Picture: Tour and Tasting at Weingut Koehler Ruprecht in Kallstadt, Pfalz, with Franzi Schmidt

Koehler-Ruprecht has received quite a bit of press in recent years. For several decades, Weingut Koehler-Ruprecht was associated with the name of owner/ winemaker Bernd Philippi. As Armin Diehl and Joel Payne put it in the 1999 German Wine Guide: “His wines have a perfectly baroque weight, not least because Philippi insists on taking his time making them. Although they can be very puzzling when young, they are very long-lived, developing enormous power and body with age.”

Bernhard Philippi retired recently and sold Weingut Koehler-Ruprecht to the Sauvage brothers, who are very successful wine importers and retailers in the USA. They also own a winery in New Zealand. Bernd Philippi moved out and Dominik Sona took over as General Manager. He is heading the winery today with Franzi Schmidt, who was our host. American (or more general: foreign) -owned wineries in Germany are extremely rare.

Pictures: Arriving

Second, the VDP, the association of about 200 elite winemakers in Germany, is in process of introducing a new, terroir-based wine classification, modelled after the wine classification of the Bourgogne region. Weingut Koehler-Ruprecht is one of the founding members of the VDP, but decided to leave the prestigious association last year because of the new VDP approach to classifying German wine.

In the new classification, the predicates Kabinett, Spätlese, Auslese, etc can only be used for sweet wines. Kabinett trocken, for example, does not exist in the new VDP classification. Also, dry wines are allowed to be chaptalized up to the ultra-premium levels, as all dry wines are marketed as QbA. These and others reasons let Weingut Köhler Ruprecht leave the VDP. Others also left (like Weingut Tesch) or are threatening to leave, but Weingut Köhler Ruprecht is probably the most prominent “casualty” of the new VDP classification.

Weingut Köhler Ruprecht is well represented in the US, with Louis/Dressner being the importer. About half of the production of Weingut Koehler-Ruprecht is sold in the US. This is way out of line with typical German producer, but not unusual. A number of producers from the Mosel region have even higher US/ export ratios. But it is unusual for a producer that is very strong in dry wines.

Franzi Schmitt was our host. Following the tour of the winery, we had a memorable tasting in the house where Bernd Phillippi used to live and where his ailing mother is still living.

Pictures: Welcome

Philosophy

Weingut Koehler-Ruprecht: Our winery’s highest priority is preserving our tradition and our great quality. We are one of the oldest, most distinctive wineries in the Palatinate region. Our wines are pressed using only the finest hand-selected grapes, which undergo spontaneous fermentation in wooden barrels. Our motto, “Wine is the poetry of the earth,” (Mario Soldati, 1907-1999) sums up our philosophy. When it comes to wine production, the most important thing for us is the quality that ends up in the glass! This standard creates wines with a perfect balance of strength, elegance and longevity, and many of our wines have garnered attention throughout the world. Our successful development was initiated by Bernd Philippi. He is often able to create wines with amazingly long shelf lives, especially Rieslings, which can sometimes come across as a bit headstrong in their younger days. But over time they undergo an interesting development that is valued by many experts.

Weingut Koehler-Ruprecht

Louis Dressner: Koehler-Ruprecht has existed since the 1700's, but Bernd Phillipi's hard work over the last 30 years has solidified the winery's world class reputation. Bernd's biggest inspiration was his grandfather, and the wines reflect an attitude of winemaking more akin to the 1900's than the 2000's. In the vineyard, no irrigation, fertilizers or herbicides are ever used, and systemic treatments against pests or fungal illness are kept to a minimum, only in the rare cases when necessary. In the cellar, long spontaneous fermentations occur in large, old German oak barrels with extended lees contact. Nothing is ever added or subtracted to the wine, and sulfur is only added moderately after alcoholic fermentation and before bottling.

Pictures: Cellar Tour with Franzi Schmidt

Today, Bernd has moved on to his winemaking projects all over the world (Germany, Portugal, South Africa, consulting in China...), and no longer has any role at Koehler-Ruprecht is now limited to 60 days of consulting throughout the year. Since 2008, viticulture/cellar duties have been passed on to Dominik Sona. Dominik is young but already a seasoned veteran: prior to landing at Koehler-Ruprecht, he's worked at Neiss, Kuhn, Van Volxem, Flowers, Littorai and as estate manager for J.L. Wolf. Already a fan of the winery before getting hired, he has vowed not to a change a thing in the winemaking process.

Vineyard

The estate consists of 10.5 hectares of vines, principally in Riesling (50%) but also in Pinot Noir (20%), Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer and Scheurebe on three separate terroirs: Saumagen, Steinacker and Annaberg.

Dominik Sona

Cellarhand: Dominik was born and bred in the Pfalz region. His grandfather cultivated vines there and his parents, a nursery teacher and civil engineer, kept them on. Dominik always suspected that his commitment to wine would run deeper, acknowledging from a very early age that a desk job wasn’t for him. Towards the end of his high-school studies he decided to dedicate his working life to wine.

Pictures: Tasting at Weingut Koehler Ruprecht with Franzi Schmitt

In 2010, at just 29 years of age, he was working at a winery in California when he heard that the Koehler-Ruprecht estate was changing hands. He had a chat with new owners, the Sauvage family, who ended up asking him to run the estate. He said yes, and got to work immediately following that vintage in the US.

Since then, Sona has been working alongside the great Bernd Philippi, learning the methods established by the latter’s grandfather 100 years ago. Continuing these traditions following Philippi’s departure is of the essence, though Sona and the team are looking to add new lines of wine in the typical Koehler-Ruprecht style. Dominik enjoys the tranquillity of Kallstadt and likes to swim and cycle in his spare time. But he admits he doesn’t find a lot of that – at this stage in his life, he’s too enamoured of all aspects of winegrowing to take much time off.

Tasting

2013 Weingut Koehler Ruprecht Scheurebe Kabinett trocken

Franzi Schmitt: Scheurebe is a white-wine grape, one of Germany’s most successful new grape breeds. It is a cross between Riesling and Silvaner, and was cultivated at the Kallstadter Annaberg winery, among others, right from the start. Scheurebe wines are often aged to create sweet or dessert wines.

2012 Weingut Koehler Ruprecht Muskateller Kabinett trocken


2013 Weingut Koehler Ruprecht Weisser Burgunder Kabinett trocken

2013 Weingut Koehler Ruprecht Kallstadter Annaberg Weisser Burgunder Spätlese trocken

Franzi Schmitt: at 120 years old, Annaberg is the youngest vineyard site and characterized by a high proportion of sandstone. The western part of the region features a chalk substrate where the Chardonnay grows. All grapes are hand harvested, with the team doing up to five passes each vintage to pick at optimal maturity.


2012 Weingut Koehler Ruprecht Grauer Burgunder Spätlese trocken


2011 Weingut Koehler Ruprecht Chardonnay trocken


2012 Weingut Koehler Ruprecht Kallstadter Riesling Kabinett trocken

2012 Weingut Koehler Ruprecht Kallstadter Saumagen Riesling Kabinett trocken

2012 Weingut Koehler Ruprecht Kallstadter Saumagen Riesling Spätlese trocken

2012 Weingut Koehler Ruprecht Kallstadter Saumagen Riesling Auslese trocken

Franzi Schmitt: Saumagen, which translates to pig's stomach, is named after the shape of the vineyard and also happens to be the region's most famous local dish. Established as a vineyard in 1810, this area used to be a limestone quarry in Roman times. The soils here are heavy in chalky marl and full of tiny individual limestones that reflect heat onto the grapes. Because of a government expansion in the 80's, 46 h are designated as Saumagen- including a conversion of north-facing orchards into vineyard sites- but Koehler-Ruprecht's 4 h are on the original South-East facing slope. A small part of the Saumagen is designated as Terra Rossa, with the limestone taking a red hue due to a heavy presence of iron oxide.


2012 Weingut Koehler Ruprecht Riesling Kabinett halbtrocken

2013 Weingut Koehler Ruprecht Kallstadter Steinacker Riesling Kabinett

2009 Weingut Koehler Ruprecht Kallstadter Steinacker Gewürztraminer Spätlese

Franzi Schmitt: Steinacker is wine-growing region characterized by chalk and sandstone. The Rieslings, Gewürztraminer and Scheurebe grown here tend have residual sweetness.

2012 Weingut Koehler Ruprecht Spätburgunder Kabinett trocken


2012 Weingut Koehler Ruprecht Pinot Noir

2006 Weingut Koehler Ruprecht Pinot Noir

2004 Weingut Koehler Ruprecht Pinot Noir


Stuart Pigott's Recent Assessment

Earier this year, there was a tasting of Weingut Koehler-Ruprecht wines at the home of Berlin Cup Organizer Martin Zwick with Dominik Sona and Franzi Schmitt, in which Stuart Pigott participated. He issued an interesting account of the evening on his blog: (...) Since then this estate has changed hands, and changed winemaker too. Some people in the German wine scene didn’t like these changes and there was some talk of a stylistic sell-out or less professional winemaking. However, on the basis of the vertical tasting this afternoon at Martin Zwick’s wine salon in Berlin that spanned the vintages 2014 – 1996 I have to say that this producer has not wavered at all, rather, under the direction of Dominik Sona and Franziska Schmitt, it has remained true to it’s unique wine style yet also moved an important step in the direction of more elegant wines.

Pictures: At Weingut Koehler Ruprecht

What makes these wines so special? It is a combination of weight and delicacy, liveliness and mellowness, plus a properly dry balance. When most dry white wines reach the age of five to seven years they start to head downhill rather fast, but that is the age that the Koehler-Ruprecht Saumagen Rieslings start to become really enjoyable to drink (assuming you like the taste of mature wines), and begin standing out from the crowd of self-important, but interchangeable wines that dominate the market. That’s why this tasting that looked backwards in time in order to look forward to the pleasure of drinking the wines of the vintages Dominik Sona has made (he has been the winemaker since 2008) when they have had even more time to show their hand.(...)

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Wine Pairing Dinner at Restaurant FUMI at Weingut Josef Biffar in Deidesheim, with Owner and Winemaker Fumiko Tokuoka

Tour and Tasting at Weingut Markus Schneider in Ellerstadt, Pfalz, with Markus Schneider

Tour and Tasting at Weingut Koehler-Ruprecht in Kallstadt, Pfalz, with Franziska Schmitt

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Announcement: 5 Exciting ombiasy WineTours in 2016 - BURGUNDY BORDEAUX GERMANY  

Picture: Wine Dinner with Stefan and Heike Paeffgen, Château Le Reysse and Château Clos du Moulin, Vignobles Paeffgen, Appellation Médoc

We left Bordeaux City in the morning towards the West in order to visit an oyster farmer at the Basin de Arcachon, followed by lunch at Pinasse Café in Cap Ferret, right on the bay. From there, we drove through the Appellation Médoc to its northern tip for a wine dinner with Stefan and Heike Paeffgen, Vignobles Paeffgen, in Bégadan. After dinner, we drove to Hotel/Restaurant Le Vignoble-France et Angleterre in Pauillac, where we stayed for the night.

Stefan Paeffgen is a career changer who has been making wine only for a few years. Stefan Paeffgen holds a Doctorate in agricultural science and in another life worked in the agriculture industry in his home country Germany and in Scandinavia. He always had a passion for the wines of the Médoc and at age 46, he was at a crossroad and made the decision to go back to practical agriculture. He searched for a winery and finally settled in Bégadan, north of St.-Estèphe.

Today, his Vignobles Paeffgen comprise 4 châteaux: Château Le Reysse and Château Lassus as well as Château Clos du Moulin and Château Moulin de Lestagne.

We had a lovely charcuterie and cheese dinner in the front yard of Château Lassus, with Stefan and Heike Paeffgen (and Heike’s mother, who was visiting). Before dinner, Stefan showed us around. The group had a great time.

Pictures: Arriving at Château Le Reysse and Château Lassus

Stefan Paeffgen

Stefan Paeffgen grew up on a farm in Germany, which his older brother took over, when their father retired. Stefan had to look for something different, although he would have loved to take over the family’s property.

Stefan studied agriculture in München, Stuttgart, Wisconsin, Paris and then worked for a large fertilizer company. He moved up in the company and made good money. There were mergers and was restructuring. At some point, he was offered a golden handshake and started to look for a winery he could take over. In that period, Stefan, his wife and the 3 children were living in Belgium, near Brussels.

In November 2010, he signed a sales contract with Patrick Chaumont, the owner of Vignobles Chaumant (Château Le Reysse and Château Lassus) and moved to Bégadan, initially without his family; by now they are all in Bégadan. In 2012, he also acquired Château Clos du Moulin and Château Moulin de Lestagne from Michel Boyer.

Patrick Chaumont stayed on for 2 years to help. They cooperated wonderfully and Stefan learned to make wines in the traditional style. Patrick Chaumont still visits every now and then to see how things are going.

Pictures: In the Vineyard with Stefan Paeffgen

Château Le Reysse

Patrick Chaumont founded Château Le Reysse in 1983. He withdrew the Château Le Reysse vineyards from the co-op and started to vinify the wines himself. (Château Lassus – see below - remained in the co-op). When his son married into a winery in the southern part of Pauillac, he decided to sell Château Le Reysse (and Château Lassus).

4.5 hectares in Bégadan, partially bordering with the vineyards of Rollan de By and La Tour de By

20.000 – 26.000 bottles, which Stefan Paeffgen sells through the old channels of Patrick Chaumont, but increasingly also through his new channels, primarily in Germany

55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot

Pictures: In the Wine Cellar with Stefan Paeffgen

Château Lassus

Along with Château Le Reysse, Stefan Paeffgen bought Château Lassus from Patrick Chaumont. The wine is sold en bloc to a Negoçiant in Bordeaux. Here is what the Negoçiant says: Château Lassus, the Chaumont family property since 1967, was mentioned in the first edition of "Bordeaux et ses Vins" edited by Charles Cocks in 1850 and was already listed in the Féret 1939 edition as it had been classified Cru Bourgeois in 1932 for its "terroir" and quality of the wines produced. The estate was taken over by the Paeffgen family in 2010 who has realized large investments since to help the cru maintain its renowned status. The quality focus is realized by sustainable efforts in the vineyards and by strong selection process. Today, Stefan Paeffgen, passionate by wines and fallen in love with this charming property, is in charge of it.

Soil : Clay-gravels / Surface : 25 hectares

Average age of the vineyard : 35 years

Location : The vineyard is located between the Bégadan village and the Gironde River in the Médoc.

Grape varieties : 50 % Merlot / 50 % Cabernet Sauvignon

This wine is vinified by the traditional method, in thermo-regulated concrete and stainless steel vats, after a period of pre-fermentation maceration. Vertical pressing. Ageing for 12 months in new barrels, second-fill and third-fill barrels.

Deep color with garnet highlights. Very aromatic bouquet with touch of blackcurrant and spices. Superb, dense attack with a slightly jammy fruit. The relatively powerful tannic structure shows supple tannins.

Pictures: In the Barrel Room with Stefan Paeffgen

Château Clos du Moulin

The roots of Château Clos du Moulin can be traced back to the 19th century. The Boyer family, the former owner, used to live there. Château Clos du Moulin is also a Cru Bourgeois in the original classification of 1932. The Cru Bourgeois status was however lost in 2003. Stephan Paeffgen was successful in regaining it in 2011, after he had taken over.

11 hectares in St. Christoly and Couqueques

45.000 – 56.000 bottles

50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 50% Merlot

Château Moulin de Lestagne

3 hectares in St. Christoly

20.000 bottles

20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 80% Merlot

Pictures: Wine Dinner with Stefan and Heike Paeffgen, Château Le Reysse and Château Clos du Moulin, Vignobles Paeffgen, Appellation Médoc

The Wines Stefan Poured


2012 Château Clos du Moulin Cru Bourgeois

Robert M. Parker April 2015, 87 Points Drink 2015 - 2021

Made up of equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, this 2012 is excellent. Deep ruby/plum/purple, with sweet cassis, black cherry and plum, the wine is medium-bodied, has impressive concentration, sweet tannin and is a sleeper of the vintage. Drink it over the next 5-6 years.


2012 Château Le Reysse

27.000 bottles

60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot

20 months in barrique

Yves Beck: Le Reysse 2012, AOC Médoc Violet intensif. Nez de bonne intensité, fin et complexe. Notes de cannelle, clou de girofle, cacao et fruits noirs (mûre, myrtille, cassis). En bouche l'attaque est minérale avec des notes de graphite. Le corps est légèrement gras et la structure se révèle tardivement. Les tannins sont granuleux, élégants. Beau potentiel de garde. 89-90/100. 2018-2032


2010 Château Le Reysse

The first vintage that Stefan accompanied from start to bottling was the 2010. The 2010er Château le Reysse was sold at Euro 9,95 en primeur. I recently bought a case of the 2010 for Euro 19 per bottle in Frankfurt am Main.

25.000 bottles

55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot

12 months in barrique

Lyle Fass: The 2010 Le Reysse has a cooling mineral nose with astonishing depth and purity which gives off an impression of amazing freshness. The palate is pure pleasure with oodles of blue and black fruits, wonderful acids, grippy forceful tannins and a real sense of place. Just an amazingly complex, powerful and delicate bottle of Bordeaux. You also get cigar, leather, tobacco and some nice wet earth as well. I can see this aging for up to 20 years. 2010 is such a great vintage as it allies finesse, power and freshness all at once. Freshness is so key in Bordeaux as wines can tend to be lactic, oaky and rich due to a general change in winemaking over the last 20-30 years.

Yves Beck: Le Reysse 2010, AOC Médoc Le vin de Stefan Paeffgen qui a acquis Ch. le Reysse (88-89/100), une propriété de 4Ha dans le Médoc, mérite une attention particulière. Il est très bien réussi, fruité, complexe et déjà agréable en bouche; son palais est équilibré, gras et bien structuré avec une belle intensité fruitée ainsi qu'une finale de bonne longueur.

2009 Château Le Reysse

27.000 bottles

55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot

12 months in barrique


Bye-bye

Thanks Stefan and Heike for a great tour and wonderful winemaker dinner.

Pictures: Bye-bye

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Schiller's Favorite Wine Bars in Bordeaux City, France

Schiller's Favorite Seafood Places in Bordeaux City, France

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

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Announcement: 5 Exciting ombiasy WineTours in 2016 - BURGUNDY BORDEAUX GERMANY    
 

Picture: Annette Schiller and Clemens Busch, Weingut Clemens Busch, in Washington DC

Picture: Annette Schiller and Christian Schiller with Gernot Kollmann, Weingut Immich-Batterieberg, in New York

Picture: Annette Schiller and Franzi Schmitt at Weingut Koehler Ruprecht in Kallstadt, Pfalz

Dear Wine Lovers in the Washington DC area,

I am sooooo excited! 4 premium German winemakers are coming to Washington DC on February 25th.

Clemens Busch (winery Clemens Busch, Mosel)
Gernot Kollmann (winery Immich-Batterieberg, Mosel)
Dominik Sona and Franzi Schmitt (winery Koehler-Ruprecht, Pfalz)

Bart Vandaele, owner and gifted chef of restaurant B too in Washington DC, will prepare a menu matching their wines.

Picture: Chef Bart Vandaele at B Too in Washington DC. See: Winemaker Dinner with Château LAFON-ROCHET Wines and Winemaker Anaïs Maillet at Chef Bart Vandaele’s Hipp B Too Restaurant in Washington DC, US/France

Since the four are coming to town on short notice, the list of the exact wines and the menu is still in the making. But I can assure you that this evening will be something to be remembered. German wines at their best presented by the men and women who made them coupled with Bart's creative cuisine guarantee for an extraordinary sensuous tasting experience.

Mark your calendar: Thursday, February 25th, 7 PM, at restaurant B Too, 1324 14th Street NW, Washington DC.

I visited two of the wineries during my wine tours last year. Here is a good read about them:

Tour and Tasting at Weingut Koehler Ruprecht in Kallstadt, Pfalz, with Franzi Schmitt – Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

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

Picture: Annette Schiller and Clemens Busch at Weingut Clemens Busch in Pünderich, Mosel

Pictures: With Franzi Schmitt at Weingut Koehler-Ruprecht in Kallstadt, Pfalz

I will send you the wines, the menu, the pricing, and how to sign up asap. However given the limited space you can already sign up with me by confirming your participation in an email. I will then send the info to B too.

Looking forward to seeing many of you at B Too on February 25th!

Annette

schiller-wine - Related Postings

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Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Announcement: 5 Exciting ombiasy WineTours in 2016 - BURGUNDY BORDEAUX GERMANY

Tour and Tasting at Weingut Koehler Ruprecht in Kallstadt, Pfalz, with Franzi Schmitt – Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

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

Winemaker Dinner with Château LAFON-ROCHET Wines and Winemaker Anaïs Maillet at Chef Bart Vandaele’s Hipp B Too Restaurant in Washington DC, US/France

Picture: Christian Schiller, Aymeric de Gironde, Managing Director of Cos d’Estournel, and Annette Schiller at Restaurant Ripple in Washington DC

For the past years, Panos Kakaviatos - based in Strasbourg, France - has organized a Grand Bordeaux Tasting in Washington DC at the beginning of the year, when he spends a few weeks in his hometown. This year’s Washington DC Grand Bordeaux Tasting featured a massive Château Cos d’Estournel Vertical with Aymeric de Gironde, MD of Cos d’Estournel, at Restaurant Ripple.

Picture: Restaurant Ripple in Washington DC

Panos Kakaviatos is a highly respected Bordeaux expert, who regularly writes for the Decanter, Harpers Wine & Spirits – two excellent UK based wine magazines - and other wine publications.

The company was terrific and included: Dave McIntyre (Washington Post), Mark Wessels (MacArthur Beverages), Ben Giliberti (Calvert Woodley), Michael Sands (Calvert Woodley), to name a few.

For this posting, my wife Annette Schiller, ombiasyPR and WineTours, and I split up the work: Annette provided the tasting notes and I did the rest.

Picture: Annette Schiller Taking Notes

As it stands, Annette’s forthcoming Wine Tour by ombiasy WineTours to Bordeaux in September later this year will include a visit of and tasting at Château Cos d’Estournel with Aymeric de Gironde. If you are interested in joining us, contact Annette (aschiller@ombiasyPR.com) or me (cschiller@schiller-wine.com)

See here: Announcement: 5 Exciting ombiasy WineTours in 2016 - BURGUNDY BORDEAUX GERMANY

Ripple's Executive Chef Marjorie Meek-Bradley created a lovely dinner to match the wines, which were served three-by-three for each of the five courses. The vintages were as follows: 2012, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2000 (magnum), 1996, 1995, 1989, 1985 and 1982.

We began the evening with an excellent Champagne, a new item in the expanding portfolio of Michel Reybier, the owner of Château Cos d’Estournel, just introduced on the market, and from grand cru vineyards.

Picture: Michel Reybier Champagne

The Cos tasting started with the second to youngest Château Cos d’Estournel and went back in time, so that by the time we got to the duck breast, we enjoyed the 1989, 1985 and 1982. But for the cheeses we had 2012, 2010 and 2009. That way, we went back to the future.

Picture: Champagne Reception

Château Cos d`Estournel

Château Cos d`Estournel in the Saint-Estèphe appellation is named after its 19th century owner, Louis-Gaspard d'Estournel, and it was he who built the bizarre oriental edifice that is a landmark for any tourist in the Médoc. The name Cos refers to a "hill of pebbles" in Gascon dialect.

From a 100 hectare estate, the vineyard area extends 70 hectares, divided into 30 parcels, and primarily composed of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, with minor cultivation of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The annual production is typically 32,000 cases. Cos wines tend to have a higher blend of Merlot than other classified Left Bank wines.

Château Cos d'Estournel was classified as one of fifteen Deuxièmes Crus in the Classification of 1855.

Château Cos d'Estournel produces the eponymous grand vin, the second wine since the 1994 vintage, Les Pagodes de Cos from the estate's younger vines, as well as Château Marbuzet from fruit of nearby plots.

Pictures: Reception - Bijan Jabbari, Annette Schiller, Michael Besche, Karen Taylor, Dave McIntyre (Washington Post) and Cathrine Todd (New York)

Louis Gaspard d’Estournel

Born in 1762 during the reign of Louis XV and died in1853 under Napoleon III, at the remarkable age of 91, Louis Gaspard d’Estournel had one sole passion: Cos.

Having inherited a few vines near the village of Cos, he recognized, in 1811, the quality of their wine and decided to vinify them separately.

Very rapidly, Cos d’Estournel’s wine exceeded the prices of the most prestigious wines and was exported as far as India.

Louis became known as ‘the Maharajah of Saint-Estèphe’. To celebrate his distant conquests, he had exotic pagodas erected over his cellar, organized spectacular festivities at Cos and presented the great people of this world with some precious bottles of Cos “Returned from India”.

Pictures: Massive Château Cos d’Estournel Vertical with Aymeric de Gironde, Managing Director of Cos d’Estournel, and Panos Kakaviatos at Restaurant Ripple in Washington DC

Various Owners

The estate has changed hands several times during its history. In 1852, overwhelmed with debts he had accumulated in order to extend and beautify his estate, Louis Gaspard d’Estournel was obliged to sell Cos to the London banker Charles Cecil Martyns. In 1869, it was sold to the Spanish Errazu family only to be sold again 20 years later in 1889 to the Bordeaux-based Hostein family. Through his marriage to Marie-Thérèse Hostein, Louis-Victor Charmolue, who also owned Château Montrose, gained control of Cos d'Estournel in 1894. In 1917, it was sold to Fernand Ginestet and remained in the Ginestet family, becoming in 1970 part of Domaines Prats, the combined holdings of the Ginestet and Prats families, and controlled by Bruno Prats.
Since 2000, Château Cos d’Estournel belongs to Michel Reybier.

Picture: Panos Kakaviatos and Annette Schiller

Michel Reybier

The trashier echelons of the French press used to refer to Michel Reybier as l’ancien roi du saucisson — “the old sausage king”, as he is the very private, Swiss-domiciled founder of the French conglomerate Groupe Aoste, purveyor of Cochonou processed ham, Justin Bridou mini-salamis and César Moroni chorizo. The group was sold to Sara Lee in 1996 and Michael Reybier has since diversified into healthcare, biotech, oil, wine and hotels: … Cochonou, Aoste, Justin Bridou... Jusqu'en 1996, Michel Reybier était le patron de ces marques bien connues. Depuis, sa trace n'est pas toujours aisée à suivre. Ses propriétés les plus connues sont un grand vignoble, le Cos d'Estournel, dont le cru 95 se vend à 150 euros la bouteille, et de prestigieux hôtels (La Réserve à Genève). Mais on le retrouve également à la tête du conseil d'administration de Pebercan, une société cotée au Canada mais dont l'unique client est la République de Cuba, dont elle exploite les ressources pétrolières.

Michel Reybier a également un temps été actionnaire majoritaire d'Occade Sport, une société de marketing et d'événementiel sportif, et gravite dans les milieux sportifs lyonnais, grâce à Reybier & Partners Investment. Via une société de droit luxembourgeois, la Company Morasto Jalop, il est aussi administrateur d'entreprises françaises, comme la Saint Tropez Airport Services.

Pictures: Aymeric de Gironde and Annette Schiller

Aymeric de Gironde

Born in 1972, coming from a family of growers and cognac distillers for seven generation, Aymeric de Gironde was educated in Bordeaux in the International Program of the Bordeaux Business School. In 1996, it was quite naturally that Aymeric de Gironde took off to the United States to be responsible for the promotion of the House of Cognac Hennessy. After spending 1 year going across the country, Aymeric decided to stay in New York for the wine and spirits importer Schieffelin & Somerset (joint venture between LVMH and Diageo) as responsible for the distribution for New York. In 2001, following his experience in the US, Aymeric comes back to France with the responsibility of developing, at the European level, a new brand from Hennessy. Then in 2003, still within the LVMH Group, Aymeric joined the Champagne House Krug as International Business Development Director, focusing mainly on the European and American markets. In 2006, Aymeric de Gironde joined the AXA Group as International Sales Director for all AXA Millésimes vineyards, among which the prestigious Château Pichon Longueville Baron in Pauillac, Château Suduiraut in Sauternes or Quinta do Noval in Portugal.

Aymeric de Gironde is now CEO of Domaines Reybier that includes in Saint-Estèphe Château Cos d’Estournel, Château Marbuzet, but also the Imperial Estate of Tokaj Hétszölö and the new high end brand, Goulée in Médoc.

The Menu


lamb heart tartare
pickled mustard seed, caper, focaccia
First flight: 2008, 2006, 2004.


crispy glazed sweetbreads
celery salad, radicchio
Second flight: 2005, 2003, 2002.


potato gnocchi
wild boar ragu, rutabaga, apples
Third flight: 2000, 1996, 1995.


la belle farms duck breast
foie gras grits, baby hakurei turnips
Forth flight: 1989, 1985, 1982.


aged gouda
date jam, ginger snaps
Fifth flight: 2012, 2010, 2009.


Ripple's Executive Chef Marjorie Meek-Bradley


The Wines

Tasting notes by Annette Schiller, ombiasy PR and WineTours.

Here is an overview of the tasting:

David McIntyre (Washington Post): “The wines we tasted at Ripple consistently showed Cos d’Estournel’s style and terroir. Each vintage displayed flavors of dark fruits — blackberries and currants — with curry spice of fenugreek and cardamom. Age added mushrooms and soy sauce, the umami of well-matured wine.”

Picture: Before the Tasting

Kevon Shin (Grand Jury Europeen): “The wines were very youthful and showed excellent concentrations. Almost all wines showed a hint of Cabernet green and lead pencil. The wines up to 2000 seemed more classic. Starting in 2002, the wines were riper and more concentrated. Very ripe and youthful fruit expression as well as somewhat straightforward overall expression reminded me Leoville Las Cases a bit.”

Annette Schiller: For me personally this tasting proved me right that it is a crime to drink the Bordeaux wines too early. The true character only develops with age. It needs patience to wait but it is all worth it and the reward is phenomenal.

First Flight: 2008, 2006, 2004


2008 Château Cos d'Estournel - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe

At 85%, the 2008 has a high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon, with 13% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc.
Aymeric de Gironde: “In cold years, such as 2008, 2006 and 2004, the wines are shy. They don’t want to show themselves right away.”

Restrained nose with some hints of cassis, warm spices and flowers. On the palate, excellent concentration with dense tannins. Creamy finish. Still a baby I would love to re-taste the wine in 10 years.

2006 Château Cos d'Estournel - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe

78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot.

Aymeric de Gironde: “The 2006 was undrinkable at first, and we thought, ‘uh-oh,’ but it calmed down a year ago, and it should age well. Those who know Cos will find the spice and length the wine is known for.”
Attack of coffee, leather and cassis notes on the nose. Concentrated on the palate with firm, attractive tannins. Muscular body. Still very raw.

2004 Château Cos d'Estournel - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe

74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc.

Aymeric de Gironde: “The 2004s were not welcomed here in the United States. But after five years, they began to open up.”

A wine from an underrated vintage that is developing well. Notes of sweet truffles, red fruits, cassis and mushrooms on the nose. Vibrant on the palate with wet earth and tobacco aromas. The most accessible wine in the flight.

Second Flight: 2005, 2003, 2002


2005 Château Cos d'Estournel - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe

78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc.

Aymeric de Gironde: “The 2005 was a dream vintage. It was sunny when it was supposed to be sunny, and it rained when it was supposed to rain. If you can find any Bordeaux from 2005, you should buy it.”

Aymeric de Gironde: “Although it is a ripe wine with very good concentration, is still very much closed”.

It opened up in the glass. A bit of “pipi de chat” on the nose but also cassis, lavender and wet earth. Brilliant on the palate, showed dense complexity with concentrated and elegant aromas and beautifully integrated sweet tannins. Aymeric called this wine a wine for forever and I agree. It might have an eternal life. The bit awkward nose at the first sniff dissipated after the wine was in the glass for a while.

2003 Château Cos d'Estournel - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe

70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc.

2003 was the year of the heat wave in France, which lasted 15 days and during which several people died. Of cause, it also caused a lot of issues with the wines made that year. But this one here is simply amazing. At first approach, an exotic impression, notes of clove, earth, vanilla, incense on the nose. It is incredible balanced and quite approachable now, smooth on the palate, with coffee, eucalyptus and bitter chocolate aromas. A dark and rich wine.

2002 Château Cos d'Estournel - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe

58% of Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot.

Americ de Gironde: “This wine was made from extremely low yields of only 32 hectoliters per hectare.”
This is a phenomenal wine, very precise, very smooth with good acidity on the palate, and an everlasting aftertaste. Beautiful cassis and currants on the nose with hints of leather and pepper. This wine clearly outperformed the 05 and 03.

Third Flight: 2000, 1996, 1995


2000 Château Cos d'Estournel - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe

65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc.

Aymeric de Gironde: “Starting in 2000, Cos and other wineries lowered yields from 60 hectoliters per hectare to about 45 hectoliters per hectare and the wines became more intense.”

This wine came from a magnum bottle. Cassis, attack of blackberries, coffee and Indian spices on the nose. Fine and soft tannins on the palate. Very harmonious and round. Perfect for drinking now.

1996 Château Cos d'Estournel - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe

65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot. 60% new barrels.

Dark, intense color in the glass. Red fruit on the nose coupled with green pepper, tobacco, roses and leather. Long on the palate with silky tannins, bright acidity and fruity aromas. All in all a very muscular wine. It showed some maturity, and is perfect now, absolutely delicious, and with a long finish.

1995 Château Cos d'Estournel - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe

60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot. 100% new barrels.

Aymeric de Gironde called this the “year of the experiment”, because the wine was aged entirely in new oak.
This wine also showed some maturity, but was somehow very different than the 96. The nose presented a glorious roasted chestnut character, some cocoa, and menthol. Concentrated on the palate, full bodied, intense, layers of plum and cassis coupled with Asian spices. The sweet tannins, relatively low acidity, and new oak made for a smoother wine than the 96.

Fourth Flight: 1989, 1985, 1982


1989 Château Cos d'Estournel - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe

60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot. 95% new oak barrels.

An exceptional year with the earliest harvesting of the century.

Intense, deep color, coming from the Cos terroir. Complex aromas of burnt wood, spices, coffee and ripe fruits on the nose. Full and persistent in the mouth with nicely integrated tannins and earth, charcoal, cedar and coffee notes. Long finish.

1985 Château Cos d'Estournel - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe

60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot. 100% new oak barrels.

A hot dry summer. September and October had intense sunshine.

A color only slightly developed. Perfumed nose with flowers, red fruit and vanilla notes. Fleshy, rich with refined tannins on the palate. Long, crisp finis. Very pleasant today.

1982 Château Cos d'Estournel - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe

60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot. 70% new oak barrels.

A very deep color, little developed. Rich, sweet nose with notes of very ripe fruit and spices. Extremely dense and perfectly harmonious on the palate, with well absorbed tannins. Drink now. It is perfect.

All three wines of this flight definitely showed maturity with the 1982 being the perfectly matured wine.

Fifth Flight: 2012, 2010, 2009


2012 Château Cos d'Estournel - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe

75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot. 70% new barrels.
Overall the weather in 2012 was not great. It was very volatile. However August 2012 will be remembered as being the hottest August since 2003, and also as being even drier than the summer of 2010. Very tight and closed on the nose with some hints of roasted herbs, gravel, espresso and black fruit. Dense palate with loads of vanilla, coffee, toasted almond. Relatively short finish. This wine will develop well.

2010 Château Cos d'Estournel - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe

78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot. 80% new barrels.
The 2010 vintage was the product of an exceptional combination of dry weather – 2010 was the driest year of the decade – and rather cool temperatures – with the coldest May over five years.

Aymeric de Gironde: “Look at that color; you know it’s a Cos wine when you cannot see your fingers through the glass. The 2010 was the best one we’ve made so far. Hopefully not the last best one. My model for the future.”

Beautiful, deep crimson color. Restrained on the nose with hints of cassis, tobacco and wet earth. Incredibly balanced and powerful on the palate. An extremely precise wine. Worth waiting for!

2009 Château Cos d'Estournel - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe

65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc. 80% new barrels.

Aymeric de Gironde: “In 2009, the vintage got bigger than us, and the wine was opulent, exuberant, with extreme concentration.”

Lots of black fruit, cassis, fruit cake and incense notes on the nose. Powerful and rich, yet smooth on the palate, with extremely precise tannins. Great potential to age.

This wine got 100 points by Robert Parker but even given that cloud I preferred the 2010 which had the clean structure and perfect balance.


Bye-bye

What an event! Thanks Panos and Americ.

Pictures: What an event! Thanks Panos and Americ

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Picture: The New Germany: Dry, Red and Sparkling – Tasting at the American Wine Society (Northern Virginia Chapter) with Annette Schiller

Annette Schiller presented 10 German wines at the American Wine Society (Northern Virginia Chapter). It excluded the delicious fruity-sweet and nobles-sweet wines, Germany has become so famous for around the world.

Instead, Annette started with 3 red wines; Germany is increasingly becoming known around the world as a serious red wine producer.

She then poured a Sekt (German expression for sparkling wine); few people outside of Germany know that the Germans drink (and produce) a lot of sparkling wine: 1 out of 4 sparklers produced in the world is consumed in Germany.

Pictures: The New Germany: Dry, Red and Sparkling – Tasting at the American Wine Society (Northern Virginia Chapter) with Annette Schiller

The remainder of the tasting were 6 dry German white wines, including 2 Grosses Gewächs wines, the new category of ultra-premium drý German wines, and including a wine from the Saale Unstrut region in the eastern part of Germany that was cut off from the world market for decades.

Germany has 13 wine regions and we had wines from 9 of them. All important wine regions were briefly presented by Annette, including Baden and Württemberg, which are very little known outside of Germany. From Baden, we had a Spätburgunder from Weingut Dr. Heger und from Württemberg a Lemberger from Weingut Rainer Schnaitmann.

All producers presented are members of the VDP, the German association of 200 or so elite winemakers. Annette also briefly talked about the new, terroir-based classification for German wines, which is being pushed by the VDP.

All presented winemakers, we know personally. We have already visited almost all of them on one of the wine tours to Germany (Germany-East, Germany-South and Germany-Nord); Annette shared memories from these visits.

The selection of wines was also determined by budgetary considerations. 40 people attended and were charged US$20 per person, which had to cover the wine purchases as well as the food served, rent for the room and other minor expenditures. Annette bought 2 bottles of each wine in the local and internet market and handcarried one wine from Germany. 

3 German Red Wines

2012 Vitus Spätburgunder Weinhaus Heger (Weingut Dr. Heger), Baden

Picture: 2012 Vitus Spätburgunder Weinhaus Heger (Weingut Dr. Heger), Baden

An excellent Pinot Noir from the Kaiserstuhl area in the southern part of Baden from one of the leading producers in Baden, Weingut Dr. Heger. We visited Weingut Dr. Heger on the Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), see: Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Dr. Heger in Ihringen, Kaiserstuhl, Baden – Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Picture: Tasting at Weingut Dr. Heger in Ihringen, Kaiserstuhl, Baden

2012 Pinot Noir II, Weingut Von Winning, Pfalz

Picture: 2012 Pinot Noir II, Weingut Von Winning, Pfalz

While Baden is located east of Alsace in France, the Pfalz is north of Alsace. Weingut vn Winning is a leading producer in Deidesheim. We visited Weingut Von Winning on the Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), see: Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

 Picture: At Weingut Van Winning

2008 Lemberger, Weingut Rainer Schnaitmann, Württemberg

Picture: 2008 Lemberger, Weingut Rainer Schnaitmann, Württemberg

Württemberg has the highest per-capita wine consumption ration in Germany, but its mainly red wines are virtually unknown out side of Germany. This is changing also thanks to Weingut Rainer Schnaitmann, which is well represented in the US. Lemberger is the German name for Blaufränkisch, which has gained some popularity in the US recently.

We visited Weingut Rainer Schnaitmann on the Germany-East Wine and Culture Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), see: Germany-East Wine and Art Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Pictures: At Weingut Rainer Schnaitmann with Rainer Schnaitmann

Red Wine Revolution

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.

1 Sekt

NV Dr. Deinhard Riesling Sekt Extra Brut, Pfalz

Picture: NV Dr. Deinhard Riesling Sekt Extra Brut, Pfalz

When Weingut Von Winning was founded more than a century ago, its original name was Weingut Dr. Deinhard. Today, a number of its wines are marketed under the Dr. Deinhard name, including this Sekt Extra Brut.

Sekt in Germany

Germany is one of the largest sparkling wine markets in the world. One out of four bottles of sparkling wine is consumed in Germany. Sparkling wine produced in Germany is called Sekt.

Sekt is made in all German wine regions, both in the méthode traditionnelle and charmat method. There are three groups of Sekt makers: (i) large and (ii) smaller Sekt Houses that only make Sekt and (iii) wine makers, who make predominantly wine, but complement their wine selection by a few Sekts. The Sekts produced by large Sekt Houses tend to be in the demy-sweet and sweet range, while the Sekts of smaller estates and the wine makers are mostly in the brut and extra brut range.

There is a dozen or so large Sekt Houses in Germany, most of them established in the 1800s at the same time as the French Champagne Houses. At that time, there was only one method known to produce Sekt, the méthode traditionnelle. But in contrast to the Champagne Houses, the large German Sekt Houses all moved to the charmat method (in a tank) as main method of the second fermentation after World War II. Like the Champagne Houses, Sekt Houses do not own vineyards, but purchase the base wine from wine makers. More than three quarters of the base wine used to make Sekt is imported from other EU countries, essentially Italy, France and Spain. Sekt can only be labeled as Deutscher Sekt if it is made exclusively from German grapes, which is rare in the case of the large and the smaller Sekt Houses. Most of the Sekt Houses have beautiful chateau-type facilities with old underground cellars for the second fermentation and storage. Overall, these Sekts are reasonably priced, are of good quality, but with the introduction of the charmat method are no longer in the same class as their counterparts in the champagne region.

Like the large Sekt Houses, the smaller Sekt Houses do not own vineyards, but also buy the base wine from wine makers. They also tend to have a long history and often links to the champagne region, beautiful facilities and old cellars for the second fermentation and storage. The big difference is that they typically have not gone the route of tank fermentation but continue to ferment in the méthode traditionnelle.

Finally, there is a number of top quality winemakers, who, in addition, to their still wines, have started to include Sekts in their portfolio. These Sekts are typically vintage Sekts, from a specified vineyard, made of specific grapes, often Riesling, in the méthode champenoise and with little dosage (brut or extra but). While the first fermentation typically takes place at the winery, the second fermentation is often not in the cellar of the wine maker but in the cellar of a Sekt House that bottle-ferments for other wineries.

6 Dry Wines

2014 Iphöfer Silvaner, Weingut Hans Wirsching, Franken

Picture: 2014 Iphöfer Silvaner, Weingut Hans Wirsching, Franken

Silvaner is the signature grape of the Franken region, which east of Frankfurt. Most of the Franken wines ware bottled in the traditional Bocksbeutel bottle. This is a bone-dry wine, which goes very well with asparagus. Indeed, Silvaner is the preferred wine for the Germans during the asparagus season.

We visited Weingut Hans Wirsching on the Germany-East Wine and Culture Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), see: Tour and Tasting at Weingut Wirsching in Iphofen in Franken with General Manager Uwe Matheus– Germany-East Wine and Art Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Pictures: In Würzburg in the Evening

2013 Grauer Burgunder Freiburger Edelacker, GG, Weingut Bernhard Pawis, Saale-Unstrut

Picture: 2013 Grauer Burgunder Freiburger Edelacker, GG, Weingut Bernhard Pawis, Saale-Unstrut

This was a very special wine for several reasons. It is not available in the US: we hand-carried it to the US. It is from a wine region in the former GDR, a wine region that was cut off from the world market for some time. And, finally, it is a GG, a Grosses Gewächs, an ultra-premium dry wine in the new German wine classification pushed by the VDP.

We visited Weingut Bernhard Pawis on the Germany-East Wine and Culture Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), see: Weingut Pawis (Saale Unstrut): Estate Tour and Wine Tasting with Markus Pawis – Germany-East Wine and Art Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Picture: Christian Schiller and Kerstin Pawis at Weingut Pawis 

2014 Riesling, Von Unserem, Weingut Balthasar Ress, Rheingau

Picture: 2014 Riesling, Von Unserem, Weingut Balthasar Ress, Rheingau

The Von Unserem was the first of four dry Rieslings. This was an entry-level wine of a top producer from the Rheingau, widely available in the US.

We visited Weingut Balthasar Ress on the Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014), see: Tasting at Weingut Balthasar Ress, Hattenheim, Rheingau, with Stefan Ress, Germany

Picture: Annette Schiller, Christian and Stefan Ress in the wineBank, Weingut Balthasar Ress

2012 Riesling Weingut Dönnhoff, Nahe

2012 Riesling Weingut Dönnhoff, Nahe

Hellmut Dönnhoff is one of the world’s Riesling top stars. He recently pulled a bit back an let his son Cornelius Dönnhoff take over. This is an entry-level wine.

We visited Weingut Dönnhoff on the Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014), see: Wine Tasting and Cellar Tour at Weingut Dönnhoff with Christina Dönnhoff– Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)

Pictures: Helmut Dönnhoff receiving the Ombiasy Group in 2013

2012 Riesling, Weingut Klaus-Peter Keller, Rheinhessen

Picture: 2012 Riesling, Weingut Klaus-Peter Keller, Rheinhessen

Ever heard of G-Max, a German ultra-premium dry Riesling that sells for several hundred Dollars the bottle? This wine is the entry-level wine of cult wine maker Klaus Peter Keller.

We are booked to see him on the Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2016), see: Announcement: 5 Exciting ombiasy WineTours in 2016 - BURGUNDY BORDEAUX GERMANY

Picture: Annette Schiller, Julia Keller, Klaus Peter Keller in New York

2011 Riesling, Pündericher Marienburg, GG, Weingut Clemens Busch, Mosel

Picture: 2011 Riesling, Pündericher Marienburg, GG, Weingut Clemens Busch, Mosel

Finally, another GG, from the Mosel. Yes, the Mosel not only produces super top fruity sweet and noble sweet wines, but also super top dry premium wines, like this one of Clemens Busch.

We visited Weingut Clemens Busch on the Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014), see: Vineyard Tour and Wine Tasting at Weingut Clemens Busch – Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)

Picture: In the Pündericher Marienburg Vineyard with Rita Busch

Germany Drinks Dry

Many wine drinkers, in particular outside of Europe, when they see a German wine in the shelves, have the association of a sweet-style wine. This is however misguided. German wines as a rule are dry wines. Let me quote Terry Theise: … What I myself see, from the growers I visit and the restaurants I go to, and the stories I am told, Germany is not only a dry-wine culture, it is militantly and obsessively so. How many letters have I gotten from travelers to Germany who were promptly dismayed to find the utter hegemony of the Trocken style? I did not set these people up. They saw what I see. … If you were dropped from the sky and landed in Germany you would conclude it is a dry wine culture.

Steffen Christmann, the President of the VDP, the German elite wine maker association, estimates that 95% of German wine beyond a price point of Euro 15 is dry. Christian Witte, Domain Administrator of Schloss Johannisberg, says that 85% of the wines he exports to the US are sweet-style. This was 95% 10 years ago. Thus, German dry wine is still a niche market in the US, but a rapidly expanding niche as the world discovers German dry wine.

Pictures: The New Germany: Dry, Red and Sparkling – Tasting at the American Wine Society (Northern Virginia Chapter) with Annette Schiller

Germany by ombiasy PR WineTours 2016

The husband and wife team Annette and Christian Schiller will personally guide the tours throughout the trip. Through our friendships with winemakers and owners of estates, all tours will become a very personal experience for everyone in our small group.

GERMANY EAST (May 12 - May 20)

This 9 day tour allows wine lovers and aficionados of the arts to experience what the statement “wine is a form of art” entails. Wine, music, dance, visual arts, kaleidoscope of European and German history. We experience all this in Germany’s beautiful wine regions in the East, which is also the cradle of German intellect and culture. We will visit 19 wineries, among them wineries that embody the wine and art approach, and attend 4 performances at world-renowned theater houses.

GERMANY NORTH (May 05 - May 11)

This 7 day tour lets us explore the regions that are quintessential to understand “Riesling”, and the concept of “terroir”. We will visit many picturesque wine towns and will do a cruise on the romantic Rhine River with its castle- and vine-ribboned bank; the Mosel valley with its dizzying steep vineyards; delving into 2000 years of history and tasting premium wines at world-class wine estates.

GERMANY SOUTH / ALSACE (Aug 28 - Sep 03)

This 7 day tour takes us to the southernmost German wine regions and we will experience the German red wine revolution - gorgeous Pinot-Noirs. We will visit Germany’s unconventional, but exceptionally gifted winemakers as well as top estates in Alsace to compare the very different approaches of winemaking philosophies. We will dine at Michelin starred restaurants reflecting southern Germany's affinity with Haute Cuisine, and proximity to culinary Alsace in France across the Rhine river.

For more details: www.ombiasypr.com or aschiller@ombiasypr.com

schiller-wine - Related Postings

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

Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Bourgogne Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

Announcement: 5 Exciting ombiasy WineTours in 2016 - BURGUNDY BORDEAUX GERMANY

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Dr. Heger in Ihringen, Kaiserstuhl, Baden – Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Tasting at Weingut Wirsching in Iphofen in Franken with General Manager Uwe Matheus– 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)

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

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

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

Picture: Wine Dinner with Georg Rumpf at Weingut Kruger-Rumpf

We spent the final evening of the tour (we still had 2 lovely tastings the next day, at Schloss Johannisberg with Managing Director Christian Witte and at Sektkellerei Bardong) at Weingut Kruger-Rumpf and had dinner in the lovely wine tavern of Weingut Kruger-Rumpf with Georg Rumpf, the winemaker of Weingut Kruger-Rumpf.

Weingut Kruger-Rumpf is represented in the US by Michael Skurnik/ Terry Theise and widely available in the country.

Weingut Kruger-Rumpf

“In our family, viniculture has been tradition since 1708 - a tradition that we have been cultivating in our vineyards as well as in our manor house which was built back in 1830” said Georg Rumpf. Stefan Rumpf, Georg’s father, brought Weingut Kruger-Rumpf up to where it is today: After completing his studies in agricultural sciences, including stints in Californian wineries, and conducting research at the Geisenheim research institute, Stefan Rumpf took over the estate from his parents in 1984. Up until then, the wines were sold almost entirely in bulk. Stefan Rumpf changed this and started to bottle his wines and to market the bottles himself. Less than 10 years later, in 1992, Weingut Kruger-Rumpf was invited to join the VDP, the about 200 German elite winemakers, a clear sign of what Stefan Rumpf had achieved over the course of just 8 years.

Pictures: At Weingut Kruger-Rumpf in Münster-Sarmsheim, Nahe

Today, Weingut Kruger-Rumpf has 3 (of 5) grapes in the Gault Millau WeinGuide Deutschland. The vineyard area totals 22 hectares and the annual production is 14.000 cases. The top sites are: Münsterer Dautenpflänzer (slate with sandy loam); Münsterer Pittersberg (slate); Münsterer Rheinberg (weathered quartzite and sandy loam); Binger Scharlachberg Rheinhessen (Rotliegend and porphyry).

Grape varieties: 65% Riesling, 10% each of Silvaner and Weissburgunder, 5% each of Chardonnay, Grauburgunder and Spätburgunder. In fact, Kruger-Rumpf was the first estate in the Nahe region to plant Chardonnay.

Georg Rumpf has taken over the winemaking aspect of Weingut Kruger-Rumpf, while his father is now more focusing on sales and general management.

Weingut Krueger-Rumpf sells 70% of its production in Germany and exports the remaining 30%. Accordingly, “80% of the wines we produce are dry wines” said Georg “and 20% are fruity-sweet and noble-sweet wines.” In the US, Weingut Kruger-Rumpf is imported by Terry Theise.

Pictures: Cellar Tour at Weingut Kruger-Rumpf in Münster-Sarmsheim, Nahe

Weinstube Kruger-Rumpf

One of the (many) assets of Weingut Kruger-Rumpf is the lovely country restaurant, which is part of the winery. It opened its doors in 1994. They call it a wine tavern, but for me it is a country restaurant. Whatever you call it, it is a lovely place, where you can have a great time with traditional, upscale cuisine and Kruger-Rumpf wines in the cozy atmosphere of a family-run country restaurant.

Pictures: Stefan Rumpf and Cornelia Rumpf

The rooms are decorated with appropriate accessories depending on the season. Painted stucco ceilings, historic tiled stoves, wooden floors, warm wall paint as well as furniture in country-house style provide for a comfortable living room atmosphere. The bright rooms are located on the ground floor of the manor house.

In addition, there is an idyllic garden. Especially during the summer, the garden restaurant of the winery provides you with the opportunity to enjoy the evening in a cozy al fresco atmosphere with a hearty meal and a good glass of wine. In fact, we did the tasting with Georg in the garden restaurant.

Pictures: Wine Dinner with Georg Rumpf at Weingut Kruger-Rumpf

I love to wine and dine in the Kruger-Rumpf wine tavern. Towards the end of the year, after the harvest, Weingut Kruger-Rumpf always organizes two winemaker dinners. These are exceptional events, because of the wines, the food and the ambiance. When we are in Germany during that period, we always try to participate.

The Wines

2012 Weingut Kruger-Rumpf Sekt Riesling brut


2014 Weingut Kruger-Rumpf Weisser Burgunder S trocken

Georg Rumpf said that the Bourgogne varieties now account for 1/3 of the Kruger-Rumpf output. The Silberkapsel was fermented and aged in a large “Holzfass”. It is round, smooth and creamy.

2014 Weingut Kruger-Rumpf Münsterer Rheinberg Riesling feinherb


2014 Weingut Kruger-Rumpf Pittersberg Riesling GG

2014 Weingut Kruger-Rumpf Scharlachberg Riesling GG

Two great examples of what Germany can deliver in terms of ultra-premium dry white wines. The Scharlachberg is a tick more concentrated and richer than the Pittersberg.


2013 Weingut Kruger-Rumpf Münsterer Dautenpflänzer Spätlese

Münsterer Dautenpflänzer is composed of slate and sandy loam and is one of Kruger-Rumpf’s top sites. 75 gr. Remaining sugar.

2014 Weingut Kruger-Rumpf Scheurebe Spätlese

2011 Weingut Kruger-Rumpf Scheurebe Auslese

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

2002 Weingut Kruger-Rumpf Pittersberg Riesling Eiswein
2007 Weingut Kruger-Rumpf Pittersberg Riesling Beerenauslese

Two world class noble-sweet wines to finish off.


Bye-bye

Thank you very much Cornelia, Stefan and Georg for a great evening.

Pictures: Bye-bye

Postings on the Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015) (Posted and Forthcoming)

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

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

Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), Germany

Tour and Tasting at Weingut Baron Knyphausen in Erbach, Rheingau - Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Wine and Music at Eberbach Abbey in the Rheingau - Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Tour and Wine Tasting with Lunch, with Mark Barth at Wein- und Sektgut Barth in Hattenheim, Rheingau– Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Tour and Tasting at Weingut Spreitzer in Oestrich, Rheingau, with Bernd Spreitzer – Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Wine Tasting at Weingut Toni Jost in Bacharach, Mittelrhein, with Cecilia Jost– Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Cruise on the Rhein River in the Mittelrhein Valley, an UNESCO World Heritage Region – Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Wine Tasting at Weingut J.J. Adeneuer in Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler, Ahr, with Marc Adeneuer - Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Vineyard Walk and Tasting at Weingut Meyer-Näkel in Dernau, Ahr, with Dörte Näkel– Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Wine Tasting at Weingut Dr. Loosen in Bernkastel-Kues, Mosel – Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Wining in Bernkastel-Kues in the Mosel Valley: Wine Tavern “Spitzhaeuschen”, Germany

Tasting at Weingut St. Urbans-Hof in Leiwen, Mosel, with Nik Weis – Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Lunch, Tasting and Vineyard Walk at Weingut Van Volxem with Owner Roman Niewodniczanski – Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Wine Tasting at Weingut Hexamer in Monzingen, Nahe– Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Tour and Tasting at Weingut Gut Hermannsberg in Niederhausen, Nahe– Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Tour and Wine Dinner at Weingut Kruger-Rumpf in Münster-Sarmsheim, Nahe

Tour and Tasting at Sektmanufaktur Bardong in Geisenheim, Rheingau

Tour, Tasting and Lunch at Domaine Schloss Johannisberg in Geisenheim, Rheingau

Announcement: 5 Exciting ombiasy WineTours in 2016 - BURGUNDY BORDEAUX GERMANY

schiller-wine - Related Postings (Weingut Kruger-Rumpf)

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

Fabulous Dinner at schauMahl Restaurant with Winemaker Georg Rumpf, Weingut Kruger-Rumpf, Chef Björn Andreas and Sommelier Pit Punda, Germany

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

Winemaker Dinner with Georg and Stefan Rumpf and with Cornelia Rumpf at Weingut Kruger- Rumpf in the Nahe Valley, Germany

Wine Maker Dinner with Stefan Rumpf at Weinstube Kruger-Rumpf in Muenster-Sarmsheim, Germany

Visiting Georg Rumpf and his VDP Weingut Kruger-Rumpf in the Nahe Region, Germany

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

Picture: Annette and Christian Schiller with Jean-René Matignon, Technical Director of Château Pichon Longueville Baron, at Ripple in Washington DC

Annette Schiller and I joined Michael Sands of Calvert and Woodley for a wonderful dining experience featuring the wines of Château Pichon Longueville Baron and Château Suduiraut, from Bordeaux's Pauillac and Sauternes region, respectively. The guests of honor for the evening were Jean-René Matignon, Technical Director at Château Pichon Longueville Baron, and Pierre Montégut, Technical Director at Château Suduiraut.

With a long and storied tradition that dates back over 150 years, Château Pichon Longueville is a well-known "Super Second" to Bordeaux lovers. They mix tradition and technology to make the best wines possible from their terroir.

Château Suduiraut is one of the truly great properties in Sauternes.

We also had a wine of Château Pibran, which is made by Jean-René Matignon and his team of Château Pichon Longueville, in their state-of-the-art winery.

The dinner was be held at Ripple in Cleveland Park where Executive Chef Marjorie Meek-Bradley put together a wonderful meal to pair with these gorgeous Bordeaux wines.

Pictures: Welcome at Ripple - Annette and Christian Schiller, Marlene and Charles Bullfighter Reddoor and   Jean-René Matignon, Technical Director of Château Pichon Longueville Baron, and Pierre Montégut, Technical Director at Château Suduiraut

Château Pichon Longueville Baron

Château Pichon Longueville Baron (often referred to as Pichon Baron) in Pauillac is one of 15 Deuxièmes Crus in the Classification of 1855. It was once part of a larger estate, owned by Pierre de Rauzan, along with Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande. In 1850 the estate was divided into the two current Pichon estates facing each other as one enters Pauillac along the D2 highway. Since 1987, Jean-Rene Matignon has worked at Pichon Baron as Technical Director. In 1987 the estate was purchased by French insurance company AXA, who immediately appointed Jean-Michel Cazes of Château Lynch-Bages as administrator. The property is currently managed by Christian Seely.

Pictures: Organizer Michael Sands, Owner of Calvert and Woodley, and Annette Schiller

Château Pichon Baron's 73 hectares are situated at the southern end of Pauillac, near border with the Saint-Julien-Beychevelle appellation, and planted with Cabernet Sauvignon (60%), Merlot (35%), Cabernet Franc (4%) and Petit Verdot (1%). The average age of the vines is 30 years.

Grapes are harvested and sorted by hand, and then macerated for 20-30 days, and fermented at 28-32 °C in temperature controlled stainless steel vats of varying sizes. The wine is transferred into oak barrels for aging after finishing its malolactic fermentation. The estate also produces a second wine, Les Tourelles de Longueville.

Pictures: Michael Sands Welcoming Everybody

Château Suduiraut

Château Suduiraut is located in the commune of Preignac and its vineyards border those of d`Yquem. The property has a long history stretching back to the 15th century. Only a solitary wing remains of the original château, as it was destroyed by the Duc d`Eperon in the 16th century. The present château was built in the 17th century by the Suduiraut family, who also commissioned a spectacular garden designed by Le Nôtre. Suduiraut was classified as a 1er Cru Classé in 1855.

Suduiraut's 90 hectares of vineyards are planted with 80% Sémillon and 20% Sauvignon Blanc. The grapes are harvested in several "tries" and are fermented in 50-hectolitre stainless steel tanks. The wine is then aged in small barriques (33% new) for 24 months.

Since 1992 Suduiraut has been owned by AXA.

Château Pibran

Château Pibran is an old Médoc name. Its highly reputed vineyard covers one of the finest outcrops of Pauillac. The estate, which originally had only just 10 hectares, was expanded in 2001 following the purchase of neighbouring property chateau Tour Pibran to reach the current size of 17 hectares of superb Garonne gravel soil. The attractive little charterhouse, built in the 19th century, can be seen as one leaves Pauillac toward Cissac, perched on a little hill surrounded by a tree-shaded garden. For a long time it belonged to the Billa family, who sold it to AXA Millésimes in 1987. The vineyards were restructured shortly after the purchase, and drainage was improved in order to get the best possible effect of the soil on the wine. Today the wine of Pibran is carefully made by Jean-René Matignon and his team of Château Pichon Longueville, in their state-of-the-art winery.

Jean-Rene Matignon, Technical Director.

Pictures: At Château Pichon Longueville Barona few Months ago during: Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

The AXA Wine Portfolio

Château Pichon Baron, 2nd Cru Classé Pauillac, France
Château Suduiraut, 1er Cru Classé Sauternes, France
Château Petit-Village, Pomerol, France
Château Pibran, Pauillac, France
Domaine de l’Arlot, Nuits-Saint-Georges, France
Domaine Disznókö, Tokaj, Hongrie
Quinta do Noval, Douro, Portugal

AXA also owns one of the larger Bordeaux wine negociant companies, Compagnie Medocaine.

Pictures: Lovely Wine Dinner

Menu

The wine-searcher average prices in US$ per 0.75 liter bottle are in brackets.

Picture: Menu

First Course

hamachi crudo
yuzu ponzu, cucumber, celery, radish

Picture: First Course

2013 Château Suduiraut "S" de Suduiraut (US$33)

This is a dry Sauternes. “Sauternes is one of the greatest white wine terroirs in the world, for sweet or dry wine,” Olivier Bernard says. “What the market wants now is dry wine.”

Pictures: 2013 Château Suduiraut "S" de Suduiraut and Pierre Montégut, Technical Director at Château Suduiraut, Talking about the Wine

Pierre Montégut: S de Suduiraut, an exception to the rule. A dry white wine that expresses another facet of the terroir and Suduiraut’s expertise, S is outstanding. It has a strong bond with the terroir through its high percentage of Sémillon. This wine’s finely integrated wood ageing, its fruit and floral aromas, its rich, supple structure and its freshness make it an elegant and sophisticated wine and an ideal partner for a wide range of culinary matches.

Second Course

potato gnocchi
lamb shank ragu, rutabaga, apples

Picture: Second Course

2009 Château Pibran (US$51)

The Wine Advocate: A major sleeper of the vintage from the owners of Pichon Longueville Baron, this blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon displays plenty of coffee bean, creme de cassis and sweet cherry notes in a very intense, full-bodied, opulent style There is some serious power underlying the extravagant fruit.

Picture: 2009 Château Pibran

Les Tourelles de Longueville 2012 (US$41)

The grapes that are used to blend Les Tourelles de Longueville come essentially from the Sainte Anne plot, planted mainly to Merlot, giving this wine a distinctive personality which is heightened by its specific blend. This wine with the typical profile of a true Pauillac, full-bodied with supple tannins and notes of summer berry fruit, is highly approachable.

Picture: Les Tourelles de Longueville 2012

Third Course

la belle farms duck breast
foie gras grits, baby hakurei turnips

Picture: Duck Course

Château Pichon Longueville Baron 2005 (US$155)
Château Pichon Longueville Baron 2003 (US$144)
Château Pichon Longueville Baron 1989 (US$261)

Pictures: Château Pichon Longueville Baron 2005 2003 1989 and Jean-Rene Matignontalking about the Wines

No so long ago, Annette Schiller and I enjoyed an extensive tasting of Château Pichon-Longueville wines, co-presented by Jean-René Matignon and Panos Kakaviatos, also at Restaurant Ripple. I wrote about the event here and I am copying Jean-René and Annette’s comments on the 3 vintages. See: Vertical Tasting of Château Pichon-Longueville Baron with Jean-Rene Matignon and Panos Kakaviatos in Washington DC, USA

Pictures: Panos Kakaviatos, Christian and Annette Schiller with Jean-René Matignon about a Year ago

Jean-René Matignon: The 2003 vintage was famously hot and difficult to sort out the very ripe fruit. For the second wine a second pick was employed. The 2005 vintage was strict and austere being about terroir and one for our children.

Annette Schiller: 2003: The nose was similar to the 2000, but a bit more on the fruity side. This full-bodied, very complex wine was softer on the tannins than the 2000. It was beautifully balanced, also very pure with a lower acidity, and in general a more gentle wine.

Pictures: Annette and Christian Schiller with Jean-René Matignon, Technical Director of Château Pichon Longueville Baron, at Ripple in Washington DC

2005: On the first encounter the nose was very restrained, and it did not really open up during the dinner. There were subtle hints of dark berries, but the balanced, polished, yet substantial and concentrated body made the wine very pleasant. This wine certainly will benefit from some more years of aging.

Pictures: Talking about the Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015) Visit

Jean-René Matignon: The 1989 and 1990 vintages produced from the historic, smaller vineyard on the estate. The new winery was not built until 1991 so they reflect the raw quality of the fruit. The 1989 vintage experienced such nice weather that the fruit was picked with students. There were exceptional berries so it was not necessary to sort as it is recently common.

Annette Schiller: 1989: The nose was unique: very restrained, a cigar box mix with still sweet and fragrant fruit, which made the wine extremely interesting and seductive. On the palate the wine clearly showed its age but it still had a lovely body with lots of aromas, and a surprising freshness.

Dessert Course

apple tartine poached apples, creme fraiche

Picture: Dessert

Château Suduiraut 2001 (US$73)
Château Suduiraut 2011 (US$117)

Picture: Château Suduiraut 2001 and Château Suduiraut 2011

Chef

Thanks Executive Chef Marjorie Meek-Bradley for an outstanding meal. She oversees the kitchens at the upscale casual Ripple restaurant in Cleveland Park and the American gastropub Roofers Union in Adams Morgan, Washington, DC.

Pictures: Executive Chef Marjorie Meek-Bradley with Michael Sands and Christian Schiller

Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2015 and 2016

During the Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2015, we had a wonderful tour and tasting at Château Pichon-Longueville-Baron. We were there in the middle of the harvest. And it was at the sorting tables, when we greeted by Jean-René Matignon, Technical Director. Following a tasting, we went over to the old château and enjoyed a gourmet menu in the private quarters of Château Pichon-Longueville-Baron, prepared by Chef Thibaut Gervas, with wine pairings.

The visit of Château Pichon-Longueville-Baron was definitely one of the highlights of the 2015 tour and we will go back there this year.

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

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

Bordeaux Wine Tour 2013 by ombiasy

Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

Bordeaux Wines and their Classifications: The Basics

Bordeaux - En Primeur, Negociants, Courtiers, the Quai de Chartons and the Place de Bordeaux– A Short Introduction

How Does the Negociant System in Bordeaux Work? Tour and Tasting at Millésima - Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

Tour and Wine Dinner at Domaine de Chevalier with Director Adjoint Rémi Edange and Owner/Director Olivier Bernard – Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

Schiller's Favorite Wine Bars in Bordeaux City, France

Schiller's Favorite Seafood Places in Bordeaux City, France

Saint Emilion Wines and their Classification, Bordeaux, France

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

Tour and Tasting at Château Angélus– Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

Tour, Tasting and Wine Lunch at a Petit Château and Organic Producer: Château Beauséjour – Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

Visit of an Ultra-premium Non-mainstream Bordeaux Producer: Tertre Rôteboeuf, with Owner and Winemaker François Mitjavile, France – Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Tour and Tasting at Château Figeac, Premier Grand Cru Classé B, in Saint-Émilion– Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

Tour and Wine Lunch at Château Le Bon Pasteur, Pomerol, with Dany Rolland– Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours(2015), France

The Wine Empire of the von Neipperg Family in France, Bulgaria and Germany

Tour and Dinner at Château Canon La Gaffelière, Appellation Saint-Emilion, Premier Grand Cru Classé – Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

Tour and Tasting at Château de Fargues, Appellation Sauternes, with Prince Eudes d’Orléans– Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

Wine Lunch at Restaurant Château de la Tour in Cadillac with Catherine Boyer, Château Du Cros, Loupiac– Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

Visit and Tasting: Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte, Pessac-Léognan, Grand Cru Classé – Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

Wine Lunch at Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte’s Restaurant La Grand’ Vigne (2 Stars Michelin, Chef: Nicolas Masse) – Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

Tour of the Earl Ostrea Chanca Oyster Farm and Oyster Tasting in Grand-Piquey, with Oyster Farmer Ralph Doerfler

What is a Bordeaux Cru Bourgeois? France

Tour and Wine Dinner at Château Le Reysse, Vignobles Paeffgen, Médoc, in Bégadan, with Stefan Paeffgen

Château Léoville-Poyferré, Chateau Le Crock, Didier Cuvelier in Bordeaux and the Cuvelier Los Andes Wines in Argentina

Tour and Tasting at Château Léoville Poyferré, Saint-Julien, 2ième Grand Cru Classé, with Didier Cuvelier

Tour and Wine Lunch at Château Pichon-Longueville-Baron, Pauillac, 2ième Grand Cru Classé

The 5 Premiers Grands Crus Chateaux en 1855 of Bordeaux, France

Tour and Tasting at Château Mouton-Rothschild, Pauillac, 1ière Grand Cru Classé.

How a Barrel is Made: Visit of the Cooperage Berger & Fils in Vertheuil

Lunch at Restaurant Le Peyrat in Saint-Estèphe with the Grape Pickers of Château Sociando Mallet

Tour and Tasting at Château Lafon-Rochet, Saint-Estèphe, 4ième Grand Cru Classé, with Owner Basile Tesseron

Tour and Tasting at Château Rauzan-Ségla, Margaux, 2ième Grand Cru Classé

Tourt and tasting at Château Palmer, Margaux, 3ième Grand Cru Classé

Tour and Wine Dinner at Château Haut-Bailly, Graves, Appellation Pessac-Léognan, Grand Cru Classé, with Diana Paulin

Announcement: 5 Exciting ombiasy WineTours in 2016 - BURGUNDY BORDEAUX GERMANY

Picture: Jean Michel Gillon Explaining

Jancis Robinson MW, November 2015: Comparing the prices with my scores, I would identify the best-value 2013 Clos de Vougeot as that of Jean-Michel Guillon.

We visited Domaine Jean-Michel Guillon on the Bourgogne Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015). It was our last tasting.

Pictures: Domaine Jean-Michel Guillon

Jean-Michel Guillon was born in Paris and a pilot with the French army. Nobody in his family was ever involved in wine. He always loved Burgundy wines and in 1980 he boarded a train to Burgundy, got off and stayed. He had no training or any qualifications in winemaking. He studied what the experienced masters in the region did and built up relationships that have led to acquisitions of vineyards.

Pictures: Welcome

Domaine Jean Michel Gillon

Domaine Jean Michel Gillon is in Gevrey-Chambertin, right on the Route National. Jean Michel founded the estate in 1980; it is one of the few new estates in Gevrey-Chambertin. Jean Micchel started with 2 appelations; today his portfolio comprises 20 appelations, among them parcels in the 2 Grand Cru sites: Clos de Vougeot and Mazis-Chambertin. In 2005 his son joined to work in the winery. Since 1990 the prominent French wine magazine Guide Hachette regularly selects the Guillon wines as top wines. 94 percent of the production is red wine and 6 percent white wine. Total production is 7000 cases, of which 55 percent is exported, including to the US and Canada. 40 percent is sold at the estate directly to consumers.

Pictures: Domaine Jean Michel Guillon - In the Cellar

Albany Vintners (UK): A new exciting find for us, Jean Michel Guillon is a passionate winemaker who takes Rousseau, Dugat-Py and Denis Bachelet as his inspiration to make rich, impressive Burgundies; these are highly accomplished, succulent Burgundies which, to quote Allen Meadows "retain a clear sense of style and grace and remain identifiably pinot noir". Attention to detail in the vineyard and vinification is scrupulous with yields kept low to produce the best fruit, and 100% of the finest new oak (notably this approach is carried across the range starting even with the Marsannay).

Jeam-Michel has also introduced meticulous practices such as whole cluster fermentation to emphasise the purity of the fruit.

Pictures: Domaine Jean Michel Guillon - In the Cellar

The Wines Jean-Michel Guillon Poured

Albany Vintners (UK): This Domaine has attracted worldwide attention since the 2002 vintage but the 2013s are well rated by Allen Meadows and are, according to Monsieur Guillon, better than his 2012s. These are fleshy, supple, robust wines that offer serious value for money and will provide much drinking pleasure - we couldn't recommend these highly enough and recommend stocking up on these great value Burgundies, which are nigh on impossible to find with any age.

In the Washington DC area, Chain-Bridge Cellars in Mc Lean carries a large selection of the Domaine Jean-Michel Gillon wines.

Picture: Annette Schiller, Doug House (Owner of Chain-Bridge Cellars) and Christian Schiller at Chain-Bridge Cellars

2013 Domaine Jean-Michel Guillon Bourgogne Chardonnay

Chain-Bridge Cellars: Fruit for this wine comes from vineyards in the village of Gevrey-Chambertin – sites where the amount of limestone and chalk are a better fit for rich Chardonnay than powerhouse Pinot Noir. Yields are always low here, but (as in 2012) were even lower than usual in the difficult 2013 harvest. The short crop and cool fall allowed Jean-Michel and his son, Alexis, to harvest perfectly ripe fruit with loads of flavor complexity and acidity at modest (12.5%) alcohols. A cool fermentation and 10 or so months in (35% new) French oak was just right to extract flavor and texture and add subtle complexity without obscuring the lovely fruit.

Pictures: Annette Schiller, Christian Schiller and Jean Michel Guillon

In 2013, it’s a generous Bourgogne Chardonnay that delivers luxurious aromas of golden fruit, toasted hazelnut, lemon tart, fresh butter and just a hint of crushed mint. Rich flavors of ripe pear, apple and peach fruit and notes of warm nuts, fresh butter, and salty caramel coat your palate. The weight and texture are similar to 2012, with a pure intensity and silky richness that’s hard to believe – and almost never found in a “just” Bourgogne. Everything is just one notch more precise, defined, and clean in 2013, though, with a finish of wet stones, lemon custard, warm hazelnut, nutmeg and tangy butter sail on and on and on. Outstanding value for any Chardonnay fan.

2013 Domaine Jean-Michel Guillon Santenay Blanc Les Bras


2013 Domaine Jean-Michel Guillon Marsannay Clos des Portes Monopole

Chain-Bridge Cellars: A stunning bottle of handcrafted red Burgundy that will delight fans of ripe Russian River or warm vintage Willamette Valley Pinot today and satisfy the most demanding Burgundy fan for years to come. Jean Michel Guillon purchased this small vineyard about 9 years ago and his hard work has transformed its 30-40 year-old vines into something very special indeed. He harvests less than 30 hectoliters per hectare of perfectly ripe fruit here – much lower yields than are allowed in Grand Cru vineyards! And, he treats it like “Grand Cru” wine, too, aging it for 16 months in all new Bertomieu French oak barrels.

Right now it serves up luscious aromas of red currant, cranberry, coffee and. Beautiful sweet cherry, currant, and red berry fruit take center stage on the palate, with accents of smoke, coffee, and fresh flowers. The fruit is so sweet and texture of the wine so silky smooth that you might miss the minerality and fine tannins that bode so well for future improvement. A pretty cranberry note wells up on the velvety finish – and what could be better with Thanksgiving dinner than a touch of cranberry! A beautiful wine to drink right now and sure to be better and better over the next decade.

Pictures: Domaine Jean Michel Guillon - Tasting

"Moderate wood influence frames the fresh and ripe aromas of cassis, plum, earth and a hint of animale. The earth character continues onto the textured medium-bodied flavors that also display a touch of minerality on the solidly complex and persistent finish where the wood telegraphed by the nose reappears. This mildly oaky effort should also drink well young if desired."Allen Meadows 88-90 points

2013 Domaine Jean-Michel Guillon Côte de Nuits Villages Rouge


2013 Domaine Jean-Michel Guillon Gevrey Chambertin Pere Galland

Chain-Bridge Cellars: Jean Michel makes several different Gevrey village cuvees, but this one – named for the man who helped Jean Michel learn to make wine – really shines in 2013. It’s more plush and fruit-driven than in some vintages with a richness to the texture and finish that will delight right now with food. Still, lacking nothing in terms of potential for cellaring.

"Outstanding Top Value! Soft but not invisible wood and menthol nuances intertwine with the very ripe essence of black currant, cassis and warm earth nuances. Consistent with the nose, the succulent and seductively textured flavors are notably ripe and blessed with an impressive amount of dry extract that push the moderately firm tannic spine to the background on the ever-so-mildly rustic finish. This is really more Vosne than Gevrey in style but it does deliver very fine quality." Allen Meadows 89-91 points

2013 Domaine Jean-Michel Guillon Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru Les Champonnents

Chain-Bridge Cellars: Hoo boy! As Burghound notes, this will need another 6 or 7 years to “arrive at its full potential,” but it’s nearly impossible to resist right now. A big "wow" wine that delivers a silky, plush, nose of spice, rich fruit, fresh earth and cocoa. Then a mouthful of dark fruit, unctuous cocoa butter, spice and cigar tobacco with superb length, plenty of power, but absolutely no excess weight. This is arguably the wine that most clearly exemplifies Jean Michel’s style and talent and I cannot recommend it highly enough.

"Outstanding. This is one of the ripest wines in the range as the mocha-scented nose displays notes of cassis and black raspberry liqueur notes along with spice, earth and floral wisps. There is good minerality and plenty of earth and sauvage characters on the intense and punch medium-bodied flavors that culminate in a clean and dry (in the best sense) finale that is notably austere at present. I like the depth and balance though note that this muscular effort will definitely require extended cellaring to arrive at its full potential."Allen Meadows 90-93 points

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

Preview: Bourgogne Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015 and 2016)

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)

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

Domaine Brocard in Chablis: Lunch, Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting with Odile Van Der Moere, Responsable de Cave – Bourgogne Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Dinner at Hostellerie Chateau de la Barge in Creches-sur-Saone - Bourgogne Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Domaine Ferret in Fuissé, Poully-Fuissé, Mâconnais: Vineyard Walk, Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting with Cyril Laumain, Chef de Cave – Bourgogne Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Visit of the Abbey of Cluny and Lunch at Hostellerie d'Heloise in Cluny– Bourgogne Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Domaine Theulot Juillot in Mercurey, Côte Chalonnaise: Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting with Nathalie and Jean-Claude Theulot – Bourgogne Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

Olivier Leflaive: Vineyard Walk and Cellar Tour, with Patrick Leflaive– Bourgogne Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

Lunch and Winetasting at La Table de Olivier in Pouligny Montrachet– Bourgogne Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

Wine Tasting at Domaine Mestre Père & Fils in Santenay with Jonathan Mestre - Bourgogne Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

Visit: Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils in Beaune - Bourgogne Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015, France

Schiller's Favorite Wine Bars in Beaune, Bourgogne, France

Visit: Hospices de Beaune with Karoline Knoth– Bourgogne Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Domaine A.-F. Gros in Beaune: Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting with Owner and Winemaker Mathias Parent – Bourgogne Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

Visit and Tasting: Maison Joseph Drouhin in Beaune– Bourgogne Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

Domaine Faiveley in Nuits-Saint-George: Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting with Mathilde Nicolas (Brand Ambassador) – Bourgogne Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

"Open Air" Tasting at Domaine du Château de Prémeaux, Nuits Saint Georges – Bourgogne Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

Domaine Armelle et Bernard Rion in Vosne-Romanée: Wine Tasting in the Cellar with Bernard Rion and Alice Rion – Bourgogne Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

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

Visit: Château du Clos de Vougeot

Announcement: 5 Exciting ombiasy WineTours in 2016 - BURGUNDY BORDEAUX GERMANY  

Picture: Helmut Dönnhoff and Annette Schiller at Weingut Dönnhoff, see: An Afternoon with Riesling Star Winemaker Helmut Doennhoff at Weingut Doennhoff in Oberhausen in the Nahe Valley, Germany

The Feinschmecker Riesling Cup is an annual contest in Germany that tries to identify the best dry Rieslings of the last vintage. In 2015, the Feinschmecker organized the Feinschmecker Riesling Cup for the 8th time.

About 400 dry top Rieslings were blind tasted by an international jury. When all was said and done, the 2014 Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle Große Gewächs stood alone atop the winner's podium. Helmut Dönnhoff traveled to Munich on November 21 to accept the 28cm glass sculpture in person from Feinschmecker Editor-in-Chief Madeleine Jakitz. The gala awards ceremony was held in the ballroom of the "Bayerischer Hof" hotel.

Runner-up was: 2014 Trittenheimer Apotheke Riesling Kabinett trocken, Weingut Ernst Clüsserath (Mosel).

The third place went to: 2014 Kupp Fass 18 Riesling Großes Gewächs, Weingut Peter Lauer (Saar).

Pictures: Florian Lauer, Weingut Peter Lauer, and Christian Schiller in Mainz, see: Germany’s Best Winemakers and Wines – Gault Millau WeinGuide Deutschland 2016 Awards: The Awards Ceremony in Mainz, Germany

For previous years, see on schiller-wine:

Germany’s Best Dry Rieslings – Feinschmecker Riesling Cup 2014
Germany’s Best Dry Rieslings – Feinschmecker Riesling Cup 2013
Germany’s Best Dry Rieslings – Feinschmecker Riesling Cup 2012
Germany’s Best Dry Rieslings - Feinschmecker Riesling Cup 2011
The 11 Top German Dry Rieslings – Feinschmecker German Riesling Cup 2010 (Vintage 2009)
The 13 Top German Dry Rieslings – Feinschmecker German Riesling Cup 2009 (Vintage 2008)
Riesling Cup 2009 - Germany's Top Dry 2007 Rieslings

Riesling in the World

There are about 47000 hectares planted with Riesling worldwide. Germany – with 22500 hectares – accounts for about half of the total. The second and third largest Riesling producer are the US (mainly Washington State and Finger Lakes Region) with 4800 hectares and Australia with 4100 hectares. But this is only about 1/10 of the total. Alsace follows with 3500 hectares. Alsace, Ukraine and Austria follow with 3500 hectares, 2700 hectares and 1900 hectares, respectively.

Overall, Riesling is really a niche wine, accounting for less than 1 percent of total wine production in the world - but a very special niche wine. In terms of quality wines, Riesling is usually included in the top three white wine varieties, with Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Riesling is highly terroir-expressive, meaning that the character of Riesling wines is clearly influenced by the wine’s place of origin.

The Top 17 Wines 2015

01. Platz: 2014 Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle Riesling Großes Gewächs, Weingut Hermann Dönnhoff (Nahe)
02. Platz: 2014 Trittenheimer Apotheke Riesling Kabinett trocken, Weingut Ernst Clüsserath (Mosel)
03. Platz: 2014 Kupp Fass 18 Riesling Großes Gewächs, Weingut Peter Lauer (Saar)
04. Platz: 2014 Burg Layen Riesling trocken, Schlossgut Diel (Nahe)
05. Platz: 2014 Steinbuckel Riesling Großes Gewächs, Weingut Knipser (Pfalz)
06. Platz: 2014 Monzinger Frühlingsplätzchen Riesling Großes Gewächs, Weingut Emrich-Schönleber (Nahe)
07. Platz: 2014 Durbacher Plauelrain Am Bühl Riesling Großes Gewächs, Weingut Andreas Laible (Baden)
08. Platz: 2014 Forster Jesuitengarten Riesling Spätlese trocken, Weingut Eugen Müller (Pfalz)
09. Platz: 2014 Graacher Riesling trocken, Weingut Willi Schaefer (Mosel)
10. Platz: 2014 Pfalz Riesling trocken, Weingut Emil Bauer und Söhne (Pfalz)
11. Platz: 2014 Brauneberg Juffer Sonnenuhr Riesling Großes Gewächs, Weingut Fritz Haag (Mosel)
12. Platz: 2014 Graacher Riesling trocken, Weingut Dr. Loosen (Mosel)
13. Platz: 2014 Oestrich Alte Reben Riesling trocken, Weingut F. B. Schönleber (Rheingau)
14. Platz: 2014 Leinhöhle Riesling trocken, Weingut Gebrüder Andres (Pfalz)
15. Platz: 2014 Escherndorf Am Lumpen Riesling Großes Gewächs, Weingut Horst Sauer (Franken)
16. Platz: 2014 Traiser Bastei Riesling Großes Gewächs, Weingut Dr. Crusius (Nahe)
17. Platz: 2014 Monzinger Frühlingsplätzchen Riesling -S- trocken, Weingut Bamberger (Nahe)

Feinschmecker Riesling Cups 2008 to 2015 – Dönnhoff Rules

The Feinschmecker Riesling Cup was organized for the 8th time this year and Weingut Dönnhoff won the contest for the 4th time. This is impressive. Congratulations.

Weingut Dönnhoff: Much to be thankful fo(u)r... They say third time's the charm, but in our case it's FOUR — four Cups that is. We're thrilled to add the 2014 Feinschmecker Riesling Cup to our already humbling collection from 2010, 2011 and 2012.

Visit of Weingut Dönnhoff during ombiasy WineTour (2014)

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

In the Nahe region, we visited three producers: Dönnhoff, Kruger-Rumpf and Diel. We started out with Weingut Dönnhoff, where we were hosted by Christina Dönnhoff, Cornelius Dönnhoff’s sister.

Pictures: In the Nahe Valley

The Dönnhoff family has been making wines for more than 250 years, but a new era started when Helmut Dönnhoff began making wine in 1971. Helmut Dönnhoff has become a living legend of German wine and is celebrated as one of Germany’s very best producers. While Helmut Dönnhoff is still fully involved in all aspects of Weingut Dönnhoff, his son Cornelius has officially taken over from his father a couple of years ago.

Picture: Arriving at Weingut Dönnhoff

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

In terms of Riesling, Weingut Dönnhoff splits its production between the dry and sweet styles. “Riesling has 2 faces – it has a good reputation for dry wines and it has a good reputation for fruity sweet wines. We used to use the best grapes for the sweet style wines, but the fashion has shifted to dry wines. Now high class dry wines are being made. Global warming has helped. Acidity is lower now and the grapes are riper, so the quality of wines has improved” says Helmut Dönnhoff.

Pictures: Cellar Tour with Christina Dönnhoff

Weingut Dönnhoff’s holdings represent some of the best in the Nahe and all of Germany:

(1) The Schlossböckelheimer Felsenberg is a very old site with porphyry soil.

(2) The Oberhäuser Leistenberg, the oldest vineyard held by the family, has slate soils and produces fruity wines with elegant acidity.

(3) The Oberhäuser Brücke, the smallest vineyard in the Nahe, is a tiny parcel saddled on the Nahe River that Dönnhoff owns in entirety. The Brücke has grey slate covered by loess-clay and the vines ripen even later here than in the Hermannshöhle due to large diurnal temperature swings along the river.

(4) The Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle, perhaps the most famous of all the Nahe vineyards, is a slate vineyard with many conglomerates of volcanic rocks, mostly porphyry and melaphyr.

(5) The Norheimer Dellchen is a steep terraced vineyard in a rocky hollow with porphyry and slate soil.
Norheimer Kirscheck sits on a steep south slope of slate soil and produces delicately fruity wines with spice and race.

(6) The Norheimer Kahlenberg: Southern slopes with quartzite and loam soils.

(7) The Kreuznacher Krötenpfuhl vineyard has perfect drainage due its topsoil of pebbles over loam soil; characteristic are wines with a mineralic elegance. Due to the water table that flows beneath the vineyard’s soil the Krötenpfhul has always been farmed organically, even before it was purchased by Weingut Dönnhoff.

(8) The Roxheimer Höllenpfad: steep, south-facing site with weathered red and stone soil.

Although the Nahe is a dry region, the vineyards are not watered as to encourage deep rooted vines. The soil is covered with organic material like straw and compost to preserve water and to avoid evaporation and erosion in heavy rains. The vines are all grown on wire frames, low to the ground to benefit from the warmth of the stoney topsoil, and at a density of approx. 6000 vines per hectare.

"We do not irrigate at all. We irrigated in the 1950s. My father and his colleagues did it for frost protection. After 10 or 15 years of doing it we realized that the wines were not better. In particular we saw that in places we did not irrigate, the wines were better. The roots went deeper, the wines were more intense. So we stopped irrigation 25 years ago” says Helmut Dönnhoff.

The Dönnhoff family has been making wines for more than 250 years, but a new era started when Helmut Dönnhoff began making wine in 1971. Helmut Dönnhoff has become a living legend of German wine and is celebrated as one of Germany’s very best producers. While Helmut Dönnhoff is still fully involved in all aspects of Weingut Dönnhoff, his son Cornelius has officially taken over from his father a couple of years ago.

Feinschmecker Riesling Cups 2008 to 2015 – Nahe Rules: Dönnhoff, Kruger-Rumpf, Schäfer-Fröhlich

Weingut Dönnhoff won the Feinschmecker Riesling Cup for the 4th time this year. Also, Weingut Kruger-Rumpf and Weingut Schäfer-Fröhlich, both from the Nahe region, has won the Feinschmecker Riesling Cup in previous years. Thus, 6 of the 8 Feinschmecker Riesling Cups went to producers from the Nahe region: Dönnhoff (4), Kruger-Rumpf and Schäfer-Fröhlich.

Pictures: Lunch and Wine Tasting with Georg Rumpf at Weingut Kruger-Rumpf, see: Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), Germany

Picture: Christian G.E. Schiller with Tim Froehlich, Weingut Schaefer-Froehlich, in Wiesbaden

Feinschmecker Riesling Cup 2015 – Nahe Rules: Dönnhoff, Diel, Emrich-Schönleber, Dr. Crusius, Bamberger

Five of this year’s top seventeen wines were produced in the Nahe region:

01. Platz: 2014 Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle Riesling Großes Gewächs,
Weingut Hermann Dönnhoff (Nahe)

Picture: Christian Schiller Tasting with Helmut Dönnhoff, see: An Afternoon with Riesling Star Winemaker Helmut Doennhoff at Weingut Doennhoff in Oberhausen in the Nahe Valley, Germany

04. Platz: 2014 Burg Layen Riesling trocken, Schlossgut Diel (Nahe)

Picture: Christian Schiller with Armin and Caroline Diel at Schlossgut Diel, see: Tasting with Sylvain Taurisson Diel at Schlossgut Diel, Nahe– Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)

06. Platz: 2014 Monzinger Frühlingsplätzchen Riesling Großes Gewächs,
Weingut Emrich-Schönleber (Nahe)

Picture: Annette Schillerand Frank Schönleber at Kloster Eberbach  

16. Platz: 2014 Traiser Bastei Riesling Großes Gewächs, Weingut Dr.
Crusius (Nahe)

Picture: Christian G.E. Schiller and Peter Crusius, Weingut Dr. Crusius, Nahe

17. Platz: 2014 Monzinger Frühlingsplätzchen Riesling -S- trocken,
Weingut Bamberger (Nahe)

The Nahe Region

With 4155 hectares, the Nahe is a rather small wine region. The Nahe is a predominantly white wine region with Riesling being the most significant planting. A characteristic of the Nahe region is that the soils are very varied owing to the region's volcanic origins.

Although the region was populated already in Roman times, and the village of Monzingen was mentioned as a wine village as early as 778, the Nahe wine region was defined only with the 1971 German wine law. Before that, the wines were sold as plain "Rhine wine". Since then, the Nahe region has experienced a phenomenal upswing, driven by their leading producers, including Schlossgut Diel, Hermann Dönnhoff, Emrich-Schönleber, Schäfer Fröhlich, Dr. Crusius, Hexamer, Kruger-Rumpf and others.

schiller-wine - Related Postings

Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), Germany

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

Germany’s Best Winemakers and Wines – Gault Millau WeinGuide Deutschland 2016 Awards: The Awards Ceremony in Mainz, Germany

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)

Wine Dinner with Tour at Weingut Kruger-Rumpf in Münster-Sarmsheim, Nahe, with Georg Rumpf – Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), Germany

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

Picture: At Weingut Müller Catoir

This outstanding, castle-like impressive estate - visible on the Haardt hill from afar - in the Neustadt suburb of Haardt, the so called balcony of the Pfalz with a very favorable microclimate, has been in the Müller-Catoir family since 1744. For more than a century the winery was managed by women who left a pronounced mark on the estate. Today ninth generation Philipp David Catoir is running the winery.

This was a “walking tasting”. We tasted the wines during the vineyard tour and the cellar tour. Andrea Müller was our host.

Weingut Müller Catoir is in the Theise/ Skurnik portfolio of German wines.

Pictures: Arriving at Weingut Müller Catoir

Weingut Müller Catoir

Theise/ Skurnik: Family owned since 1774 with 9 generations tending the vines, the winery is now run by Philipp David Catoir. Martin Franzen, hailing from the Mosel, with experience as head of operations at Schlossgut Diel in the Nahe and Gut Nagelsforst in Baden, took over winemaking responsibility from Hans-Günther Schwarz in 2001. In an effort to showcase terroir and varietal character, Müller-Catoir has adopted the following philosophy of winegrowing: “Vines were grown by natural methods with organic fertilization, permanent green cutting that gets more and more radical every summer, and ever-greater selective harvesting with hand-picking of grapes for even the most “basic” kabinett wine – all these measures cannot help but produce only a small yield of wines with a mineral note, a filigree acidity structure and exotic fruit aromas.” The estate began an organic conversion in 2007 and completed their first organic vintage in 2009. The vineyards in Haardt are composed of primary rock (urgestein) and sandstone, with an increasing proportion of gravel lower on the slopes. Vineyards of Gimmeldingen contain more loess and sand, while the vineyards of Mussbach are the most gravelly. Müller-Catoir also bottles several “micro parcels”; one of which, the Breumel in den Mauern, is a monopole inside the Burgergarten which was first planted 700 years ago, and is also one of the oldest vineyards in the Pfalz.

Pictures: Vineyard Tour and Tasting at Weingut Müller Catoir

Müller-Catoir was a pioneer of reductive winemaking in Germany. The estate implements a gentle crush, a long skin contact, slow gentle pressing, and then ferments at warmer than customary fermentation temperatures in stainless steel. The wine is racked only once and very late. Müller-Catoir produces wines of outstanding transparency and density, and remains emblematic of Riesling at its most sophisticated.

Vineyard area: 21 hectares

Annual production: 12,500 cases

Vineyard holdings: Haardt – Bürgergarten, Herzog (both sandstone) and Herrenletten (loam, limestone); Gimmeldingen – Mandelgarten (weathered sandstone and löss): Mußbach – Eselshaut (gravel)

Farming Practice: Certified Organic

Gault Millau WeinGuide Deutschland 2016

Gault Millau WeinGuide Deutschland 2016: Man darf mit Fug und Recht sagen, dass das Weingut Müller-Catoir wie ein Fels in der Brandung steht. Um es herum ist Aktion, Alarm, Mode hier, Trend dort – und Müller-Catoir in aller Ruhe mittendrin, unbeirrt seinen eigenen Stil verfolgend. Der drückt sich etwa darin aus, sich niemandem anzubiedern durch ein möglichst breit aufgestelltes Sortiment – etwas mehr als eine Handvoll Rebsorten genügen hier. Auch die Anzahl der trockenen Rieslinge ist überschaubar: vom Gutswein „MC geht es über Haardt, Bürgergarten und Herrenletten schnurstracks zum Großen Gewächs Im Breumel. Alles fein und klar definiert, durchaus aristokratisch zu nennen. Unglaublich strahlend erneut der trockene Muskateller, den man in dieser Art so nicht mehr findet in der Pfalz. Das gilt ebenso für die Linie an edelsüßen Gewächsen mit ihrer faszinierenden Klarheit, Opulenz und Fülle.

Pictures: Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Müller Catoir

The Wines we Tasted

We tasted mainly vintage 2014 wines. Stephan Reinhardt (Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate | Germany: Vintage 2014: All Along the Rhine River | Dec 31 2015) wrote about the vintage 2014 wines in Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate: "[..]The 2014s Rieslings are simply excellent and the noble sweet Rieslaners are outstanding. Indeed, the wines of MC have become deeper and even more precise and elegant in recent years. I already liked the 2013s, but I was really impressed by the quality and intensity of the 2014s. These are concentrated and well balanced, and come along with moderate alcohol levels which Martin Franzen compares to those of the 1990s. They are true individuals in a very noble and balanced style, although they don't lack tension or expression.[..]"

2014 Weingut Müller-Catoir Scheurebe VDP.Gutswein


2014 Weingut Müller-Catoir Haardt Riesling VDP.Ortswein (89+ Parker)


2014 Weingut Müller-Catoir Bürgergarten Riesling VDP.Erste Lage (92 Parker)


2012 Weingut Müller-Catoir Herrenletten Grauburgunder (im Holzfass gereift) VDP.ErsteLage


2011 Weingut Müller-Catoir Gimmeldinger Riesling Kabinett VDP.Ortswein
2014 Weingut Müller-Catoir Bürgergarten Im Breumel Riesling Spätlese VDP.GrosseLage (93 Parker)


Postings on the Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015) (Posted and Forthcoming)

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

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

Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Tour, Tasting (and Lunch) with Robert Schätzle, Owner and Winemaker, Weingut Schloss Neuweier in Baden– Germany-South Wine Tour by ombiasy (2015)

Wine Pairing Lunch at Röttele’s Restaurant (1 Star Michelin) at Schloss Neuweier, with Owner and Winemaker Robert Schätzle, Weingut Schloss Neuweier - German South Wine Tour by ombiasy (2015)

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Salwey in Oberrotweil, Kaiserstuhl, Baden, with Benno Salwey – Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Schiller’s Favorite Wine Bars and Wine Taverns in Freiburg, Baden, Germany

Tour and Tasting at Weingut Franz Keller in Oberbergen, Baden – Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Wine Paring Lunch at Restaurant Schwarzer Adler (1 Star Michelin) in Oberbergen, Kaiserstuhl, Baden – Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Tasting at Weingut Bernhard Huber in Baden, with Yquem Viehauser and Julian Huber – Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Dr. Heger in Ihringen, Kaiserstuhl, Baden – Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Tour and Tasting at Maison Léon Beyer in Eguisheim, Alsace, France, with Marc Beyer – Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

At Domaine Weinbach in Kaysersberg, Alsace, with Catherine Faller: Tasting and Tour – Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

Wine Lunch at Weingut Jülg with Johannes Jülg– Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Tasting at Weingut Ökonomierat Rebholz in Siebeldingen, Pfalz – Germany-South by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Schiller's Favorite (Wine-) Restaurants in Deidesheim in the Pfalz, Germany

Tour and Tasting at Weingut Müller-Catoir in Neustadt-Haardt, Pfalz

Tour and Tasting at Weingut A. Christmann (VDP) in Gimmeldingen, Pfalz, with Steffen Christmann

Tour and Tasting at Weingut von Winning (VDP) in Deidesheim, Pfalz

Tour and Tsting at Weingut Josef Biffar in Deidesheim, with Owner and Winemaker Fumiko Tokuoka

Wine Pairing Dinner at Restaurant FUMI at Weingut Josef Biffar in Deidesheim, with Owner and Winemaker Fumiko Tokuoka

Tour and Tasting at Weingut Markus Schneider in Ellerstadt, Pfalz, with Markus Schneider

Tour and Tasting at Weingut Koehler Ruprecht in Kallstadt, Pfalz, with Franzi Schmitt – Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Tasting at Weingut Dreissigacker in Bechtheim, Rheinhessen, with Ute Dreissigacker

Tour and Wine Pairing Lunch at Weingut Eva Vollmer in Mainz-Ebersheim, Rheinhessen, with Eva Vollmer

Announcement: 5 Exciting ombiasy WineTours in 2016 - BURGUNDY BORDEAUX GERMANY

Picture: Christian and Annette Schiller with Henri Lurton, owner of Château Brane-Cantenac, Margaux

Led by Annette Schiller, a group of 30 wine aficionados went to the Bordeaux region from September 2 to 10, 2012. Unlike the Bordeaux trips in the following years, the 2012 trip started and ended in Hochheim, Germany, and also included (in the beginning and in the end) events en route to and from Bordeaux. This post provides a list of all articles I issued concerning the ombiasy WineTour 2012 to Bordeaux.

Bordeaux Trip September 2012, France

My Grandfather used to call Ambonnay the Margaux of Champagne, France

Visiting Jas Hennessy and Co. - or more simply: Hennessy - in Cognac, France

An Afternoon with Owner/Winemaker Corinne Chevrier-Loriaud at Chateau Bel Air La Royere in Blaye, Bordeaux, France 

Château Léoville-Poyferré, Chateau Le Crock, Didier Cuvelier in Bordeaux and the Cuvelier Los Andes Wines in Argentina

Lunch with Didier Cuvelier at Château Léoville-Poyferré in Saint-Julien, Bordeaux

An Afternoon with Owner Henri Lurton at Château Brane-Cantenac, a Deuxieme Grand Cru Classe en 1855, in Margaux, France

An Afternoon with Owner Michel Tesseron at Château Lafon-Rochet, 4ème Cru Classé en 1855, in Saint-Estèphe, Bordeaux

A German Wine Maker in the Medoc: Dinner with Stefan Paeffgen at Château Le Reysse, France

Touring Château Margaux in Margaux, Bordeaux – A Profile

Bordeaux - En Primeur, Negociants, Courtiers, the Quai de Chartons and the Place de Bordeaux– A Short Introduction

Château Pape Clément in Pessac-Léognan and the World Wide Wine Empire of Bernard Magrez, France

An Afternoon at Château Pape-Clément, Graves, Appellation Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux (2012)

The Wine Empire of the von Neipperg Family in France, Bulgaria and Germany  

A Morning at Château Canon La Gaffeliere in Saint Emilion with Owner Count Stefan von Neipperg, Bordeaux

Lunch at Château Beauséjour (AOC Puisseguin-St. Emilion)– a Vin Bio de Bordeaux - with Owner and Wine Maker Gerard Dupuy, France

Touring Château Figeac, Premier Grand Cru Classé B, in Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux

An Afternoon with François Mitjavile at his Tertre Rôtebeouf - A Saint Emilion Cult Wine Producer

Bordeaux Wines and their Classifications: The Basics

The 5 Premiers Grands Crus Chateaux en 1855 of Bordeaux, France

What is a Bordeaux Cru Bourgeois? France

Saint Emilion Wines and their Classification, Bordeaux, France

The Saint Emilion 2012–2022 Classification, Bordeaux

In the Wine Capital of the World: the City of Bordeaux, France

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

Picture: Annette Schiller, ombiasy WineTours, Stephen Bitterolf, vom Boden, Christian Schiller at the Rieslingfeier 2016

Rieslingfeier is an annual event in New York City that celebrates German Riesling. The cornerstone event is the Rieslingfeier Gala Dinner. Inspired by Daniel Johnnes’ famous Burgundy fête “La Paulée,” it is very likely the greatest German wine "BYOB" dinner in the world, with both winemakers and guests bringing special bottles from their cellars to share. Rieslingfeier is orchestrated by Stephen Bitterolf of the vom Boden wine importing company.

Pictures: Arriving at the Rieslingfeier in New York City

This year, Rieslingfeier took place on Saturday, February 20. 12 top German wine producers were in attendance, including world stars like Katharina Prüm, Weingut JJ Prüm, Hansjörg Rebholz, Weingut Ökonomierat Rebholz, Christian Witte, Weingut Schloss Johannisberg, Caroline Diel, Schlossgut Diel, Carl von Schubert, Weingut Maximin Grünhaus and Johannes Leitz, Weingut Leitz.

This posting is part of a series covering the 2016 Rieslingfeier; it provides an overview. Here is a list of all postings:

Coming up: Rieslingfeier in New York in February and Germany-East, -South and -North by ombiasy WineTours in May and August 2016
A German Riesling Feast in New York City: Rieslingfeier 2016, USA
Rieslingfeier 2016 in New York – Gränd Tasting: The Winemakers of the Rieslingfeier 2016, USA
Rieslingfeier 2016 in New York – Gala Dinner, USA

Allmost all of the photos are mine. I used a few photos from other participants, which they put on facebook.

Joining

Annette Schiller, who organizes wines tours (ombiasyPR and WineTours), and Christian Schiller, who blogs on schiller-wine, joined the 2016 celebration of German Riesling. We were happy to meet the participating German elite winemakers. Many of them we know personally. Some of them we call our friends.

See: Announcement: 5 Exciting ombiasy WineTours in 2016 - BURGUNDY BORDEAUX GERMANY

Rieslingfeier Welcome Party

To welcome the Riesingfeier 2016 participants, the trendy wine bar Corkbuzz hosted a late-night BYOR soirée on Friday, February 19th. This was a great opportunity to mingle and celebrate the kickoff of the Rieslingfeier 2016 with winemakers, trade people and German wine lovers, who came from all parts of the country.

Picture: Stephan Bitterolf at Corkbuzz

Picture: Rieslingfeier Welcome Party

Pictures: Annette Schiller and Florian Lauer, Weingut Peter Lauer

Picture: Annette Schiller and Dominik Sona, Weingut Koehler Ruprecht

Rieslingfeier Gränd Tasting

Last year, during the day leading up to the Rieslingfeier Gala Dinner, there was a German wine seminar series and the Riesling Crawl, where the participating winemakers were pouring their wines at different wine stores during different times over the course of the afternoon. It was a fun idea, but a bit cumbersome to rush from one store to the next.

This year, there were no seminars and the winemaker poured their wines together at one location: The Gränd Tasting

“Taste more than 60 wines from Germany's greatest growers for only $29. For 2016 we are thrilled to announce the first-ever "Gränd Tasting" featuring ALL of the Rieslingfeier growers in one place. While this walk-around tasting will focus on the 2014 vintage, growers will be bringing back-vintage wines for context. While the complete list is still being finalized, selections include 1997 Egon Müller Auslese, 1992 Lauer Sekt, 1983 Immich-Batterieberg Spätlese, 2004 Schlossgut Diel Pittermänchen Spätlese and many more. For those interested in a more intimate experience, there are a limited number of tickets for the VIP session - these tickets are $50.”

Pictures: Rieslingfeier Gränd Tasting

Picture: Stephen Bitterolf at the Grändtasting

Pictures: Josi Leitz, Weingut Leitz

Picture: Florian Lauer, Weingut Peter Lauer, and Tobias Rower, vom Boden

Picture: Gernot Kollmann, Weingut Immich-Batterieberg, and Alexandria Cubbage, Zachy's Wine Auctions

Picture: Jochen Beurer, Weingut Beurer

Picture: Stuart Pigott Tasting

Picture: Nancy Peach, Caroline Diel, Schlossgut Diel, Xiao Peng

Picture: Hansjörg Rebholz, Weingut Ökonomierat Rebholz, and Sabine Wagner

Picture: Konstantin Weiser and Alexandra Künstler, Weingut Weiser-Künstler the Mosel

Picture: Evan Springarn, David Bowler Wine, and Dominik Sona, Weingut Koehler-Ruprecht

Picture: Annette Schiller and Carl von Schubert, Maximin Grünhaus

Picture: Lars Carlberg, Pascaline Lepeletier, Rouge Tomate, and David Schildknecht

Rieslingfeier Gala Dinner 2016

“Dear Rieslingfeier guest,

The 4th annual Rieslingfeier Gala Dinner will take place THIS Saturday, February 20th at Reynard in the Wythe Hotel. Located at 80 Wythe Avenue, just north of North 11th Street in Williamsburg Brooklyn, the hotel/restaurant is easily accessible by taxi or subway (L train to Bedford stop). The dinner is sold out and we cannot wait to welcome you!

The evening will begin at 7pm with a Sekt reception; dinner will start at 8:00pm sharp. We have an incredible team of sommeliers from around the country working this event so your wine will be quickly checked in and chilled to the perfect temperature. The five-course meal is being designed to pair with both dry and sweet Riesling, so plan on having both at your table.

The attire is whatever think you compliments some of the greatest white wines on earth.

We look forward to seeing you Saturday!”

Pictures: Rieslingfeier at the Reynard in the Wythe Hotel in Brooklyn

The arguably most spectacular Riesling Party of North America took place at the trendy Reynard in the Wythe Hotel in Brooklyn, on Saturday, February 20. About 100 wine freaks made the pilgrimage from across the country to NYC to be with 12 top German producers, leading wine and food journalists, importers, and sommeliers to enjoy a casual dinner and Riesling rarities.

There were 13 tables with 1 winemaker and 10 guests at each table (Egon Müller was represented by his Export Manager. In addition, Ernst Loosen from Weingut Dr. Loosen and Wilhelm Weil from Weingut Wilhelm Weil were represented by Ian Dick and Nicolas Pfaff, respectively; they did not have their own table.)

The five course meal was customized by Reynard’s Chef Sean Rembold to pair with dry and off-dry Riesling. The wine service was presided over by Rieslingfeier Chef Sommelier Raj Vaidya along with a group of the country's top sommeliers.

My wife Annette Schiller and I were sitting with Hannsjörg Rebholz, Weingut Ökonomierat Rebholz, Pfalz. At each table, about 20 wines were served. At my table, Francsca Maniace, Commonwealth (San Francisco) and Caleb Ganzer, Compagnie (New York) were pouring the wines.

All the wines were outstanding, but some of them were out of this world. You could walk to other tables and taste the wines poured there. Guests and winemakers also walked around and shared the wines with other people.

Picture: Rieslingfeier Gala Dinner - Im Sonnenschein: The Table of Hannsjörg Rebholz, Weingut Ökonomierat Rebholz

Picture: The Sommeliers of the "Im Sonnenschein" Table - Francsca Maniace, Commonwealth (San Francisco) and Caleb Ganzer, Compagnie (New York)

Picture: Carl von Schubert, David Schildknecht, Wilhelm Steifensandt, Valckenberg

Picture: Aldo Sohm, Le Bernadin and Aldo Sohm Wine Bar

Picture: Jochen Beurer, Weingut Beurer

Picture: Evan Springan, David Bowler, and Katharina Prüm, Weingut JJ Prüm

Picture: Gernot Kollmann, Weingut Immich-Batterieberg, and Annette Schiller

Picture: Konstantin Weiser and Alexandra Künstler of Weingut Weiser-Künstler in Traben-Trarbach on the Mosel

Picture: Annette Schiller and Hannsjörg Rebholz, Weingut Ökonomierat Rebholz

Picture: Stephen Bitterolf Asking Guests to take their Seats

Picture: Gala Dinner Stars

Picture: The Table of Weingut Leitz with Josi Leitz

Picture: The Table of Weingut Immich Batterieberg with Gernot Kollmann

Picture: The Table of Weingut Günther Steinmetz with Stefan Steinmetz

Picture: The Table of Maximin Grünhaus with Carl von Schubert

Picture: The Table of Schloss Johannisberg with Christian Witte

Picture: The Table of Weingut Koehler-Ruprecht with Dominik Sona and Franzi Schmitt

Picture: The Table of Weingut Beurer with Jochen Beurer

Picture: The Table of Hofgut Falkenstein with Johannes Weber

Picture: The Table of Weingut JJ Prüm with Katharina Prüm and Nancy Peach, Stuart Pigott

Picture: The Table Schlossgut Diel with Caroline and Sylvain Diel

Picture: The Table of Weingut Peter Lauer with Florian Lauer

Picture: David Schildknecht at the Table of Weingut Ökonomierat Rebholz with Hannsjörg Rebholz and Annette Schiller

Picture: Evan Springarn at the Table of Weingut Ökonomierat Rebholz with Hannsjörg Rebholz and Annette Schiller

Picture: Bourgogne Rouge being Poured at the Rieslingfeier

Picture: Stewart Pigott, Suzie Kukaj, Mionetto USA, and Christian Witte

Picture: Josi Leitz and Florian Lauer

Picture: Aldo Sohm, Le Bernadin and Aldo Sohm Wine Bar

Picture: Carl von Schubert, Maximin Grünhaus, and Katharina Prüm, Weingut JJ Prüm

Picture: The Tables fill up with Empty Wine Bottles

Pictures: Last Course - Cheese

Pictures: It's Over

Stephen Bitterolf

Rieslingfeier was founded in 2012 by Stephen Bitterolf, a passionate advocate for Germany's culture of winemaking. He was the Wine Director at Crush Wine & Spirits in New York where he helped develop one of the largest German wine programs in the country before founding his own import company, vom Boden.

Side Events

In addition to the official program, there were also a number of side events. Hannsjörg Rebholz, for example, told us that he did a class at Aldo Sohm’s wine bar.

Picture: Hannsjörg Rebholz and Aldo Sohm and the Aldo Sohm Wine Bar

The German Wine Makers

Here is a list of all German winemakers that were represented at the 2016 Rieslingfeier.

Jochen Beurer of Weingut Beurer of Stetten in Württemberg
Caroline Diel of Schlossgut Diel in Burg Layen in the Nahe Valley
Gernot Kollmann of Weingut Immich Batterieberg in Enkirch on the Mosel
Florian Lauer of Weingut Peter Lauer in Ayl on the Saar
Johannes Leitz of Weingut Josef Leitz in the Rheingau
Weingut Dr. Loosen on the Mosel (Ian Dick)
Weingut Egon Müller-Scharzhof in Wiltingen on the Saar
Katharina Prüm of Weingut J. J. Prüm in Wehlen on the Mosel
Hansjörg Rebholz of Weingut Ökonomierat Rebholz in Siebeldingen in the Pfalz
Carl Ferdinand von Schubert of Weingut Maximin Grünhaus in Mertesdorf in the Ruwer Valley
Dominik Sona and Franzi Schmitt of Weingut Koehler-Ruprecht in Kallstadt in the Pfalz
Christian Witte of Schloss Johannisberg in the Rheingau
Stefan Steinmetz of Weingut Günther Steinmetz in Brauneberg on the Mosel
Johannes Weber of Hofgut Falkenstein on the Saar
Weingut Robert Weil of Kiedrich in the Rheingau (Nicolas Pfaff)
Konstantin Weiser and Alexandra Künstler of Weingut Weiser-Künstler in Traben-Trarbach on the Mosel

Next Year

Back home in Washington DC. We are looking forward to the Rieslingfeier in 2017.

Picture: Back Home in Washington DC

schiller-wine: Related Postings

Announcement: 5 Exciting ombiasy WineTours in 2016 - BURGUNDY BORDEAUX GERMANY

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

Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Bourgogne Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

A German Riesling Feast in New York City: Rieslingfeier 2015, USA

The 11 Winemakers: Rieslingfeier 2015 in New York City, USA

Riesling Crawl in New York City– Or, Where to Buy German Wine in Manhattan: Schiller's Favorite Wine Stores, USA

The Gala Dinner of the Rieslingfeier 2015 in New York City, USA

Lunch at Momofuku Ssäm Bar in New York City, USA

Coming up: Rieslingfeier in New York in February and Germany-East, -South and -North by ombiasy WineTours in May and August 2016

Picture: Tasting with Owner Didier Cuvelier at Château Léoville Poyferré

Château Léoville Poyferré exists since 1840, when the big Léoville property was divided into three smaller entities. The current owner, the Cuvelier family, bought Château Léoville Poyferré in 1920. At that time the Cuvelier family was already established in the wine business as important wine merchants in northern France. Since 1979, Didier Cuvelier has managed the estate.

During the tour, we had a chance to chat with Cellar Master Didier Thomann and Vineyard Manager Bruno Clenet. The tasting was led by Didier Cuvelier in the blending/tasting room of Château Léoville Poyferré.

Picture: Arriving at Château Léoville Poyferré

The Cuvelier Family in the North of France, in Bordeaux and in Argentina

Château Léoville-Poyferré is owned by the Cuvelier family. The story of the Cuvelier family begins in 1804 when Henri Cuvelier set out to share his great passion for fine wine with his friends of the grand bourgeoisie residing in the rich and dynamic towns of the North of France. To this aim, he created Maison de Négoce de Vins Henri Cuvelier in Haubourdin, a wine merchant company whose success continued to develop throughout the 19th century.

100 years later, at the beginning of the 20th century, Paul Cuvelier and his young brother Albert, decided to purchase top quality estates in the Bordeaux area. They bought Château Le Crock in 1903, then Château Camensac in 1912 (which was later sold) and finally the prestigious Château Léoville Poyferré as well as Chateau Moulin Riche in 1920. In 1947, Max Cuvelier opened a second Wine Merchant company in Bordeaux, moving nearer to the family properties.

Pictures: Welcome - with Cellar Master Didier Thomann and Vineyard Manager Bruno Clenet of Château Léoville Poyferré

Two of Max Cuvelier’s children have taken over the family’s activities in Bordeaux: Didier Cuvelier has been running Château Léoville Poyferré, Château Moulin-Riche and Château Le Crock since 1979 and Olivier Cuvelier has been managing the Wine Merchant company H. Cuvelier and Fils in Bordeaux since 1985.

The Haubourdin wine merchant company was sold in 2002. The name has remained unchanged and it continues to distribute the Cuvelier estates wines.

In 1998, the Cuvelier family started to branch out to Argentina. Bertrand Cuvelier, the father of Anne Cuvelier, accompanied Michel Rolland in his great Argentine project, which was to become the “Clos de Los Siete” group. Three years later, Jean-Guy Cuvelier decided to join his cousin Bertrand in the joint aim of building a winery and producing fine wines worthy of the family tradition in Argentina.

Pictures: The Optical Sorting Machine of Château Léoville Poyferré

Château Léoville-Poyferré

The Cuvelier family bought Château Léoville-Poyferré – one of the 3 Léoville estates that currently exist - in 1920. The 3 Léoville chateaux are the result of vast property broken up a long time ago. But up until the French Revolution, Léoville was the largest Médoc wine-growing property.

In the beginning, the Cuveliers did not operate their chateaux themselves. This changed in 1979 with the accession of Didier Cuvelier, who at 26 became the first member of his family to take charge of Léoville – Poyferré along with Moulin Riche and Le Crock. Didier Cuvelier put Léoville – Poyferré on the map of wine lovers all over the world. Didier Cuvelier trained as a chartered accountant before passing the DUAD (a university diploma in wine tasting) in 1976.

The Grand Vin is Château Léoville-Poyferré (20.000 cases). The second wine is Pavillon de Poyferré.

Pictures: Touring Château Léoville Poyferré

Château Le Crock

The first purchase made by the Cuvelier family was their property in St. Estephe, Chateau Le Crock in 1903. Today the vineyards of Château Le Crock cover a total of 32.5 hectares and touch two of the most prestigious châteaus of the appellation, Château Cos d’Estournel and Château Montrose.

In the (annulled) 2003 Classification, Château Le Crock was a Cru Bourgeois Superieur. In the new system, in 2010, Château Le Crock qualified for the Cru Bourgeois Label.

Château Moulin Riche

Château Moulin Riche was bought in 1920 by the Cuvelier family. Château Moulin Riche has 49 acres of vines which are planted as follows: 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc.

Pictures: Château Léoville Poyferré

Château Léoville - Poyferré, Barton and Las-Cases

The Cuvelier family bought Château Léoville-Poyferré – one of the 3 Léoville estates that currently exist - in 1920. The 3 Léoville chateaux are the result of vast property broken up a long time ago. But up until the French Revolution, Léoville was the largest Médoc wine-growing property.

The story of the 3 Léoville estates go back to 1638. At the time, the estate was called Mont-Moytié, named after its founder, Jean de Moytié. Domaine Mont-Moytié remained in the family for almost 100 years. It is through the marriage of one of the Moytié women that the estate passed into the hands of Blaise Antoine Alexandre de Gascq, who was the seigneur of Léoville and a president of the Bordeaux parliament.

The groundwork for the split was laid in 1769, when Blaise Antoine Alexandre de Gascq died without an obvious heir. As a consequence the Léoville estate was inherited by four family members. One of them was the Marquis de Las-Cases-Beauvoir. One quarter was sold off by the four heirs. A number of years later, in 1826, this part of Léoville estate was purchased by Hugh Barton and became Château Léoville Barton.

The other three quarters remained in the family. This was the state of affairs when the Marquis was succeeded in 1815 by his son, Pierre-Jean and his daughter, Jeanne. Pierre-Jean inherited what is now Château Léoville Las Cases, whilst the portion that came to Jeanne was passed onto her daughter, who married Baron Jean-Marie de Poyferré; this is the part that is today Château Léoville-Poyferré.

Pictures: Tasting with Owner Didier Cuvelier at Château Léoville Poyferré

Although the estate bears the name of the Poyferré family to this day, it was not in their ownership for a long time. But it was under the ownership of the Poyferré family when the estate was classified as a deuxième cru in 1855 (as were the Barton and Las-Cases estates).

In 1865 Château Léoville-Poyferré was purchased by Baron d'Erlanger and Armand Lalande, bankers and local courtiers. The Lalande family, and later through marriage also the Lawton family, were in charge of Château Léoville-Poyferré until after World War I had passed. The Cuvelier family bought Château Léoville-Poyferré in 1920.

While the vineyards were separated, the buildings remained connected, just as they are today.
For more information, Jeff Leve from The Wine Cellar Insider has an excellent write-up about Château Léoville-Poyferré on his website.

Pictures: Previous Tasters - Robert Parker and Michel Rolland

Tasting

Following the tour, we sat down in the tasting room and tasted a series of wines. I have included in parenthesis the current wine searcher average prices in US$ per bottle.


2011 Château Le Crock Cru Bourgeois Saint-Estèphe (23)

Juicy, fresh style, with damson plum and crushed blueberry notes backed by light spice shadings and a hint of anise. Slightly taut acidity underneath it all. Wine Spectator's 2011 Top-Scoring Red Bordeaux (James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, April 10, 2012)

2009 Château Moulin Riche Saint Julien (44)

This has a very ripe, somehow rather airy notes that seems to float along the ether. Mouth-coating tannins, very ripe and rounded, quite opulent with a touch of spice, dark vibrant black fruits interwoven with black plum and cassis, leading to a well-defined, peppery finish. Very fine. Score: 88-91. Neal Martin, RobertParker.com


2008 Château Léoville Poyferré Saint Julien (81)

One of the finest over-achieving efforts in this vintage as well as a "best buy" for a top-flight St.-Julien, this 2008 is an irresistible success. It reveals an opaque ruby/purple color, lots of unctuosity and a boatload of sweet cassis and black cherry fruit intertwined with notions of licorice, smoke and oak. Full-bodied, remarkably concentrated and stunningly pure and textured, this sensational wine is already drinking well, and will be even better with 2-3 years of cellaring. It should last for 20-25 years. Bravo! Score: 94 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (194), May 2011

2006 Château Léoville Poyferré Saint Julien (82)

91 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate. Dense ruby/purple, with sweet blackberry and black currant fruit with hints of smoke, espresso roast, and new saddle leather, this is another impressively endowed but tannic, backward style of wine. The concentration, brightness, and depth are all present, but I can't see it being even approachable in less than 5-7 years. (2/2009)


2005 Château Léoville Poyferré Saint Julien (125)

Léoville Poyferré’s dense ruby/purple 2005 is soft, round and juicy, with lots of blackcurrant fruit, plum and Asian spice. It is medium to full-bodied and, along with Léoville Las Cases and Saint-Pierre, probably one of the best St.-Juliens I tasted in this retrospective. It is surprisingly supple and accessible. Drink it over the next 15 or so years. Drink 2015-2030. Score: 93 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (219), June 2015

Previous Tour - Michel Rolland

This time, we did not bump into Michel Rolland, as we did during the previous tour. Michel Rolland consults with Château Léoville-Poyferré.

Pictures: Michel Rolland Greets us

Bye-bye

Thanks Didier for a very exciting tasting.

Pictures: bye-bye

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

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

Bordeaux Wine Tour 2013 by ombiasy

Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

Bordeaux Wines and their Classifications: The Basics

Bordeaux - En Primeur, Negociants, Courtiers, the Quai de Chartons and the Place de Bordeaux– A Short Introduction

How Does the Negociant System in Bordeaux Work? Tour and Tasting at Millésima - Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

Tour and Wine Dinner at Domaine de Chevalier with Director Adjoint Rémi Edange and Owner/Director Olivier Bernard – Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

Schiller's Favorite Wine Bars in Bordeaux City, France

Schiller's Favorite Seafood Places in Bordeaux City, France

Saint Emilion Wines and their Classification, Bordeaux, France

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

Tour and Tasting at Château Angélus– Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

Tour, Tasting and Wine Lunch at a Petit Château and Organic Producer: Château Beauséjour – Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

Visit of an Ultra-premium Non-mainstream Bordeaux Producer: Tertre Rôteboeuf, with Owner and Winemaker François Mitjavile, France – Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Tour and Tasting at Château Figeac, Premier Grand Cru Classé B, in Saint-Émilion– Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

Tour and Wine Lunch at Château Le Bon Pasteur, Pomerol, with Dany Rolland– Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours(2015), France

The Wine Empire of the von Neipperg Family in France, Bulgaria and Germany

Tour and Dinner at Château Canon La Gaffelière, Appellation Saint-Emilion, Premier Grand Cru Classé – Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

Tour and Tasting at Château de Fargues, Appellation Sauternes, with Prince Eudes d’Orléans– Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

Wine Lunch at Restaurant Château de la Tour in Cadillac with Catherine Boyer, Château Du Cros, Loupiac– Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

Visit and Tasting: Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte, Pessac-Léognan, Grand Cru Classé – Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

Wine Lunch at Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte’s Restaurant La Grand’ Vigne (2 Stars Michelin, Chef: Nicolas Masse) – Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

Oysters in Bordeaux: Visiting the Oyster Farmer Raphael Doerfler and his Earl Ostrea Chanca Oyster Farm - Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

What is a Bordeaux Cru Bourgeois? France

Wine Dinner with Stefan and Heike Paeffgen, Château Le Reysse and Château Clos du Moulin, Vignobles Paeffgen, Appellation Médoc – Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

Château Léoville-Poyferré, Chateau Le Crock, Didier Cuvelier in Bordeaux and the Cuvelier Los Andes Wines in Argentina

Tour and Tasting at Château Léoville Poyferré, Saint-Julien, 2ième Grand Cru Classé, with Didier Cuvelier

Tour and Wine Lunch at Château Pichon-Longueville-Baron, Pauillac, 2ième Grand Cru Classé

The 5 Premiers Grands Crus Chateaux en 1855 of Bordeaux, France

Tour and Tasting at Château Mouton-Rothschild, Pauillac, 1ière Grand Cru Classé.

How a Barrel is Made: Visit of the Cooperage Berger & Fils in Vertheuil

Lunch at Restaurant Le Peyrat in Saint-Estèphe with the Grape Pickers of Château Sociando Mallet

Tour and Tasting at Château Lafon-Rochet, Saint-Estèphe, 4ième Grand Cru Classé, with Owner Basile Tesseron

Tour and Tasting at Château Rauzan-Ségla, Margaux, 2ième Grand Cru Classé

Tourt and tasting at Château Palmer, Margaux, 3ième Grand Cru Classé

Tour and Wine Dinner at Château Haut-Bailly, Graves, Appellation Pessac-Léognan, Grand Cru Classé, with Diana Paulin

Announcement: 5 Exciting ombiasy WineTours in 2016 - BURGUNDY BORDEAUX GERMANY

Picture: Gernot Kollmann, Weingut Immich-Batterieberg, Annette Schiller, ombiasy WineTours, Dominik Sona and Franzi Schmitt, Weingut Koehler-Ruprecht and Clemens Busch, Weingut Clemens Busch, at Bart Vandaele's BToo in Washington DC

That you have 3 top German winemakers at one dinner table does not happen too often, at least not in the USA. We were very lucky and thankful to have Clemens Busch, Weingut Clemens Busch, Mosel, Gernot Kollmann, Weingut Immich-Batterieberg, Mosel, and Dominik Sona, Weingut Koehler-Ruprecht, Pfalz, pouring their wines at a lovely dinner prepared by Chef Bart Vandaele at the trendy BToo on 14th Street NW in Washington DC. At the initiative of Gernot Kollmann, Annette Schiller, who organizes wine tours to Germany, Bordeaux and the Bourgogne, put together the event.

See: Announcement: Dinner with Star Winemakers Clemens Busch, Koehler Ruprecht and Immich-Batterieberg at Restaurant B Too in Washington DC on February 25, 2016, Germany/ USA

Picture: Weingut Immich-Batterieberg, Weingut Clemens Busch and Weingut Koehler-Ruprecht

Why were they together in Washington DC?

Why were they together in Washington DC? Clemens Busch, Immich-Batterieberg and Koehler-Ruprecht are imported in the US by Louis/Dressner (“We do have a group of often fanatical growers who are doing their best to make wines that are original because they are honestly crafted”) and there was a Louis/Dressner trade tasting earlier that day in Washington DC.

Pictures: Dinner at BToo

The following day, they were heading, with many other winemakers mainly from Europe, to New York's very first natural wine fair “The Big Glou” that took place on February 27 and 28. Featuring winemakers from France, Italy, Spain, Germany and Canada, the weekend-long event celebrated the thriving, artisan practice of natural winemaking with a wide range of producers making wines through sustainable farming practices and “non-interventionist” techniques in the cellar.

Three of them (Gernot Kollmann and Dominik Sona with Franzi Schmitt) came down from New York, where they had participated in the 2016 Rieslingfeier. Rieslingfeier is an annual event in New York City that celebrates German Riesling. The cornerstone event is the Rieslingfeier Gala Dinner. Inspired by Daniel Johnnes’ famous Burgundy fête “La Paulée,” it is very likely the greatest German wine "BYOB" dinner in the world, with both winemakers and guests bringing special bottles from their cellars to share. Rieslingfeier is orchestrated by Stephen Bitterolf of the vom Boden wine importing company.

Clemens Busch came directly from the Mosel.

Annette Schiller and I participated in the 2016 Rieslingfeier in New York and I have reported about it on schiller-wine: A German Riesling Feast in New York City: Rieslingfeier 2016, USA

Picture: Annette Schiller and Dominik Sona, Weingut Koehler Ruprecht, at Pre-Rieslingfeier 2016 BYOB Party

Picture: Gernot Kollmann, Weingut Immich-Batterieberg, and Annette Schiller at Rieslingfeier 2016 Gala Dinner

ombiasy WineTours by Annette Schiller

All three wineries have already been visited or will be visited this year by ombiasy WineTours. See:

Tour and Tasting at Weingut Koehler Ruprecht in Kallstadt, Pfalz, with Franzi Schmitt – Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

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

Announcement: 5 Exciting ombiasy WineTours in 2016 - BURGUNDY BORDEAUX GERMANY

Louis/Dressner Selections

Louis/Dressner Selections: Louis/Dressner Selections is a portfolio of over 100 vignerons hailing from France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Croatia, Slovenia and Chile. We are a partnership of Denyse Louis, a native Burgundian, Joe Dressner and Kevin McKenna. Collectively, we spend nearly nine months a year in Europe working with our growers and selecting wines for importation to America.

We have no brands. We are not looking for them. We do have a group of often fanatical growers who are doing their best to make wines that are original because they are honestly crafted. These might seem old-fashioned, but in the present context it is almost revolutionary....

There are no gobs, no exaggerations, no over-this and over-that. We don’t have fruit bombs. What we do have is a group of growers who work their vines and make their wines with honesty, passion and humor.

In that sense THE BRAND is the convergence of these crazy growers and their American importers. Working together to produce and market natural products that follow several principles.

Picture: Reception at BToo
Picture: Clemens Busch, Dominik Sona and Anthony Ramdass

Picture: Gernot Kollmann, Ken Kelly (Former President of German Wine Society, Washington DC Chapter) and Mark J Dryfoos at BToo

Picture: Gernot Kollmann and Ken Kelly (German Wine Society) at BToo

Picture: Dave McIntyre (Washington Post) and Clemens Busch at BToo

Weingut Clemens Busch

The Big Glue: Since taking over his family winery in 1984, Clemens Busch and his wife Rita have shaped it into one of the most iconoclastic estates in the Mosel. A firm believer that natural practices in the vines and cellar lead to the ultimate expression of terroir, Clemens exemplifies the balance between tradition and forward thinking we so look forward to when seeking out new producers. The majority of Clemens's production is grown on the extremely steep Pündericher Marienburg, a 25 hectare vineyard that spans and entire hillside facing the village of Pünderich. Exposed full South/Southwest and right on the edge of the river, it is widely considered amongst the very best sites in the Mosel.

Picture: Clemens Busch at BToo

16 of the Clemens' hectares are here, with only 2 hectares originally inherited from his father. 80% of the wines are fermented and aged in very old 1000l barrels; the youngest are 48 years old, and many were built by Rita's father. Nothing is ever added to the wine, save a low dose of sulfur at bottling. The wines are never fined. For the sweet and noble sweet wines, Clemens prefers halting the fermentation with a deep freeze followed by a filtration, allowing him to drastically reduce sulfur, which again is only added at bottling. Pay attention to the capsules on the different bottlings, as their color (red, grey, blue) indicate the soil type of each vineyard.

Picture: Annette Schiller and Clemens Busch at Weingut Clemens Busch

Picture: In the Pündericher Marienburg Vineyard with Rita Busch

Weingut Immich-Batterieberg

The Big Glue: Immich-Batterieberg is one of the oldest wineries in the Mosel traced back to the year 911. In 1495, the Immich family purchased the property, producing traditional dry and off-dry wines under their name for almost 500 years. After filing for bankruptcy in 2007, the estate was reacquired in 2009 by Gernot Kollmann and two Hamburg based investors. Since taking over, the wines are once again produced in a dry or off-dry style, with sugar levels depending on each site, each vintage. All of the Cru wines are once again being vinified separately in old oak barrels; spontaneous fermentations are the norm and chaptalization, re/de-acidification or any other intervention during vinification is forbidden. Sulfur is added in low doses and only before bottling. 80% of the vines are un-grafted and over 60 years old, and everything is worked organically (though not certified).

Picture: Gernot Kollmann at BToo

4 Cru bottlings are produced:

Steffensberg is on a side valley behind the village of Enkirch, and is characterized by deeper, softer soil composed of copper heavy red slate.

Batterieberg is a 1.1 h monopole within the Zeppwingert, and also the place that gives the estate its namesake: it was Carl August Immich's decision to dynamite this hill between 1841 and 1845 which permitted him to create terraces and plant vines (Batterieberg translates to Battered Mountain). The slate here is grey and very rocky, with a heavy amount of quartz.

The Zeppwingert parcel is to the right of Batterieberg. The soil is darker here.

Ellergrub is 150 m to the right of that. Gernot considers this his best vineyard. Here, you find the classic blue slate of the middle Mosel.

Weingut Koehler-Ruprecht

The Big Glue: Koehler-Ruprecht has existed since the 1700's. In the cellar, long spontaneous fermentations occur in large, old German oak barrels with extended lees contact. Nothing is ever added or subtracted to the wine, and sulfur is only added moderately after alcoholic fermentation and before bottling. Since 2008, viticulture/cellar duties have been directed by Dominik Sona. The estate consists of 10.5 hectares of vines, principally in Riesling (50%) but also in Pinot Noir (20%), Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer and Scheurebe on three separate terroirs: Saumagen, Steinacker and Annaberg.

Picture: Dominik Sona and Franzi Schmitt at BToo

Saumagen, which translates to "pig's stomach", is named after the shape of the vineyard and also happens to be the region's most famous local dish. Established as a vineyard in 1810, this area used to be a limestone quarry in Roman times. The soils here are heavy in chalky marl and full of tiny individual limestones that reflect heat onto the grapes. Because of a government expansion in the 80's, 46 h are designated as Saumagen- including a conversion of north-facing orchards into vineyard sites- but Koehler-Ruphrecht's 4 h are on the original South-East facing slope. A small part of the Saumagen is designated as Terra Rossa, with the limestone taking a red hue due to a heavy presence of iron oxide. Steinacker is wine-growing region characterized by chalk and sandstone. The Rieslings and Scheurebe grown here tend have residual sweetness. Finally, at 120 years old, Annaberg is the youngest vineyard site and characterized by a high proportion of sandstone. The western part of the region features a chalk substrate where the Chardonnay grows. All grapes are hand harvested, with the team doing up to five passes each vintage to pick at optimal maturity. Pünderich, Mosel

Pictures: Visit of Weingut Koehler-Rupprecht with Franziska Schmidt during Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

BToo

Since its opening a couple of years ago, B Too, sister restaurant of Belga Café on Capitol Hill, consistently receives high acclaims for its creative cuisine. Fresh, local, seasonal produce and continual creativity in the kitchen make every meal exceptional. The following menu was prepared by Chef Bart Vandaele to match the earth profiles and flavors of the German wines.

Pictures: Chef Bart Vandaele and Chef Dieter Samyn

Winemaker Dinner


AMUSE


FIRST COURSE

A La Minute Smoked Sturgeon
red beet cannelloni / apple / herb puree / sour cream


2013 Riesling Trocken, Weingut Clemens Busch, Mosel
2013 Riesling C.A.I. Kabinett, Weingut Immich-Batterieberg, Mosel


SUITE

Sweet Breads
porcelet belly / crispy zucchini / eggplant puree / maitake


2012 Kallstadter Riesling Kabinett Trocken, Wengut Koehler-Ruprecht, Pfalz
2012 Enkircher Steffensberg Riesling, Weingut Immich-Batterieberg, Mosel


MAIN COURSE

Pan Seared Partridge
green garlic / endives / fois gras & amaranth / ‘vin jaune’ sauce


2011 Enkircher Ellergrub, Riesling, Wweingut Immich-Batterieberg, Mosel
2011 Kallstadter Saumagen, Riesling Spätlese Trocken, Weingut Koehler-Ruprecht, Pfalz
2011 Marienburg Falkenlay, Riesling GG, Weingut Clemens Busch, Mosel


DESSERT

whipped Muenster foam / dried berries / roasted nuts / roasted pumpkin oil


2010 Kallstadter Annaberg, Weisser Burgunder, Spätlese Trocken, Weingut Koehler-Ruprecht, Pfalz
2010 Marienburg Falkenlay, Riesling, Weingut Clemens Busch, Mosel

Picture: Annette thanking Chef Bart Vandaele for an Outstanding Dinner

schiller-wine - Related Postings

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

Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Announcement: 5 Exciting ombiasy WineTours in 2016 - BURGUNDY BORDEAUX GERMANY

Tour and Tasting at Weingut Koehler Ruprecht in Kallstadt, Pfalz, with Franzi Schmitt – Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

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

Winemaker Dinner with Château LAFON-ROCHET Wines and Winemaker Anaïs Maillet at Chef Bart Vandaele’s Hipp B Too Restaurant in Washington DC, US/France

Announcement: Dinner with Star Winemakers Clemens Busch, Koehler Ruprecht and Immich-Batterieberg at Restaurant B Too in Washington DC on February 25, 2016, Germany/ USA

A German Riesling Feast in New York City: Rieslingfeier 2016, USA

Picture: The Governor of Virginia, Terence Richard „Terry“ McAuliffe, and the Keswick Vineyards Team with Al and Cindy Schornberg and Winemaker Stephen Barnard - 2016 Virginia Governor's Cup Winner (Photo: facebook)

Put on by the Virginia Wineries Association, the Governor's Cup is the commonwealth's premier wine competition that rates hundreds of Virginia wines. For the 2016 contest, which was held over a four week period during the month of January/early February, more than 90 wineries submitted 432 wines. Jay Youmans, MW, directed the competition.

2016 Governor’s Cup Gold Medalists

38 Virginia wines were awarded gold medals:

Ankida Ridge Vineyards, 2014 Chardonnay
Barboursville Vineyards, 2014 Vermentino
Barren Ridge Vineyards, 2010 Meritage
Bluestone Vineyard, 2014 Chardonnay
Bluestone Vineyard, 2013 Blue Ice
Breaux Vineyards, 2013 Meritage
Cardinal Point Winery, 2014 Clay Hill Cabernet Franc
Delaplane Cellars, 2013 Williams Gap
Fabbioli Cellars, 2012 Cabernet Franc
Gadino Cellars, 2010 Nebbiolo
Glen Manor Vineyards, 2013 Meritage
Granite Heights Winery, 2010 Evening Serenade
Granite Heights Winery, 2010 Lomax Reserve
Granite Heights Winery, 2012 Humility
Horton Vineyards, 2014 Petit Manseng
Keswick Vineyards, 2014 Cabernet Franc Estate Reserve
Keswick Vineyards, 2013 Signature Series Cabernet Franc
Michael Shaps, 2013 Meritage
Michael Shaps, 2013 L Scott
Michael Shaps 2013 Tannat
Michael Shaps, 2014 Petit Manseng
Michael Shaps, 2013 Raisin D’Etre White
Naked Mountain Winery, 2012 Petit Verdot
North Gate Vineyard, 2013 Meritage
Notaviva Vineyards, 2012 Excelsis
Paradise Springs, Winery, 2012 Tannat
Paradise Springs, Winery 2012 PVT
Paradise Springs, Winery 2013 Meritage
Pearmund Cellars, 2013 Petit Verdot
Pearmund Cellars, 2013 Chardonnay
Pollak Vineyards, 2012 Meritage
Pollak Vineyards, 2012 Merlot
Stone Tower Winery, 2013 Hogback Mountain
Sunset Hills Vineyard, 2013 Aldie Heights Cuvee
Sunset Hills Vineyard, 2010 Petit Verdot
The Barns at Hamilton Station Vineyards, 2013 Petit Verdot
Veritas Winery, 2013 Vintner’s Reserve
Vint Hill Craft Winery, 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon

Meritage blends lead with 14 wines receiving gold medals. Five wines that were 100% Petit Verdot won golds, and 2 Tannats and 2 Tannat blends also received gold medals. For whites, three Virginia Chardonnays and two Virginia Petit Mansengs won gold and highlighted that these grapes continue to show well in this climate. Four Cabernet Francs, one Nebbiolo, one Cabernet Sauvignon, one Merlot, one Vermentino, and two dessert wines were also among the gold medalists.


Eight wineries received more than one gold medal. Those wineries are:

Bluestone Vineyards (2)
Granite Heights Winery (3)
Keswick Vineyards (2)
Michael Shaps Vineyards (5)
Paradise Springs Winery (3)
Pearmund Cellars (2)
Pollak Vineyards (2)
Sunset Hills Vineyards (2)

2016 Governor’s Cup Case

Of the gold medal winning wines, the highest scoring red and white wines comprise the Governor’s Cup Case to showcase the state’s top wines. The top 12 scoring wines in the 2016 Governor’s Cup competition listed in alphabetical order are:

Barboursville Vineyards 2014 Vermentino (Barboursville)
Bluestone Vineyard 2014 Chardonnay (Bridgewater)
Cardinal Point 2014 Clay Hill Cabernet Franc (Afton)
Fabbioli Cellars 2012 Cabernet Franc (Leesburg)
Glen Manor Vineyards 2013 Hodder Hill (Front Royal)
Granite Heights Winery 2010 Evening Serenade (Warrenton)
Horton Vineyards 2014 Petit Manseng (Gordonsville)
Keswick Vineyards 2014 Cabernet Franc Estate Reserve (Keswick), Cup winner
Michael Shaps Wineworks 2014 Petit Manseng (Charlottesville)
Naked Mountain Winery 2012 Petit Verdot (Markham)
North Gate Vineyard 2013 Meritage (Purcellville)
Stone Tower Winery 2013 Hogback Mountain (Leesburg)

Dave McIntyre (in the Washington Post): The results hint at some interesting developments in Virginia’s wine world.

In previous years, white wines were underrepresented in the Governor’s Case. This year, the rules were changed to reserve three spots for whites. That four made it into the case demonstrates the strength of white wines this year. Two of them are Petit Manseng, which is making a strong bid to eclipse Viognier as Virginia’s most distinctive white wine. And it’s notable that both the Horton and Michael Shaps are dry expressions of this wine, which is more often made in a fruity or even sweet style. The inclusion of Barboursville’s Vermentino is another hint that Virginia has the potential to excite with “alternative” white wines.

Picture: Christian Schiller and Mark Fedor from North Gate Vineyards, see: North Gate Vineyard in Virginia, USA – A Profile

We also see consistency: North Gate’s Meritage (a Bordeaux-style red blend) makes the Governor’s Case for the third consecutive vintage. Glen Manor’s Hodder Hill (another Bordeaux blend) won the Cup in 2011 for its 2009 and reappears here. And Michael Shaps is a familiar name among Virginia’s elite winemakers. Shaps garnered five gold medals, more than any other producer, including one for his stunningly delicious petit manseng, which is in the Governor’s Case.

And we see new wineries emerging. Granite Heights, in Opal, won three gold medals for its red blends, including the 2010 Evening Serenade, which made the top 12. This is a tiny winery worth a detour off U.S. Route 29 as you drive to Charlottesville. And Loudoun County’s Stone Tower Winery, already a popular site for weekend wine tourists, earns a spot in the Governor’s Case with one of its first releases, the Hogback Mountain red blend.

Pictures: Annette and Christian Schiller with Kristi Huber, Founder andOwner of Stone Tower Winery in Leesburg, Virginia, at the Hungarian Embassy in Washington DC

2016 Governor’s Cup

Keswick Vineyards, located just east of Charlottesville, won this year’s Governor's Cup for best wine with its 2014 Cabernet Franc Estate Reserve. A Cabernet Franc won for only the third time in the 34th year of the award.

The Governor’s Cup was the third for Keswick winemaker Stephen Barnard. His 2005 Rappahannock Cellars Viognier Reserve won in 2006, and Keswick’s 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon was tops in 2009.

Wine Producer Virginia

Virginia is the 5th largest wine industry in the US, with nearly 300 wineries and over 3,500 acres of vineyards. In the original charter of the thirteen colonies was a royal commission to pursue three luxury items that England was unable to provide for itself: wine, silk, and olive oil. Every colony made attempts to satisfy the requirements of its charter. Despite many years of failure, the early Americans persisted in their efforts. A big step forward was made in 1740 when a natural cross pollination occurred between a native American grape and a European vitis vinifera. Other successful crossings followed.

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

Picture: Virginia

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

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

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

Picture: Christian Schiller and Doug Fabbioli, Fabbioli Cellars. Doug Fabbioli's Fabbioli Cellars 2012 Cabernet Franc made it into the 2016 Governor's Cup Case

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

Picture: Christian Schiller with Chris Pearmund from Pearmund Cellars, which won 2 Gold Medals

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

Finally, Claude Thibault, a native from France, has taken Virginia sparkling wines to a new level. His NV Thibault-Janisson Brut, made from 100 percent Chardonnay, is as close as you can get to Champagne outside of France.

See:
American Wines with French Roots: The Wines President Obama Served at the State Dinner for President Hollande, USA/France
As Close as You Can Get to (French) Champagne at the US East Coast – Claude Thibaut and His Virginia Thibaut Janisson Sparklers at screwtop Wine Bar
Claude Thibault of Thibault Janisson – an Ultra-premium Sparkling Wine Producer in Virginia, USA - at American Wine Society (Northern Virginia Chapter) 

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

Previous Virginia Governor's Cup Competitions

Virginia's Best Wines: 2015 Virginia Governor's Cup, USA

Virginia's Best Wines: 2014 Virginia Wineries Governor’s Cup, USA

Governor’s Cup Competition 2013, Virginia, USA  

schiller-wine: Related Posting

Northern Virginia Magazine October 2012: Wine Recs from Local Winos

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

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

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

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

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

Visiting Jennifer Breaux Blosser and Breaux Vineyards in Virginia, USA

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

North Gate Vineyard in Virginia, USA – A Profile

Virginia Wine Chat “Live” with Frank Morgan at Breaux Vineyards, Virginia, USA

Picture: Kaub in the Mittelrhein Valley with the Castles Pfalzgrafenstein and Burg Gutenfels - Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2016)

In May/June three amazing wine tours are coming up:

The first Wine Tour in 2016 goes to Germany’s classic, and well-known wine region: Rheingau, Mittelrhein, Ahr, Mosel, Nahe (May 5 - May 11).

We will understand how the ‘late harvest’ was invented, what it means to work in the steepest vineyards on the planet, how finicky, wonderful, elegant, and versatile the Riesling grape is, why Pinot Noir can thrive in such a northern area 50 1/2 º of latitude, and we will meet world-renowned winemakers such as J.J.Prüm, Hanno Zilliken, Markus Molitor, Johannes Leitz, August Kesseler, Tim Fröhlich, and many more. To do a cruise on the romantic Rhine river with its castle and vine-ribboned banks, to drive along the many bends of the Mosel river, and to taste gorgeous Rieslings - sweet and dry -  is a wine lifestyle experience not to be missed.

To get an idea about this tour, please read and look at the pictures: http://schiller-wine.blogspot.com/2015/10/germany-north-tour-by-ombiasy-winetours.html This article is a summary of last year’s tour.

For all details on the 2016 tour, please go to: https://ombiasypr.com/index.php/tours-2016/germany-north-2016/germany-north-itinerary-2016 There also is a pricing and registration page on the website.

Picture: Manfred Pruem, Weingut JJ Pruem and Annette Schiller, see: JJ Pruem Goes Supermarket: Meeting Katharina Pruem and Tasting the Incredible JJ Pruem Wines at Wegmans

Picture: Wine Tavern Spitzhäuschen in Bernkastel Kues

The second Wine Tour in 2016 goes to Germany’s wine regions east of the Rhine river, also the cradle of German intellect and culture: Saale-Unstrut, Saxony, Franken, Württemberg (May 12 - May 20).

We will visit 16 top-rated wineries and get to know other grape varietals besides the iconic Riesling, delve deep European history when meeting the descendants of the former Kings of Württemberg and the Prince zur Lippe, hear eye-witness accounts of winemakers having lived the transition from GDR to the unified Germany, will see spectacular historic sites, such as the Green Vault in Dresden, and the Rococo Residence in Würzburg, experience world-class Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris in Saale-Unstrut and Saxony, wonderful Silvaner in Franken, and stunning Reds in Württemberg. The "Swabian red wine revolution" has been talked about recently in the US in papers such as the SF Chronicles, NY Times, and Wall Street Journal. We will attend world-class performances at the Gewandhaus in Leipzig and at the Semper Opera in Dresden.

To get an idea about this tour, please read and look at the pictures: http://schiller-wine.blogspot.com/2015/07/germany-east-wine-and-art-tour-by.html This article is a summary of last year’s tour.

For all details on the 2016 tour, please go to: https://ombiasypr.com/index.php/tours-2016/germany-east-2016/germany-east-2016-itinerary There also is a pricing and registration page on the website.

Picture: Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Herzog von Württemberg at Schloss Monrepos with Owner Duke Michael of Württemberg and Winemaker Moriz Just

Picture: Dinner with Georg Prinz zur Lippe at the Lippe'sche Gutshaus

Picture: Alte Mainbrücke in Würzburg

The third Wine Tour in 2016 goes to Burgundy and Champagne (May 26 - June 05).

During this tour we travel from Lyon, the world’s capital of good food to Reims, the world’s capital of Champagne. We start in Lyon with a performance at the famous Lyon Opera house. We will then visit top domaines all sub regions, starting with the Beaujolais, moving up north to the Mâconnais, the Côte Chalonnaise, Côte de Beaune, Côte de Nuits, Chablis, and crossing into the Champagne region. We will explore the concept of “climate”, similar to the “terroir” concept in Germany and will enjoy meals at top restaurants including Paul Bocuse in Collonges au Mont d’Or. Of course we also go deep into the colorful history of the Burgundy region and will visit important historic sites.

This tour is sold out! If you want to be on the list for the spring tour in 2017 (May 25 - June 04) please send me an email so that I can put your name down, and reserve a slot for you (first come, first served)

For details on the 2016 tour (the 2017 tour will be similar), please go to: https://ombiasypr.com/index.php/tours-2016/burgundy-2016/burgundy-2017

Picture: Annette Schiller in Gevry-Chambertin, Bourgogne

Picture: At Domaine Faiveley in Nuits St. Georges

Picture: Le Bistrot du Coin Place Ziem in Beaune, Bourgogne

Feel free to contact my by email (aschiller@ombiasypr.com) or by phone: {US: (703) 459 7513};  {Europe: 0049 177 337 0281} at any time for further questions. Please note that I only take 10 people on these tours so that the experience remains very personal and to have access to famous wineries / domaines.

Looking forward to hearing from you and to meeting some of you on the 2016 tours.

CHEERS

Annette

p.s.

In the fall, I have scheduled 2 tours: Bordeaux (which is almost sold out) and Germany-South/ Alsace. See: Announcement: 5 Exciting ombiasy WineTours in 2016 - BURGUNDY BORDEAUX GERMANY

Picture: Annette Schiller, ombiasy WineTours, and Christian Schiller at a Heart's Delight Event in 2015

Heart’s Delight is an annual four-day celebration in Washington DC, USA, bringing together winemakers, celebrity chefs, gourmands, and wine enthusiasts to raise money for the American Heart Association. The events are not cheap, but high-class and tax deductible (partly). Over the past 14 years, the events have raised over $12 million for the American Heart Association, helping to support research into the number one cause of death in the United States.

This year, Heart’s Delight will take place from Wednesday, March 9 to Saturday March 12, 2016 and on Wednesday, April 20, 2016.

As every year, there will be exciting dinners with celebrity chefs and winemakers at embassies, private homes and top restaurants, tastings, receptions, after-dinner-parties as well as auctions. At a special side event, Annette and Christian Schiller will host Sophie Schÿler Thierry from Château Kirwan, a second growth, which is owned by the Schÿler family, at Evo Bistro in McLean, Virginia, for lunch.

Program

Wednesday March 9: United States of Wine - The United States of Wine celebration will showcase some of the best in American wine. Highlighted wines will be presented by owners and winemakers and will include a live auction featuring large format bottles direct from the winery. The reception will be followed by our new BYO-style Collectors Dinner in the company of the participating winemakers.

Thursday March 10: Thursday offers a series of intimate wine dinners with an international flair in homes, restaurants and Embassies with a host, chef and winemaker at each.

Dinner 1, for example:

Host: His Excellency, The Ambassador of France to the United States, Gérard Araud
Sponsor: General Dynamics
Wine: Château Montrose presented by Hervé Berland
Residence of the Ambassador of France, 24 guests - US$2,000/ticket

Friday, March 11: Vintners Dinner - This year, this evening will feature a retrospective of the 16 years of Vintners Dinner history, including the wines of Château Mouton Rothschild, Château Haut-Brion, Château Cheval Blanc, Château Latour and Château Margaux. The dinner is followed by a live auction led by Sotheby’s Jamie Ritchie featuring wine directly from the cellars of our friends from Bordeaux in grand format. There will also be an award presented to the Congressional Honoree. US$ 15.000 for a table of 8.

Saturday, March 12: Saturday begins with a virtual tour of Bordeaux, including a unique wine tasting of the 2013 vintage. The adventure continues with exciting seminars and food prepared by some of the nation’s top chefs, making Heart’s Delight the place to discover the latest in epicurean trends and new talent. Guests will also enjoy wine from the world’s best vineyards as well as the opportunity to bid on exclusive travel packages, dining experiences and rare and exceptional wines during the spirited silent and live auctions.

Wednesday, April 20: Congress Has Heart: United States of Wine Reception - This Capitol Hill celebration will showcase some of the best in American wine and will host Members of Congress – some will be pouring wine from their home state. Special Invited Guest, Speaker Paul Ryan, will be presented with the Congress Has Heart Award. New Vintage Reception - Congress Has Heart will be followed by the New Vintage Reception for young professionals to network and learn more about the American Heart Association’s mission. This new generation of leaders will come together to make a difference in their community while having fun.

Pictures: Impressions from Heart’s Delight Wine Tasting and Auction 2015 (Source: Heart’s Delight Wine Tasting and Auction 2015)

Auctions

During the events, there will be a series of live and silent auctions. Guests (as well as absent bidders) will have the opportunity to bid on exclusive travel packages, dining experiences and rare and exceptional wines during the spirited silent and live auctions. ombiasyPR and WineTours donated a “Seven-Day Wine Tour through Germany’s Riesling Country”.

Auction Item #514: Seven-Day Wine Tour through Germany’s Riesling Country

Estimated value: US$4,200
Auction Item # 514
Donated by Ombiasy PR & Wine Tours

Picture: Kaub in the Mittelrhein Valley with the Castles Pfalzgrafenstein and Burg Gutenfels - Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2016)

This seven-day tour (May 5-11, 2016) lets you explore the regions that are quintessential to understand Riesling and the concept of terroir: The Rheingau, Mittelrhein, Ahr, Mosel, and Nahe wine regions. You will visit many picturesque wine towns and take a cruise on the romantic Rhine River with its castle- and vine-ribboned bank; the Mosel valley with its dizzying steep vineyards; delving into 2,000 years of history and tasting premium wines at 16 world-class wine estates, such as J.J. Prüm, Leitz, Molitor, Zilliken, and Meyer-Näkel. The tour starts and ends in Frankfurt am Main. You will travel with the husband and wife team Dr. Christian Schiller, wine writer, and Annette Schiller, organizer of wine classes, wine tours, and wine events. Their expert knowledge about German wines and their personal relationships with the wine estate owners and winemakers will give you an unparalleled, personal, and authentic experience and an inside view behind the scenes of premium German wineries.

Spot for 1 person. Flight to and from Frankfurt is not included in the tour. Six nights accommodation, transport in the wine regions, all visits and sightseeing, all wine tastings, and meals are included.

ombiasy WineTours: Impressions from Previous Tours to Germany

Pictures: Impressions from Previous Germany Tours by ombiasy WineTours, with Ernst Loosen, Helmut Dönnhoff and Steffen Christmann

schiller-wine: Related Postings

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

Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Bourgogne Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

Announcement: 5 Exciting ombiasy WineTours in 2016 - BURGUNDY BORDEAUX GERMANY

Coming-up: 2016 Spring Tours by ombiasy WineTours to Germany and the Bourgogne, Germany/ France

Seven Day Wine Tour to German Wine Country: Heart’s Delight Wine Tasting and Auction (2015), Washington DC, USA

Picture: Tasting and Discussing with Steffen Christmann, Weingut A. Christmann, Pfalz

Weingut A. Christmann is owned and run in the 7th generation by Steffen Christmann, who is the current President of the VDP, the association of about 200 elite winemakers in Germany . Since its founding in 1845 the estate has produced Riesling and Pinot Noir. Devotion to soil vitality and the preservation and individuality of the terroir has lead Steffen Christmann to practice organic agriculture, strict vineyard management, and severe yield reduction. In the cellar, he employs long and gentle pressing with low pressure, clarification through natural sedimentation, and a slow, not too cool fermentation sometimes until as late as June with only one filtration. All of the wines are vinified in the dry style, because he feels that the conditions in his vineyards are ideal for producing dry wines.

Esther Grüttner was our host. Steffen Christmann joined us for an hour and discussed with us the new classification of the VDP.

Pictures: Steffen Christmann - Welcome

Weingut A. Christmann

Weingut A. Christmann is in Gimmeldingen in the Pfalz. The vineyard area totals 20 hectares in several villages: Biengarten, Kapellenberg and Mandelgarten in Gimmeldingen, Eselshaut in Mußbach, Idig and Ölberg in Königsbach, Linsenbusch and Reiterpfad in Ruppertsberg as well as Hohenmorgen, Langenmorgen, Mäushöhle and Paradiesgarten in Deidesheim. Riesling accounts for 2/3 of the output, with Spätburgunder, Weißburgunder, Grauburgunder, Gewürztraminer and St. Laurent accounting for the remainder. Production: 10.000 cases.

Steffen Christmann: Charismatic wines driven by great passion. Noble growths that achieve top ratings. Precious drops for bon vivants, with nature’s blessing. These are the hallmarks of Weingut A. Christmann. For generations, our family has lived for its passion – wines that are at once pure, authentic, and outstanding. Complacency is taboo. Ever striving to be a little bit better. Zeal that can be felt and tasted with every glass. Be it a simple Gutswein (basic house wine) or a Grosses Gewächs (great growth). With these pages, you can learn more about our estate and our portfolio. And the wines? That’s up to you…you’ll have to taste them for yourself. We wish you an enjoyable journey of discovery.

Steffen Christmann not only heads one of the top wineries in Germany, but also the Verband Deutscher Deutscher Prädikats- und Qualitätsweingüter (VDP), the association of about 200 elite winemakers in Germany. The VDP is in the process of introducing a new wine classification in Germany, which represents a radical break with the past. Naturally, when Steffen Christmann joined us, we spent some time discussing with him the main issues of the new classification.

Pictures: Steffen Christmann, Annette Schiller and Steffen's Dog

History

In 1845 Prof. Dr. Ludwig Häusser and his cousin Johann Martin founded a small winery as a hobby. During the next generations, the winery operations turned into a business. In 1894, Eduard Christmann married Henriette Häusser, the granddaughter of the founder. The estate bears the name of their son Arnold.

To this today, the estate has been in the hands of the Christmann family, now in the 7th generation, and the name still stands for top growths that are second to none.

Steffen Christmann

Steffen Christmann was born in Neustadt an der Weinstrasse/Pfalz in 1965. He grew up in Gimmeldingen at Weingut A. Christmann. After completing his basic education and military service, Steffen Christmann studied law in Heidelberg and Speyer. He was admitted to the bar as an attorney at law in 1994 and since 1995, has been a partner at Hofmann & Kollegen, where he focuses on agricultural and wine law. Parallel to his legal studies, he completed his viticultural education at the DLR Rheinpfalz. In 1996, he took over the family estate, which he has continuously developed ever since. He converted to biodynamic viticulture, for example; opened a chic wine bar and restaurant at the estate; and built new production facilities.

Pictures: Bottleing at Weingut A. Christmann

Biodynamic Viticulture

Steffen Christmann: As wine-growers, we’re closely connected with nature and seek to intensify this relationship and treat nature with respect in all that we do. This is all the more important for those who cultivate their vines biodynamically. We make certain that our soils are rich in vital humus, and encourage biodiversity in our vineyards to avoid the negative impact of monoculture. We rely upon our vines’ innate immune defense and natural plant protection measures. In addition, our work is geared to the phases of the moon. Our goal is to produce the finest, highly individualistic, and most authentic wines possible by bringing vine/site/climate/soil into harmony with one another.

The Vineyard

Steffen Christmann: The vineyard is the key to a high-quality wine. As winemakers, we feel it’s of the utmost importance to bring out the authentic character of our vineyards in such a way that it can be tasted in a wine. Equally important is a harmonious balance between man and nature. As such, we use natural viticultural methods that foster biodiversity in our vineyards. It goes without saying that herbicides, insecticides, and synthetic fungicides are taboo. Above all, we believe in working by hand. Canopy management and picking are done manually. Fine wines with character are hand-crafted, not mass-produced. In short: we strive to achieve the highest quality possible by using the vineyard’s natural resources.

Our Cellar

Steffen Christmann: Passion, attention to detail, and time are indispensable to making a good wine. Things like transporting whole clusters in small containers; gentle, slow pressing under low pressure; preliminary clarification through natural sedimentation; slow fermentation with natural yeasts in traditional oak casks or stainless steel tanks. In addition, young wines do not undergo any treatments and we filter our finest wines only once. Procedures for red wines include traditional fermentation on the skins and lengthy aging in cask. They are not filtered prior to bottling. Although this all entails time, remember the race between the tortoise and the hare…we’re way out front with wine enthusiasts and critics alike. For years, our wines have numbered among the best of the Pfalz or all of Germany, year for year.

Pictures: In the Cellar of Weingut A. Christmann

VDP Classification

Although many people think that there is only one wine classification system in Germany – the classification system of the Law of 1971 – this is not correct. True, the classification system of the Law of 1971 with its pyramid of ripeness of the grapes at harvest (Qualitätswein, Kabinett, Spätlese, Auslese …) at the center is the standard classification system in Germany and the vast majority of winemakers in Germany use this approach. A large number of winemakers, however, have moved away from the standard, in particular the producers of premium and ultra-premium wines. Importantly, the powerful group of German elite winemakers – the VDP (Verband Deutscher Prädikatswein Produzenten) – has conceived its own classification system and is developing it further. The latest modifications are those that came into effect with the vintage of 2012.

The new VDP Wine Classification System is basically a matrix classification. On one axis you find the different quality levels of the wines, along the Burgundian terroir approach, with estate wines, village wines, first growth (premier cru) wines and great growth (grand cru) wines.

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

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

Note that for some legal reasons, the VDP has started to use the terms Grosse Lage, Erste Lage, Ortswein and Gutswein with the pre-fix VDP.

On the other axis, you find the sweetness levels: Trocken, Kabinett, Spaetlese, Auslese, Beerenauslese and Trockenbeerenauslese as well as Eiswein. Please note that in the new VDP classification system the Prädikats have lost their critical importance that they have in the traditional classification system of 1971 and that they have changed their meaning. In the VDP classification system, they have become an indicator for the sweetness range of the finished wine, while in the traditional classification they are an indicator of the sugar content of the grapes at harvest. Generally, in the new VDP classification system, the Prädikats are to be used exclusively for wines with residual sweetness, “thereby enabling the Prädikats to resume their traditional meaning”, as stated by the VDP.

Pictures: Tasting and Discussing with Steffen Christmann, Weingut A. Christmann, Pfalz

The Wines we Tasted

2014 Weingut A. Christmann Gimmeldingen Weissburgunder VDP.Ortswein


2014 Weingut A. Christmann Pfalz Riesling VDP.Gutswein
2014 Weingut A. Christmann Königsbach Riesling VDP.Ortswein
2014 Weingut A. Christmann Königsbacher Ölberg Riesling VDP.ErsteLage
2012 Weingut A. Christmann Idig Riesling GG VDP.GrosseLage


2011 Weingut A. Christmann Gimmeldingen Spätburgunder VDP.Ortswein

Bye-bye

Thank you very much Steffen for the very informative conversation and the wonderful tasting.

Picture: Bye-bye

Postings on the Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015) (Posted and Forthcoming)

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

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

Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Tour, Tasting (and Lunch) with Robert Schätzle, Owner and Winemaker, Weingut Schloss Neuweier in Baden– Germany-South Wine Tour by ombiasy (2015)

Wine Pairing Lunch at Röttele’s Restaurant (1 Star Michelin) at Schloss Neuweier, with Owner and Winemaker Robert Schätzle, Weingut Schloss Neuweier - German South Wine Tour by ombiasy (2015)

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Salwey in Oberrotweil, Kaiserstuhl, Baden, with Benno Salwey – Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Schiller’s Favorite Wine Bars and Wine Taverns in Freiburg, Baden, Germany

Tour and Tasting at Weingut Franz Keller in Oberbergen, Baden – Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Wine Paring Lunch at Restaurant Schwarzer Adler (1 Star Michelin) in Oberbergen, Kaiserstuhl, Baden – Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Tasting at Weingut Bernhard Huber in Baden, with Yquem Viehauser and Julian Huber – Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Dr. Heger in Ihringen, Kaiserstuhl, Baden – Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Tour and Tasting at Maison Léon Beyer in Eguisheim, Alsace, France, with Marc Beyer – Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

At Domaine Weinbach in Kaysersberg, Alsace, with Catherine Faller: Tasting and Tour – Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

Wine Lunch at Weingut Jülg with Johannes Jülg– Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Tasting at Weingut Ökonomierat Rebholz in Siebeldingen, Pfalz – Germany-South by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Schiller's Favorite (Wine-) Restaurants in Deidesheim in the Pfalz, Germany

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Müller Catoir – Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Tour and Tasting at Weingut A. Christmann (VDP) in Gimmeldingen, Pfalz, with Steffen Christmann

Tour and Tasting at Weingut von Winning (VDP) in Deidesheim, Pfalz

Tour and Tsting at Weingut Josef Biffar in Deidesheim, with Owner and Winemaker Fumiko Tokuoka

Wine Pairing Dinner at Restaurant FUMI at Weingut Josef Biffar in Deidesheim, with Owner and Winemaker Fumiko Tokuoka

Tour and Tasting at Weingut Markus Schneider in Ellerstadt, Pfalz, with Markus Schneider

Tour and Tasting at Weingut Koehler Ruprecht in Kallstadt, Pfalz, with Franzi Schmitt – Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Tasting at Weingut Dreissigacker in Bechtheim, Rheinhessen, with Ute Dreissigacker

Tour and Wine Pairing Lunch at Weingut Eva Vollmer in Mainz-Ebersheim, Rheinhessen, with Eva Vollmer

Announcement: 5 Exciting ombiasy WineTours in 2016 - BURGUNDY BORDEAUX GERMANY

Picture: Annette Schiller and Carl von Schubert, Maximin Grünhaus, at the 2016 Rieslingfeier in New York City

The VDP (Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter e.V.), Germany’s Association, of about 200 Elite Winemakers announced that Weingut Maximin Grünhaus has become its newest member, following the admission of Weingut Kai Schätzel on January 1, 2016.

Of course, this is a bit unusual. Typically, new VDP members are up-and-coming young winemakers. Weingut Kai Schätzel, which was admitted a few weeks ago, is a prime example. The dynamic Kai Schätzel has pushed Weingut Schätzel within a couple of years to new heights and the invitation from the VDP did not came as a surprise.

Weingut Maximin Grünhaus is very different. It has been a world class winery for many years. In the Feinschmecker ranking, for example, it is one of the 20 German winemakers with 5/5 F’s. So, many people were surprised when they heard the news.

Picture: Christian Schiller and Carl von Schubert in Washington DC

Arguably the most important German wine journalist Stuart Pigott wrote as a response on his facebook page: Stuart Pigott IMPORTANT NEWS FOR ALL ENGLISH-SPEAKING #RIESLING FANS: The famous Maximin Grünhaus estate in the Ruwer Valley (part of the Mosel wine region) has just joined the elite VDP wine estates association. The only question is if this does more for the reputation of the VDP than for the reputation of Maximin Grünhaus!

Stephan Reinhard, who covers Germany for Robert Parker, wrote on his facebook page: Congratulation to Carl von Schubert, Maximin Grünhaus, the new member of the VDP. Please keep your inimitable style.

And he posted the following picture:

Picture: Weingut Maximin Grünhaus (Photo: Stephan Reinhard)

Obviously, this was a long overdue decision. I remember talking with Carl von Schubert about the issue of joining the VDP about 3 years ago in Washington DC. Carl said the VDP wanted him to become a member but he preferedto stay outside of that club.

But the situation has changed. A new generation is moving in. “This is now a good time to join the VDP” Carl said when I asked him about it at the 2016 Rieslingfeier in New York City.

The VDP

The VDP is the world’s oldest association of wine estates in the world. In fact, it is the only one of its kind worldwide. No other country has a national organization of the top wine makers of the entire country.

In 1910, four regional wine-growers’ associations joined forces to form the Verband Deutscher Naturweinversteigerer (i.e. estates that sold their “natural” [unchaptalized] wines at auction). These organizations – from the Rheingau and Rheinhessen, founded in 1897 and 1900, respectively, and their counterparts in the Mosel-Saar-Ruwer and Pfalz regions, both founded in 1908 – were the forerunners of today’s VDP. At this time, fine German wines enjoyed a heyday. They were among the most expensive wines, on the tables of imperial houses as well as leading hotels and restaurants.

Throughout the past century, the quality-driven goals and strict standards of the VDP have played no small part in shaping the viticultural and winemaking practices in Germany. With their stringent statutes and their establishment of a German vineyard classification, the 200 members of the VDP have served as role models and justifiably can be viewed as the vanguard of the nation’s producers of top-quality wines.

Maximin Grünhaus

The historic Maximin Grünhaus estate lies at the foot of a long, steep south-facing slope on the left bank of the tiny Ruwer river, about two kilometers upstream from where it joins the Mosel. The estate belongs to the family of Carl von Schubert and is divided into three separate but contiguous vineyards: Abtsberg, Herrenberg, and Bruderberg. Each of these vineyards has its own distinct differences in terroir, which explain the unique character of the wines made at Grünhaus. The estate is also known by the name Schlosskellerei Carl von Schubert.

History

The first documentary evidence of Grünhaus, then called “Villa ad Valles,” dates from February 6, 966. Emperor Otto I, heir of Charlemagne, confirmed a donation that had been made in the Seventh century by the Frankish King Dagobert. At that time, the buildings, vineyards and surrounding land had been given to the Benedictine monastery of Saint Maximin in Trier.

Until the end of the 18th century Maximin Grünhaus was managed by the Abbey of Saint Maximin. After all church property was secularized by Napoleon, the estate was held under French administration until 1810. In that year, the estate was sold to Friedrich Freiherr von Handel. In 1882, it was purchased by an ancestor of Carl von Schubert, who is the fifth generation of his family to own the Grünhaus estate. When in 1882 Carl Ferdinand Freiherr von Stumm-Halberg bought the Grünhaus estate, it consisted of vineyards, a farm, and extensive woodland. Investing heavily, he transformed it into one of the most modern of its time.

Along the way from generation to generation, at one point, there was no male heir and the estate went to a female von Stumm-Halberg, who married a von Schubert. The current owner Carl von Schubert took over management of the estate in 1981, after he completed his doctoral thesis on the economics of steep slope viticulture. Vine growing and winemaking is currently overseen by Stefan Kraml. The vineyard area totals 31 hectares.

Pictures: Carl von Schubert in Seattle, Washington State, at the 4th Riesling Rendezvous, with UK Journalist Tim Atkin, Pacific Rim Head Winemaker Nicolas Quille and Riesling Giant Helmut Doennhoffand Carl von Schubert in New York City with Katharina Prüm, Weingut JJ Prüm

The Vineyards

The Abtsberg: Wines from this vineyard were originally destined for the table of the Abbot (or “Abt”) of the Abbey of St. Maximin. The site covers 35 acres, parts of which have been planted with vines for over a thousand years. The subsoil is blue Devonian slate and the hillside runs south-east to south-west, achieving a gradient of up to 70 percent. Abtsberg wines are characterised by a finely structured subtle minerality, a racy acidity, generous fruit and great delicacy. They are amongst the longest lived Rieslings of the region.

The Herrenberg: Wines from this site were made specially for the Abbey’s choirmasters. Extending over 40 acres, the site benefits from deep soils with good water retention, over a base of red Devonian slate. Wines from the Herrenberg show fruit and body early in their lives, but also possess extraordinary ageing potential.

The Bruderberg: The smallest of the three Grünhaus vineyards, covering just 2.5 acres, the Bruderberg provided wine for the monks (or ‘brothers’). The site has the same Devonian slate soil as the Abtsberg next door, and the wines are very spicy, sometimes with a rustic slate-mineral quality.

VDP Statement (in German)

In der ersten Sitzung des VDP - Mosel wurde am 20. Januar 2016 unser Weingut Maximin Grünhaus mit einem einstimmigen Votum als neues Mitglied in den Grossen Ring Mosel – Saar – Ruwer aufgenommen. Dieser überzeugende Vertrauensbeweis zeigt die gegenseitige, große Wertschätzung. Der Präsident des VDP Mosel Egon Müller: „Schon seit langer Zeit war Maximin Grünhaus unser Wunschkandidat und wir sind nun glücklich, dass dieses ebenso traditionsreiche wie renommierte Weingut von der Ruwer wieder zu uns gehört!“

Die Beziehung zwischen Maximin Grünhaus und dem Großen Ring trug auch schon in der Vergangenheit reichliche Früchte. So wurde in der Versteigerung des Grossen Rings in Trier im Jahre 1923 ein Fuder (1.000 l) 1921er Maximin Grünhäuser Herrenberg Trockenbeerenauslese für 100.000,- Goldmark zugeschlagen – ein bis heute unerreichter Preis!

Maximin Grünhaus wurde im Jahre 966 zum ersten Male urkundlich erwähnt und ist seit 1882 im Familienbesitz. Dr. Carl von Schubert und sein Sohn Maximin von Schubert bewirtschaften das Gut in der 5. und 6. Generation.

Grundlage des Weltrufs der Maximin Grünhäuser Weine sind die erstklassigen, arrondierten Weinberge im Ruwertal mit den bekannten Lagenamen: Abtsberg, Herrenberg und Bruderberg. Der Dreiklang von Schieferboden, Klima und idealer Topografie, verbunden mit einem Weinbau im Einklang mit der Natur und dem schonendem Ausbau im Keller, lässt tiefgründige, komplexe und sehr langlebige Weine entstehen, deren Charakter in der Welt hoch geachtet wird.

Pictures: Annette Schiller and Carl von Schubert, Maximin Grünhaus, at the 2016 Rieslingfeier in New York City

In Grünhaus werden nur klassische Rebsorten kultiviert. Der Riesling dominiert mit 90% der Anbaufläche. Von den würzig-trockenen über die feinherben bis hin zu den feinsten, edelsüßen Qualitäten werden alle Facetten von dieser edlen Weißweinrebe erzeugt. Seit zehn Jahren haben Weiß- und Spätburgunder wieder Einzug in die Grünhäuser Weinberge gehalten, die schon im 18. und 19. Jahrhundert dort einen festen Platz hatten.

Die Grundsätze des Verbands Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter und dessen Qualitätsphilosophie sind weitgehend deckungsgleich mit denen von Maximin Grünhaus. Zu vielen Mitgliedern des Verbands der Prädikatsweingüter bestehen langjährige Freundschaften und ein immer sehr kollegiales Verhältnis. Aus diesen Gründen war es logisch und sinnvoll, die Mitgliedschaft zu beantragen! Das einstimmige Votum der Mitglieder des Grossen Rings Mosel-Saar-Ruwer für Maximin Grünhaus ist ein überaus freundliches Willkommen in diesem Verband und bestätigt uns in unserem Streben nach höchster Qualität.

Wir freuen uns über eine gute und erfolgreiche Zusammenarbeit im Kreise des VDP für die Sache des exzellenten deutschen Weines, national wie international!

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Picture: Sophie Schÿler of Château Kirwan with Annette Schiller, Christian Schiller, Charles Bearfighter RedDoor and Marlene RedDoor in Washington DC earlier this Year

Hello wine friends in the Washington DC area,

I would like to let you know about a fabulous opportunity to share a luncheon with the owner of one of the iconic 1855 classified Bordeaux Châteaux.

Join Sophie Schÿler of Château Kirwan, 3ième Grand Cru Classé, Appelation Margaux when she talks about her wines on Saturday, March 12 at 12.00 PM at EVO BISTRO, 1313 Old Chain Bridge Rd, McLean, VA 22101.

We are very excited to also have wines from RdV, Virginia’s premier wine estate for Bordeaux blends. This is a unique opportunity to taste Top Bordeaux and Top Virginia next to each other.

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

Driss Zahidi, renowned chef in the metropolitan Washington area, prepared the following menu to match the wines:

MENU

FIRST

Duo of Quail & Fresh Fois Gras, leeks étouffée, chestnut, balsamic reduction, sea salt air
2012 Charme de Kirwan, Château Kirwan, Margaux
2009 Rendezvous, RdV, Virginia

SECOND
Petit Filet Mignon Médaillion, pomme robouchon, brussel sprouts, truffles sauce
2012 Château Kirwan, Margaux
2012 Lost Mountain, RdV, Virgina

THIRD

Fresh Berries Tiramisu
2010 Marienburg, Falkenlay, Clemens Busch, Mosel

Picture: Chef Driss Zahidi and Christian G.E.Schiller at Evo Bistro, see: Winemaker Dinner with Friedrich Jülg, Weingut Jülg, Pfalz, Germany, at Evo Bistro in McLean, Washington DC, USA

The luncheon is strictly limited to 20 people.

Reserve your seats for this event at $ 65 plus tax and gratuity now by sending an email to:

aschiller@ombiasypr.com

First come, first serve.

Payment will be directly with the restaurant when you arrive for the luncheon.

À la votre!

Annette

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