schiller-wine

Picture: State Dinner in Berlin with Queen Elizabeth II

Queen Elizabeth II spent 3 days in Germany on a State Visit in June 2015. The State Visit focused on Berlin and Frankfurt, but the 89-year-old Monarch and her husband Prince Philip, 94, also visited the Bergen-Belsen camp where diarist Anne Frank and her sister Margot died just weeks before the British liberated it on April 15, 1945.

In Berlin, the Queen and her husband were honored with a State Dinner, while in Frankfurt the authorities organized a luncheon for the Queen. In addition, the British Ambassador threw a Garden Party for the Queen in Berlin.

Interestingly, the German hosts did not try to shine with wines Germany is known for in the world, i.e. fruity-sweet and noble-sweet Rieslings, nor did they serve wines from their best-of-the best winemakers, like Dr. Loosen, JJ Prüm, Weil, Dönnhoff, Huber or Leitz, to name a few. Nethertheless, the wines served were all from top winemakers.

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

The Wines at the State Dinner in Berlin

Picture: State Dinner in Berlin

In Berlin, 3 wines were served:

2014 Saulheimer, Chardonnay Réserve, trocken, Weingut Thörle, Saulheim / Rheinhessen
2012 Rummel, Spätburgunder, trocken, Weingut Rummel, Landau-Nussdorf / Pfalz
2013 Freiburg Schlossberg, Spätburgunder Weißherbst Beerenauslese, Weingut Stigler, Ihringen / Baden

2014 Saulheimer, Chardonnay Réserve, trocken, Weingut Thörle, Saulheim / Rheinhessen

Weingut Thörle is an up and coming winemaker in Saulheim that in the past years has managed to receive a lot of attention in the wine scene, including a write-up in the New York Times. It has 3.5 out of 5 grapes in the Gault Millau WeinGuide 2015.

Chardonnay is one of the most popular grape varieties in the world. Slowly but surely it is gaining gained ground in Germany, and with more than 1,300 hectacres in 2010, it now accounts for more than 1% of Germany's total vineyard area.

Picture: Christian Schiller with Johannes and Christoph Thörle in Saulheim, Rheinhessen

See also:
Visit: Winzerhof Thörle in Saulheim, Rheinhessen – Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

2012 Rummel, Spätburgunder, trocken, Weingut Rummel, Landau-Nussdorf / Pfalz

Weingut Rummel is an organic producer in the Pfalz. It is not listed in the Gault Millau WeinGuide 2015.

There is a red wine revolution going on in Germany and the world increasingly takes note of it. Of course, given its location, the red wines of Germany tend to be not like the fruity red wines we know from warmer countries, but lean and more elegant, with a lot of finesse. 30 years ago, the share of red wine in total German wine output was not more than 10 percent; in the international wine scene, people would not talk about German red wine. But this is changing. Germany now produces red wines that can compete with the best of the world; the share of red wines in terms of production has increased to about 35 percent now in Germany and increasingly the international market takes note of what is happening in Germany.

2013 Freiburg Schlossberg, Spätburgunder Weißherbst Beerenauslese, Weingut Stigler, Ihringen / Baden

Weingut Stigler is located in Ihringen/Baden. It is a member of the VDP, the association of about 200 German elite winemakers. Weingut Stigler has 3 out of 5 grapes in the Gault Millau WeinGuide 2015.

The Wines at the Luncheon in Frankfurt

The Queen spent Thursday in the financial hub of Frankfurt. At the luncheon in her honor at the Römer, the historic townhall of Frankfurt, all wines had a link to the guest of honor and/or the host.

Picture: Luncheon in Honor of Queen Elizabeth II

The following wines were served:

NV Riesling Sekt Weingut der Stadt Frankfurt
1953 Assmannshäuser Höllenberg Spätburgunder Natur Hessische Staatsweingüter Kloster Eberbach
2011 Victoriaberg Goldstück Riesling Beerenauslese Weingut Prinz von Hessen

NV Riesling Sekt Weingut der Stadt Frankfurt

Frankfurt is known for its international airport and its banks, but it is not known to be a wine city. Yet, the famous wine regions Rheingau and Rheinhessen are at the doorsteps of Frankfurt, just 30 minutes away; vine is even grown within the city’s boundaries and the city of Frankfurt owns a wine estate: Weingut der Stadt Frankfurt.

Picture: The Wine Tavern of the Weingut der Stadt Frankfurt in the Center of Frankfurt

That the city of Frankfurt is in the winemaking business goes back to the secularization (the expropriation of the church and transfer of the assets to the state) that took place under Napoleon at the beginning of the 1800s. In the course of the secularization, the city of Frankfurt became the owner of the Carmelite Monastery, which had existed right in the middle of Frankfurt since 1246. With the monastery came its winery and vineyards. The Weingut der Stadt Frankfurt was borne (in 1803).

For almost 200 years then, the Weingut der Stadt Frankfurt was a government owned and run winery. During the privatization wave that swept through the world in the 1980s and 1990s, in 1994, the city of Frankfurt decided to privatize the operational side of the Weingut der Stadt Frankfurt and signed a 30 years lease with Armin Rupp, a winemaker from the Pfalz. Weingut der Stadt Frankfurt is not listed in the Gault Millau WeinGuide 2015.

See also:
Wine in Frankfurt am Main? - Weingut der Stadt Frankfurt, Germany

1953 Assmannshäuser Höllenberg Spätburgunder Natur Hessische Staatsweingüter Kloster Eberbach

A very special wine from the year when Queen Elizabeth II was crowned. The Hessische Staatsweingüter Kloster Eberbach is owned by the State of Hessen. The wine sells for Euro 475 at the winery. The Hessische Staatsweingüter Kloster Eberbach is member of the VDP and has 3 grapes in the Gault Millau WeinGuide 2015.

Picture: 1953 Assmannshäuser Höllenberg Spätburgunder Natur Hessische Staatsweingüter Kloster Eberbach

See also:
Kloster Eberbach in the Rheingau: Tour and Wine Tasting - Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

2011 Victoriaberg Goldstück Riesling Beerenauslese Weingut Prinz von Hessen

Weingut Prinz von Hessen is owned and run by Philipp Landgraf von Hessen, who is a great-nephew of Prinz Philip. The wine sells for Euro 49 Euro ex-winery. The Weingut Prinz von Hessen is member of the VDP and has 2 grapes in the Gault Millau WeinGuide 2015.

Wine at the Garden Party of the British Ambassador Simon McDonald in Berlin

Only one wine was served at the Garden Party of the British Ambassador: 2013 Königin Victoria-Berg Riesling Trocken Weingut Joachim Flick

2013 Königin Victoria-Berg Riesling Trocken Weingut Joachim Flick

Picture: 2013 Königin Victoria-Berg Riesling Trocken Weingut Joachim Flick

The vineyard is named after the great-great-grand-mother of Queen Elizabeth II, Queen Victoria, who visited Hocheim in 1850. A monument in the vineyard reminds of her visit. Today, the vineyard is owned by Weingut Joachim Flick. Weingut Joachim Flick has 3 grapes in the Gault Millau WeinGuide 2015.

Queen Victoria's enthusiasm for Hochheim's wines contributed to their popularity in England, where they, and ultimately, Rhine wines in general, were referred to as Hock.

Picture: Christian Schiller and Reiner Flick, Weingut Joachim Flick

See also:

FairChoice Certified Wine in Germany: Weingut Joachim Flick in the Rheingau

schiller-wine: Related Postings

Bourgogne Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

4 Wine Tours by ombiasy coming up in 2015: Germany-East, Germany-South. Germany-Nord and Bordeaux

Germany’s Top 20 Winemakers - Der Feinschmecker WeinGuide 2015

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

Visit: Winzerhof Thörle in Saulheim, Rheinhessen – Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

Wine in Frankfurt am Main? - Weingut der Stadt Frankfurt, Germany

Kloster Eberbach in the Rheingau: Tour and Wine Tasting - Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

FairChoice Certified Wine in Germany: Weingut Joachim Flick in the Rheingau

Picture: Winetasting with Katharina Wechser, Weingut K. Wechsler, Westhofen, Rheinhessen – Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)

In Rheinhessen, we visited 2 world stars – Weingut Wittmann and Weingut Gunderloch – and one up and coming winery: Weingut Katharina Wechsler. While Weingut Gunderloch is well established in the US market and Weingut Wittmann just joined the portfolio of Dr. Loosen Imports, Katharina Wechsler is trying to get a foot into the US market. I hope we will soon see more of her wines in the US.

Weingut K. Wechsler

Katharina Wechsler is a newcomer and rising star in the German wine scene. Katharina grew up at Weingut Wechsler in Westhofen, but after finishing high school she decided to study social science, including for a year in Paris and an internship in Rio de Janeiro, and pursue a career in the media in Berlin. After 10 years or so on this track, she changed her mind and decided to go home and make wine.

Pictures: Arriving at Weingut K. Wechsler

Katharina Wechsler: It took a while for me to return home, but sometimes you have to leave in order to be able to come home. I am happy that after 2 years at the Oppenheim wine school and internships at Weingut Gutzler and Weingut Klaus Peter Keller, I can now pursue my passion for wine at my own winery in Westhofen. Our winery is located in the historic center of Westhofen. My vineyard area totals 17 hectares, including plots in the well known vineyards Steingrube, Kirchspiel and Morstein. Riesling, Silvaner and Scheurebe dominate. In addition, the smallest of all single vineyards in Westhofen is completely owned by my family (monopoly site). With 6.5 hectares, this is a small and very fine vineyard.

The vineyard area totals 17 hectares. The larger part of the grapes is still sold to the co-operative. The current production is about 6000 cases. Half of it is sold directly to consumers, mostly online. The other half go to restaurants and retail stores.

Pictures: Katharina Wechsler Explaining the Vineyard Sites of Weingut K. Wechsler

Stuart Pigott on Katharina Wechsler

Stuart Pigott: Once again I have to put back the story of Riesling and the mystery of aroma for another day, because as they say in America “stuff happens”. At short notice I reorganized my schedule for yesterday evening so that I could meet up with rising star winemaker Katharina Wechsler of the eponymous estate in Westhofen/ Rheinhessen. I make no apologies for dragging you back to the subject of Germany’s largest wine growing region and the Dream Factory of dry white wines that it has recently become. I first tasted Katharina’s wines only a couple of months ago and we met for the first time at the Wine Vibes party in Berlin on Friday, September 14th. So it was a great surprise when my friends Volker Donabaum and Amy Troiano told me that Katharina would be in town and that I could join them for a late night tasting at Terroir E.Vil. (as locals call the East Village).

Pictures: Tasting with Katharina Wechsler

Before I’d even finished saying hi Katharina and asking how she was doing Volker had unpacked samples of her whites of the 2011 vintage and the first wine was being poured. I made quite detailed notes, which might seem a bit obsessive late at night in a place like Terroir, but that’s the sort of person I am and the wines deserved being taken that seriously. The dry Wechsler Rieslings managed to combine the power that’s typical of contemporary dry Rieslings from the New Rheinhessen with a rare vitality for ambitious dry wines from this region. They’re joyful rather than imposing wines, though there’s so much in the best of them (most importantly the Westhofen Riesling and the Benn Riesling with their high-tensile strength and subtle spice) that you can’t take it all in immediately.

That’s what makes me really like them.

However, that’s not all that the talented young lady who gave up a career in TV journalism for wine and claims she’s “still a rookie” winemaker has up her sleeve. Katharina’s 2011 Silvaner ‘Alter Reben’, old vines, taste of quince, butter and smoke, is richly texture, but not the least heavy (sometimes a problem with high-end wines of this grape). No Wechsler wine is more joyful than the dry Scheurebe, or as the staff at Terroir E-Vil. called it last night “Sure-rebe”; one of those dangerously refreshing wines that taste of blackcurrants and fresh herbs, and are so often my undoing. December 6 2012

Katharina Wechsler and Nespresso

Currently, Katharina Wechsler is one of the 3 main protagonists of a major "founder" campaigne of Nespresso in Germany, along with Delia Fischer, founder of an online-shoppingclub and Vijay Sapre, editor of the magazin Effilee.

Picture: Katharina Wechsler on Nespresso Advertisement in Berlin

The Wines Katharina Poured

Picture: The Wines Katharina Poured

Katharina’s first vintage was 2010.

NV Weingut K. Wechsler Fräulein HU

Fräulein Hu is a refreshing “Perlwein made of Huxelrebe, with Weißburgunder, Riesling and Müller-Thurgau. A Perlwein is a sparkling wine with lower pressure than Sekt and Champagne. Katharina wants to take the consumer to Indochina of the 1920s. Fräulein Hu is an exotic and erotic woman, who has many young lovers, according to Katharina.

2013 Weingut K. Wechsler and Weingut Schätzel Silvaner Trocken

A wine jointly made with Kai Schätzel, Weingut Schätzel. Both contributed 50% of the wine.

2013 Weingut K. Wechsler Weisser Burgunder Trocken

2013 Weingut K. Wechsler Riesling Tocken

The Winner of the 2014 Berlin Gutsriesling Cup.

Picture: 2013 Weingut K. Wechsler Riesling Tocken

See also:
Martin Zwick’s BerlinGutsweinrieslingCup 2014 - Rating Entry-level Rieslings from Germany's Best Producers

2013 Weingut K. Wechsler Westhofener Riesling Trocken

2013 Weingut K. Wechsler Kirchspiel Riesling Trocken

2013 Weingut K. Wechsler Benn Riesling Trocken

Lee Markham: ’ve recently tried a few wines from this Westhofener winery in Germany’s Rheinhessen and have been astonished as to how delicate winemaker Katharina Wechsler is able to work with traditional powerful varietals. Typically Rheinhessen Riesling, Grauburgunder and the like is full of sometimes overpowering fruit and a thick chalky note that often feels out of place. Her wines however are all very delicate and incredibly crafted: smooth, easy-drinkability and character and three terms I use to describe nearly all of her wines.

Weingut Wechsler operates the Benn vineyard entirely and this Riesling makes use of what it some of the finest Riesling terroir in all of Rheinhessen. It was probably designed to be opened in a few years time but my handler informed me of its excellent drinkability right now.

Colour - Satin Gold, very shiny.

Nose - Lime cordial, lemon peel and green apple made up the nose but so too did almonds and limestone.

Taste - The attack is of sharp lemon juice but this eventually gets milder giving the drinker some of the finest lemon notes I’ve ever experience in any wine. Grapefruit, orange peel but also a touch of orchard fruit is presented as well: delicate yellow apples and green pears. The finish is crisp and brings chalk but only a touch – enough to complete the wine and remind of the fantastic soil here without risking an off-balance, cloudy affair.

Overall - I probably did open this a little too early – with a few years in the cellar, the sharpness of the lemon would go away and the fruit probably improve through this. The Wechsler touch is there though – delicate elegance although this Riesling offers a tad more power than most of the rest of the range. Once again, the possibilities of producing wines based on Riesling appear endless.

Picture: Katharina Wechsler, Weingut Wechsler at Prowein 2015

See also:
Prowein 2015 in Düsseldorf, Germany – Schiller’s Impressions

2012 Weingut K. Wechsler Benn Riesling Trocken

2013 Weingut K. Wechsler Riesling Schweisströpfchen

This is a Homage to the Mosel – a wine with low alcohol and remaining sweetness, made by stopping the fermentation.

2010 Weingut K. Wechsler Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese

Stunning. 200 gr. RS.

Scheurebe

We finished with a Scheurebe, but I did not take any notes.

Bye-bye

Thanks Katharina for a wonderful tasting.

Photo: Thanks

schiller-wine: Related Postings

4 Wine Tours by ombiasy coming up in 2015: Germany-East, Germany-South. Germany-Nord and Bordeaux

Bourgogne Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

Germany-East Wine and Art Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy, 2014

Germany-South Wine Tour by ombiasy, 2014

German Wine and Culture Tour by ombiasy, 2013

In the Vineyard and the Wine Cellar (and Lunch) with Robert Schätzle, Owner and Winemaker, Weingut Schloss Neuweier in Baden – Germany-South Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

Wine Tasting Luncheon at 1 Star Michelin Röttele's Restaurant im Schloss Neuweier in Baden, with Winemaker Robert Schätzle and his Weingut Schloss Neuweier Wines – Germany-South Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

Weingut Zähringer in Baden: Cellar Tour and Tasting with Winemaker Paulin Köpfer– Germany-South Wine Tour by ombasy (2014)

Weingut Freiherr von Gleichenstein in Baden: Tour and Tasting with Baron Johannes von Gleichenstein– Germany-South Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014), Germany

Weingut Franz Keller in Oberbergen, Kaiserstuhl, Baden: Cellar Tour and Tasting with Fritz Keller– Germany-South Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

Lunch at Restaurant Schwarzer Adler in Oberbergen, with Weingut Franz Keller Wines – Germany-South Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

Wine Tasting at Weingut Bernhard Huber– Germany-South Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

Visit: Weingut Dr. Heger in Baden – Germany-South Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

Weingut Karl-Heinz Johner in Baden: Cellar Tour and Tasting with Karl-Heinz and Patrick Johner – Germany-South Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

At Maison Trimbach in Alsace with Hubert Trimbach – Germany-South Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

Wine Tasting at Weingut Friedrich Becker – Germany-South Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

Lunch, Wine Tasting and Winery Tour at Weingut Jülg in Schweigen, Pfalz with the Jülg Family – Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)

Wine Tasting at Weingut Ökonomierat Rebholz in Siebeldingen, Pfalz – Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)

Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting at Weingut Geheimer Rat Dr. von Bassermann-Jordan in Deidesheim with General Manager Gunther Hauck – Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)

Winery Tour and Wine Tasting at Weingut A. Christmann, with Steffen Christmann– Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)

Wine Tasting at Weingut Weegmüller with Stephanie and Gabriele Weegmüller – Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)

Tasting the Wines, President Obama was Served: Visit of Weingut Markus Schneider, Pfalz – Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)

Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting with Philipp Wittmann and Eva Clüsserath-Wittmann at Weingut Wittmann in Westhofen – Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)

schiller-wine: Related Postings (Weingut K. Wechsler)

Martin Zwick’s BerlinGutsweinrieslingCup 2014 - Rating Entry-level Rieslings from Germany's Best Producers

Prowein 2015 in Düsseldorf, Germany – Schiller’s Impressions

Picture: Max von Kunow, Weingut von Hövel, at BToo in Washington DC, USA

See also:
Weingut von Hoevel – The New Generation: Max von Kunow in Washington DC, US

Kevin Pike was for a long time the General Manager of Terry Theise’s Portfolio of German wines. Undoubtedly, Terry Theise (in New York) and Rudi Wiest (in California) are the big players in the German wine market in the USA.

Picture: Christian Schiller and Kevin Pike in Mainz, Germany

A year or so ago, Kevin Pike left Terry Theise (Michael Skurnik) and founded his own import company: Schatzi Wines. Importanty, he took Johannes Leitz, who was one of the biggies in the Terry Theise portfolio, as partner with him. Also, Joachim Heger (Weingut Dr. Heger/ Weinhaus Heger), who left Rudi Wiest, and Joachim Dreissigacker, who is new in the American market, joined him. Later, Weingut Heinrich Spindler from the Pfalz, an up-and coming winemaker, joined the Schatzi Wines German portfolio; Weingut Heinrich Spindler has 2 grapes in the Gault Millau Deutschland WeinGuide 2015.

Pictures: US Importer Kevin Pike and Hayley Johnson of Schatzi Wines tasting with Jochen Dreissigacker, Weingut Dreissigacker at Prowein 2015 in Germany

See also:
Prowein 2015 in Düsseldorf, Germany – Schiller’s Impressions

Now, the news is that Maximilian von Kunow, Weingut Von Hövel, also joined the Schatzi Wines German portfolio. Weingut von Hövel is a world class producer of fruity-sweet Mosel (Saar) wines, which has a large fan community in the USA, but increasingly also produces dry-style Rieslings.

Another recent news is that Weingut Wittmann joined the Dr. Loosen portfolio. See: Weingut Wittmann now with Dr. Loosen Imports in the USA

Weingut von Hövel

In the Saar Valley, where Weingut von Hövel is located, wine was already produced in Roman times. There is evidence that wine was produced at the site of the Von Hövel estate as early as 1150. In those days, the vineyards and the winery belonged to the Monastery of Saint Maximin in Trier.

Emmerich Grach (1753–1826) from the well-established Grach family in Trier bought several wineries, including in 1803 the winery of the Monastery of Saint Maximin, which had been secularized under Napoleon. In 1902, the estate was passed on to the great-granddaughter of the founder, who was married to Balduin von Hövel. Eberhard von Kunow, the father of Maximilian von Kunow and the great-grandson of Balduin von Hövel, was the proprietor of Weingut Von Hövel from 1973 until 2010. Under his leadership, Weingut Von Hövel became one of the top wine producers in Germany.

The manor house, completed in the 12th century, was initially an abbey retreat for the monastery. The old cellar is today as it was over 800 years ago.

The current owner, Maximilian von Kunow, is the 7th Graf family generation and 3rd von Kunow family generation producing outstanding wines at this estate. Max graduated from the prestigious Geisenheim University and spent a number of years consulting in Luxembourg before he returned home in 2010. While his father produced mostly fruity style wines, Max wants to produce more dry styled Rieslings. He also started the estate on the road of organic production.

Weingut Von Hövel produces 5,000 cases and is a founding member of the Mosel VDP. Max’s father Eberhard was for many years the auctioneer for the annual VDP auction in Trier. Recently, Max took over that function.

Pictures: Visit of the 800 Years Old Cellar of Weingut von Hövel during the Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)

See also:
Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting at Weingut Von Hövel in Konz, Saar Valley, Mosel, with Owner and Winemaker Max von Kunow - Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)

Vineyards

The wines of Weingut Von Hövel say “Mosel” on their labels. Yet, the Von Hövel wines do not come from the Mosel Valley, but from the Saar Valley. Before 2007, the region was called Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, but changed to a name - Mosel - considered more consumer-friendly. The Mosel wine region is Germany's third largest in terms of production but is the leading region in terms of international prestige. The area is known for the steep slopes of the region's vineyards overlooking the river.

Weingut Von Hövel has ownership in the following vineyards; all planted 100% to Riesling:

Oberemmeler Hütte – (17.5 acres) a monopole of the estate – very light soil, weathered slate, it produces some of the most delicate, subtle, yet steely Rieslings in Germany.

Scharzhofberg – (7.5 acres) deeper, heavier soil, strong weathered grey slate with high proportion of rocks and gravel (70%), it produces more masculine wines.

Oberemmeler Rosenberg – the estate owns over 6 acres of the “filet” piece also known as the Rosenkamm, which has many old vine scattered throughout.

Kanzemer Hörecker – (barely 1 acre) monopole – one of the smallest yet greatest vineyards in the Saar, grey green slate with a proportion clay and red soil.

The estate also owns small portions of the heavy soiled Oberemmeler Karlsberg.

Pictures: Tasting with Max von Kunow during the Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)

See also:
Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting at Weingut Von Hövel in Konz, Saar Valley, Mosel, with Owner and Winemaker Max von Kunow - Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)

Schatzi Wines

A note from head Schatzi Kevin Pike: Schatzi(SHOT-zee) - From German, a diminutive of schatz, a term of endearment, literally and figuratively “little treasure.” Casually, schatzi is a term meaning a close friend—someone with whom you have fun, confide in and trust.

Schatzi Wines is an alternative importer and distributor, strengthening the connection between wine grower and wine drinker. Our producers have a clear voice in what is available in the US market; they have access to pricing as well as our customer base. We operate with integrity and transparency, in direct collaboration with growers, to bring the best wines to you at the best possible prices.

After 13 years of running a large national wine sales division, I was inspired to work with a more direct and focused import model. In partnership with my closest friend, Johannes Leitz, I started Schatzi Wines in 2014—a company that reflects our collective business ideals.

Weingut von Hövel in the Schatzi Wines Portfolio

Schatzi Wines: Eberhard von Kunow was the proprietor of the von Hövel estate from 1973 until 2010 when his son Maximilian von Kunow (the 7th generation) took charge. Already in the first year, Max has achieved great success in the Gault-Millau/German Wine Guide producing one of the top three Kabinetts (Oberemmeler Hütte) and the top Feinherb Riesling from the Scharzhofberg - both from the 2010 vintage. He also started the estate on the road of organic production. While his father produced mostly fruity styled wines, Max is looking to increase his dry range of rieslings in hope to round out the classic Saar portfolio. With holdings in Oberemmeler Hütte, Scharzhofberg, Oberemmeler Rosenberg and Kanzemer Hörecker, von Hövel is an iconic producer from this region. We couldn’t be more thrilled to have this estate on board.

Picture: Annette Schiller, Ombiasy PR and WineTours, Max von Kunow, Johannes Hasselbach (Weingut Gunderloch), Alwin Jurtschitsch (Weingut Jurtschitsch) and Christian Schiller at BToo in Washington DC, USA. Max studied with Alwin and Alwin's wife, Stephanie Jurtschitsch, who is Johannes' sister.

See also:
Weingut von Hoevel – The New Generation: Max von Kunow in Washington DC, US

Johannes E. Grach, an ancestor, purchased the estate in 1806 after secularization forced the church to give up the property. He also, at the same time, acquired the Kanzemer Hörecker (also under the control of the estate) and Wawerner Herrenberg, (both monopoles), and the latter under the direction of Günther Jauch (also 7th generation). Mr. Jauch is a well-known TV personality in Germany moderating “The Millionaire” show. The manor house, completed in the 12th century, was initially an abbey retreat for the famous wine monastery of St. Maximin in Trier. The old cellar is today as it was over 800 years ago.

Pictures: The Current Schatzi Wines Team in Germany

Here are the Weingut von Hövel wines that Schatzi Wines is currently offering in the US.

Dry Riesling:
Saar Riesling tocken

Fruity Riesling:
Saar Riesling feinherb
Saar Riesling Kabinett
Oberemmeler Riesling feinherb
Oberemmeler Hütte Riesling Kabinett "Monopol Lage"
Scharzhofberg Riesling Kabinett
Oberemmeler Hütte Riesling Spätlese "Monopol Lage"
Scharzhofberg Riesling Spätlese

schiller-wine: Related Postings

4 Wine Tours by ombiasy coming up in 2015: Germany-East, Germany-South. Germany-Nord and Bordeaux

Bourgogne Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

Germany-East Wine and Art Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy, 2014

Germany-South Wine Tour by ombiasy, 2014

German Wine and Culture Tour by ombiasy, 2013

Special Wine Event on March 18, 2014, in Washington DC with "Wurzelwerk": 3 Terroirs, 3 Winemakers and 9 Wines

"Wurzelwerk" Goes America: 3 Vineyards, 3 Winemakers and 9 Wines

Weingut von Hoevel – The New Generation: Max von Kunow in Washington DC, US

Prowein 2015 in Düsseldorf, Germany – Schiller’s Impressions

Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting at Weingut Von Hövel in Konz, Saar Valley, Mosel, with Owner and Winemaker Max von Kunow - Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)

Weingut Wittmann now with Dr. Loosen Imports in the USA

Picture: Champagne Tasting at Champagne Jean Josselin in Gyé-sur-Seine with Veronique, Jean Pierre and Jean Felix Josselin as well as Sharona Tsubota

The first stop of the Bourgogne Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015) was not in the Bourgogne Region, but in the Champagne Region. The tour – all by coach - started and ended in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. It was organized for a special group, the Wine Brotherhood of Hochheim, Germany (Weinfreundeskreis Hochheim).

Pictures: Champagne Vineyards

The first stop of the Bourgogne Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015) was a Champage tasting with cellar tour at Champagne Jean Josselin in Gyé-sur-Seine, in the southern part of the Champagne Region, close to the Chablis Region of the Bourgogne.

We were hosted by Veronique and Jean Pierre Josselin and their son Jean-Félix Josselin and Sharona Tsubota, the Champagne Jean Josselin export manager.

Pictures: Annette and Christian Schiller with Jean Pierre Josselin, Champagne Jean Josselin in Gye-sur-Seine, at the Prowein 2015 Champagne Lounge.

See also:
Prowein 2015 in Düsseldorf, Germany – Schiller’s Impressions

Champagne Jean Josselin

The Josselin family has been winegrowers since 1854 in Gyé-sur-Seine in the Côte des Bar, located 150km from Epernay and 200km from Reims and crossed by two rivers: the Seine and the Aube. The Côte des Bar became part of the official Champagne region in the early 1900s. In 1957, Jean Josselin decided to create his own brand, Champagne Jean Josselin.

Picture: Welcome at Champagne Jean Josselin, with (from left to right) Sharona Tsubota, the Champagne Jean Josselin Eport Manager, Jean Pierre Josselin, Jean-Félix Josselin,Veronique Josselin and Annette Schiller

Jean Pierre Josselin: Our region is characterized by its hills, steeper than those of our neighbors in the Marne. Their climate is oceanic, while ours is continental, our soil type is clay and limestone, while the soil of the Marne is quite chalky. Our vineyard consists of 14 parcels, for the most part in the communal territory of Gyé sur Seine and the neighboring commune of Neuville sur Seine.

Pictures: Tour through the Production Facility of Champagne Jean Josselin

The Process of Making Champagne

Jean-Félix Josselin took us through the various steps of making Champagne.

Pressing: After the delicate stage of the harvest comes the pressing, always respecting the traditions and rules of the champagne appellation. The grapes are pressed as soon as possible after collection, in order to avoid coloration of the juice from the skins. The choice of a traditional "cock" style winepress allows for a gentle and slow press. It treats the different areas of the grape berries with respect, and enables us to get more than one press: the "cuvée," fine and balanced, and the first "taille," fruitier and more supple.

The First Two Fermentations: The first fermentation is called alcoholic fermentation, which converts the wort (juice) into wine. It takes about one week.The wine is then racked several times to obtain complete clarification. The second is called malolactic fermentation, and takes a month and a half or more, depending on the year, until after the end of the harvest. This fermentation changes the harsh malic acid in the wine to softer lactic acid.

Pictures: Tour through the Production Facility of Champagne Jean Josselin

The Blending: It is an art of finesse, which requires know-how and talent, to marry together wines which have not yet matured, of different varietals and different years, in order to obtain a balanced and harmonious wine. This is because there is no single "champagne," but rather, many champagnes made according to each house's preferred style. After blending, the wines are filtered. Then comes the time of bottling called "tirage". At this point, we add a "liqueur de tirage" composed of sweet wine and yeast. Closed with a simple stainless steel cap, the bottle is laid on laths or in a pallet box, and placed in temperature-controlled storage or in our cool, dark caves.

Bottle Fermentation: The slow transformation of sugar under the effects of the yeast gives rise to bottle fermentation (sometimes referred to as "secondary fermentation"), which creates fine, persistent bubbles and light foam, the defining features of champagne. This fermentation causes the yeast to settle.

A Long Rest: When the fermentation is complete, the bottles stay in the cellar until the wine reaches its full maturity. Time plays an important role in the quality of the wine.

Pictures: Tour through the Cellar of Champagne Jean Josselin

The Extraction: Champagne methods used to eliminate the deposits in the wine bottle include riddling and disgorging. Riddling consists of rotating the bottle a quarter turn every day for 3 to 5 weeks. We used to use traditional slanted boards. Today, these boards and the hand of the winemaker are replaced by gyropaletts. The disgorgement expels the deposits which have accumulated in the neck of the bottle. These are perhaps the most delicate steps of all.

Doasage: The last step is to integrate the "liqueur de dosage," made from cane sugar which the cellarman dissolves in a liter of older wine. The proportion of liquor added determines the final type of wine (brut, dry, semi-dry). The bottle finally receives the traditional cork, firmly held in place by the muzzle. The champagne has in fact a pressure of 5 atmospheres.

Philosophy

The web site of Champagne Josselin contains an interview with Jean-Pierre Josselin. I am copying part of the interview. For the full interview, go here.

The world of champagne is dominated by large groups, is this a danger to you? What is your position in relation to them? There are two ways to look at these things: On the one hand, we have our identity as winemaker, the authenticity of the product, good relation between quality and price, many assets which more and more consumers are looking to find. On the other hand, these houses push to make things better. Especially in conveying the image of champagne worldwide as a wine for grand occasions, and by developing the best techniques of cultivation and winemaking.

Pictures: Champagne Tasting in the Garden of Jean Josselin

Do you think you work differently from the large groups of high reputation, and so is that two different approaches to a common passion for champagne? More specifically, what is the real difference in level to the final consumer? The work is certainly no different, but the means, yes. When the same man works from start to finish - from preparing the land, to planting, winemaking and marketing - then passion becomes an indispensable criterion.

We talk so much of sustainable agriculture, of the environment and organic farming, what is your position on this question? What are the concrete measures that you have set up? What do they bring to you? The philosophy of sustainable agriculture is opposed to systematic practices in the market and has abolished a number of products (weed killers, pesticides, insecticides). We have applied this philosophy to our vineyards now for several years. We work in partnership with Jean Marie Balland, founder of the company ACTIVITUS, whose extensive experience with other French vineyards will help us in the choice of these new techniques. He follows the evolution of our parcels with fortnightly visits. His experience, his passion and knowledge within our group are very valuable and provide sound advice.

The objective in the more or less long term is to become closer to "organic" viticulture, and above all to treat the land with care.

We are engaged in a great adventure which will bear fruit only after a few years. A return to simple methods (such as those employed by "Interceps") and a greater respect of nature and plants must lead us to regain some typicity in our wines. The success of such an undertaking will require a lot of work and questioning of our practices. It is all above a team effort that requires thought and patience.

What are the European standards or other standards with which you must comply? More than European standards, Champagne has implemented its own standards and regulations for a long time. These include: AOC boundaries, spacing of vines, planting density, varietals, use of pressing centers, weight of the grapes in the wine press, pressing rules, inspection and certification of wines, legislation on trademark filing, label notations....

This operation was passed onto you by your father, and you will certainly transmit it to your son; what is the difference between the champagnes of yesterday and the ones of today and tomorrow? In the past, the Josselin champagnes were mostly made from Pinot Noir. We opened up our champagne range with the traditional blend of three varietals and the Blanc de Blancs, thus using varietials other than Pinot Noir.

In addition, our son Jean-Félix Josselin has recently completed his training and joined the family operation.
Nature changes, the climate changes, the years are different and yet the champagne seems always of equal quality; how do you manage this delicate equation? If our wines seem to you to be of equal quality, it is because Champagne has established a qualitative reserve system (blockage of wine stock) which, by blending the wines of different years, maintains the same style relatively easily.

But the job of winemaker does not stop there. Each year is a new challenge. The perfect wine does not exist; we must always seek excellence in meeting the basic principles of winemaking, combined with new techniques and the passion of the winemaker. We also strive for regularity of our cuvées.

Pictures: Champagne Tasting in the Garden of Jean Josselin

The drinking habits and tastes of your customers, do they evolve over time? Do you try to adapt, and if so, how? The wine world is constantly evolving. The consideration of our techiques is perpetual. While respecting the traditions of champagne, we are interested in new techniques for the sole purpose of producing champagne that shows the image of our house, reflecting our family traditions. Then it is true that we must listen to our customers, the consumers, and respond if needed to their expectations.

This is actually what happened to our rosé champagne.

The popularity of this wine over several years has led us to produce more, but we have failed to satisfy all its fans, as we sadly sell out of it each year.

What future do you want for the region and especially for the champagnes? Globalization, the production of wines labeled "champagne" abroad, does it bring a dangerous competition or on the contrary is it driving innovation? With a production of 320 million bottles, the Champagne region covers a relatively small vineyard area (34,045 hectares). The originality and the specificity of this wine do not make this region an Eden. More and more winemakers around the world sparkle with imagination in the development of new wines. Champagne is not a closed region and the "family" of winemakers is a large family. There can be no competition for those persons who consider winemaking a true art and passion that drives us still further, in all humility.

The Champagnes we Tasted

Here are the Champagnes we tasted, including the comments of Champagne Jean Josselin.All Champagnes poured were around Euro 20 ex- winery.

Pictures: The Champagnes we Tasted

Blanc de Blanc

A secret cuvee, issued from one sole vintage, it expresses the finesse and vivacity of this Chardonnay, an exceptional varietalVintage 2010.

Picture: Blanc de blanc

Alliance

A xhampagne for any moment, a marriage of Pinot Noir (70%) and Chardonnay (30%), of fruit and freshness..

Cuvee des Jean

Generosity and strenght characterize this cuvee. 100% Pinot Noir.

Cordon Royal

A complex and mature champagne. Good to pair with rich and full-flavored food.
100% Pinot Noir.

Audace

Our rose Champagne, rich and fruity, astonishing and pleasurable. Its color and red fruit aromas evolve from the maceration of juice and skins of the Pinot Noir, for a few days.

Douceur de L'Aube

A demi-sec champagne. The sweetness and effervescence are united in this champagne, reserved for the end of the meal and perfect with dessert.

Bye-bye

Thanks to all for an outstandingtasting and tour and Champagne Jean Josselin.

Picture: Thank you.

Postings on the Bourgogne Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France (Posted and Forthcoming)

Bourgogne Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

Champagne Jean Josselin in Gyé-sur-Seine: Cellar Tour and Champagne Tasting in the Garden with Veronique, Jean Pierre and Jean Felix Josselin as well as Sharona Tsubota - Bourgogne Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015) The Wines of Tonnerre (Bourgogne)

Visit: Domaine Séguinot-Bordet in Maligny, Chablis: Cellar Tour and Chablis Tasting with Owner and Winemaker Jean-François Bordet

Domaine Brocard in Chablis: Lunch, Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting with Odile Van Der Moere, Responsable de Cave

Domaine Ferret in Fuissé, Poully-Fuissé, Mâconnais: Vineyard Walk, Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting with Cyril Laumain, Chef de Cave

Domaine Theulot Juillot in Mercurey, Côte Chalonnaise: Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting with Nathalie and Jean-Claude Theulot

Maison Olivier Leflaive in Puligny-Montrachet: Vineyard Walk Cellar Tour and Lunch with Wine Tasting at Restaurant La Table d’Olivier Leflaive with Patrick Leflaive

Wine Tasting at Domaine Mestre Père & Fils in Santenay with Jonathan Maestre

Visit: Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils in Beaune

Schiller's Favorite Wine Bars in Beaune, Bourgogne

Visit: Musée de l’Hospice de Beaune with Karoline Knoth, M.A.

Domaine A-F Gros in Beaune: Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting with Owner and Winemaker Mathias Parent

Visit: Maison Joseph Drouhin in Beaune

Domaine Faiveley in Nuits-Saint-George: Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting with Mathilde Nicolas (Brand Ambassador)

Wine Tasting at Domaine du Château de Prémeaux in Nuits Saint Georges with Owner and Winemaker Arnaud Pelletier

Domaine Armelle et Bernard Rion in Vosne-Romanée: Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting with Bernard Rion and Alice Rion

Domaine Guillon & Fils in Gevrey Chambertin: Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting with Jean-Michel Guillon

Visit: Château du Clos de Vougeot

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Visiting Rotkaeppchen-Mumm - the Second Largest Producer of Sparkling Wine in the World - in Freyburg (Saale-Unstrut), Germany

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

German Wine Makers in the World: The Korbel Brothers from Bohemia Introduced "Champagne" to the US

German Wine Makers in the World: Anton Mueller Invented the Remuage Technique Revolutionizing Sparkling Wine Drinking, 1800s, France

German Wine Makers in the World: Eduard Werle --- Owner of the Veuve Cliquot Champagne house (France)

As Close as You Can Get to Champagne – Claude Thibaut and His Virginia Thibaut Janisson Sparklers at screwtop Wine Bar, USA

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Italy's Prosecco

Picture: Karolne Knoth with her new Book "Allons en vendage" and Annette Schiller

With Karoline Knoth in Beaune and Geisenheim

Karoline Knoth gave us a fantastic tour of the Hospices de Beaune during the Bourgogne Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015) a few months ago. This is where I met Karoline Knoth for the first time.

Pictures: With Karoline Knoth at the Hospices de Beaune during the Bourgogne Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

See:
Bourgogne Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

After the tour, Annette and I talked with Karoline and learnt that she had published a book (Allons en vendage) on wine making in Meursault in the 1930s and that a series of events was taking place in Geisenheim in the Rheingau in late June, all linked to her new book. Annette and I were able to participate in one of the events in Geisenheim in the Rheingau, the Opening of an Exhibition.

This posting puts together some information on Karoline Knoth, her new book “Allons en vendage” and the life of the protagonist of her new book, Maurice Collin. The pictures of this posting are from the event in Geisenheim we attended, and from the tour of the Hospices de Beaune with Karoline Knoth. In terms of languages, the posting is a blend of German, English and French.

More specifically, you find below:

First, a short bio of Karoline Knoth, in English by Christian Schiller;
second, a description of the life of Maurice Collin, in French, source: Le Bien Public (01/12/2014)
third, a review of Karoline Knoth's book Allons en vendage, in French by Laure Ménétrier;
fourth, an announcement of the series events around Kaoline Knoth and her new book that took place in Geisenheim recently, in German, source: Hochschule Geisenheim University

Karoline Knoth

Karoline Knoth is a German, borne in 1964 in Bad Mergenheim, who has been living with her French husband in the famous wine village of Meursault for a couple of years. She has a diploma in European Ethnology and History from the University of Würzburg. Karoline was the Director of the Henneberg - Museum in Münnerstadt and of Schloss Aschach. Her career also includes a period of 10 years as a product manager for an international firm. Last year, she received the diplôme universitaire Vin, Culture, Œnotourisme de l’université de Dijon as well as the carte professionnelle de Guide conférencier.

Maurice Collin

Né le 12 janvier 1918 à Paris, Maurice Collin est fils d’Armand Lucien Collin, peintre décorateur, et d’Elisabeth Poligné. Son père voudrait bien le voir prendre sa succession mais Maurice s’oriente rapidement vers la photographie.

De 1933 à 1935, il est apprenti photographe à l’AFP. Il fait ses débuts en Afrique et parcourt l’Afrique occidentale française, traitant de sujets ethnographiques. C’est ainsi qu’on le retrouve à Dakar et Brazzaville. Pour son service militaire en 1938, Collin est affecté dans l’aéronautique et parcourt le Congo en particulier.

Pendant la Seconde Guerre mondiale, Maurice Collin rejoint le général de Gaulle et les FFL (Forces françaises libres). Il sert sous les ordres du colonel et futur maréchal Philippe Leclerc. Des photographies témoignent de cette période mouvementée. Collin passe par la Libye, l’Égypte, le Liban, Alger puis Toulon et Paris libéré.

À partir de 1945, il gère l’Agence photographique française et rencontre sa future femme. En 1946, il se marie avec Monique Calongue. Le couple s’installe à Chaville puis à Tannay, dans la Nièvre, où Maurice exerce son métier de photographe. Il ouvre un atelier et devient « photographe de ville » où il se montre aussi exigeant dans la recherche de la qualité que pour ses photographies ethnographiques. Cette expérience s’étoffe de la production de cartes postales. La famille Collin déménage pour Cosne-sur-Loire en 1962 pour y installer ses Éditions nivernaises et édite de nombreuses cartes postales en noir et blanc puis en couleur.

Son épouse Monique a de la famille à Merceuil et à Meursault, où le couple passe du bon temps chez Lucien Tiercin, « l’oncle Luce ». Ces séjours réguliers sur la côte viticole permettront à Maurice de prendre de nombreux clichés et d’éditer des cartes postales exaltant le pays beaunois et le monde viticole. Il est présent à chaque vendange pour fixer le geste du vigneron. C’est ainsi que Maurice sillonne la côte viticole et édite des cartes postales de Beaune à vocation touristique représentant évidemment l’Hôtel-Dieu et des caves comme celles des maisons Patriarche ou Calvet mais aussi des bâtiments plus modernes comme la gare, les halles ou le collège Jules-Ferry. Une partie de ses cartes exaltent le folklore local représentant des layottes aux allures de pin-up dévorant goulûment le raisin bourguignon, mais d’autres cartes et photos représentent les travailleurs de la vigne de manière sensible et avec un regard très artistique.

Si ses cartes postales ont évidemment un but commercial, elles sont aussi le reflet du travail d’un photographe exigeant, habitué aux prises de vue ethnographiques et à la mise en valeur de ses sujets.

Maurice Collin prend sa retraite en 1984 passant le relais à sa fille et son gendre qui gardent l’entreprise familiale jusqu’en 2001 où elle est vendue à un entrepreneur belge. Maurice décède le 30 août 2010.

Le travail de Maurice Collin fait l’objet d’une exposition réalisée par Karoline Knoth et visible jusqu’au 15 février 2015 aux Archives municipales de Beaune. Pour en savoir plus, lisez le catalogue Allons en vendanges, réalisé par Karoline Knoth et la Galerie du Globe.

Source: Archives municipales de Beaune.

Allons en vendage

Laure Ménétrier, responsable des musées de Beaune: Avec constance, détermination et rigueur scientifique, elle a su exhumer ces documents anciens puis rassembler les pièces à conviction pour reconstituer le parcours du photographe et éditeur de ces cartes postales Maurice Collin et ses liens avec les viticulteurs de Meursault. En menant des entretiens avec ceux qui avaient connu Collin dans cette commune de la Côte de Beaune, Karoline choisit une posture bien connue de la discipline ethnologique. Nous ne sommes pas si éloignés de la démarche d’André Lagrange, l’un des créateurs du Musée du Vin de Bourgogne avec Georges-Henri Rivière, qui sut quelques années auparavant rassembler objets, témoignages, documentation d’une époque révolue, celle du vignoble pré-phylloxérique.

Picture: Allons en vendage

Rheingau & Burgund – Themenwoche mit Prof. Dr. Leo Gros und Michael Apitz

Gemeinsamkeiten und Unterschiede der beiden Weinregionen, die auf den großen Weinkarten der gehobenen Gastronomie in der ganzen Welt zu finden sind, werden in der Woche vom 21. bis zum 26. Juni 2015 auf unterschiedliche Arten betrachtet und erlebt.

Die Hochschule Geisenheim präsentiert gemeinsam mit dem Partnerschaftsverein Rüdesheim-Meursault und der VEG – Geisenheim Alumni Association e.V. ein vielfältiges Programm.

Vernissage „Allons en vendange“ von Karoline Knoth

Auftakt ist die Vernissage der Ausstellung „Allons en vendange“von Karoline Knoth. Sie lebt als Deutsche in Meursault und hat über Jahre vielzählige Postkarten und Motive zur Traubenlese des Burgund in den 50er Jahren zusammen getragen. Dieser Ausstellung werden Darstellungen aus dem Rheingau gegenübergestellt.

Pictures: Speakers at the Opening of the Exhibition "Allons en vendage" in Geisenehim

Zur Ausstellungseröffnung mit Sektempfang am Sonntag, den 21. Juni um 17.00 Uhr wird Frau Knoth persönlich anwesend sein und einführende Worte sprechen. Prof. Dr. Leo Gros wird in seinen Grußworten die verbindende Elemente der Regionen aus kultureller Sicht darstellen. Prof. Dr. Löhnertz spricht begrüßende Worte im Namen der Hochschule Geisenheim und Alumni-Präsident Robert Lönarz für die VEG-Alumni.

Picture: Exhibition "Allons en vendage" in Geisenheim: The Protagonists

Die Ausstellung wird bis einschließlich 26. Juni an der Hochschule zu sehen sein. Der Eintritt hierfür ist frei.

Pictures: Karoline Knoth Giving a Tour of the Allons en vendage Exhibition in Geisenheim

Oenologischer Workshop – Gemeinsamkeiten und Unterschiede der beiden Regionen bezüglich der Weinbereitung

Am Mittwochabend – 24. Juni 2015 – referiert auf unterhaltsame Art Wolfgang Pfeifer ab 19.00 Uhr im Weiterbildungsraum des Müller-Thurgau Hauses auf dem Campus Geisenheim über die Gemeinsamkeiten und Unterschiede der beiden Regionen bezüglich der Weinbereitung. Dieser fachliche Vortrag wird durch interessante Proben aus beiden Regionen unterstützt.

Menüabend Rheingau & Burgund mit Künstler Michael Apitz

Krönender Abschluss der Woche bildet der Menüabend in der Waas’schen Fabrik am Freitag, den 26 Juni, ab 19.00 Uhr.

Künstler Michael Apitz, berühmt für seine Weinlagengemälde, bereiste das Burgund, um diese Region auf seine unnachahmliche Art in Farbe festzuhalten und diese den Gemälden aus dem Rheingau gegenüber zu stellen. Diese werden erstmals an diesem Abend der Öffentlichkeit präsentiert und der Künstler selbst wird Einblick in seine Arbeit geben.

Daran anschließend warten die „Hofköche“ mit einem 4-Gang Menü auf, das die kulinarischen Spezialitäten der beiden Regionen in geschmacklicher Form aufarbeitet. Zu jedem Gang wird entsprechend jeweils ein Wein aus dem Rheingau, sowie ein Wein aus dem Burgund gereicht.

Prof. Dr. Leo Gros von der Hochschule Fresenius in Idstein nimmt die Gäste intellektuell mit auf die Reise zwischen den beiden Regionen. Ein Abend der Sinne erwartet uns somit in einer charmanten Umgebung.

schiller-wine: Related Postings

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Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy, 2014

Germany’s Top 20 Winemakers - Der Feinschmecker WeinGuide 2015

Picture: At Weinhaus Bluhm Roland Pouring

We spent the last evening of the Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014) at Weinhaus Bluhm, a legendary wine tavern in the old town district of Mainz. Annette had arranged a blind tasting of 9 wines from Rheinhessen. The wines came in 3 flights.

Picture: Weinhaus Bluhm, with Roland Ladendorf

Roland Ladendorf and Weinhaus Bluhm

Mainz in the wine region Rheinhessen is, along with Bilbao in Spain, Bordeaux in France, Cape Town in South Africa, Christchurch in New Zealand, Firenza in Italy, Mendoza in Argentina, Porto in Portugal and San Francisco in the US, one of the 9 wine capitals in the world.

Picture: Roland Ladendorf, Weinhaus Bluhm, Mainz and Daniel Wagner, Weingut Wagner Stempel, Rheinhessen, at Kloster Eberbach

But – except for a recent opening: Laurenz - there are no wine bars in Mainz, as I know them from London, New York City, Berlin or Washington DC. However, there are a large number of wine taverns in Mainz. Typically, wine taverns do not have an elaborated list of wines, nor do they serve fancy and sophisticated food. They serve local wines, at very reasonable prices, typically from a handful of local winemakers that you do not find in the wine guides such as the Gault Millau.

Pictures: Tasting with Roland Ladendorf

One wine tavern, however, is different and stands out: Weinhaus Bluhm. Because you can get wines of German wine stars like Weingut Klaus Peter Keller, Weingut Kruger Rumpf or Weingut Teschke, just to name a few. Owner and Manager Roland Ladendorf is a wine aficionado and extremely knowledgeable about the wine scene. What he offers, by the glass and by the bottle, is outstanding. In terms of its wine list, Weinhaus Bluhm is a class of itself.

Pictures: Tasting with Roland Ladendorf

Otherwise, Weinhaus Bluhm is a dark, a bit smoky, very basic tavern. It looks today the same as it looked when I first set foot into the Weinhaus Bluhm as a student of macro-economics at the Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz. The furniture is functional, used, a bit worn down. Weinhaus Bluhm offers a feeling of well-being and it has a lot of charm. In the summer, you can sit on the cobble stone road outside the tavern on communal benches. It cannot get better. The food at Weinhaus Bluhm is simple and good. It does not reach out for some sophistication, as some of the other wine taverns do. It stays at the more basic range, but at the highest quality level.

Picture: Bretzelmann

The Wine we Tasted

We tasted the following 9 wines, in 3 flights of 3 wines.

Picture: First Flight - All Rheinhessen Whites, including 2 Klaus Peter Keller Wines

Picture: Second Flight -All Klaus Peter Keller Wines

Picture: Third Flight - All Rheinhessen Reds including Weingut Schäfer-Fröhlich

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Weingut Pawis (Saale Unstrut): Estate Tour and Wine Tasting with Kerstin Pawis– Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

Weingut Kloster Pforta: Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting with Managing Director Christian Kloss – Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

Winzerhof Gussek in the Saale Unstrut Region: Cellar Tour, Vineyard Tour and Tasting with Owner and Winemaker André Gussek – Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

Tour and Tasting at the Historic Weingut Juliusspital in Würzburg, Franken– Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

Weingut Bickel-Stumpf in Franken: Vineyard Walk and Wine Tasting with Reimund Stumpf, Matthias Stumpf and Melanie Stumpf-Kröger - Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

Kiedrich: Visit of the Basilica of Saint Valentine and of Weingut Robert Weil - Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

Kloster Eberbach in the Rheingau: Tour and Wine Tasting - Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

Wining in the Steinberg Vineyard– Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

Visit: Winzerhof Thörle in Saulheim, Rheinhessen – Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

Wine Tasting at Weingut Kühling-Gillot in Bodenheim: Kühling-Gillot and Battenfeld-Spanier Wines– Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

Vineyard Walk, Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting at Weingut Künstler– Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

One of the Bio-dynamic Stars in Germany: Weingut Peter Jakob Kühn in Östrich, Winkel– Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

In the Mittelrhein Valley, an UNESCO World Heritage Region – Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

Vineyard Tour and Wine Tasting at Weingut Clemens Busch– Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)

Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting at Weingut Selbach-Oster in Zeltingen, Mosel, with Johannes Selbach – Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)

Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting at Weingut Von Hövel in Konz, Saar Valley, Mosel, with Owner and Winemaker Max von Kunow - Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)

Lunch and Wine Tasting at Weingut Reichsgraf von Kesselstatt in Morscheid, Mosel with Owner Annegret Reh-Gartner – Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)

Wine Tasting and Cellar Tour at Weingut Dönnhoff with Christina Dönnhoff– Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)

Lunch and Wine Tasting with Georg Rumpf, Weingut Kruger-Rumpf, Nahe Valley – Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)

Tasting with Sylvain Taurisson Diel at Schlossgut Diel, Nahe– Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)

schiller-wine - Related Postings (Weinhaus Bluhm in Mainz)

Wine in Mainz on Saturday Morning: Marktfruehstueck – Farmer's Market Breakfast, Germany

Rediscoverd: Weinhaus Bluhm in Mainz, Germany - A Cosy and Basic Wine Tavern Serving World Class Wines from Germany

Weinhaus Bluhm in Mainz: A Cosy and Basic Wine Tavern Serving World Class Wines from Germany

Schiller’s Favorite Wine Taverns in Mainz, Germany

Picture: Tasting at Weingut Lützkendorf with Uwe Lützkendorf – Germany-East Wine and Art Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

The first wine region we visited on the Germany-East Wine and Art Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015) was the Saale-Unstrut Region. There, we visited 3 wineries: Weingut Lützkendorf, Weingut Bernhard Pawis and Weingut Thürkind. The former 2 are heavy-weights; these are the only 2 members of the VDP, the association of about 200 German elite winemakers, in the Saale-Unstrut Region. Weingut Thürkind is an up and coming wine producer, but plays in a different league.

See also:
Preview: Germany-East Wine and Art Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)
Germany-East Wine and Art Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

The Saale-Unstrut wine region sits on 51st latitude and is Germany’s northernmost wine region, located in the valleys of the Saale and Unstrut rivers, an area of the former German Democratic Republic (GDR). The oldest record of viticulture dates back to the year 998 during the reign of Emperor Otto III.

Pictures: Welcome at Weingut Lützkendorf, with Owner and Winemaker Uwe Lützkendorf

Weingut Lützkendorf

Weingut Lützkendorf is in Bad Kösen on the Saale River; administratively, Bad Kösen is part of the town of Naumburg. The state-run winery Kloser Pforta is also in Bad Kösen. Uwe Lutzkendorf is the winemaker and owner.

Weingut Lützkendorf was founded at the dawn of the 19th century and existed until 1959 when the GDR authorities integrated the estate (2 hectares) into the government run Agricultural Cooperative.

Udo Lützkendorf, the father of Uwe, was the Director and Cellar master from 1972 to 1992 in what was then the state-owned, and now again state-owned Kloster Pforta Estate, most of the time in the GDR and for 3 years in the re-unified Germany.

Pictures: Uwe Lützkendorf

The Lützkendorf’s vineyards were handed back to the family in 1991 and the Lützkendorfs made their own wine again with the 1991 vintage. What then followed was a major re-launch, including replanting the vineyards, buying and leasing new vineyards and building a winery, including a Gutsausschank (winery tavern).

In 1996 the winery Lützkendorf was the first estate in the Saale-Unstrut region to become member of the prestigious VDP, the Association of Germany’s Premium Winemakers.

Picture: Christian Schiller and Uwe Lützkendorf

Today, the vineyard area totals 11 hectares, with holdings in the Edelacker (Freyburg), Hohe Gräte (Karsdorf) and Köppelberg (Schulpforte). The area is planted with Silvaner (35%), Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Traminer, Müller-Thurgau and Kerner, as well as with Pinot Noir, Portugieser and Blauer Zweigelt.

In terms of the winemaking philosophy, Uwe said that he follows sustainable vineyard practices. The wines are matured very reductively in either stainless steel tanks or in oak vats. With very few exceptions, the wines are fermented dry. “I never use Süssreserve (sterilized juice)” Uwe said.

“40 percent of our wines are sold to top restaurants, largely in the eastern part of Germany. The same amount is sold directly to private customers and the remaining 20 percent in the winery’s wine tavern.”

See also:
Weingut Lützkendorf in Saale Unstrut in Germany (2011)

The Wines Uwe Lützkendorf Poured

Uwe poured an impressive series of wines.

VDP.Gutsweine

2013 Weingut Lützkendorf Gutedel feinherb

Gutedel is one of the oldest grape varities in the world. Today, it is a popular grape variety in Switzerland.

VDP.Erste Lage

2013 Weingut Lützkendorf Silvaner Karsdorfer Hohe Gräte feinherb
2013 Weingut Lützkendorf Riesling Karsdorfer Hohe Gräte trocken
2014 Weingut Lützkendorf Weisburgunder Karsdorfer Hohe Gräte trocken

2012 Weingut Lützkendorf Silvaner Karsdorfer Hohe Gräte trocken
2012 Weingut Lützkendorf Riesling Karsdorfer Hohe Gräte trocken
2012 Weingut Lützkendorf Weisburgunder Karsdorfer Hohe Gräte trocken

VDP.Grosse Lage

2012 Weingut Lützkendorf Silvaner Karsdorfer Hohe Gräte trocken
2013 Weingut Lützkendorf Riesling Karsdorfer Hohe Gräte trocken

2014 Weingut Lützkendorf Weisburgunder Karsdorfer Hohe Gräte trocken
In the classification of the German Wine Law of 1971, this wine would be an Auslese trocken.

2007 Weingut Lützkendorf Weisburgunder Karsdorfer Hohe Gräte trocken
Peach, apricot, honey on the nose, full-bodied on the palate, elegant, rich.

2008 Weingut Lützkendorf Riesling Karsdorfer Hohe Gräte trocken
2012 Weingut Lützkendorf Weisburgunder Karsdorfer Hohe Gräte Spätlese
18 gr. Remaining sugar.

VDP.Erste Lage

2012 Weingut Lützkendorf Traminer Karsdorfer Hohe Gräte Auslese

Bye-bye

Thank you very much Uwe for an outstanding tasting.

Pictures: Bye-bye

Postings: Germany-East Wine and Art Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)(Published and Forthcoming)

Preview: Germany-East Wine and Art Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

The Art Marketer: OMBIASY PR & WINE TOURS - Germany-East

Germany-East Wine and Art Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Tasting at Weingut Lützkendorf with Uwe Lützkendorf – Germany-East Wine and Art Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Visit: Weingut Pawis in Saale-Unstrut

Cellar Tour, Wine Tastin g and Lunch at Weingut Thürkind in the Saale-Unstrut Region

Schiller's Favorite Winemakers in the Saale Unstrut Region

Cellar Tour, Vineyard Tour, Wine Tasting and Dinner at Weingut Schloss Proschwitz in Sachsen, with Owner Georg Prinz zur Lippe

Cellar Tour and Lunch at Weingut Karl Friedrich Aust in Sachsen

Cellar Tour, Art Tour and Wine Tasting at Weingut Zimmerling with Winemaker Klaus Zimmerling and Artist Malgorzata Chodakoska in Sachsen

Schiller's Favorite Winemakers in Sachsen

Visit and Tasting at Weingut Wirsching in Iphofen, Franken

Visit and Tasting at Weingut Am Stein Ludwig Knoll in Würzburg, Franken

Cellar Tour and Tasting with Star Winemaker Paul Fürst at Weingut Fürst in Franken

Würzburg and its 3 Historic Wine Taverns: Juliusspital, Bürgerspital and Staatlicher Hofkeller

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Graf Neipperg in Schwaigern, Württemberg

Tasting at Weingut Dautel in Württemberg with Christian Dautel

Wine Pairing Dinner at Restaurant Friedrich von Schiller in Bietigheim-Bissingen in Württemberg

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Herzog von Württemberg at Schloss Monrepos with Owner F.R.H. Carl Duke of Württemberg

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting with Rainer Schnaitmann at Weingut Rainer Schnaitmann in Fellbach, Württemberg

Wine Tasting at Weingut Simon-Bürkle in Zwingenberg, Hessische Bergstrasse

schiller-wine: Related Postings (Weingut Lützkendorf)

4 Wine Tours by ombiasy coming up in 2015: Germany-East, Germany-South. Germany-Nord and Bordeaux

Bourgogne Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

Germany-East Wine and Art Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Weingut Lützkendorf in Saale Unstrut in Germany (2011)

Picture: Wine Tasting at Schlossgut Diel with Sylvain Taurisson Diel

The last, but not least, of the 3 tastings in the Nahe Valley was at Schlossgut Diel. We were received by Sylvain Taurisson Diel, the French husband of Caroline Diel and son-in-law of Armin Diel.

Armin used to run the winery for many years, until his daughter Caroline took over not so long ago. Caroline is probably more involved in the winemaking process than her father was. First, she is a trained winemaker with a degree from the respected Geisenheim University, while Armin studied law. Second, Armin always has been very interested in writing about wine and still is. Until a few years ago, he was the editor-in-chief (with Joel Payne) of the respected Gault Millau WeinGuide Deutschland, Germany’s leading wine guide.

Picture: Armin Diel and wife (Schlossgut Diel), Didier Cuvelier (Leoville Poyferre) and Annette Schiller (ombiasy PR and WineTours) at Weingut Wilhlem Weil in Kiedrich, Rheingau

Schlossgut Diel

Schlossgut Diel is a tower and the walled remnants of castle Burg Layen in the village of Rümmelsheim in the Nahe wine-growing region in Germany. It was built prior to 1200, changed hands numerous times over the centuries but was finally purchased by Johann Peter Diel in 1802.

Picture: Sylvain Taurisson Diel Welcomes the Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014) at Schlossgut Diel

The vineyard area is 17 hectares and annual production 10,000 cases. Grape Varieties: 65% Riesling, 20% Grauburgunder, 10% Spätburgunder, 5% Weissburgunder. Bottle-fermented (and hand-riddled) sparkling wines are also produced. Schlossgut Diel is a member of the VDP. Armin Diel took over the estate from his father in 1987, and now his daughter Caroline has taken over as winemaker and his son Victor is working on the marketing side, based in Hamburg in the northern part of Germany.

Pictures: At Schlossgut Diel

History of Burg Layen

The origins of the Burg Layen date back to the 11th century. Over the course of time, three castle buildings were erected in the location, with different aristocratic owners, and with extensive holdings of vineyards and agricultural land. The Schlossgut in its present form was purchased by a forefather of Armin Diel, in 1802, after the family had already leased the land for several decades. From 1792 to 1796 Napoleons troops conquered German territory on the left bank of the Rhine declaring it French.

Pictures: Christian G.E. Schiller and Caroline Diel with Anouk at a Previous Visit

The Vineyards

The vineyard area totals 17 hectares, all located in the commune of Dorsheim, with holdings in the top-rated Burgberg, Goldloch and Pittermännchen sites.

Picture: Sylvain Taurisson Diel Explaining the Vineyards of Schlossgut Diel

Goldloch: In 1756, the top site Goldloch was first officially named “Im Loch”. In 1819, the name “Goldloch” was registered in the land register. The name allows three interpretations: It is said that gold was found here; further the name could refer to the disappointment of miners who came here to dig for gold but only found ore. Or it refers to the vintners who owned parcels of this excellent site making a fortune with wines that are worth their weight in gold.

The soil consists of a layer of clay over a rocky conglomerate of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic slate rock from the first phase of the perm.

Since its beginnings the Diel Estate has owned parcels of this valuable site. Over generations the Diel family managed to acquire more acreage either through exchange or purchase. Today the Estate owns just over 11 acres (4,5 ha) making it the largest owner of this premium single vineyard site.

Pictures: In the Vineyards with Caroline Diel and Anouk at a Previous Visit

Burgberg: This site was officially mentioned for the first time in 1400. Georg von Leyen was given a hillock called the “Burgberg of Dorsheim”. As this hill had neither a castle nor a fortress at the time the name may refer to the steep cliffs on the eastern side that reach a height of up to 60 feet. However a second interpretation exists: The documents of the year 1400 mention a hill that must have included a larger area than the present-day land register. Accordingly, the vineyard site “Goldloch” must have been part of this area. Supposedly, a part of the Dorsheimer Hill – formerly registered by the name Burgberg – was thus a part of the hill belonging to Burg Layen.

In the period after 1815 the vineyard site Burgberg became property of the Prussian state. The vineyard often exchanged hands. In 1927 the state-owned Domaine Niederhausen purchased the largest portion of the site until it came into possession of Schlossgut Diel in the 1990s. Today the Estate owns 4,5 acres (1,8 ha) of this top site making it the largest owner of this vineyard site.

Pittermännchen: The vineyard Pittermänchen neighbors the site Goldloch and stretches to the Dorsheimer boundaries ending just before Burg Layen. Schlossgut Diel owns 2,5 acres (1 ha) of this prestigious site, making it the smallest member in the exclusive circle of top vinyards of the Estate. The name dates back to the 16th century when a Pittermännchen was a small silver coin and implies that the wines made here were significant value. The soil of the southward aligned site consists of slate with a lots of quartzite and gravel. This combination provides a refreshing mineral note to the subtle racy wines.

The Wines Sylvain Poured

2006 Schlossgut Diel Goldloch Sekt Riesling Brut

Picture: 2006 Schlossgut Diel Goldloch Sekt Riesling Brut

2013 Schlossgut Diel Diel de Diel

2013 Schlossgut Diel Pinot Blanc Reserve

Bourgogne wines have established themselves as an important component of the Diel wine portfolio. Over the years, the barrique share has increased and the “Stueckfass” share decreased. Recently, there is a trend towards used barrique.

Sylvain: We try not to overpower the raciness and the minerality of the Pinot with too much wood.
2013 Schlossgut Diel Dorsheim Riesling trocken

Excellent. At the Ortswein (village wine) quality level.

Pictures: Wine Tasting with Sylvain Taurisson Diel at Schlossgut Diel – Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)

2012 Schlossgut Diel Eierfels Riesling trocken

50% Goldloch, 50% Burgberg, made from the best grapes of these vineyards that did not go into the Grosses Gewaechs wines, kind of a second wine, fermented and aged in a (large) “Stueckfass”, mineral notes and excellent fruit.

2012 Schlossgut Diel Goldloch Riesling Grosses Gewächs

Still closed. Needs air and time to open up. Lots of mineral, earthy, smoky notes.

Terry Theise: Goldloch - With nearly ten acres (4 ha) Schlossgut Diel is by far the largest owner of this legendary steep site. One explanation of the name is that miners searched for gold here in the 17th century. Another is that the wines made from this site are worth their weight in gold. The key to success is in the soil. A thin layer of clay over bedrock provides power, elegance and depth to the wines.

Pictures: Cellar Tour with Armin Diel at a Previous Visit

2013 Schlossgut Diel Goldloch Riesling Kabinett
2011 Schlossgut Diel Goldloch Riesling Kabinett
2004 Schlossgut Diel Goldloch Riesling Spätlese

We finished with 3 wines that had a noticeable level of remaining sugar in the wine - wines for which there is only a very limited market in Germany, but which are very popular in the US and in other export markets. Essentially, these wines are being produced for export.

schiller-wine: Related Postings

4 Wine Tours by ombiasy coming up in 2015: Germany-East, Germany-South. Germany-Nord and Bordeaux

Coming-up: Wine & Art Tour to Saale-Unstrut - Saxony - Franken - Württemberg: Germany-East Tour by ombiasy WineTours (June 11 - June 20, 2015)

Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy, 2014

Germany-South Wine Tour by ombiasy, 2014

Weingut Pawis (Saale Unstrut): Estate Tour and Wine Tasting with Kerstin Pawis– Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

Weingut Kloster Pforta: Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting with Managing Director Christian Kloss – Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

Winzerhof Gussek in the Saale Unstrut Region: Cellar Tour, Vineyard Tour and Tasting with Owner and Winemaker André Gussek – Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

Tour and Tasting at the Historic Weingut Juliusspital in Würzburg, Franken– Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

Weingut Bickel-Stumpf in Franken: Vineyard Walk and Wine Tasting with Reimund Stumpf, Matthias Stumpf and Melanie Stumpf-Kröger - Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

Kiedrich: Visit of the Basilica of Saint Valentine and of Weingut Robert Weil - Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

Kloster Eberbach in the Rheingau: Tour and Wine Tasting - Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

Wining in the Steinberg Vineyard– Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

Visit: Winzerhof Thörle in Saulheim, Rheinhessen – Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

Wine Tasting at Weingut Kühling-Gillot in Bodenheim: Kühling-Gillot and Battenfeld-Spanier Wines– Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

Vineyard Walk, Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting at Weingut Künstler– Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

One of the Bio-dynamic Stars in Germany: Weingut Peter Jakob Kühn in Östrich, Winkel– Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

In the Mittelrhein Valley, an UNESCO World Heritage Region – Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

Vineyard Tour and Wine Tasting at Weingut Clemens Busch– Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)

Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting at Weingut Selbach-Oster in Zeltingen, Mosel, with Johannes Selbach – Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)

Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting at Weingut Von Hövel in Konz, Saar Valley, Mosel, with Owner and Winemaker Max von Kunow - Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)

Lunch and Wine Tasting at Weingut Reichsgraf von Kesselstatt in Morscheid, Mosel with Owner Annegret Reh-Gartner – Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)

Wine Tasting and Cellar Tour at Weingut Dönnhoff with Christina Dönnhoff– Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)

Lunch and Wine Tasting with Georg Rumpf, Weingut Kruger-Rumpf, Nahe Valley – Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)

schiller-wine - Related Postings (Schlossgut Diel)

Visiting Armin and Caroline Diel and their Schlossgut Diel in Burg Layen in Germany

Caroline and Armin Diel, Schlossgut Diel (Nahe Valley), Presented their New Wines (Vintage 2012), Germany

Visiting Armin and Caroline Diel and their Schlossgut Diel in Burg Layen in Germany

President Obama Serves a “German” Riesling at State Dinner for Chinese President Hu Jintao

Visiting Long Shadows Vintners in Walla Walla, Washington State - Where Armin Diel’s Poet’s Leap Riesling is Made, USA

New Vintage Tasting at Schlossgut Diel, with Armin and Caroline Diel, Germany, 2014

Picture: Wine Blog Awards

The 2015 Wine Blog Award Winners were announced. Here are the Winners as well as the Finalists.

The awards are open to any English-language wine blog located anywhere in the world. The winners were chosen based on 50% of the input coming from the judges and 50% coming from the public vote and will be presented live at the 2015 Wine Bloggers Conference, which will be in the Finger Lakes Wine Region on August 13 to 16.

2015 Wine Blog Award Winners

Best Blog Post of the Year: Robin Williams: Art, alcoholism, and suicide on Chris Kassel’s Intoxicology Report
Best Original Photography or Video on a Wine Blog: Jason and Angela Stubblefield, Cork Envy
Best Industry Wine Blog: Berry Bros. & Rudd Wine Blog
Best Single Subject Wine Blog: Wil Fernandez, Vintage 2014
Best Writing On a Wine Blog: Meg Houston Maker, Maker’s Table
Best New Wine Blog: Julien Miquel, Social Vignerons
Best Overall Wine Blog: Becca Yeamans, The Academic Wino

2015 Wine Blog Award Finalists

The finalists for the American Wine Blogs were announced earlier.

Best Original Photography or Video on a Wine Blog

Criteria: Should present a compelling visual experience for readers using original graphics photography, or works of art, both throughout the site format and in individual posts and should have made an extra effort to present its subject matter in a highly visual and graphic manner that is both entertaining, educational, and thought provoking.

Best Winery/Industry Wine Blog

Criteria: Should have done an outstanding job of using the blog format to convey the unique nature of a particular wine industry business, used the blog to create a more intimate connection between consumers and the winery or business, and is the only category open to industry blogs.

Pictures: Christian Schiller at Berry Bros and Rud in London

Best Single Subject Wine Blog

Criteria: Should have as the focus of the blog a single, relatively narrow subject such as a country, a single appellation, a single varietal or a type of wine, retailing, wine tourism, one aspect of the business of wine or any other narrow focus that seeks to consistently illuminate that specific single subject and should demonstrate a command of, or expertise in, the single subject upon which it focuses and should be among the best sources of information in any genre for information on the chosen subject matter.

Best Writing On a Wine Blog

Criteria: Should put the English language to great use and write with a demonstrably original voice that conveys a personal style and should consistently demonstrate a command of the English language to convey original, insightful and entertaining messages.

Best New Wine Blog

Criteria: Should have the first blog entry posted no earlier than one year before nomination period begins and should have already made or show potential to make an impact on the worlds of wine or wine blogging via its reporting, writing, number of followers, etc. and should present a credible appearance as a serious new entry in the realm of wine blogging, based on graphics, title, depth of posts, etc.

Best Blog Post of the Year

Criteria: Should be a single post (or single story broken into multiple posts for readability) expressing a unique point of view about wine, life related to wine, or other wine-related experience, and should be considered a distinguished example of quality blog writing that conveys an original and insightful exploration of a wine-related topic.

Picture: Christian G.E.Schiller and David White, Terroirist, Finalist in the Category Best Overall Wine Blog, in Rioja, Spain, at the 2013 Digitale Wine Communications Conference

Best Overall Wine Blog

Criteria: Should continually produce entertaining and educational information, contain well-written prose and well produced posts, demonstrate independent and original ideas and insights, be of such high quality overall it can compete with any others wine information resources in any other medium and should be able in its overall form, content and presentation to advance the reputation of the wine blogging genre.

schiller-wine: Related Postings

2014 Wine Blog Awards Finalists

The Finalists in the 2013 Wine Blog Awards

The Finalists in the 2012 Wine Blog Awards

Picture: From the ombiasy PR and WineTours Website

The Art Marketer, a blog run by Lisa Freedman out of New York City, carried a very well written article about ombiasy PR and WineTours. It provides a comprehensive overview about what ombiasy PR and WineTours is all about and its tour program:

Ombiasy Public Relations & Wine Tours

Serves up a Couples Life Long Passion for Wine

Conceived, created, owned and operated by the venerable husband and wife team, Annette & Christian Schiller, Ombiasy Public Relations & Wine Tours represents the lifelong passion the Schillers have for wine. Their business is founded on the passion,knowledge and network of contacts they have made throughout their travels around the world, an interest that started for them both while students at the University of Mainz in Germany.

For the whole article go here.

schiller-wine: Related Postings

4 Wine Tours by ombiasy coming up in 2015: Germany-East, Germany-South. Germany-Nord and Bordeaux

Germany-East Wine and Art Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Bourgogne Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy, 2014

Germany-South Wine Tour by ombiasy, 2014

Bordeaux Wine Tour 2013 by ombiasy

Picture: Tasting at Weingut Gunderloch in Nackenheim with Owner and Winemaker Fritz Hasselbach

The last (of a total of 22) winery visits on the Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015) was at Weingut Gunderloch in Nackenheim. We were received by the Owners and Winemaker Fritz Hasselbach and Agnes Hasselbach-Usinger. Fritz Hasselbach is a giant in the American market. His son Johannes Hasselbach has recently taken over; he was on a sales trip to the Northern European countries. In general, the Northern European countries, including Sweden, Finland and Norway, are a very good market for dry German Rieslings.

Pictures: Arriving at Weingut Gunderloch, with Owner Agnes Hasselbach-Usinger

Weingut Gunderloch is close to our heart for several reasons. To begin with, when my wife Annette and I studied in Mainz, Germany, and had our first children, we regularly used to go to the cosy wine tavern of Weingut Gunderloch by bike on Sunday afternoon, had a couple of delicious Gunderloch wines and a Spundekäs (local cream cheese) with Bretzels. Second, for the time we have been based in Washington DC (from 1983 onwards) Weingut Gunderloch was one of the leading wine producers in the US. Fritz Hasselbach told me that during the peak, he was once a month in the US, where his wines are imported by Rudi Wiest selections. Third, Johannes Hasselbach is one of the 4 creators of the Wurzelwerk project. Annette Schiller organized their first presentation in the USA last year.

Pictures: Welcome

Carl Gunderloch

It all started in 1890, when the banker Carl Gunderloch purchased the Gunderloch manor house in Nackenheim. As the story goes, he used to trek from Gundersblum, his place of birth, to his bank in Mainz. On these journeys he carefully observed how the sun played off the hills along the Rhein Terrace. Based on these observations he purchased vineyard property that appeared to collect sunlight most efficiently and founded the Gunderloch Estate. Today, the Estate is still in the hands of the Gunderloch family, with Johannes Hasselbach in charge.

Pictures: Fritz Hasselbach Pouring

The Gunderloch Family

The property and vineyards have remained in family ownership since the days of Carl Gunderloch, who died in 1935, the estate passing first to Gunderloch's granddaughter Elizabeth Usinger and her husband. They remained at the helm until 1965, when their son Carl Otto took on the management of the estate. Until recently, his eldest daughter, Agnes Hasselbach-Usinger and her husband, Fritz Hasselbach were in charge.

Agnes and Fritz have 3 children. Daughter Kathrin Hasselbach-Bordiehn is pursuing other interests outside of the estate. Daughter Stefanie Jurtschitsch studied oenologie at Geisenheim University, where she met Alwin Jurtschitsch from the famous Weingut Jurtschitsch in Austria and married into this winery. She lives with Alwin in Austria now and makes Jurtschitsch wines. Son Johannes Hasselbach, with his wife, has taken over the winery. He initially studied business economics before turning to winemaking. It will be interesting to see in what direction Johannes will steer the winery.

Pictures: Tasting with Fritz Hasselbach

German Dramatist Carl Zuckmaier

The Gunderloch Estate also has an interesting tie to the German dramatist Carl Zuckmaier. Zuckmaier, who became a Hollywood screenwriter, was born in Nackenheim and a friend of Carl Gunderloch. Zuckmaier not only wrote the screenplay for the film "The Blue Angel", but also the plays "The Captain from Koepenick" and "The Devils General". He also used the Gunderloch estate for the setting, and Carl Gunderloch as the main character for his very first play "Der fröhliche Weinberg" (the jolly vineyard). In this play Zuckmaier renamed Carl Gunderloch "Jean Baptiste" which is where the brand name used on the Gunderloch "Jean Baptiste" Kabinett is borrowed from.

Weingut Gunderloch

Weingut Gunderloch has 27 hectares of vineyards. In Nackenheim, there are holdings in the Rothenberg (Riesling), the Engelsberg (Riesling, Silvaner, Ruländer and Gewürztraminer) and the Schmitts Kapellchen (Scheurebe and Müller-Thurgau). In Nierstein, there are holdings in the Pettenthal and Hipping both planted with Riesling and the Paterberg with Ruländer and Müller-Thurgau.

Pictures: Tasting with Agnes Hasselbach-Usinger

Overall the vines on the estate have an average age of 25 years, and Riesling predominates as all but 20% of Gunderloch's vines are of this variety. The remainder is mainly Pinot Blanc (5%) and Pinot Gris (5%).
Vineyard practices include hand cultivation, hand harvesting and low yields with an average of 50 hl/ha for the estate as a whole. Once the fruit reaches the winery it is crushed gently without destemming, and then fed by gravity to the vats where it sees a slow, temperature-controlled fermentation to preserve the fruit character of the wines.

Weingut Gunderloch used to be export-oriented and well known in the US, with more than 50% of the production sold abroad. Johannes Hasselbach’s objective is to increase the domestic share in its sales, although the US will always remain a major market for Weingut Gunderloch.

Pictures: At Weingut Gunderloch at the Occasion of the 125th Anniversary of Weingut Gunderloch

See also:
Anniversary Celebration: 125 Years Weingut Gunderloch in Nackenheim, Rheinhessen, Germany

Wurzelwerk

“Wurzelwerk und Winzers Beitrag” (Root Work and Winemaker’s Contribution) is a fascinating and much talked about project of 4 winemaker friends/relatives from 3 world class wineries in Germany and in Austria. Starting with the vintage 2012, Max von Kunow (Weingut von Hövel, Saar, Germany), Johannes Hasselbach (Weingut Gunderloch, Rheinhessen, Germany) and Alwin + Stefanie Jurtschitsch (Weingut, Jurtschitsch, Kamptal, Austria) shared a portion of their Riesling grapes with the other 2 wineries and vinified the own portion as well as the 2 portions from the other 2 wineries into 3 separate wines. Thus, they make a total of 9 different wines. The first presentation of the Wurzelwerk project outside of Germany took place in Washington DC and was organized by Annette Schiller.

Picture: Presenting the Wurzelwerk Project in Washington DC, USA - Johannes Hasselbach, Molly Sweeny (Rudi Wiest Selections), Alwin Jurtschitsch, Max von Kunow and Annette Schiller (Ombiasy PR and WineTours). (Molly Sweeny has left Rudi Wiest Selections and Joined Dr. Loosen Imports.)

See also:
"Wurzelwerk" Goes America: 3 Vineyards, 3 Winemakers and 9 Wines

VIRGO

VIRGO is another interesting project of Johannes Hasselbach. VIRGO is a wine fermented in the vineyard. The purpose of this is to minimize the impact of wine cellar flora and yeasts on the wine. The grapes come from the Grand Cru vineyard Rothenberg. VIRGO thus could mean: “Vergoren Im Rothenberg Ganz Ohne” (Fermented in the Rothenberg without Anything). Alternatively, it could be the Latin word for virgin. Johannes started the project with the 2010 vintage (only 2 bottles).

Picture: Johannes Hasselbach Pouring VIRGO at the 125th Anniversary Celebration of Weingut Gunderloch

See also:
Anniversary Celebration: 125 Years Weingut Gunderloch in Nackenheim, Rheinhessen, Germany

The Wines we Tasted

2013 Weingut Gunderloch Gunderloch Riesling trocken Gutswein
2013 Weingut Gunderloch Als wär’s ein Stück von mir

2013 Weingut Gunderloch Nackenheim Riesling trocken Ortswein
2013 Weingut Gunderloch Rothenberg Riesling Grosses Gewächs
2013 Weingut Gunderloch Jean Baptiste Riesling Kabinett
2013 Weingut Gunderloch Rothenberg Riesling Spätlese
2013 Weingut Gunderloch Rothenberg Riesling Auslese

Bye-bye

Thanks Agnes and Fritz for a great tasting.

Picture: Annette Schiller with Owners and Winemaker Fritz Hasselbach and Agnes Hasselbach-Usinger

schiller-wine: Related Postings

4 Wine Tours by ombiasy coming up in 2015: Germany-East, Germany-South. Germany-Nord and Bordeaux

Bourgogne Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

Germany-East Wine and Art Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy, 2014

Germany-South Wine Tour by ombiasy, 2014

German Wine and Culture Tour by ombiasy, 2013

In the Vineyard and the Wine Cellar (and Lunch) with Robert Schätzle, Owner and Winemaker, Weingut Schloss Neuweier in Baden – Germany-South Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

Wine Tasting Luncheon at 1 Star Michelin Röttele's Restaurant im Schloss Neuweier in Baden, with Winemaker Robert Schätzle and his Weingut Schloss Neuweier Wines – Germany-South Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

Weingut Zähringer in Baden: Cellar Tour and Tasting with Winemaker Paulin Köpfer– Germany-South Wine Tour by ombasy (2014)

Weingut Freiherr von Gleichenstein in Baden: Tour and Tasting with Baron Johannes von Gleichenstein– Germany-South Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014), Germany

Weingut Franz Keller in Oberbergen, Kaiserstuhl, Baden: Cellar Tour and Tasting with Fritz Keller– Germany-South Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

Lunch at Restaurant Schwarzer Adler in Oberbergen, with Weingut Franz Keller Wines – Germany-South Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

Wine Tasting at Weingut Bernhard Huber– Germany-South Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

Visit: Weingut Dr. Heger in Baden – Germany-South Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

Weingut Karl-Heinz Johner in Baden: Cellar Tour and Tasting with Karl-Heinz and Patrick Johner – Germany-South Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

At Maison Trimbach in Alsace with Hubert Trimbach – Germany-South Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

Wine Tasting at Weingut Friedrich Becker – Germany-South Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

Lunch, Wine Tasting and Winery Tour at Weingut Jülg in Schweigen, Pfalz with the Jülg Family – Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)

Wine Tasting at Weingut Ökonomierat Rebholz in Siebeldingen, Pfalz – Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)

Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting at Weingut Geheimer Rat Dr. von Bassermann-Jordan in Deidesheim with General Manager Gunther Hauck – Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)

Winery Tour and Wine Tasting at Weingut A. Christmann, with Steffen Christmann– Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)

Wine Tasting at Weingut Weegmüller with Stephanie and Gabriele Weegmüller – Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)

Tasting the Wines, President Obama was Served: Visit of Weingut Markus Schneider, Pfalz – Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)

Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting with Philipp Wittmann and Eva Clüsserath-Wittmann at Weingut Wittmann in Westhofen – Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)

Winetasting with Katharina Wechser, Weingut K. Wechsler, Westhofen, Rheinhessen – Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)

schiller-wine: Related Postings (Weingut Gunderloch)

Anniversary Celebration: 125 Years Weingut Gunderloch in Nackenheim, Rheinhessen, Germany

Weingut Gunderloch – The New Generation: Owner Johannes Hasselbach in Washington DC, US

"Wurzelwerk" Goes America: 3 Vineyards, 3 Winemakers and 9 Wines

Special Wine Event on March 18, 2014, in Washington DC with "Wurzelwerk": 3 Terroirs, 3 Winemakers and 9 Wines

Visiting Agnes and Fritz Hasselbach at their Weingut Gunderloch in Nackenheim, Rheinhessen, German

Riesling Lounge Goes Lomo, Germany

Picture: Claude Thibault and Christian Schiller at American Wine Society (Northern Virginia Chapter)

A few years ago, when I met Claude Thibault for the first time, I wrote that the sparkling wine the native of the Champagne Region Claude Thibault produces in Virginia, USA, “is arguably the best sparkler produced in the US East Coast and is as close as you can get to (French) Champagne outside of France (in terms of quality).”

This assessment was fully confirmed a few days ago, when the American Wine Society (Northern Virginia Chapter) had the honor and pleasure to receive Claude Thibault for a tasting of 2 of his sparklers as well as other American sparklers and 1 (French) Champagne (made by Claude’s partner Manuel Janisson).

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

Thibaut-Janisson

Thibaut-Janisson is a French-French joint venture of the production of ultra-premium sparkling wine in Virginia, owned by Claude Thibaut and Manuel Janisson. Claude Thibaut is the winemaker and runs the company, while Manuel Janisson’s, a producer of Grower-Champagne in France, role is that of an investor. Output currently is around 5000 cases.

Picture: Claude Thibault at American Wine Society (Northern Virginia Chapter)

Born and raised in the Champagne, this worldly winemaker, after having studied oenology in Reims, left his family’s vineyard in France to spend years creating well-known sparklers in Australia (3 years) and California (7 years). Claude Thibaut worked at the Kendall-Jackson, Jordan and Iron Horse wineries in California as well as Champagne Veuve Devaux, Bar sur Seine, France and Yarra Bank, Victoria, Australia. Claude is the original winemaker for the popular J sparkling wine from California.

In 2003, Claude moved to Charlottesville, Virginia, joining the Kluge Estate (which was recently bought by Donald Trump) as a consultant to spearhead the creation of a sparkling wine. Two years later, in 2005, he left Kluge and started his own label – Thibaut-Janisson - in partnership with Frenchman and friend Manuel Janisson, producer of the Champagne Janisson & Fils. Right from the beginning the objective was to produce ultra-premium sparkling wines from Virginia grapes.

Picture: Christian G.E.Schiller and Claude Thibaut at Srewtop Wine Bar

The first sparkler was released in November 2007. Since then, the Thibaut-Janisson sparklers have gained the reputation for being American sparklers that are as close as you can get to their cousins from Champagne. In particular, the Thibaut-Janisson sparklers have been served at various dinners at the White House, including several State Dinners.

What Claude Thibaut Poured

We had 8 sparklers, all from the US, except for 1, which was a Champagne. In addition to 2 Thibaut-Janisson sparklers from Virginia and a Janisson et Fils Champagne, Claude poured 2 Virginia sparklers made by Veritas, 1 Iron Horse sparkler from California and 2 J sparklers from California.

Picture: The Line-up

Thibaut-Janisson Xtra Brut (see below)

Thibaut-Janisson Blanc de Chardonnay (see below)

Veritas Scintilla, Blanc des Blancs

Picture: Veritas Scintilla, Blanc des Blancs

J Cuvee 20

Champagne Janisson et Fils Tradition

Champagne Janisson et Fils Tradition is Grower Champagne, i.e. the grapes are grown and the Champagne made by Janisson et Fils. Janisson et Fils started in the 1920’s with Manuel Janisson’s grandfather. He was one of the first to stop delivering his grapes to one of the big Champagne Houses and to start making is own (Grower) Champagne. Manuel grew up within the winery and was tutored in all facets of the operation, from vineyard management, winemaking, negotiating for grapes, to selling and delivering of the Champagnes the winery produced. In 2005, he ventured out to produce ultra-premium sparklers in Virginia, while he continues to produce Champagne in France.

Picture: Champagne Janisson et Fils Tradition

Iron Horse Blanc des Noirs

J Rose

Veritas Mousseux

Picture: Veritas Mousseux

The Thibaut-Janisson Portfolio

Thibaut Janisson Xtra Brut

This 100% Chardonnay blend is made from the Tête de Cuvée, or first pressing of the grapes, considered superior in quality, with a high percentage of reserve wines for extra complexity, depth and richness, and a low added dosage to preserve purity and freshness.

“Why is it 100% Chardonnay and not a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier” I asked Claude. “Because of the Virginia terroir and climate, there is no Pinot Noir produced here” said Claude.

Picture: Thibaut Janisson Xtra Brut

Thibaut-Janisson Blanc de Chardonnay

100% Chardonnay from the Monticello Appellation, aged for 3 years. The nose is apples, pears, and mushrooms; the palate is citrus, green apples, pears and nectarines, with a belt of tangy acidity and a convincing finish.

Picture: Thibaut-Janisson Blanc de Chardonnay

Thibaut Janisson Fizz (we did not taste this sparkler)

The Virginia Fizz is a 100% Chardonnay sparkler that aged for only about 1.5 years. It is fruitier, creamier, less yeasty than the Thibaut-Janisson, Blanc de Chardonnay. It is also slightly sweeter.

“I choose grapes that are little riper and have a little bit less acid than the grapes I choose for Thibaut-Janisson,” Claude said, when I tasted the Fizz with him. Also, the pressure of the Fizz is a bit lower. “I put less sugar in the bottles for the second fermentation, so less pressure develops” Claude said. Fully sparkling wines are generally sold with 5 to 6 atmospheres of pressure in the bottle. Semi-sparkling wines are defined as those with between 1 and 2.5 atmospheres of pressures and include Italian frizzante and French pétillant wines. The amount of pressure in the wine is determined by the amount of sugar added for the secondary fermentation with more sugar producing increased amount of carbon dioxide gas and thus pressure in the wine.

Picture: Thibaut Janisson Fizz

schiller-wine: Related Postings

As Close as You Can Get to Champagne – Claude Thibaut and his Virginia Thibaut Janisson Sparklers at screwtop Wine Bar, USA

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

Wines served at President Obama’s State Dinner in Honor of Prime Minister Singh from India.

Saint Valentine's Day: French Champagne, German Sekt or Virginia Sparkler!

Champagne in Russia

German Wine Basics: Sekt

Italy's Prosecco

Nyetimber's Classic Cuvee 2003 from England was Crowned Champion of Sparkling Wines in the World

German Wine Makers in the World: The Korbel Brothers from Bohemia Introduced "Champagne" to the US

German Wine Makers in the World: Anton Mueller Invented the Remuage Technique Revolutionizing Sparkling Wine Drinking, 1800s, France

German Wine Makers in the World: Eduard Werle --- Owner of the Veuve Cliquot Champagne house (France)

French Champagne Houses and German Roots

Picture: Bourgogne Tonnnere and Bourgogne Epineuil

The first Bourgogne wines we drank on the Bourgogne Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015) were wines from Tonnerre. These wines are pretty much unknown outside of the area of its production, although the Tonnerois “is an up-and-coming wine area” (Jancis Robinson).

In a broad sense, the Bourgogne also includes the Beaujolais in the South and (from west to east) the Vignoble de l’Auxerrois (south of the town of Auxerre), the Vignoble du Chablisien (around the town of Chablis) and the Vignoble du Tonnerrois (north of the town of Tonnerre with its 5500 inhabitants) in the North.

We spent our first night in Tonnerre at Hotel Auberge de Bourgogne, following the start of the tour in Hochheim, Germany, lunch at Restaurant Les Berges de l’Ource in Essoyes, the City of Renoir in the Southern Part of the Champagne, and a tour and tasting at Champagne Josselin in Gyé-sur-Seine, Champagne.

The Wines of Tonnerre

Winemaking in the Tonnerre Region goes back to Roman times. At the end of the 19th century the vineyards of Tonnerre totaled 5000 hectares. However, the phylloxera wiped out the vineyards in the area. Today, after extensive replanting starting in the 1970s, winemaking is back to about 200 hectares.

Picture: Auxerrois, Chablis and Tonnerois

The replanting of the vineyards began in Epineuil. The Appellation Bourgogne Epineuil (86 hectares) was created in 1993 for the red and rosé wines of the commune. In 2006 the Appelation Bourgogne Tonnerre (103 hectares) was added. The Bourgogne Tonnerre appellation stretches over six communes – Tonnerre, Molosmes, Epineuil, Junay, Dannemoine and Vézinnes – and can only be used for white wine. Tonnerre and Molosmes are the two principal communes, accounting for more than 70 percent of the vineyard area.

Generally, the soils, full of white pebbles, resemble those of the nearby Chablis region (Kimmeridgian or associated limestone).

Picture: Picture: Bourgogne Tonnnere and Bourgogne Epineuil

Postings on the Bourgogne Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France (Posted and Forthcoming)

Bourgogne Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

Champagne Jean Josselin in Gyé-sur-Seine: Tour and Tasting with Jean Pierre Josselin - Bourgogne Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

The Wines of Tonnerre (Bourgogne)

Visit: Domaine Séguinot-Bordet in Maligny, Chablis: Cellar Tour and Chablis Tasting with Owner and Winemaker Jean-François Bordet

Domaine Brocard in Chablis: Lunch, Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting with Odile Van Der Moere, Responsable de Cave

Dinner at Hostellerie Chateau de la Barge in Creches-sur-Saone

Domaine Ferret in Fuissé, Poully-Fuissé, Mâconnais: Vineyard Walk, Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting with Cyril Laumain, Chef de Cave

Lunch at Hostellerie d'Heloise in Cluny

Domaine Theulot Juillot in Mercurey, Côte Chalonnaise: Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting with Nathalie and Jean-Claude Theulot

Maison Olivier Leflaive in Puligny-Montrachet: Vineyard Walk Cellar Tour and Lunch with Wine Tasting at Restaurant La Table d’Olivier Leflaive with Patrick Leflaive

Wine Tasting at Domaine Mestre Père & Fils in Santenay with Jonathan Maestre

Visit: Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils in Beaune

Schiller's Favorite Wine Bars in Beaune, Bourgogne

Visit: Musée de l’Hospice de Beaune with Karoline Knoth, M.A.

Domaine A-F Gros in Beaune: Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting with Owner and Winemaker Mathias Parent

Visit: Maison Joseph Drouhin in Beaune

Domaine Faiveley in Nuits-Saint-George: Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting with Mathilde Nicolas (Brand Ambassador)

Wine Tasting at Domaine du Château de Prémeaux in Nuits Saint Georges with Owner and Winemaker Arnaud Pelletier

Domaine Armelle et Bernard Rion in Vosne-Romanée: Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting with Bernard Rion and Alice Rion

Domaine Guillon & Fils in Gevrey Chambertin: Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting with Jean-Michel Guillon

Visit: Château du Clos de Vougeot

Picture: Markus Pawis, Weingut Pawis, and the Wines he Poured for us at the Brunnenhaus

Weingut Pawis is arguably the #1 producer in the Saale-Unstut Region in the eastern part of Germany. Weingut Lützkendorf, which we visited also on the Germany-East Wine and Art Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), and Winzerhof Gussek, which we visited on the last year’s tour, are the other 2 contenders for the #1 spot in the region. You should also watch Weingut Hey in Naumburg and Weingut Thürkind in Gröst.

Marcus Pawis, son of Bernhard and Kerstin Pawis, was our host this time. He took as on a tour of the estate and lead a winetasting at the newly renovated Brunnenhaus.

Bernhard and Kerstin Pawis greeted us. We also had the chance to meet the father of Bernhard Pawis, Herbert Pawis, who still runs a small wine tavern.

Pictures: Bernhard Pawis Greeting us

Weingut Pawis

Weingut Pawis is located in the historic Zscheiplitz Estate, close to Freyburg. The renovation of the Estate was a major undertaking. The just added the Brunnenhaus, an event location with hotel rooms, to the gorgeous set-up.

Pictures: Weingut Pawis

Bernhard Pawis is a trained winemaker, who got his education in the former German Democratic Republic. Shortly after the Berlin Wall came down in 1990, Bernhard’s parents - Herbert and Irene Pawis– bought 0.5 hectares of vineyard land and founded a small winery cum wine tavern (Strausswirtschaft). They sold the wine they produced in tavern on their premise. Bernhard had a day job, but helped his parents after work.

Pictures: 3 Generations of the Pawis Family

Business was good, so when his father died in 1998, Bernhard decided to quit his job take over his parents’ winery. He constructed a modern winery in the center of Freyburg and enlarged the winery’s vineyard land through purchases and long-term lease arrangements. In 1995, Weingut Pawis produced 5.000 bottles, five years later 2000 50.000 bottles. Not only quantity improved, but also the quality of the Weingut Pawis wines and in 2001, Weingut Pawis was invited to join the VDP, Germany’s association of elite winemakers.

Picures: Annette Schiller and Bernhard Pawis, Weingut Pawis, at Kloster Eberbach, Rheingau

The VDP membership put Weingut Pawis on Germany’s wine map and the winery Bernhard had constructed 10 years ago reached capacity limits. Bernard moved again, this time to something grand, the historic Estate Zscheiplitz. The former feudal Estate Zscheiplitz was completely run-down and required a major renovation effort. Bernhard pushed ahead with it, overcoming many obstacles. Since May 2007, the Weingut Pawis is based at the Zscheiplitz Estate in Freyburg-Zscheiplitz.

The vineyard area totals 14 hectares, with holdings in the Edelacker, a VDP.Grosse Lage (Grand Cru), Mühlberg (Freyburg) and Sonneneck (Naumburg). The area is planted with the white varieties Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Müller-Thurgau, Silvaner, Bacchus and Kerner, and with the red varieties Dornfelder, Portugieser, Pinot Noir and Regent. The white varieties account for 80% of the portfolio.

Pictures: Annette and Christian Schiller and Bernhard and Kerstin Pawis at Weingut Pawis at a Previous Visit

In terms of winemaking philosophy, Weingut Pawis follows sustainable vineyard practices. The wines are made primarily in a dry style, using temperature-controlled fermentation. The premium wines are matured in barriques made from the Trias oak found in the region. When vintage conditions permit, noble sweet wines are also made. The estate also produces bottle-fermented sparkling wines and grappa-style spirits.

Weingut Pawis sells about 1/3 of its production in the western part of Germany. This is unusually large, but having met Bernhard Pawis and his wife Kerstin, seen the hip tasting room and tasted his wines, I can see why Bernhard Pawis is much more successful in the western part of Germany than his colleagues.

Pictures: Touring the Estate with Marcus Pawis

Marcus Pawis and the Brunnenhaus

The Brunnenhaus is the latest addition to the Pawis Empire. Right next to the winery, it is an event location with hotel rooms, managed by Marcus Pawis. Our tasting took place in the Brunnenhaus.

Pictures: The Brunnenhaus

Marcus Pawis, borne in 1986, has a Bachelor and Master for Event Management (Berlin) and runs the Brunnenhaus.

What Marcus Pawis Poured

The Saale Unstrut and Sachsen VDP decided to drop the Ortswein category and to go for a 3-tier classification system: Gutswein, Erste Lage, Grosse Lage..

2011 Weingut Pawis Blauer Zweigelt Sekt brut
2014 Weingut Pawis Weissburgunder trocken
2014 Weingut Pawis Grauburgunder Muschelkalk trocken
2014 Weingut Pawis Riesling R 736 Freyburger Edelacker trocken
2013Weingut Pawis Riesling Grosses Gewächs Edelacker
2013 Weingut Pawis Grauburgunder Grosses Gewächs Edelacker
2013 Weingut Pawis Weissburgunder Grosses Gewächs Edelacker
2013 Weingut Pawis Blauer Zweigelt Barrique trocken

Pictures: Tasting with Marcus Pawis

Bye-bye

Thanks Marcus for a great tour and tasting.

Picture: Marcus Pawis with a Poaster Announcing a Concert of his Rock Band

Postings: Germany-East Wine and Art Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)(Published and Forthcoming)

Preview: Germany-East Wine and Art Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

The Art Marketer: OMBIASY PR & WINE TOURS - Germany-East

Germany-East Wine and Art Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Tasting at Weingut Lützkendorf with Uwe Lützkendorf – Germany-East Wine and Art Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Weingut Pawis (Saale Unstrut): Estate Tour and Wine Tasting with Markus Pawis – Germany-East Wine and Art Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Cellar Tour, Wine Tasting and Lunch at Weingut Thürkind in the Saale-Unstrut Region

Schiller's Favorite Winemakers in the Saale Unstrut Region

Cellar Tour, Vineyard Tour and Wine Tasting at Weingut Schloss Proschwitz in Sachsen, with Owner Georg Prinz zur Lippe

Dinner with Georg Prinz zur Lippe at Weingut Schloss Proschwitz in Sachsen

Cellar Tour and Lunch at Weingut Karl Friedrich Aust in Sachsen

Cellar Tour, Art Tour and Wine Tasting at Weingut Zimmerling with Winemaker Klaus Zimmerling and Artist Malgorzata Chodakoska in Sachsen

Schiller's Favorite Winemakers in Sachsen

Visit and Tasting at Weingut Wirsching in Iphofen, Franken

Visit and Tasting at Weingut Am Stein Ludwig Knoll in Würzburg, Franken

Cellar Tour and Tasting with Star Winemaker Paul Fürst at Weingut Fürst in Franken

Würzburg and its 3 Historic Wine Taverns: Juliusspital, Bürgerspital and Staatlicher Hofkeller

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Graf Neipperg in Schwaigern, Württemberg

Tasting at Weingut Dautel in Württemberg with Christian Dautel

Wine Pairing Dinner at Restaurant Friedrich von Schiller in Bietigheim-Bissingen in Württemberg

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Herzog von Württemberg at Schloss Monrepos with Owner F.R.H. Carl Duke of Württemberg

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting with Rainer Schnaitmann at Weingut Rainer Schnaitmann in Fellbach, Württemberg

Wine Tasting at Weingut Simon-Bürkle in Zwingenberg, Hessische Bergstrasse

schiller-wine: Related Postings (Weingut Pawis)

4 Wine Tours by ombiasy coming up in 2015: Germany-East, Germany-South. Germany-Nord and Bordeaux

Bourgogne Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

Germany-East Wine and Art Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Weingut Pawis (Saale Unstrut): Estate Tour and Wine Tasting with Kerstin Pawis – Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

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

Weingut Pawis in Saale Unstrut, Germany (2011)

Picture: Lunch cum Tasting at Weingut Schätzel with Nanne Schätzel

The last visit (of a total of 21 visits) on the Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014) was at Weingut Schätzel, which is owned and run by Kai Schätzel. Kai was on a sales trip in Northern Europe and we were hosted by Kai Schätzel’s mother, Nanne Schätzel used to run the winery for many years, before Kai took over.

The visit comprised a cellar tour and a fine lunch (cooked by Nanne Schätzel) cum wine tasting. The stunning wines, the historical setting, the hospitality and warmth of this family, the German “Gemütlichkeit”, made the perfect finale for our tour.

Before arriving at the winery we stopped at the Roter Hang vineyard (Red Slope), the famous vineyard with its outstanding terroir. From there we had a breathtaking view of surrounding vineyards, the Rhine River, and the Frankfurt skyline.

In the Roter Hang (Red Slope)

The stretch of vineyards which runs from Bodenheim (south of Mainz) in the north to Mettenheim in the south, is often referred to as the Rheinterrasse. The vineyards of the Rheinterrasse have a favored mesoclimate in comparison with others in the region. The Rheinterrasse accounts for one-third of Rheinhessen’s Riesling wines. The wines from the Rheinterrasse were at some point more expensive than Bordeaux wines.

The Roter Hang (Red Slope) is at the center of the Rheinterrasse. This steep slope extends for some five kilometers with a total of 180 hectares around Nierstein on the left bank of the Rhine.

The Roter Hang has a very special terroir, resulting from the drop of the Rheinhessen plateau before human life started. As a consequence of these movements the Roter Hang has a mineral-rich soil, a mixture of iron and clayish slate, which is at least 250 million years old (Permian Period). Further, the slope faces south to southeast, which helps in terms of the solar radiation. The red slate retains warmth, and additional warmth comes from the sunlight reflected from the surface of the Rhine.

Pictures: In the Roter Hang (Red Slope) Before the Visit of Weingut Schätzel

Weingut Schätzel

The Schätzel family has been making wine for 650 years, for 5 generations at the current location: the General von Zastrow Estate. Today, the winery is owned and managed by Kai Schätzel, who is one of the upcoming young winemakers in Rheinhessen. When he became fully responsible, he decided to change course at Weingut Schätzel and to aim at becoming a nationally and internationally recognized premium wine producer.

As a result, in the prestigious Gault Millau WeinGuide Deutschland 2011, Weingut Schätzel moved from 1 to 2 grapes (with 5 grapes being the maximum). “A new fixture in the reemerging Red Slope of Nierstein”, noted the Gault Millau WeinGuide Deutschland. Kai Schätzel continued to move up. Today, he is at 3.5 grapes.

Kai Schätzel

Kai started to work early at the winery – in 1996, even before he got his “Abitur” (highschool degree) in 1998. He fully took over Weingut Schätzel from his parents in 2007. In the meantime, he studied business economics in Hamburg graduating with the Diplom Kaufmann degree, served in the army, and interned at wineries, including in the US.

Picture: Christian Schiller and Kai Schätzel at the Roter Hang Festival

When he became fully responsible, he decided to change course at Weingut Schätzel and to aim at becoming a nationally and internationally recognized premium wine producer. Of course, with his business degree, he had many other options. But he went for the wine option – making premium wines at a small boutique winery, suggesting, as Kai explained to me, that his decision was driven by a lot of passion for making good wine.
vineyard of the estate.

Pictures: In the Garden of Weingut Schäetzel with Kai Schätzel

In the Cellar

The first thing we did after we arrived was to visit the impressive, very old vaulted underground wine cellar with Nanne Schätzel. I visited the cellar before with Kai and I am using here his explainations.

“The fermentation takes place in this 800 years old cellar” explained Kai. “After manually and selectively harvesting the grapes, the grapes are transported to the winery in small boxes. Here the grapes are crushed and remain up to 24 hours on the skins. Through the so-called maceration, aromas are released from the skin and the wines become more complex.”

Then the grapes are pressed. Throughout the whole mash treatment, no pumps are used. The grapes are always tilted gently. “So we avoid injuries on stems and seeds.” The fresh juice is clarified by sedimentation. “That means, we wait until cloudy sediment settles on the ground. What remains above the sediment is then a clear liquid in the tank. Through this natural process we avoid the use of filters. The clear juice flows into the oak barrels in the wine cellar.”

Pictures: In the Cellar with Nanne Schätzel

For the fermentation, each wine gets its own oak barrel. Most of the barrels are 600 or 1,200 liters in size and up to 50 years old. There are about 50 oak barrels in Schätzel’s vaulted underground cellar.

Approximately 70% of the wines fermented with wild yeasts. “The so-called spontaneous fermentation requires permanent control and is somewhat risky. The ancient and natural method gives each wine a chance to find itself and to develop its own character. Again, we stay as much as possible in the background and follow the process. That means in practical terms that we have to control each barrel several times a day. If all goes well, the young wines ferment for about 2 to 3 months and then have most of their natural sugar converted into alcohol. If we feel that the fermentation in the wooden barrels is too rough, we can cool each barrel individually and thus curb the yeasts” explained Kai.

After fermentation, the yeast settles gradually at the bottom of the barrel. “Our single vineyard wines mature until May sur lie and are bottled directly from there with only one pump and filter process. Again, it goes without saying that our aim is to stress the sensitive wine as little as possible and treat the very gently.” Kai said.

He continued: “In a way, we are actually quite old-fashioned. We use the old methods of our grandfathers. The continuous monitoring and adaptation of the strategy, if necessary, is very time consuming and complex. Overall, each individual wine is the sum of a lot of what Mother Nature did and many small human decisions. Sometimes the progress is in looking back. A prudent combination of old methods with modern processes guide our way of making our wines.”

The white wines are slowly fermented, almost exclusively with natural yeast and age for a long time sur lie. Following the traditional mash fermentation the red wines age sur lie for up to 36 months in large oak barrels (600 liter), with frequent manual batonnage (stirring the lees back up into the wine). The primary reasons for sur lie aging are to enhance the structure and mouth feel of a wine, give it extra body and increase the aromatic complexity, flavor/aroma depth and length.

Kai: “Each wine has its own oak barrel, gets its own treatment and has its own schedule. There is no one-fits-all treatment of my wines. We only have five acres and cultivate them almost completely by hand. This size allows us to have a good overview of each barrel in the cellar. In fact, every barrel tastes differently, even if they share the noble character is the Red Slope. This is of course very far from conventional economic thinking, but it works well because our Riesling and Sylvaner wines are very much appreciated by the young audience and young TV Chefs.”

The Vineyards

The vineyard area is small, just 5 hectares, with the single vineyards Heiligenbaum, Hipping, Ölberg and Pettenthal in the Red Slope. Riesling accounts for 70%, with the remainder made up by Silvaner and Spätburgunder. In the vineyard, Kai follows ecological principles.

“Great wines are grown in the vineyard. And because we know this we're trying to interfere with what is happening during the year in the vineyard as little as possible. During harvest time, we watching very carefully what is going on in the vineyard and gradually pick out only the best grapes. So it happens that between September and mid November we are up to 5 times in a vineyard to selectively harvest, of course, by hand.”

Lunch and Tasting with Nanne Schätzel

Pictures: Lunch cum Tasting with Nanne Schätzel

The Wines

Gutswein

2013 Weingut Schätzel ReinRosé
2013 Weingut Schätzel Silvaner
2013 Weingut Schätzel Riesling
2012 Weingut Schätzel Riesling

Ortswein

2013 ReinSchiefer Nierstein Riesling

Kai produces 2 dry wines at the Ortswein level – same treatment in the cellar, but one wine comes from a vineyard with loess and the other one from a vineyard with slate. The Reinlöss (which we did not have) is a bit smoother, softer on the palate than the Reinschiefer. Both are lovely wines. I prefer the Reinschiefer.

Lagenwein

2013 Weingut Schätzel Heiligenbaum Riesling
2013 Weingut Schätzel Pettenthal Riesling

This is Kai Schätzel’s premium Riesling from the Red Slope of Nierstein. Pale lemon color, very mineral notes on the nose, coupled with pineapple and ripe pear aromas, medium-bodied, good mouth feel, again mineral and a light floral notes on the palate, all very pleasing.

Ortswein

2013 Weingut Schätzel KabiNett Nierstein Riesling fruchtig

The fermentation was stopped to produce a wine with a bit of remaining sugar.

Prädikatswein

2011 Weingut Schätzel SpätLese Ölberg Riesling

Bye-bye

Thanks Nanne for a wonderful cellar tour, tasting and lunch.

Picutres: Leaving Weingut Schätzel

schiller-wine: Related Postings

4 Wine Tours by ombiasy coming up in 2015: Germany-East, Germany-South. Germany-Nord and Bordeaux

Germany-East Wine and Art Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Bourgogne Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy, 2014

Germany-South Wine Tour by ombiasy, 2014

Bordeaux Wine Tour 2013 by ombiasy

Weingut Pawis (Saale Unstrut): Estate Tour and Wine Tasting with Kerstin Pawis– Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

Weingut Kloster Pforta: Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting with Managing Director Christian Kloss – Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

Winzerhof Gussek in the Saale Unstrut Region: Cellar Tour, Vineyard Tour and Tasting with Owner and Winemaker André Gussek – Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

Tour and Tasting at the Historic Weingut Juliusspital in Würzburg, Franken– Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

Weingut Bickel-Stumpf in Franken: Vineyard Walk and Wine Tasting with Reimund Stumpf, Matthias Stumpf and Melanie Stumpf-Kröger - Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

Kiedrich: Visit of the Basilica of Saint Valentine and of Weingut Robert Weil - Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

Kloster Eberbach in the Rheingau: Tour and Wine Tasting - Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

Wining in the Steinberg Vineyard– Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

Visit: Winzerhof Thörle in Saulheim, Rheinhessen – Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

Wine Tasting at Weingut Kühling-Gillot in Bodenheim: Kühling-Gillot and Battenfeld-Spanier Wines– Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

Vineyard Walk, Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting at Weingut Künstler– Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

One of the Bio-dynamic Stars in Germany: Weingut Peter Jakob Kühn in Östrich, Winkel– Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

In the Mittelrhein Valley, an UNESCO World Heritage Region – Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

Vineyard Tour and Wine Tasting at Weingut Clemens Busch– Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)

Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting at Weingut Selbach-Oster in Zeltingen, Mosel, with Johannes Selbach – Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)

Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting at Weingut Von Hövel in Konz, Saar Valley, Mosel, with Owner and Winemaker Max von Kunow - Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)

Lunch and Wine Tasting at Weingut Reichsgraf von Kesselstatt in Morscheid, Mosel with Owner Annegret Reh-Gartner – Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)

Wine Tasting and Cellar Tour at Weingut Dönnhoff with Christina Dönnhoff– Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)

Lunch and Wine Tasting with Georg Rumpf, Weingut Kruger-Rumpf, Nahe Valley – Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)

Tasting with Sylvain Taurisson Diel at Schlossgut Diel, Nahe– Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)

Blind Tasting of Top Wines from Rheinhessen with Roland Ladendorf at Weinhaus Bluhm in Mainz– Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)

Tour, Tasting, and Lunch at Weingut Schätzel in Nierstein, Rheinhessen – Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)

schiller-wine - Related Postings (Weingut Schätzel)

Tasting the Wines of the Roter Hang (Red Slope), Nierstein, Rheinhessen, in the Roter Hang, Germany – Schiller’s Favorites

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

Riesling Lounge Goes Lomo, Germany

Pictures: Winemaker of the Year, Gault Millau WeinGuide Deutschland 2015, Thomas Haag, Weingut Schloss Lieser, with Joel B. Payne, Father Wilhelm Haag, also Winemaker of the Year (some 20 Years ago) and Christian G.E. Schiller. Thomas Haag, Weingut Schloss Lieser, was Promoted to 5 Grapes.

The Gault Milla Deutschland WeinGuide is arguably the leading German wine guide. I already posted a number of articles about the Gault Millau Deutschland WeinGuide 2015:

Germany’s Best Winemakers and Wines – Gault Millau WeinGuide Deutschland 2015 Awards Ceremony in Mainz, Germany
Thomas Haag, Weingut Schloss Lieser, Germany’s Winemaker of the Year, Gault Millau WeinGuide Deutschland 2015
Germany's Top 11 Winemakers (with 5 out of 5 Grapes) - The Gault Millau WeinGuide Deutschland 2015

This posting is a listing of the wine producers that were promoted and demoted in the Gault Millau Deutschland WeinGuide 2015, grouped by regions. Note that those winemakers who were demoted to zero grapes and are thus not listed in the Gault Millau Deutschland WeinGuide anymore are also not included in the listing below.

Picture: Gault Millau WeinGuide Deutschland 2015

Ahr

Demotion to 3 grapes:
J.J. Adeneuer, Ahrweiler

Baden

Promotion to 3 grapes:
Arndt F. Köbelin, Eichstetten

See also:
Wine Maker Arndt Koebelin at K+M Gutsweine in Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Picture: Christian Schiller with Arndt Köbelin in Frankfurt am Main

Promotion to 1 grape:
Gerhard Karle, Ihringen

Demotions to 2 grape:
Holub, Herbolzheim
Spitalkellerei Konstanz
Staatsweingut Meersburg

Franken

Promotion to 3 grapes:
Michael Fröhlich, Escherndorf

Promotions to 2 grapes:
Augustin, Sulzfeld
Josef Walter, Bürgstadt

Promotions to 1 grape:
Hillabrand, Hüttenheim
Helmut und Bernd Hofheim, Ipsheim
Ilbacher Hof, Iphofen
Scheuring, Margetshöchheim
Vetter, Iphofen

Demotions to 2 grapes:
Heigel, Zell
Graf Schönborn, Volkach
Staatlicher Hofkeller, Würzburg

Demotion to 1 grape:
Günther Bardorf, Randersacker

Hessische Bergstrasse

Promotion to 1 grape:
Vinum autmundis, Gross-Umstadt

Demotion to 1 grape:
Hessische Staatsweingüter, Bensheim

Mittelrhein

Promotion to 2 grapes:
Josten und Klein, Remagen

Demotions to 1 grapes:
Fetz, Dörscheid
Toni Lorenz, Boppard

Mosel

Promotion to 5 grapes:
Schloss Lieser, Thomas Haag, Lieser

Picture: Thomas Haag, Owner and Winemaker, Weingut Schloss Lieser, in Mainz

See also:
Thomas Haag, Weingut Schloss Lieser, Germany’s Winemaker of the Year, Gault Millau WeinGuide Deutschland 2015

Promotion to 3 grapes:
J.J. Christoffel Erben, Ürzig

Promotions to 2 grapes:
Bastgen, Monzel
Bischöfliche Weingüter, Trier
Dr. Fischer, Ockfen
Julian Haart, Piesport
Freiherr von Heddesdorff, Winningen
Lothar Kettern, Piesport
Nick Köwerich, Leiwen
Mönchhof Robert Eymael, Ürzig
Richard Richter, Winningen

See also:
3 German Winemakers – Dr. Fischer, Fitz-Ritter and G.A. Schneider – and the American Institute for Wine and Food (AIWF) at the L2 Lounge in Washington DC, USA

Pictures: Karin Fischer of Weingut Dr. Fischer in Washington DC

Promotions to 1 grape:
Knoth-Trossen, Kröv
Lorenz, Detzem
Ingo Norwig, Burgen
K.J. Thui, Thörnich

Demotion to 1 grape:
Becker-Steinhauer, Mülheim
Gietzen, Hatzenport

Nahe

Promotion to 3 grapes:
Gebrüder Kauer, Windesheim

Promotions to 2 grapes:
Genheimer-Kiltz, Gutenberg
Honrath, Langenlonsheim
Von Racknitz, Odernheim
Schauss, Monzingen
Karl Stein, Oberhausen

See also:
The (Grape) Wines and the Apple Wine of Weingut von Racknitz, Germany

Picture: Owner and Winemaker Matthias Adams, Weingut von Racknitz, in Frankfurt am Main

Demotion to 4 grapes:
Dönnhoff, Oberhausen

See also:
Cornelius Dönnhoff, Weingut Dönnhoff: Stuart Pigott’s Winemaker of the Year, Germany

Picture: Cornelius and Helmut Dönnhoff and Martin Tesch, Weingut Tesch, at the Second International Riesling Symposium in the Rheingau in Germany

Demotion to 2 grapes:
Bamberger, Meddersheim

Demotions to 1 grape:
Prinz Salm, Wallhausen
Staatsweingut, Bad Kreuznach

Pfalz

Promotions to 2 grapes:
Uli Metzger, Grünstadt-Asselheim
Wegner, Bad Dürkheim
Valentin Ziegler Sohn, Weyher

Promotions to 1 grape:
Josef Biffar, Deidesheim
Boudier Koeller, Stetten
Hahn-Pahlke, Battenberg
Motzenbäcker, Ruppertsberg

Demotion to 3 grapes:
Georg Mosbacher, Forst

Demotions to 1 grape:
Fitz-Ritter, Bad Dürkheim
Immergartenhof, Maikammer
Heiner Sauer, Böchingen

Rheingau

Promotions to 2 grapes:
Bardong, Geisenheim
Fricke, Kiedrich
Goldatzel, Johannisberg
Oetinger, Erbach

See also:
A Small, Premium Sekt Producer: Sektkellerei Bardong in the Rheingau, Germany

Picture: Christian G.E. Schiller with Norbert and Renate Bardong, Sektkellerei Bardong

Promotions to 1 grape:
Baison, Hochheim
Bickelmeier, Winkel
Biebers, Geisenheim
Schreiber, Hochheim
Weinwerk, Rüdesheim

See also:
“Hoffest” (Winery Party) at Weingut Heinrich Baison in Hochheim, Rheingau - Best of Riesling 2010 Award Winner

Picture: Christian Schiller with Best of Riesling 2010 Award Winners Heinrich and Heinz Baison, Weingut Baison, Hochheim, Rheingau, Germany

Rheinhessen

Promotions to 3 grapes:
Beck – Hedesheimer Hof, Stadecken-Elsheim
Geil Erben, Bechtheim
Karl May, Osthofen

Promotions to 2 grapes
Espenhof, Flonheim-Uffhofen
Gres, Appenheim
Keller, Worms-Pfiffligheim
Russbach, Eppelsheim

Promotions to 1 grape:
Bossert, Gundersheim
Eller, Alsheim
Sektmanufaktur Strauch
Abthof, Hahnheim
Schmitt, Mommenheim
Strebel, Wintersheim

Demotions to 2 grapes:
Groebe, Westhofen
Peth-Wetz, Bermesheim

Demotion to 1 grape:
Milch, Monsheim

Saale-Unstrut

No change

Sachsen

No change

Württemberg

Promotion to 4 grapes:
Neipperg, Schwaigern

See also:
Germany-East Wine and Art Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Pictures: At Weingut Graf Neipperg in Schwaigern, Württemberg, with Björn Schilling

Promotion to 1 grape:
Forsthof, Steinheim-Kleinbottwar

Demotion to 2 grapes:
Weinmanufaktur Untertürkheim

schiller-wine - Related Postings

4 Wine Tours by ombiasy coming up in 2015: Germany-East, Germany-South. Germany-Nord and Bordeaux

Germany-East Wine and Art Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Bourgogne Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy, 2014

Germany-South Wine Tour by ombiasy, 2014

A Small, Premium Sekt Producer: Sektkellerei Bardong in the Rheingau, Germany

Wine Maker Arndt Koebelin at K+M Gutsweine in Frankfurt am Main, Germany

The (Grape) Wines and the Apple Wine of Weingut von Racknitz, Germany

3 German Winemakers – Dr. Fischer, Fitz-Ritter and G.A. Schneider – and the American Institute for Wine and Food (AIWF) at the L2 Lounge in Washington DC, USA

Cornelius Dönnhoff, Weingut Dönnhoff: Stuart Pigott’s Winemaker of the Year, Germany

Germany’s Best Winemakers and Wines – Gault Millau WeinGuide Deutschland 2015 Awards Ceremony in Mainz, Germany

Thomas Haag, Weingut Schloss Lieser, Germany’s Winemaker of the Year, Gault Millau WeinGuide Deutschland 2015

Germany's Top 11 Winemakers (with 5 out of 5 Grapes) - The Gault Millau WeinGuide Deutschland 2015

Picture: Annette Schiller, Susanne Ruitenberg and Jean-François Bordet at Domaine Séguinot-Bordet

The Bourgogne Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015) included 2 visits of highly-regarded Chablis producers: Domaine Séguinot-Bordet in the North of Chablis and Domaine Jean-Marc Brocard in the South of the region.

Pictures: Domaine Séguinot-Bordet

Until the end of 2013, Jean-François Bordet, who owns and runs Domaine Séguinot-Bordet, also had the job of President of the Chablis Wine Board, which includes representing the wines of Chablis on marketing tours around the world. In that function, Jean-François Bordet visited LA and Washington DC in November 2013. Several events took place in Washington DC. I was privileged to be able to attend a tête-à-tête Chablis Dinner in Washington DC at Chef Robert Wiedmaier’s Marcel’s and Annette Schiller a fine luncheon at Proof. That’s how the contact between Annette Schiller and Jean-François Bordet was established.

See also:
Pure Chablis – A tête-à-tête Dinner in Washington DC at Marcel’s with Chablis Wine Board President and Winemaker Jean-François Bordet, Domaine Séguinot-Bordet, USA/France

Pictures: Welcome

Chablis

Chablis is part of the Bourgogne wine region, but wines from Chablis are usually referred to by their own name. Chablis is up in the north, a separate wine region.

Burgundy is the most terroir-oriented region in France. Immense attention is paid to the area of origin, as opposed to Bordeaux, where classifications are producer-driven and awarded to individual chateaux. In Burgundy, a specific vineyard or region will bear a given classification, regardless of the wine producer.

Pictures: Chablis and its Classification

The main levels in the Chablis classifications, in descending order of quality, are:

(1) At the top of the classification are the Grand Cru vineyards, which are all located on a single hillside near the town of Chablis. The Grand Cru vineyards cover a 106 hectare area, made up of 7 “Climats” (Blanchot, Bougros, Les Clos, Grenouilles, Preuses, Valmur and Vaudersir) and account for around 3% of Chablis’ production.

(2) Second in quality are the Premier Cru vineyards, covering an area of 750 hectares, gathered together into 40 “Climats”.

(3) Next is the generic AOC Chablis, the largest appellation.

(4) At the lowest end of the classification is Petit Chablis, which comprises the outlying land.

Pictures: Jean-François Bordet at Marcel's in Washington DC with Sommelier Moez Ben Achour, Christian Schiller, and Chef Paul Stearman

Chablis wines are almost all Chardonnay, bone-dry and fresh, with good acidity. Compared with the whites from the rest of Burgundy, Chablis tends to have much less influence of oak. Typically, Chablis is completely unoaked, vinified in stainless steel tanks, although many Grand Cru and Premier Cru wines receive some maturation in oak barrels. But aging time in the barrel and the share of new wood tends to be much smaller than for white wines of the Cote d’Or.

Pictures: Jean-François Bordet, Annette Schiller and Christian Schiller at Domaine Séguinot-Bordet

Jean-François Bordet and Domaine Séguinot-Bordet

Domaine Séguinot-Bordet dates from 1590, having been passed down through the generations until now, with Jean-François Bordet in control, who took over from his grandfather. Jean-Francois Bordet has established his own name after an apprenticeship with his grandfather. Whereas most of his vineyards are Petit Chablis or Chablis, he is lucky enough to own a slice of Fourchaume, felt by many to be the finest of the Premier Cru vineyards.

Pictures: In the Cellar of Domaine Séguinot-Bordet with Jean-François Bordet

The wines are made in a modern winery, with vinification in stainless steel vats to preserve freshness. Jean-François places particular emphasis on obtaining the best fruit possible, through careful pruning, debudding and harvesting. Jean-François Bordet practices cool fermentation and allows his wines to mature for 3-5 months on their lees; this maximizes the contact and promotes a luscious style to the wines.

Jean-François Bordet makes 10,000 cases of wine.

The Domaine Séguinot-Bordet Portfolio

We tasted our way through the Domaine Séguinot-Bordet Portfolio

Petit Chablis

Very pretty pale golden yellow in color with light greenish glints. Bright, luminous and limpid. The nose is young, fresh and vivacious in a whirlwind of floral, fruity scents. The taste is lively, pleasant and perfumed, revealing lemon and verbena on a fine mineral background. We discover the pleasure of drinking for sheer enjoyment. The finish is pleasant leaving the mouth tingling with an airy freshness.

Pictures: Tasting with Jean-François Bordet

Chablis

Very pretty pale golden yellow in color with light greenish glints. Bright, luminous and limpid. Le nez is reminiscent of the scented freshness of a lovely summer’s morning. The taste is perfect harmony of maturity, mellowness and vivacity. The flowers and fruit reappear, enhanced by charming biscuit notes. The mineral touch, fine and airy, shows through well on the finish to accompany our thirst and pleasure right to the end.

Chablis Vieilles Vignes

Very pretty pale golden yellow in color with light greenish glints. Bright, luminous and limpid. The nose is copious, fresh and expressive. It illustrates its maturity with bright colors, sparkling yellows and shining gold. The taste again reveals its powerful nature, rich, charming and elegant. A harmonious combination of powerful mellowness and tender vivacity. The long so obviously mineral finish is a perfect illustration of the wine’s serious yet charming character.

Pictures: Interruption of the Tasting

Chablis Sainte Victoire

Very pretty pale golden yellow in color with light greenish glints. Bright, luminous and limpid. Already on the nose one can sense its good breeding, freshness and maturity in a festival of flower and fruit. The fruit is ripe, bursting with sunshine. The taste is powerful with a pretty harmonious mellowness that is transported by a frank, yet far from aggressive liveliness. The pronounced mineral finish combined with delicate toasty, vanilla note ensures long lasting pleasure.

Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons

Very pretty pale gold with light green hints. Bright, intense. The nose is a tornado of fresh perfumed flowers, leading the way to a summer fruit platter of peaches, pears and melon. Flowers and fruit compete in harmony with great balance achieved by fresh acidity. The long finish adds to its complexity.

Chablis 1er Cru Fourchaume

Very pretty pale golden yellow in color with light greenish glints. Bright, luminous and limpid. The nose is an explosion of fine fresh notes, of elegant white flowers, fresh brioche and leafy tenderness. The taste reveals instantly all its power, richness and elegance-perfect balance of finess, mineral, mellowness and vivacity. It generously offers us a full spectrum of aromas. The finish just goes on and on, never to the forgotten.

Chablis Grand Cru Vaudésir

Very pretty pale golden yellow in color with light greenish glints. Bright, luminous and limpid… The nose is like a ray of sunshine with a multitude of summer scents. The taste is a perfect balance of class and elegance, vivacity and mellowness. The finish – this is never -ending-, smooth and silky, harmonious and nimble.

Bye-bye

Thanks Jean-François Bordet for a great visit.

Pictures: Jean-François Bordet and Annette Schiller at Domaine Séguinot-Bordet

Postings on the Bourgogne Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France (Posted and Forthcoming)

Bourgogne Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

Champagne Jean Josselin in Gyé-sur-Seine: Tour and Tasting with Jean Pierre Josselin - Bourgogne Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

The Wines of Tonnerre, France – Bourgogne Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Visit: Domaine Séguinot-Bordet in Maligny, Chablis: Cellar Tour and Chablis Tasting with Owner and Winemaker Jean-François Bordet

Domaine Brocard in Chablis: Lunch, Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting with Odile Van Der Moere, Responsable de Cave

Dinner at Hostellerie Chateau de la Barge in Creches-sur-Saone

Domaine Ferret in Fuissé, Poully-Fuissé, Mâconnais: Vineyard Walk, Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting with Cyril Laumain, Chef de Cave

Lunch at Hostellerie d'Heloise in Cluny

Domaine Theulot Juillot in Mercurey, Côte Chalonnaise: Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting with Nathalie and Jean-Claude Theulot

Maison Olivier Leflaive in Puligny-Montrachet: Vineyard Walk Cellar Tour and Lunch with Wine Tasting at Restaurant La Table d’Olivier Leflaive with Patrick Leflaive

Wine Tasting at Domaine Mestre Père & Fils in Santenay with Jonathan Maestre

Visit: Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils in Beaune

Schiller's Favorite Wine Bars in Beaune, Bourgogne

Visit: Musée de l’Hospice de Beaune with Karoline Knoth, M.A.

Domaine A-F Gros in Beaune: Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting with Owner and Winemaker Mathias Parent

Visit: Maison Joseph Drouhin in Beaune

Domaine Faiveley in Nuits-Saint-George: Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting with Mathilde Nicolas (Brand Ambassador)

Wine Tasting at Domaine du Château de Prémeaux in Nuits Saint Georges with Owner and Winemaker Arnaud Pelletier

Domaine Armelle et Bernard Rion in Vosne-Romanée: Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting with Bernard Rion and Alice Rion

Domaine Guillon & Fils in Gevrey Chambertin: Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting with Jean-Michel Guillon

Visit: Château du Clos de Vougeot

schiller-wine: Related Postings (Chablis)

The Wines of Tonnerre, France – Bourgogne Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Dinner at the Hostellerie des Clos in Chablis (Chef: Michel Vignaud), France

Pure Chablis – A tête-à-tête Dinner in Washington DC at Marcel’s with Chablis Wine Board President and Winemaker Jean-François Bordet, Domaine Séguinot-Bordet, USA/France

Domaine Séguinot-Bordet in Maligny, Chablis: Tour and Tasting with Owner and Winemaker Jean-François Bordet – Bourgogne Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Picture: Ralf Wagner (Apfelwein Adolf Wagner), Christian Schiller and Werner Becker at Apfelwein Wagner, the Winner of the 2015 Grüne Sosse Competition

Green Sauce or Grüne Sosse, is a sauce made of 7 specific herbs: parsley, chives, cress, sorrel, chervil, borage, salad burnet, chopped fine, and mixed with a combination of sour cream, yoghurt or creme fraiche, a bit of oil, vinegar, and mustard, salt and pepper and then served over boiled potatoes with 2 hard-boiled eggs.

Grüne Sosse can be a full meal with just the potatoes and the hard-boiled eggs. Frankfurter Schnitzel is a Schnitzel topped with Grüne Sosse. I like Grüne Sosse with roast beef.

You buy the herbs in white paper packets at any food store; they are widely available during the season.

Pictures: Grüne Sosse (Source: tegus.de and Greenpinkorange.com)

The Winners in the 2015 Contest

Grüne Sosse tastes different in every restaurant as everyone seems to have his/her own recipe for it. Some chop the herbs with a knife, others us a blender or food processor; purists argue that is has to be chopped with a knife. Some also use mayonnaise, which I like, but not the purists. It may often have chopped up eggs in the sauce itself, which I like, but not everybody agrees with me.

The annual contest takes place over the course of a week in a large tent in the center of Frankfurt am Main, Germany, during the month of May. Every day, a day winner is chosen. On the last day, the six day winners compete in the final round for the overall winner and the 2 runners-up.

For last year's winners see:
Best Green Sauce (Grüne Sosse) in Frankfurt (2014), Germany

2015 Overall Winners

Winner: Apfelwein Adolf Wagner, Schweizer Straße 71, 60594 Frankfurt

Pictures: Frankfurter Schnitzel at Apfelwein Adolf Wagner (with Grüne Sosse)

Pictures: Christian Schiller with Apfelwein Adolf Wagner Chef Nico Hoffmann

Pictures: At Apfelwein Adolf Wagner

Second Place: MDR Garten / Gundelhard, 65719 Hofheim-Lorsbach

Third Place: Gerbermühle, Gerbermühlstraße 105, 60594 Frankfurt

Picture: Christian Schiller with Gerbermühle Chef Jörg Ludwig

Picture: The Gerbermühle Grüne Sosse (#3 Overall)

Pictures: Gerbermühle, with Lorelei Schiller

2015 Day Winners

May 2 2015: Apfelwein Wagner (see above)

May 3 2015: Bürgerhaus Rodheim, Grabengasse 12-14, 61191 Rosbach-Rodheim

May 4 2015: Döpfner’s, Schifferstraße 38-40, 60594 Frankfurt

Pictures: Hotel im Maingau, Christian Schiller, Chef Jörg Döpfner with his Father and his Son

See also:
The Best Restaurants in the Greater Frankfurt am Main Region, Germany
Frankfurt Top Trendy Restaurants– Feinschmecker 2012

May 5 2015: Gerbermühle (see above)

May 6 2015: Friedberger Warte, Friedberger Landstraße 414, 60389 Frankfurt

May 7 2015: MDR Garten/ Gundelhard, 65719 Hofheim-Lorsbach

May 8 2015: Frankfurter Apfelweinbotschaft, Eschborner Landstr. 154, 60489 Frankfurt

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Picture: Annette and Christian Schiller at Taberna del Alabardero in Washington DC, USA

Dear wine friends,

3 Wine Tours are coming up and we will hit harvest time. Experiencing the suspense right before harvest starts and the busy times of preparing the cellars, vats, barrels to receive the new juice is always very exiting. Witnessing the picking, sorting, crushing is always extremely interesting and we will have the opportunity to see a winery or Château in full action.

The first tour (Aug 30 - Sept 05) goes to the southernmost German wine regions and to Alsace. This tour has a strong culinary component with luncheons at Michelin-star restaurants and we will discover that Germany also produces gorgeous Pinot-Noir on par with the best of Burgundy. I have 2 rooms (double or single occupancy) available, which I have to release by August 1 if they are not occupied. For detailed information and pricing please see: https://ombiasypr.com/index.php/tours/germany-south-2015

The second tour (Sept 06 - Sept 12) focusses on German Riesling country - Rheingau, Mosel, Nahe. This tour includes a cruise on the romantic Rhine River with its castle- and vine-ribboned banks and the Mosel valley with its dizzying steep vineyards. I have 1 room (double or single occupancy) available, which I have to release by August 10 in case it is not taken. For detailed information and pricing please see: https://ombiasypr.com/index.php/tours/germany-north-2015

The third tour (Sept 15 - Sept 24) takes us to Bordeaux. This is a “Bordeaux Total Immersion” tour. We will experience what “Bordeaux” is all about with visits to a barrel maker, an oyster farmer, a wine merchant house, the city of Bordeaux, and of course many Châteaux where we will taste fabulous wines. We are in France! so this tour has a strong culinary component with private exquisite wine pairing lunches and dinners at the Châteaux playing a daily part of our journey through the Bordeaux wine region. I have 1 room (double or single occupancy) available, which I have to release by August 15 in case it is not taken. For detailed information and pricing please see: https://ombiasypr.com/index.php/tours/bordeaux-2015

As with all my tours, we only visit top wineries and Châteaux and I personally guide the tours. Since the groups are always small (never more than 10 people) and since I know the people and the regions like the back of my hand, the tours are always a very authentic, personal experience.

Feel free to contact me at any time if you want to talk with me about the tours or for any further information you would like to have.

CHEERS

Annette

Annette Schiller, Diplom-Volkswirt

ombiasy | PR

WINE tours | education | events

Washington DC - Frankfurt am Main

T: +1 (703) 459.7513

T: +49 (0) 177.337.0281

aschiller@ombiasypr.com

web: ombiasypr.com

twitter: ombiasypr

facebook: ombiasy Public Relations and WineTours

blog: schiller-wine.blogspot.com

schiller-wine - Related Postings (ombiasy WineTours)

2015

4 Wine Tours by ombiasy coming up in 2015: Germany-East, Germany-South. Germany-Nord and Bordeaux

Germany-East Wine and Art Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Bourgogne Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

2014

Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy, 2014

Germany-South Wine Tour by ombiasy, 2014

2013

Bordeaux Wine Tour 2013 by ombiasy

German Wine and Culture Tour by ombiasy, 2013

Picture: At Weingut Thürkind, Saale Unstrut Region in the former GDR: The 20th Anniversary Memorial Barrel (1991-2011)

The first wine region we visited on the Germany-East Wine and Art Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015) was the Saale-Unstrut Region. There, we visited 3 wineries: Weingut Lützkendorf, Weingut Bernhard Pawis and Weingut Thürkind. The former 2 are heavy-weights; these are the only 2 members of the VDP, the association of about 200 German elite winemakers, in the Saale-Unstrut Region.

Pictures: Driving from Weingut Pawis to Weingut Thürkind in the Saale Unstrut Region

We finished our visit of the Saale Unstrut Region with Weingut Thürkind. It is an up and coming wine producer, but plays in a different league than the other 2 producers.

The Saale-Unstrut wine region sits on 51st latitude and is Germany’s northernmost wine region, located in the valleys of the Saale and Unstrut rivers, an area of the former German Democratic Republic (GDR). The oldest record of viticulture dates back to the year 998 during the reign of Emperor Otto III.

Pictures: Arriving at Weingut Thürkind

Weingut Thürkind

Weingut Thürkind was founded shortly after reunification (in 1991) when the Government returned land to Rudolf and Birgit Thürkind which had been nationalized during the communist era. The land included 1.8 hectares of vineyards.

Pictures: Cellar Tour and Barrel Tasting at Weingut Thürkind

During the GDR times, Rudolf Thürkind used to work as cellar master in the cooperative in Freyburg. Winemaker colleagues of the wine regions in the western part of Germany encouraged the Thürkinds to produce and bottle their own wine and not to deliver the grapes to the cooperative in Freyburg. And they assisted the Thürkinds through the provision of inexpensive machines. Rudolf Thürkind produced a bit more than 1000 cases from the first vintage.

Today, more than twenty years later, the Thürkind family owns 15 acres of vineyards in very favorable sites and developed the old farm into into a beautiful estate, making excellent wines, including gorgeous Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris.

Pictures: At Weingut Thürkind on a Previous Visit

See also:
Preview: Germany-East Wine and Art Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Since 2005, Weingut Thürkind also offers rooms for people who are interested to spend their vacation at a winery.

Son Mario Thürkind is now at the helm of the estate, with his wife Anje. They have 2 children. Mario Thürkind did an apprenticeship at Weingut Ernst, one of the winemakers that helped the Thürkinds so much when they started their business after reunification.

The vineyard area has grown to 12 hectares. In addition, Mario Thürkind buys grapes amounting to 6 hectares. The main grape varieties are: Müller-Thurgau, Riesling, Kerner, Weißburgunder and Grauburgunder as well as Blauer Portugieser and Zweigelt.

Lunch and Wine Tasting

Pictures: Lunch and Tasting

2014 Weingut Thürkind Müller Thurgau
2014 Weingut Thürkind Weisburgunder
2014 Weingut Thürkind Gutedel
2014 Weingut Thürkind Sauvignon Blanc
2014 Weingut Thürkind Riesling
2013 Weingut Thürkind Freyburger Edelacker Weissburgunder Spätlese trocken
2012 Gröster Steinberg Blauer Zweigelt

Bye-bye

Thanks for a lovely lunch with tasting and cellar tour. We loved the home-made potato salad.

Picture: Bye-bye

Postings: Germany-East Wine and Art Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015) (Published and Forthcoming)

Preview: Germany-East Wine and Art Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

The Art Marketer: OMBIASY PR & WINE TOURS - Germany-East

Germany-East Wine and Art Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Tasting at Weingut Lützkendorf with Uwe Lützkendorf – Germany-East Wine and Art Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Weingut Pawis (Saale Unstrut): Estate Tour and Wine Tasting with Markus Pawis – Germany-East Wine and Art Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Weingut Thürkind in Gröst, Saale-Unstrut: Tour, Tasting and Lunch – Germany-East Wine and Art Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Schiller's Favorite Winemakers in the Saale Unstrut Region

Cellar Tour, Vineyard Tour and Wine Tasting at Weingut Schloss Proschwitz in Sachsen, with Owner Georg Prinz zur Lippe

Dinner with Georg Prinz zur Lippe at Weingut Schloss Proschwitz in Sachsen

Cellar Tour and Lunch at Weingut Karl Friedrich Aust in Sachsen

Cellar Tour, Art Tour and Wine Tasting at Weingut Zimmerling with Winemaker Klaus Zimmerling and Artist Malgorzata Chodakoska in Sachsen

Schiller's Favorite Winemakers in Sachsen

Visit and Tasting at Weingut Wirsching in Iphofen, Franken

Visit and Tasting at Weingut Am Stein Ludwig Knoll in Würzburg, Franken

Cellar Tour and Tasting with Star Winemaker Paul Fürst at Weingut Fürst in Franken

Würzburg and its 3 Historic Wine Taverns: Juliusspital, Bürgerspital and Staatlicher Hofkeller

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Graf Neipperg in Schwaigern, Württemberg

Tasting at Weingut Dautel in Württemberg with Christian Dautel

Wine Pairing Dinner at Restaurant Friedrich von Schiller in Bietigheim-Bissingen in Württemberg

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Herzog von Württemberg at Schloss Monrepos with Owner F.R.H. Carl Duke of Württemberg

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting with Rainer Schnaitmann at Weingut Rainer Schnaitmann in Fellbach, Württemberg

Wine Tasting at Weingut Simon-Bürkle in Zwingenberg, Hessische Bergstrasse

The Wines Queen Elizabeth II was served in Germany on her State Visit in June 2015: All Riesling? No! Best-of-best Winemakers? No!

Winetasting with Katharina Wechser, Weingut K. Wechsler, Westhofen, Rheinhessen – Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)

Weingut von Hövel Joins Portfolio of Schatzi Wines, USA/Germany

Champagne Jean Josselin in Gyé-sur-Seine: Tour and Tasting with Jean Pierre Josselin - Bourgogne Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Allons en vendage – Karoline Knoth, Maurice Collin and Meursault, Bourgogne

Blind Tasting of Top Wines from Rheinhessen with Roland Ladendorf at Weinhaus Bluhm in Mainz – Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)

Tasting at Weingut Lützkendorf with Uwe Lützkendorf – Germany-East Wine and Art Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Tasting with Sylvain Taurisson Diel at Schlossgut Diel, Nahe – Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)

2015 Wine Blog Award Finalists and Winners

The Art Marketer: 0mbiasy PR and WineTours

Ombiasy Public Relations & Wine Tours

Serves up a Couples Life Long Passion for Wine

Wine Tasting at Weingut Gunderloch in Nackenheim, with Owners and Winemaker Fritz Hasselbach and Agnes Hasselbach-Usinger – Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)

Claude Thibault of Thibault Janisson – an Ultra-premium Sparkling Wine Producer in Virginia, USA - at American Wine Society (Northern Virginia Chapter)

The Wines of Tonnerre, France – Bourgogne Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Weingut Pawis (Saale Unstrut): Estate Tour and Wine Tasting with Markus Pawis – Germany-East Wine and Art Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Tour, Tasting, and Lunch at Weingut Schätzel in Nierstein, Rheinhessen – Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)

Promotions and Demotions in the Gault Millau Deutschland WeinGuide 2015

Domaine Séguinot-Bordet in Maligny, Chablis: Tour and Tasting with Owner and Winemaker Jean-François Bordet – Bourgogne Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Best Green Sauce (Grüne Sosse) in Frankfurt (2015), Germany

Fall Tours by ombiasy WineTours 2015 - A Very Special Treat: Experience Harvest Time !

Weingut Thürkind in Gröst, Saale-Unstrut: Tour, Tasting and Lunch – Germany-East Wine and Art Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)