view is that this is not because of a lack of premium white wines, but because of the timing of the competition: Most 2012s are sold out, while 2013s have not yet been released yet.

Wine Producer Virginia

Virginia is the 5th largest wine industry in the US, with 230 wineries and 2,500 acres of vineyards. Sales of Virginia wine reached a record high in fiscal year 2012 with more than 485,000 cases sold.

In the original charter of the thirteen colonies was a royal commission to pursue three luxury items that England was unable to provide for itself: wine, silk, and olive oil. Every colony made attempts to satisfy the requirements of its charter. Despite many years of failure, the early Americans persisted in their efforts. A big step forward was made in 1740 when a natural cross pollination occurred between a native American grape and a European vitis vinifera. Other successful crossings followed.

In 1762, John Carter, who had 1,800 vines growing at Cleve Plantation, sent 12 bottles to the Royal Society of Encouragement of the Arts, Manufacture and Commerce in London for their evaluation. Minutes of their meeting on the 20th of October 1762 declared Carter’s wines to be “excellent” and a decision was taken to reward Carter’s efforts with a gold medal for his wines. These were the first internationally recognized fine wines produced in America.

Over the past 30 years or so, Virginia wines have experienced a tremendous development - to elegant and balanced, mostly European vinifera-based wines. Recently, Donald Trump as well as AOL founder Steve Case bought a Virginia winery.

Picture: Virginia

Today, the vitis vinifera grapes Chardonnay and Viognier are the leading white varieties. Increasingly they are made without any or with neutral oak, to retain natural acidity and freshness. It appears Viognier is on its way to becoming Virginia’s official “signature grape”.

For French-American hybrid varieties, Seyval Blanc is still popular, but resembles now the fresh and crisp wines from France’s South West. Vidal has become the backbone of the artificially frozen (cryoextraction), ice wine which I am not a great fan of. Cryoextraction is an approach, developed by the French, which kind of simulates the frost in the vineyard in the wine cellar.

As far as red wines are concerned, there has been a shift from straight varietal wines to blends, with the blends now being dominated by Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Mirroring the Virginia white wines, there is an increasing focus on neutral oak and clean, vibrant fruit.

Tannat, Uruguay’ signature grape from the South West of France, is showing up in more Virginia wines, usually as a blend. The only red French American hybrid which has performed consistently well in Virginia is Chambourcin, which resembles the Gamay grape of Beaujolais.

Finally, Claude Thibault, a native from France, has taken Virginia sparkling wines to a new level. His NV Thibault-Janisson Brut, made from 100 percent Chardonnay, is as close as you can get to Champagne outside of France. President Obama served it to French President Hollande at a State Dinner earlier this year.

See:
American Wines with French Roots: The Wines President Obama Served at the State Dinner for President Hollande, USA/France
As Close as You Can Get to (French) Champagne at the US East Coast – Claude Thibaut and His Virginia Thibaut Janisson Sparklers at screwtop Wine Bar

schiller-wine: Related Posting

Northern Virginia Magazine October 2012: Wine Recs from Local Winos

Virginia Wines Shine in San Francisco - 2012 San Francisco International Wine Competition, USA

Jim Law and Linden Vineyards in Virginia – A Profile, USA

Boxwood Winery in Virginia: Lunch with Wine Makers Rachel Martin and Adam McTaggert in the Chai between the Tanks – TasteCamp 2012 East Kick-Off, USA

An Afternoon with Jordan Harris, Winemaker of Tarara, Virginia, USA

Vineyard Walk, Wine Tasting in the Vineyard and Lunch in the Tarara Tank Cellar with Wine Maker Jordan Harris, Tarara Winery, USA

Visiting Jennifer Breaux Blosser and Breaux Vineyards in Virginia, USA

Bordeaux Meets Virginia: Visiting Rutger de Vink and his RdV Vineyards with Anne Cuvelier from Chateau Leoville Poyferre in St. Julien, Bordeaux

Judging Virginia Wines in Suffolk, Virginia - Virginia Wine Lover Magazine Wine Classic 2012

A New Winery in Virginia - The Barns at Hamilton Station Vineyards, USA

Boxwood Winery in Virginia: Lunch with Wine Makers Rachel Martin and Adam McTaggert in the Chai between the Tanks – TasteCamp 2012 East Kick-Off, USA

Book Review: "Beyond Jefferson's Vines - The Evolution of Quality Wine in Virginia" by Richard Leahy, USA

TasteCamp 2012 in Virginia, USA – A Tour d’Horizont

As Close as You Can Get to (French) Champagne at the US East Coast – Claude Thibaut and His Virginia Thibaut Janisson Sparklers at screwtop Wine Bar

See: American Wines with French Roots: The Wines President Obama Served at the State Dinner for President Hollande, USA/France

Visiting Wine Maker Doug Fabbioli and his Fabbioli Cellars in Virginia, USA

Governor’s Cup Competition 2013, Virginia, USA

North Gate Vineyard in Virginia, USA – A Profile

This article was initially published in: Weinfeder Journal, page 25, February 2014, Edition #42. Weinfeder Journal is the quarterly on-line journal of the Weinfeder - the association of German wine writers. The first version of the article was a posting (in English) on schiller-wine: The 2013 Digital Wine Communications Conference (DWCC) in Logroño, Rioja, Spain

Dieser Artikel wurde urspruenglich in dem Weinfeder Journal, Seite 25, Februar 2014, Edition #42 veroeffentlicht. Weinfeder Journal ist eine vierterljaehrlich on-line Publikation der Vereinigung deutschsprachiger Weinpublizisten. Die erste Version des Artikels war ein Posting (auf Englisch) auf schiller-wine: The 2013 Digital Wine Communications Conference (DWCC) in Logroño, Rioja, Spain

Vom 25. bis 27. Oktober 2013 fand die “Digital Wine Communications Conference (DWCC) 2013” in Logroño (Spanien) statt. Bis zur diesjaehrigen Veranstaltung “European Wine Bloggers Conference (EWBC)” genannt, war es die sechste jährliche Veranstaltung dieser Art. Bisherige Konferenzen fanden in Spanien, Portugal, Österreich, Italien und der Türkei statt.

Dass die Veranstalter den Namen der Konferenz geaendert haben, war ueberfaellig. Es geht zwar weiterhin auch um Bloggen bei der Konferenz, das zentrale Thema ist jedoch ueber die Jahre die digitale Weinkommunikation geworden, die von Produzenten, Haendlern, Importeuren und Exporteuren immer mehr genutzt wird. Das ist unterschiedlich in den verschiedenen Laendern. In den USA zum Beispiel gibt es kaum noch Winzer, die nicht eine facebook Seite und ein Twitter Konto haben. In Deutschland ist das ganz anders. Nur relative wenig laeuft ueber die digitale Schiene in Deutschland. Dementsprechend war Deutschland auch bei dieser Konferenz kaum vertreten. An der Konferenz nahmen etwa 250 Teilnehmer aus mehr als 30 Ländern teil.

Wie in den Vorjahren war die 2013 Konferenz eine höchst unterhaltsame und lehrreiche Mischung aus Workshops, Vorträgen , Weinproben und Besuchen von Weingütern.

Es gab etwa 30 parallele Workshops, Vorträge und Verkostungen an den beiden ersten Konferenztagen, in 3 verschiedenen Tagungsräumen: Panos Kakaviatos leitete eine interessante Diskussion über die Auswirkungen des Klimawandels auf die Weinbereitung. Doug Frost, einer von 3 Menschen auf der Welt, die sowohl Master of Wine als auch Master Sommelier sind, stellte uns die 3 Unterregionen der Rioja Region da. Die "Aged Rioja Tasting” Probe war sehr beliebt, und die Plätze waren schnell belegt. Der New Yorker Blogger und Buchautor Tyler Coleman (Dr. Vino – uebrigens wirklich promoviert, in Politischer Wisssenschaft) und andere gingen der Frage nach: "Was ist Wein Kommunikation und wer sind die Wein Kommunikatoren im Jahr 2013". Da ging es natuerlich viel um Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. David White, aus Washington DC, und andere gingen dem Problem nach: “Herausforderungen einer globalen Marke in der Internet Kommunikation”. Julia Harding und Jose Vouillamoz, die mit Jancis Robinson das Standard Werk “Wine Grapes - A complete Guide to 1,368 Vine Varieties, including their Origins and Flavours” verfasst haben, leiteten eine Verkostung von "seltenen iberischen Sorten".

An beiden Tagen gab Verkostungen in der Lobby von 09.00 bis 15.00 Uhr. Am ersten Tag praesentierten ausschliesslich Rioja Produzenten ihre Weine. Am zweiten Tag gab es auch andere, darunter eine Menge portugiesischer, Produzenten.

Der erste Tag endete mit einem Weingut Besuch und Abendessen auf dem Weingut. Wir wurden auf 6 Busse aufgeteilt und zu 6 Weingütern gebracht. Ich hatte das Vergnügen, Bodegas Baigorri zu besuchen. Es war ein sehr interessanter und vergnueglicher Abend. Ein Gala-Dinner in Laguardia war der Hoehepunkt des zweiten Tages.

Am dritten Konferenztag ging es den ganzen Tag in die Weingueter. Die Teilnehmer konnten zwischen verschiedenen Touren wählen. Meine Gruppe besuchte Bodegas Bilbainas in Haro und Bodegas Palacio in Laguardia, wo wir auch zu Mittag assen.

Den 3 Konferenz Tagen gingen am Donnerstag am Nachmittag ein Besuch mit Tapas und Wein Probe in Bodegas Dynastia Vivanco in Briones und am Abend die legendäre "Bring Your Own Bottle Party" in der Altstadt von Logroño voraus. Ich hatte natuerlich einen deutschen trockenen Riesling mitgebracht, von Weingut Kruger Rumpf in der Nahe.

Schließlich gab es vor und nach dem DWCC 2013 eine Reihe von Pressereisen, für die man sich anmelden konnte. Ich habe an einer faszinierenden 3 Tage Reise nach Porto, der Vinho Verde Region und dem Douro Tal teilgenommen.

Die DWCC 2014 wird in Montreux in der der Schweiz stattfinden. Das kuendigte Jancis Robinson ueber eine Video Einspielung an, und auch, dass sie teilnehmen wird.

Fruehere Weinfeder Journal Beitraege

Amerikanische Whiskey-Hersteller in Deutschland, Weinfeder Journal Dezember 2013, Edition #41, Seiten 33ff.. siehe hier auf schiller-wine

Riesling Rendezvous in Seattle, Weinfeder Journal September 2013, Edition #40, Seite 30, siehe hier auf schiller-wine

Picture: The Wurzelwerk Team (Stefanie Jurtschitsch, nee Hasselbach, will not be able to join us in Washington DC)

Dear wine lovers,

This tasting event is very special. It is to showcase the project "Wurzelwerk""ROOT WORK" if you translate it word by word.

In a nutshell: The "Wurzelwerk" project attempts at providing an answer to the eternal question: Is wine made in the vineyard or in the cellar?

The project:
Three world-class Riesling winemakers from Austria and Germany shared a portion of their grapes (first vintage: 2012) grown in their grand cru vineyards among themselves. Each of them vinified the three different base juices according to his respective philosophy and taste. The result was 9 different wines: 1x juice from the Mosel, 1x juice from Rheinhessen, 1x juice from the Kamptal vinified in 3 different wine cellars.

You will have the rare opportunity - the first one in the US - to taste all 9 wines, vintage 2012, and to talk to the 3 winemakers about their experience and ideas and why they vinified the wines this way.

There is very limited availability of these wines. The case of 9x 0.5l bottles is around USD 630.

The winemakers are:

Johannes Hasselbach, winery Gunderloch in Nackenheim, Rheinhessen, Germany, ( a VDP -association of German elite winemakers- estate), www.gunderloch.de

Max von Kunow, winery von Hövel in Oberemmel, Mosel, Germany, (also a VDP estate), www.weingut-vonhoevel.de

Alwin Jurtschitsch, winery Jurtschitsch in Langenlois, Kamptal, Austria, www.jurtschitsch.com

All three are gifted winemakers, and belong to the young generation of winemakers looking for new challenges. All three of them recently have taken over the prestigious wineries of their forefathers and are thriving to produce wines of the highest quality.

It will be extremely interesting to see if the wines from the same source but vinified by three different winemakers are distinctively different or if you can pinpoint the specific terroir. This Wurzelwerk project is talk of the town in Europe and Johannes, Max, and Alwin decided to come to the States to share their ideas and experience with us.

For further information, please see the attached invitation by Rudi Wiest Selection, the US importer.

A buffet of delicious cheeses, salumi, and savory pastries is included in the tasting.
DATE: March 18, 2014
TIME: 6:00 PM
LOCATION: Domaine Wine Storage, 4221, Connecticut Ave NW (rear entrance via the back alley), Washington DC 20008

Participation is USD 40 /p.p. incl. tax and tip, payable at the door (checks payable to Rudi Wiest Selection).

Space is very limited, please RSVP by Friday, March 14, 2014 to: aschiller@ombiasypr.com OR (703) 459.7513

For me this will also be the first time that I can taste those wines. I am thrilled!!!, in particular since we have fond memories about the Gunderloch winery, going way back to our student days in Mainz, when Christian and I biked to Nackenheim to have some wine and delicious food at their wine tavern. My Germany South tour 2014 (www.ombiasypr.com) will include a visit and tasting at the Gunderloch estate.

Hope to see you next Tuesday, and to discuss the question: vineyard or cellar!

Annette

Annette Schiller, Diplom-Volkswirt
ombiasy Public Relations and Wine Tours
Washington DC - Frankfurt am Main
T: +1 703 459 7513
T: +49 177 337 0281
aschiller@ombiasypr.com
facebook: ombiasy Public Relations and Wine Tours
twitter: ombiasypr
website: ombiasy Public Relations

Picture: Annette Schiller and Helmut Doennhoff, Weingut Doennhoff, Nahe Valley, during the 2013 German Wine and Culture Tour by ombiasy

From September 04 – September 13, 2014, we will explore six (Saale-Unstrut, Franken, Rheingau, northern Rheinhessen, Mosel, Nahe) German wine regions with visits to top wineries and cultural gems. For the exact itinerary, prices and other questions, visit the ombiasy Public Realtions website:
ombiasy Public Relations.

This tour is one of 3 tours by ombiasyPR coming up in 2014:
3 Wine Tours by ombiasy Coming up in 2014: Germany-North, Germany-South and Bordeaux

Quintessential German Whites (Germany-North)

We will visit a total of 19 wineries (15 are members of the VDP, the German association of elite wine makers) in 6 different wine regions where predominantly white grapes are planted: Saale-Unstrut, which is the most northern German wine region and former GDR territory; Franken and its signature grape Silvaner; Rheingau with its perfect, elegant, racy Rieslings; Northern Rheinhessen where a variety of white grapes and also Pinot Noir grow; Mosel with its dizzying steep vineyards and famous Rieslings; Nahe and its serene, peaceful valley where perfect harmonious wines reflect their roots.

Picture: With Georg Rumpf, Weingut Kruger-Rumpf (Nahe Valley) in the Vineyard during the 2013 German Wine and Culture Tour by ombiasy

We will get intimate insights into a selection of Germany’s best of the best wineries, normally not open to visitors.

We will learn how to read the label on German wine bottles.

We will get to know the classification of German wines including the new VDP classification.

We will explore why wine from the same vineyard can be sweet or dry.

We will have excellent, typical German meals at great restaurant, historical places, or at the wineries with the owner/winemaker.

We will hear eye witness accounts of recent German history: from the GDR to reunified Germany.

We will bump into ancient German history and culture at every turn of our trip.

Germany with its roughly 250,000 acres under vine belongs today to one of the smaller wine producing countries in the world. However, viticulture in Germany has a long tradition, going back to Roman times 2,000 years ago. In the 15th century, the area under vine was four times larger than it is today. Wars, subsequent loss of territory, diseases, overproduction, and competition from beer brewing resulted in land turned over to other agricultural uses. In the 19th century, concentration on terroir and technological progress fostered a tremendous improvement of quality and the prestige of German wines, in particular from the Mosel, Rheingau, and Pfalz regions, resulted in prices above those for first growth Bordeaux wines. Today, all thirteen wine regions in Germany produce outstanding wines.

Pictures: With Clemens and Rita Busch, Weingut Clemens Busch, in the Mosel Valley, during the 2013 German Wine and Culture Tour by ombiasy

The tour follows the 2013 German Wine and Culture Tour by ombiasy, with the Franken region added, the Mosel Valley portion extended and the Pfalz region deleted (and included in the Sun-kissed German South Tour) and includes the following wineries: Pawis, Gussek, Kloster Pforta, Juliusspital, Bickel-Stumpf, Robert Weil, Kloster Eberbach, Jakob Jung, Thoerle, Kuehling-Gillot, Kuenstler, Peter Jakob Kuehn, Clemens Busch, Dr. Loosen, Maximin Gruenhaus (Von Schubert), Reichsgraf von Kesselstadt, Doennhoff, Kruger-Rumpf, Diel, Schaezel.

Many of the 2013 German Wine and Culture Tour highlights were covered by postings on schiller-wine.

Postings - 2013 German Wine and Culture Tour by ombiasy

Ombiasy Wine Tours: Wine and Culture Tour to Germany Coming up in August 2013

German Wine and Culture Tour by ombiasy, 2013

Weingut Pawis in the Saale Unstrut Region - A Profile, Germany

Tasting at Weingut Balthasar Ress, Hattenheim, Rheingau, with Stefan Ress, Germany

Impromptu Winetasting with Alexander Jung, Weingut Jakob Jung, Erbach, Rheingau, Germany

A Tasting at Weingut Peter Jakob Kühn, Rheingau, with Angela and Peter Jakob Kühn, Germany

Tasting with Rita Busch at Weingut Clemens Busch in the Mosel Valley, Germany

Ernst Loosen Presented his Wines at Weingut Dr. Loosen, Bernkastel-Kues, Mosel Valley, Germany

Cellar Tour, Vineyard Tour, Tasting and Lunch with Georg Rumpf, Weingut Kruger-Rumpf, Nahe Valley, Germany

An Afternoon with Riesling Star Winemaker Helmut Doennhoff at Weingut Doennhoff in Oberhausen in the Nahe Valley, Germany

The World Meets at Weingut Weegmueller, Pfalz, Germany

Tasting with Johannes and Christoph Thoerle, Weingut Thoerle in Saulheim, Rheinhessen, Germany

Impressions from the Mainz Wine Market 2013, Germany

Picture: Annette Schiller, ombiasy PR and WineTours, and Christian G.E. Schiller with Sophie Schyler Thierry from Château Kirwan

More on ombiasy PR and WineTours:
3 Wine Tours by ombiasy Coming up in 2014: Germany-North, Germany-South and Bordeaux
Bordeaux Wine Tour 2013 by ombiasy

Calvert and Woodley organized a very special wine dinner featuring four fantastic châteaux, known as the "Bordeaux Quartet": Beychevelle, Guiraud, Latour-Martillac and Kirwan. The Quartet was founded in 2005 by Sophie Schyler Thierry from Château Kirwan.

Picture: Annette Schiller and Michael Sands, Calvert and Woodley

The dinner took place at the Park Hyatt in Washington DC and was attended by 75 Bordeaux lovers.

The wines were presented by three Guests of Honor for the evening:

Aymar de Baillenx (General Manager) - Château Beychevelle
Sophie Schyler Thierry (Co-owner and Director of Communications) - Château Kirwan
Wilfrid Groizard (Director of Communications) - Château Latour-Martillac

A Four-Part Harmony – The 4 Châteaux

Sophie Schyler Thierry: Four Crus Classés, doing away with competitive sentiment, have formed their own extraordinary quartet, united in their rigorous approach to wine production and in their passion for music, which first brought them together on the steps of Europe’s most beautiful theater, the Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux. The Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux has taken the ties that bind these iconic Bordeaux wine growers beyond the professional realm, as a sort of "fifth musketeer" to the quartet of Sophie Schÿler (Château Kirwan), Xavier Planty (Château Guiraud), Aymar de Baillenx (Beychevelle), and Tristan Kressmann (Latour-Martillac).

Just like a great piece of music, if the wines of the Châteaux Kirwan, Guiraud, Beychevelle, and Latour-Martillac harmonize around the same notes of seduction, their delightful concord is thanks to the intense preparatory process required to stage any great work, from an opera to an international market, so that the shadow side of the production – in the cellar for wines, and in the rehearsal phase for a concert – can come to life in the glass or after the curtain goes up. The same spirit governs the two. And each one of these great crus and their prestigious terroirs has a part to play in this perfectly tuned quartet.

Pictures: Marlene Reddoor, Christian G.E. Schiller, Michael Besche, Cellar Master of the Washington, DC Commanderie deBordeaux, and Annette Schiller, ombiasyPR and WineTours

Château Guiraud, Premier Cru Classé 1855, Sauternes

In 1885, this great property was consecrated premier cru in the classement impérial classifications. Guiraud, through its rigorous picking process, its quest for perfect balance and an elegant expression of the terroir, and its refusal to use chaptalization or cryoselection, is a steadfast advocate of the traditional methods on which its renown was built. The extraordinarily rich texture of its wines inspires both soaring superlatives and the most subtle of nuances. Honeysuckle, white peach, black tea, roasted berries… in some vintages, its deep yellow color intensifies the luxuriance of its aromas upon tasting. Château Guiraud is embodied in four people, the industrialist Robert Peugeot and three wine growers, Olivier Bernard, Stephan Von Neipperg, and Xavier Planty – another quartet unified by a credo of quality and the philosophy of the cru. Xavier Planty, a great lover of opera, is well aware that a certain Guiraud is associated with the orchestration and recitatives of the Offenbach operetta The Tales of Hoffmann, whose celebrated Bacchanale is in perfect harmony.

Château Kirwan, Cru Classé 1855, Margaux

The story of this cru begins in 1751, when Sir John Collingwood, and English gentleman, acquires the noble property of Lassale. It continues today thanks to Jean-Henri Schÿler and his three children, Yann, Sophie, and Nathalie, who now head the domaine. The property, located on the famous Cantenac Plateau, produces a generous Margaux whose 2007 vintage was entrusted to Philippe Delfaux (formerly of Château Palmer). The only "practicing" member of this quartet of great amateurs, pianist Sophie Schÿler plays only ranges that showcase wines characterized by potency, depth, and richness, playing arpeggios of nuance and finesse. If Mozart had tasted the wines of Château Kirwan, his Air du Champagne would have borne a different name, and, his Air de Margaux should have had a magnificent sustain on Don Giovanni’s palate, for he sings one of the shortest airs in the lyrical repertoire.

Château Beychevelle, Cru Classé in 1855, Saint-Julien

Built in the 17th century, this fief of the Dukes of Epernon was restored by the Marquis de Brassier and expanded by the Heine family in the 20th century. This architectural gem, whose classical façade is crowned by a graceful pediment has now been restored to its original splendor, the site is an ode to classical elegance with its own unique charm, and is felicitously located by the route des châteaux. Its wines’ garnet color gives them gorgeous intensity and complexity, characterized by a complex nose, described in certain vintages as untamed and animal, at times qualified by a more vegetal register of undergrowth and damp earth. The property’s name refers to the shipping activity of a nearby estuary, and it is likely that the President of Beychevelle, Aymar de Baillenx, thought of Cosi Fan Tutte and its loveliest aria, "Soave sia il vento," when he became a part of this lyrical quartet.

Château Latour-Martillac, Cru Classé de Graves, Pessac-Léognan

This Graves, a cru classé since 1953, owes its name to the tower that decorates its Cour d’Honneur, a vestige of the small fort built there in the 12th century by Montesquieu’s forbears. It drew the attention of Edouard Kressmann as he was founding his firm in 1871. In 1934, it adopted its current label "of gold and sable," designed by Kressmann’s son Jean and consecrated by a 1929 red served at Buckingham Palace in 1936. The cellars were thoroughly renovated in 1989, and today Tristan, (general management) and Loïc (technical management) continue the family tradition. The white wines surprise with their delicate complexity and their remarkable aptitude for aging. In the tradition of the great Pessac-Léognan wines, the reds are an ode to harmony, balance, and elegance. Tristan Kressmann, the final partner in this quartet, bears a name that inevitably recalls the influence of Wagner, and his magical philter that, as Latour-Martillac, was for those mythical lovers nothing less than an elixir of love.

Chef Sebastien Archambault

Chef Sebastien Archambault of the Park Hyatt Hotel and its signature restaurant Blue Duck Tavern prepared a fantastic dinner for us.

Pictures: Chef Sebastien Archambault of the Park Hyatt Hotel and its Signature Restaurant Blue Duck Tavern and Christian G.E. Schiller at a Previous Occasion

Despite his French accent, Sebastien Archambault is a native, born in Texas, where his parents operated a small restaurant called Crepe Suzette. He returned to France with his family, cooking under the direction of Guy Savoy, Alain Ducasse and others. He later enjoyed a stint in Los Angeles' Andaz West Hollywood hotel and its RH restaurant. When Chef McBride decided to leave Blue Duck after about 20 years with the Park Hyatt Washington earlier this year, he called Sebastien Archambault his "ideal choice for my successor" in a release.

Named one of the finest restaurants in Washington, DC by Zagat, The Washington Post, and Washingtonian, Blue Duck Tavern features creative American cuisine crafted from the region’s seasonal ingredients. The centerpiece of the open restaurant is a wood-burning. Touches of dark oak, blue burlap, handcrafted furnishings and rustic wood tables create a warm atmosphere. The restaurant also features a private Chef’s Table seating up to 18 guests.

Menu and Wines

The wine-searcher average prices in US$ are in parenthesis.

Reception

Chef's Selection of Passed Hors d'oeuvres

Château Latour-Martillac Blanc 2011 (Pessac-Léognan) (33)

The annual production of Château Latour-Martillac is 20,000 cases of the red Grand Vin and 11,000 of the dry white. Of the second wine Lagrave Martillac, made from the estate's youngest vines, 4,000 cases of red and 2,000 cases of dry white are produced. The vineyard area extends 42 hectares, of which 33 ha are dedicated the red wine varieties, 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot and 5% Petit verdot, and 9 ha for white wine production of the varieties 55% Sémillon, 40% Sauvignon blanc, and 5% Muscadelle.

Decanter (18/04/2012): Very good lemony-honeyed fruit and good firm finish, it will gain complexity due to the structure. (16.5 points)

Picture: Christian G.E. Schiller and Wilfrid Groizard, Director of Communications, Château Latour-Martillac

First Course

Seared Foie Gras Terrine
Orange Confit Cocoa Brioche

Château Latour-Martillac Rouge 2005 (Pessac-Léognan) (48)

Robert Parker (89/100): The generous style of wines from the Graves region south of the City of Bordeaux finds a perfect expression in this wine from the 2005 vintage. Generous and supple, smooth and welcoming. Ch La Tour Martillac is a good name in the Graves (now, of course, refined as Pessac-Léognan for the best communes), and one that carries Grand Cru Classé status for both its red and dry white wines. Arguably the estate was more famous for the latter in the past, but the reds have made very good progress in recent years and Michel Rolland is engaged as a consultant.

Entrée

Suckling Pig Porcetta
Roasted Root Vegetables

Château Beychevelle 2008 (St.-Julien) (105)

Berry Bros and Rudd: Château Beychevelle is a 4ème Cru Classé St-Julien wine property that boasts one of the most impressive châteaux in the whole of the Médoc. Its label depicts a beautiful galley with a large sail, as a consequence of its ownership in the 16th century by the Duc d`Eperon, Admiral of France at the time. The expression "Baisse-Vaille", meaning "lower sails", later evolved into the name Beychevelle. Today the property is owned by Grands Millésimes de France.

Pictures: Annette Schiller, Christian G.E. Schiller and Aymar de Baillenx, General Manager, Château Beychevelle

Beychevelle's 85 hectares of vineyards are located in the far south of the St-Julien appellation, just outside the hamlet of St-Julien-Beychevelle. The wine is typically a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot. It is matured in oak barrels (50-60% new) for 18 months. It is renowned for its suppleness, smoothness and its rich, and sometimes chocolatey character.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate- May 2011: This ageworthy, elegant, well-made Beychevelle displays copious red and black cherry fruit notes intertwined with dusty, loamy soil and oak undertones, decent acidity, moderate tannin and impressive intensity as well as length. Give it 1-3 years of cellaring and enjoy it over the next 15-18 years.

Château Beychevelle 2003 (St.-Julien) (122)

Jancis Robinson: With sweet black fruit, savoury cocoa and cedar wood on the nose this Beychevelle is a stylish and rich wine. “Mid crimson. Meaty, explosive, creates a very strong impression! Very full and opulent and round. Much softer than, say, Ch Léoville Poyferré but should give great pleasure. Made for pleasure in fact.” 17.5/20

Cheese Course

Chef's Selection of Gourmet Cheeses

Château Kirwan 2009 (Margaux) (75)

Sophie Schÿler: Everything in 2009 was perfect. The wine has incredible structure, especially the tannin structure. It’s definitely a wine you should buy now and keep in your cellar for a number of years before enjoying it at its best.

Château Kirwan 2000 (Margaux) (92)

WineTimes: The 2000 Kirwan is stunning with big bouquets and a very elegant palate. It has a smooth and velvety palate and is rather addictive! It’s delightful, which makes me question as to what Parker was thinking when he only gave it 90 points – oh, hang on, it’s elegant, feminine, drinkable and soft…that’ll be why he scored it so low as it was missing the overly extracted fruity and jammy nature the man has become known for giving high scores to.

Picture: Annette Schiller, Christian G.E. Schiller and Sophie Schyler Thierry, Co-owner and Director of Communications, Château Kirwan

Dessert

Caramelized Pineapple Financier
Dulcey Cremeux, Raisin Honey Gastrique

Château Guiraud 2009 (Sauternes) (75)

This gem of an estate in Sauternes dates back to the 15th century. The vineyard currently covers 100 hectares. Château Guiraud is known for its organic approach to viticulture. 11,000 cases made. The blend of 65 percent Sémillon and 35 percent Sauvignon Blanc comes from 35- to 40-year-old vines. Four partners - Robert Peugeot (of Peugeot automobiles), Olivier Bernard (Domaine de Chevalier), Stephan von Neipperg (Canon-La Gaffelière and others) and Xavier Planty, the estate’s longtime general manager - acquired Château Guiraud in 2006.

Tim Atkin: The freshness of the Sauvignon Blanc is what makes this wine so bright and harmonious. Overall the blend is waxy toasty and stylish with oak vanilla spice and honeysuckle and grapefruit characters combining stylishly on the palate. Not far behind Yquem in 2009 and that is high praise indeed. Long elegant and refreshing. Residual sugar 139 grams per litre.

Château Guiraud 2003 (Sauternes) (82)

Lea and Sandeman: Enormously rich, on the verge of veering into sugary rather than roundly rich, slightly barley sugary. But this is still a very good wine in its big very sweet style.

Bye-bye

Thanks for a great event!

Pictures: Aymar de Baillenx, Château Beychevelle, Cru Classé in 1855, Saint-Julien, Sophie Schyler Thierry, Château Kirwan, Cru Classé 1855, Margaux, Wilfrid Groizard, Château Latour-Martillac, Cru Classé de Graves, Pessac-Léognan, Annette Schiller, ombiasy PR and WineTours and Christian G.E. Schiller

schiller-wine: Related Postings (2013 Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy)

3 Wine Tours by ombiasy Coming up in 2014: Germany-North, Germany-South and Bordeaux

Bordeaux Wine Tour 2013 by ombiasy

An Afternoon at Château Pape-Clément (in 2013), Appellation Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux

Dinner at Château Canon La Gaffeliere, Appellation Saint-Emilion, Premier Grand Cru Classé, France

Visiting a “Holy” Construction Site: Château Angélus in Saint-Emilion, France

Lunch at Château Le Bon Pasteur with Winemaker/Owner Dany Rolland, Pomerol, France

Tour, Tasting and Lunch at Château Beausejour in AOC Puisseguin-St.Emilion, France

Visit of an Ultra-premium Non-mainstream Bordeaux Producer: Tertre Rôteboeuf, with Owner and Winemaker François Mitjavile

Visiting and Tasting at Château Climens, with Owner Bérénice Lurton, Bordeaux, France

Lunch, Tour and Tasting with Owner Catherine Thibault d'Halluin (nee Boyer) and Winemaker Julien Noel - Château du Cros, Château Mayne du Cros, Château Courbon and Clos Bourbon, Bordeaux, France

Visiting an Oyster Farm at Arcachon Bay, Bordeaux: Raphael Doerfler at Earl Ostrea Chanca , France

Tour and Tasting at Château Pontet-Canet, with Owner Alfred Tesseron, Bordeaux

Tour, Tasting and Lunch at Château Léoville-Poyferré, with Didier Cuvelier and Anne Cuvelier, France

A Tour and Tasting at Château Lafon-Rochet in Saint-Estèphe, Bordeaux, with Winemaker and Owner Basile Tesseron (2013), France

A Tour and Tasting at Château Coufran, Haut-Médoc, with Co-owner Frédéric Vicaire, France

Tour and Tasting at Château Lynch-Bages in Bages, Bordeaux, France

Tour at Tonnellerie Berger and Fils: How is a Barrique Made? Bordeaux, France

Wine Dinner at Château Haut-Bailly, Cru Classé de Graves, France

Picture: Annette and Christian G.E. Schiller with Christine Huff, Eva Vollmer and Mirjam Schneider in New York City

Stuart Pigott – the German wine and world Riesling expert – has released a listing of what he believes are the top 111 young German winemakers. The list was published as Special #2 of the European Fine Wine Magazine by the Tre Torri Verlag in Wiesbaden, Germany.

Stuart Pigott: Die folgenden Portaets stellen die 111 wichtigsten Repraesentanten dieser Bewegung vor, die seit der Jahrtausenwende den deutschen Wein neu erfinden.

Picture: Stuart Pigott and Christian G.E. Schiller in Washington DC

Stuart Pigott grouped the top 11 young German winemakers by region. He did not include anybody from the two wine regions in the former GDR: Saale Unstrut and Sachsen.

Ahr

Paul Schaefer – Weingut Burggarten
Meike and Doerthe Naekel – Weingut Meyer-Naekel

Picture: Doerte Naekel and Christian Schiller in Hattenheim

See: Kuenstler, Meyer-Naekel, Wirsching – Winemaker Dinner at Kronenschlösschen in Hattenheim, Rheingau, Germany

Paul Schumacher – Weingut Paul Schumacher
Alexander Stodden – Weingut Jean Stodden. Das Rotweingut

Mittelrhein

Cecilia Jost –Weingut Toni Jost

Baden

Corinna and Michael Benz – Weingut Benz
Andreas and Olivia Bieselin – Weingut Andreas Bieselin
Martin Frey – Weingut Otto und Martin Frey
Patrick Johner – Weingut Karl H. Johner

Picture: Christian G.E. Schiller with Patrick Johner at Weingut Karl Heinz Johner

See: Visiting Winemaker and Web 2.0 Guru Patrick Johner - Weingut Karl Heinz Johner and Johner Estate - in Baden, Germany

Markus and Andreas Klumpp – Weingut Klumpp

See: The Top Wine Makers of the Kraichgau - The Northern Part of the Baden Wine Region in Germany

Alexander Laible – Weingut Alexander Laible
Andreas Christian Laible – Weingut Andreas Laible
Konrad Salwey – Weingut Salwey
Alexander Schneider – Weingut Reinhold und Cornelia Schneider
Hans-Bert Espe and Silke Wolf – Shelter Winery
Markus Woehrle – Weingut Stadt Lahr
Martin Wassmer – Weingut Martin Wassmer
Odin Bauer and Elmar Lehmann – Weingut Zahlwander

Wuerttemberg

Hansjoerg and Matthias Aldinger – Weingut Gerhard Aldinger
Christian Dautel – Weingut Dautel

Picture: Ernst Dautel, Christian Dautel and Christian Schiller at Weingut Dautel in Wuerttemberg

See: Weingut Dautel in Wuerttemberg – A Profile, Germany

Markus Drautz – Weingut Drautz-Able
Sven and Yvonne Ellwanger – Weingut Bernhard Ellwanger
Tobias Heinrich – Weingut G.A. Heinrich
Christoph and Heike Ruck – Ruxwein
Michael Schiefer – Weingut Schiefer
Ulrich and Nanna Eissler – Weingut Steinbach-Hof
Juergen and Tanja Zipf – Weingut Zipf

Franken

Matthias Stumpf and Melanie Stumpf-Kroeger – Weingut Bickel Stumpf

Picture: Christian G.E. Schiller at the September 2012 VDP Wine Auction at Kloster Eberbach, above with Melanie Stumpf, Weingut Bickel Stumpf at the Pre-auction Tasting

Sebastian Fuerst – Weingut Rudolf Fuerst
Juergen Hofmann – Weingut Hofmann
Hansi Ruck – Weingut Johann Ruck
Sandra Sauer – Weingut Horst Sauer
Daniel Sauer – Weingut Rainer Sauer
Martin Johannes Schmitt – Weingut Schmitt’s Kinder
Christian Stahl – Winzerhof Stahl

Picture: Christian G.E. Schiller with Christian Stahl at Restaurant schauMahl in Frankfurt, Germany

See: The Bistronomics Cuisine of Chef Christoph Kubenz and the Wines of Winemaker Christian Stahl at Restaurant schauMahl in Frankfurt, Germany

Paul Weltner – Weingut Weltner
Andrea Wirsching-Ebert and Lena Wirsching – Weingut Hans Wirsching

Mosel

Andreas and Barbara Adam – Weingut A.J.Adam
Eva Cluesserath-Wittmann – Weingut Ansgar Cluesserath
Verena Cluesserath – Weingut Cluesserath-Weiler
Sebastian Oberbillig – Weingut Deutschherren-Hof
Alexandra Eifel – Weingut Bernhard Eifel
Killian Franzen and Angelina Lenz – Weingut Reinhold Franzen
Dorothee Zilliken – Weingut Forstmeister Geltz-Zilliken
Johannes Haart – Weingut Reinhold Haart
Max von Kunow – Weingut von Hoevel
Gernot Kollmann – Weingut Immich-Batterieberg
Matthias Knebel – Weingut Reinhard und Beate Knebel
Florian Lauer – Weingut Peter Lauer
Axel Pauly – Weingut Pauly
Katharina Pruem – Weingut Joh.Jos.Pruem

Picture: Christian G.E. Schiller and Katharina Pruem at the 2013 Rheingau Open

See: JJ Pruem Goes Supermarket: Meeting Katharina Pruem and Tasting the Incredible JJ Pruem Wines at Wegmans

Jochen Siemens – Weingut Dr. Siemens
Jan Matthias Klein – Weingut Staffelter Hof

Picture: Jan Matthias Klein and Christian G.E. Schiller

Maximilian Ferger – Weingut Witwe Dr. H. Thanisch, Erben Mueller-Burggraef
Daniel Vollenweider – Weingut Vollenweider
Christiane Wagner – Weingut Dr. Wagner
Konstantin Weiser and Alexandra Kuenstler – Weingut Weiser-Kuenstler
Carolin Hofmann – Weingut Willems-Willems

Nahe

Caroline Diel – Schlossgut Diel

Pictures: Christian G.E. Schiller and Caroline Diel at Johann Lafers Stromburg

See: Caroline and Armin Diel, Schlossgut Diel (Nahe Valley), Presented their New Wines (Vintage 2012), Germany

Cornelius Doennhoff – Weingut Doennhoff

See: An Afternoon with Riesling Star Winemaker Helmut Doennhoff at Weingut Doennhoff in Oberhausen in the Nahe Valley, Germany

Frank Schoenleber – Weingut Emrich-Schoenleber
Martin Korell – Weingut Korell-Johanneshof
Felix Prinz zu Salm-Salm – Weingut Prinz Salm
Sebastian Schaefer – Weingut Joh. Bapt. Schaefer
Tim Froehlich – Weingut Schaefer-Froehlich

Picture: Christian G.E. Schiller and Tim Froehlich, Weingut Schaefer-Froehlich in Wiesbaden

Jakob Schneider jr. – Weingut Jakob Schneider
Andi Schneider – Weingut K.H. Schneider und Sohn
Johannes Sinss – Weingut Sinss

Pfalz

Alexander and Martin Bauer – Weingut Emil Bauer und Soehne
Friedrich Wilhelm Becker – Weingut Friedrich Becker

See: 5 Top Wine Makers at Premier Cru Wein Bistro in Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Carolin Bergdolt – Weingut Bergdolt
Peter Klein – Weingut Gerhard Klein
Sabine and Stephan Knipser – Weingut Kipser
Sven Leiner – Weingut Juergen Leiner

See: Chinese Food and German Wine at the Hot Spot in Berlin: 5 VDP Winemakers Pour their Wines

Andreas Schumann and Thomas Hensel – Weingut Odinsthal
Peter Siener – Weingut Siener
Barbara Roth – Wein- und Sektgut Wilhelmshof
Susanne and Sebastian Winterling – Sekt- und Weingut Winterling

Rheingau

Teresa Breuer – Weingut Georg Breuer

Picture: Annette Schiller and Theresa Breuer in New York City

See: Schiller’s Favorites at the 2013 Riesling and Co Tasting in New York City, USA

Désirée Eser – Weingut August Eser

Picure: Christian G.E. Schiller and Désirée Eser

See: German (Rheingau) Riesling and American (Bourbon) Whiskey: Woodford Reserve Master Distiller Chris Morris and Rheingau Riesling Winemaker Désirée Eser, Weingut August Eser, Rheingau, Germany
Meeting Winemaker/Owner Desiree Eser, Weingut August Eser, at the Banks of the Rhein River in the Rheingau in Germany

Eva Fricke – Weingut Eva Fricke

Picture: Eva Fricke and Christian G.E. Schiller in Ruedesheim, Germany

Anthony Hammond and Simone Boehm – Garage Winery
Alexander Johannes Jung – Weingut Jakob Jung

Picture: Annett Schiller with Alexander Jung, Weingut Jakob Jung, in Erbach

See: Impromptu Winetasting with Alexander Jung, Weingut Jakob Jung, Erbach, Rheingau, Germany

Peter Bernhard Kuehn – Weingut Peter Jakob Kuehn

See: A Tasting at Weingut Peter Jakob Kühn, Rheingau, with Angela and Peter Jakob Kühn, Germany

Rheinhessen

Jens and Katja Baeder – Weingut Baeder
Julia Becker-Landgraf and Johannes Landgraf – Weingut Becker-Landgraf

Picture: Christian G.E. Schiller with Erik Riffel (left) and Johannes Landgraf (right)

Jochen Dreissigacker – Weingut Dreissigacker

See: The Wines Chancelor Merkel Served President Obama and Michelle Obama in Berlin (and the Wines she did not Serve), Germany

Nico Espenshied – Weingut Espenhof
Johannes Geil-Bierschenk – Weingut Oekonomierat Johann Geil Erben
Alexander Gysler – Weingut Gysler

Picture: Alexander Gysler, Weingut Gysler, in Washington DC

Juergen Hofmann – Wein- und Sektgut Hofmann
Christine Huff – Weingut Fritz Ekkehard Huff

Picture: Christian G.E. Schiller with (from left to right) Eva Vollmer, Christine Huff and Mirjam Schneider at Weingut Eva Vollmer

See: The Mainz Wine Amazones - Christine Huff, Mirjam Schneider and Eva Vollmer - in New York City, USA
International Women's Day 2012: Meeting the Wine Amazones Tina Huff, Mirjam Schneider and Eva Vollmer of Mainz, Germany

Daniel and Stefan Huff – Weingut Georg Gustav Huff
Tobias Knewitz – Weingut Knewitz
Caroline Spanier-Gillot – Weingut Kuehling Gillot

Pictures: Christian G.E. Schiller with Caroline Spanier-Gillot in Bodenheim.

See: The Wine Maker Couple H.O. Spanier and Carolin Spanier-Gillot, with Roland Gillot, Lead Wine Tasting of Kuehling-Gillot and Battenfeld-Spanier Wines at Weingut Kuehling-Gillot, Germany

Andre Landgraf – Weingut Landgraf
Sabine Fleischer – Weingut Oberstleutnant Liebrecht
Peter and Fritz May – Weingut Karl May – Liebenauer Hof
Erik and Carolin Riffel – Weingut Riffel

Picture: Christian G.E. Schiller and Eric Riffel in Mainz

Justus Ruppert – Weingut Ruppert-Deginther

See: In the Glass: The 2007 Liebfrauenberg Cabernet Sauvignon from Ruppert Deginther in Rheinhessen, Germany

Stefan Sander – Weingut Sander
Kai Schaetzel – Weingut Schaetzel

Picture: Christian G.E. Schiller with Kai Schaetzel in Nierstein, Germany

See:
Celebrating Riesling and my Birthday at Weingut Schaetzel in Nierstein, Rheinhessen, Germany
A New Fixture in the Reemerging Red Slope of Nierstein - Visiting Kai Schaetzel and his Weingut Schaetzel in Nierstein, Rheinhessen, Germany

Mirjam Schneider – Weingut Lothar Schneider und Tochter

Picture: Annette Schiller with (from left to right) Eva Vollmer, Christine Huff and Mirjam Schneider in New York City.

See: The Mainz Wine Amazones - Christine Huff, Mirjam Schneider and Eva Vollmer - in New York City, USA
In the Glass: Mirjam Schneider's 2007 Merlot No.2 from Rheinhessen, Germany

Florian Fauth – Weingut Seehof
Felix Peters – Weingut St. Antony
Michael Teschke – Weingut Michael Teschke

See:
In the glass: A 2007 Sylvaner trocken "Vom Langen Sterk" from Michael Teschke, Rheinhessen, Germany

Johannes and Christoph Thoerle – Weingut Thoerle

Picture: Johannes Thoerle, Christian G.E. Schiller, Christoph Thoerle and Annette Schiller

See:
Surprising the World with their Pinot Noir: Johannes and Christoph Thoerle, Winzerhof Thoerle, Rheinhessen, Germany
The Wines of Up and Coming Winzerhof Thoerle, Rheinhessen

Eva Vollmer – Weingut Eva Vollmer

Picture: Christian G.E. Schiller with (from left to right) Eva Vollmer, Mirjam Schneider and Christine Huff in New York City

See: The Mainz Wine Amazones - Christine Huff, Mirjam Schneider and Eva Vollmer - in New York City, USA
Winemaker Eva Vollmer is Germany’s Discovery of the Year 2010
International Women's Day 2012: Meeting the Wine Amazones Tina Huff, Mirjam Schneider and Eva Vollmer of Mainz, Germany

Katharina Wechsler – Weingut Wechsler
Stephan Wernersbach – Weingut Wernersbach
Stefan Winter – Weingut Winter

schiller-wine: Related Postings

Kuenstler, Meyer-Naekel, Wirsching – Winemaker Dinner at Kronenschlösschen in Hattenheim, Rheingau, Germany

Visiting Winemaker and Web 2.0 Guru Patrick Johner - Weingut Karl Heinz Johner and Johner Estate - in Baden, Germany

The Top Wine Makers of the Kraichgau - The Northern Part of the Baden Wine Region in Germany

Weingut Dautel in Wuerttemberg – A Profile, Germany

The Bistronomics Cuisine of Chef Christoph Kubenz and the Wines of Winemaker Christian Stahl at Restaurant schauMahl in Frankfurt, Germany

JJ Pruem Goes Supermarket: Meeting Katharina Pruem and Tasting the Incredible JJ Pruem Wines at Wegmans

Caroline and Armin Diel, Schlossgut Diel (Nahe Valley), Presented their New Wines (Vintage 2012), Germany

An Afternoon with Riesling Star Winemaker Helmut Doennhoff at Weingut Doennhoff in Oberhausen in the Nahe Valley, Germany

5 Top Wine Makers at Premier Cru Wein Bistro in Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Chinese Food and German Wine at the Hot Spot in Berlin: 5 VDP Winemakers Pour their Wines

Schiller’s Favorites at the 2013 Riesling and Co Tasting in New York City, USA

German (Rheingau) Riesling and American (Bourbon) Whiskey: Woodford Reserve Master Distiller Chris Morris and Rheingau Riesling Winemaker Désirée Eser, Weingut August Eser, Rheingau, Germany

Meeting Winemaker/Owner Desiree Eser, Weingut August Eser, at the Banks of the Rhein River in the Rheingau in Germany

Impromptu Winetasting with Alexander Jung, Weingut Jakob Jung, Erbach, Rheingau, Germany

A Tasting at Weingut Peter Jakob Kühn, Rheingau, with Angela and Peter Jakob Kühn, Germany

The Wines Chancelor Merkel Served President Obama and Michelle Obama in Berlin (and the Wines she did not Serve), Germany

The Mainz Wine Amazones - Christine Huff, Mirjam Schneider and Eva Vollmer - in New York City, USA

International Women's Day 2012: Meeting the Wine Amazones Tina Huff, Mirjam Schneider and Eva Vollmer of Mainz, Germany

The Wine Maker Couple H.O. Spanier and Carolin Spanier-Gillot, with Roland Gillot, Lead Wine Tasting of Kuehling-Gillot and Battenfeld-Spanier Wines at Weingut Kuehling-Gillot, Germany

In the Glass: The 2007 Liebfrauenberg Cabernet Sauvignon from Ruppert Deginther in Rheinhessen, Germany

Celebrating Riesling and my Birthday at Weingut Schaetzel in Nierstein, Rheinhessen, Germany

A New Fixture in the Reemerging Red Slope of Nierstein - Visiting Kai Schaetzel and his Weingut Schaetzel in Nierstein, Rheinhessen, Germany

In the Glass: Mirjam Schneider's 2007 Merlot No.2 from Rheinhessen, Germany

Winemaker Eva Vollmer is Germany’s Discovery of the Year 2010

Schiller’s Favorite Seafood Places in Bordeaux City, France

Italy’s Top Wines and Winemakers - Gambero Rosso’s Vini d’Italia 2014

Best German Wines and Winemakers – Stuart Pigott’s Favorites (December 2013)

Winemaker Sabrino Loffredo’s Pietracupa Wines and Chef Roberto Donna’s Food at a Winemaker Dinner at Alba Osteria in Washington DC, Italy/USA

The Annual “New German Vintage” Tasting of the German Wine Society (Washington DC Chapter) led by Phil Bernstein - 2012 Vintage, Germany/USA

2014 Open That Bottle Night with Founders Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher in Washington DC

Visit and Tasting at Porto Cálem in Porto / Vila Nova da Gaia, Portugal

German Star Winemaker Clemens Busch, Weingut Clemens Busch in the Mosel Valley, in Washington DC, USA

3 Wine Tours by ombiasy Coming up in 2014: Germany-North, Germany-South and Bordeaux

Platter’s South African Wine Guide 2014

Tour and Lunch at Quinta da Léda in the Upper Douro Valley, with Winemaker Luís Sottomayor, Portugal

13 French Winemakers Presenting their Wines at a Dinner at Buck’s Fishing and Camping in Washington DC, USA

Germany's Top 11 Winemakers (with 5 out of 5 Grapes) - The Gault Millau WeinGuide Deutschland 2014

Schiller’s Favorite Tapas Bars in Logroño in La Rioja, Spain

The Williamsburg Winery wins 2014 Virginia Wineries Association's Governor’s Cup for its 2010 Adagio, USA

Die “Digital Wine Communications Conference 2013” in Rioja, Spanien

Special Wine Event on March 18, 2014, in Washington DC with "Wurzelwerk": 3 Terroirs, 3 Winemakers and 9 Wines

Upcoming in September 2014: Germany Wine and Culture Tour by ombiasyPR - Quintessential German Whites (Germany-North)

Bordeaux Quartet Winemaker Dinner in Washington DC: Beychevelle, Guiraud, Latour-Martillac and Kirwan, USA/France

New Generation – The 111 Best Young German Winemakers (A Listing by Stuart Pigott)