schiller-wine

Picture: Visit and Tasting at Winzergenossenschaft Mayschoss in Mayschoss, Ahr

From Thursday, May 05, 2016 to Wednesday, May 11, 2016, we spent 7 days on the Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours, touring 5 German wine regions (Rheingau, Mittelrhein, Ahr, Mosel and Nahe), tasting fabulous wines, meeting world-renowned wine makers, visiting a top notch Sekt house, and delving deep into German history and culture. The group was small - there were 5 of us, including Annette and Christian Schiller.

I have provided aon overview here: Germany-North Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential German Riesling and the Northernmost Pinot Noir

We stayed 1 night in the Ahr region - at the beautiful Steigenberger Hotel in Bad Neuenahr – and visited 2 producers: Winzergenossenschaft Mayschoss in Mayschoss and Weingut Kreuzberg in Dernau. In addition, we had lunch at the Gutsschänke of the Meyer-Näkel, one of the best if not the best producer in the Ahr. With red wines accounting for 90% of the output in the Ahr, these visits were dominated by delicious Spätburgunder wines, in contrast to the white wine domination before (in the Mittelrhein and the Rheingau) and after (in the Mosel).

Hubertus Kunz was out host.

Picture: Winzergenossenschaft Mayschoss in Mayschoss, Ahr

Red Wine Revolution in Germany

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.

Today, Germany is the third biggest producer of Pinot Noir (called Spätburgunder in Germany), after France and the US, with more planted than Australia and New Zealand combined.

Pictures: Welcome

The Ahr Region

With only 558 hectares the Ahr region is one of smaller of Germany's 13 regions. Despite its northern location (it is for example situated north of Mosel region) it primarily (almost 90%) produces red wines. It is believed that vines were cultivated in the Ahr valley already in Roman times, as is the case with nearby Mosel. The narrow Ahr river valley is responsible for the region's favored mesoclimate.

Situated between 50° and 51° north, Ahr is the world's most northern region dominated by red wine grapes. So far north, very good sites with a warm microclimate are needed to properly ripen red wine grapes, and the Ahr vineyards are said to have a "Mediterranean" microclimate. Most vineyards are located on terraced slopes facing southwest to southeast along the middle and lower portions of river Ahr, over a stretch of 25 kilometers.

Spätburgunder is the dominant grape variety of the Ahr wine region.

Pictures: Visit and Tasting at Winzergenossenschaft Mayschoss in Mayschoss, Ahr

Winzergenossenschaft Mayschoss

The Winzergenossenschaft Mayschoss is the oldest wine cooperative world-wide. It was established in 1868 by 18 founding members. The coop grew fast; by 1881 it already had 141 members. Today, after two mergers with neighboring coops the membership is at 450 winegrowers who farm 150 hectares of the Ahr Region's total of 558 hectares of vineyards – among them vineyards is the most prominent sites of the Ahr valley. 60% is planted with Pinot Noir, 20% with Riesling, 5% with Frühburgunder (also known under the names Pinot Madeleine or Pinot Noir Précoce) and 15% with a variety of other grapes. The coop produces 1,3 million bottles of wine, annually.

Pictures: Visit and Tasting at Winzergenossenschaft Mayschoss in Mayschoss, Ahr

US Importer: Traubenhaus

The wines of Winzergenossenschaft Mayschoss are available in the US through Traubenhaus, an importer of German wines based in Texas.

Traubenhaus: Since its establishment in 1868, the Winzergenossenschaft Mayschoss-Altenahr is not only the oldest winery cooperative in the world, but also one of the most innovative producers in German red wine vinification. It started as a means for the small boutique producers of the Ahr Valley to cope with hard times and today it works with over 400 member growers and a total 145 vineyard hectares. The Winzergenossenschaft Mayschoss-Altenahr proudly produces around 1.3 million bottles of premier wine a year and can cellar 1.8 million liters of wine in its historic cellar.

The Winzergenossenschaft Mayschoss-Altenahr grows mainly the spätburgunder (/shpāt-bur-gūn-dur/) (pinot noir) grape varietal with about 60% of its plantings. Its next largest planting is riesling with about 20%. Other important varietals for the Winzergenossenschaft Mayschoss-Altenahr include frühburgunder (pinot madeleine), grauburgunder (pinot gris), portugieser, domina and müller-thurgau (rivaner).

The Winzergenossenschaft Mayschoss-Altenahr operates in the German wine region called the Ahr Valley around the two villages that give it its name, Mayschoss and Altenahr, with its cellar and main facilities being in Mayschoss. The Winzergenossenschaft Mayschoss-Altenahr is a leading winery in Germany with numerous prestigious awards as recent as being ranked 8th in the top 100 German wineries in 2013 by the German national agency DLG (Deutsche Landwirtschafts-Gesellschaft).

See also:
German Wine and Food in Texas: A German Wine and Food Dinner in Austin with Justin Bryan, Traubenhaus, USA/ Germany

What we Tasted

Pictures: The Wine we Tasted

Evening: At Steigenberger Hotel in Bad Neuenahr

The Steigenberger Hotel in Bad Neuenahr is a 4 ½ star hotel that combines the graciousness of the past with modern comforts of today. Excellent spa facilities using the hot springs of the spa town Bad Neuenahr and the location at the Kurpark near the banks of the Ahr River make this hotel very special. The evening was free to explore the charming spa town which is famous for its hot springs or use the spa facilities of the hotel.

Pictures: The Steigenberger Hotel in Bad Neuenahr

Postings: Germany-North Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential German Riesling and the Northernmost Pinot Noir (Posted and Forthcoming)

Germany-North Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential German Riesling and the Northernmost Pinot Noir

Tour and Tasting at Weingut von Oetinger, Rheingau, with Achim von Oetinger– Germany-North 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Lunch and Tour: Kloster Eberbach in the Rheingau – Germany-North Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Bourgogne in Riesling Land: Tasting at Chat Sauvage in Johannisberg, Rheingau, with Winemaker Michael Städter – Germany-North Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Cellar Tour, Tasting and Dinner at Wein- und Sektgut F.B. Schönleber in Östrich-Winkel, Rheingau, with Ralp and Bernd Schönleber - Germany-North Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Leitz in Rüdesheim, with Johannes Leitz – Germany-North Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut August Kesseler in Assmanshausen, with Winemaker Simon Batarseh – Germany-North Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Rhine River Cruise in the Mittelrhein Valley, an UNESCO World Heritage Region - Germany-North Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Tasting at Weingut Matthias Müller in Spay, Mittelrhein, with Johannes and Matthias Müller - Germany-North Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Visit and Tasting at Winzergenossenschaft Mayschoss in Mayschoss, Ahr

Tasting Pinot Noir at Weingut Kreuzberg in Dernau, Ahr with Owners/ Winemakers Ludwig Kreuzberg and Frank Josten

Tasting at Weingut Markus Molitor in Haus Klosterberg, Mosel

Tasting at Weingut Jos. Jos. Prüm in Bernkastel-Wehlen, Mosel, with Frau Prüm

The Wines of the Berncasteler Doctor, Bernkastel-Kues in the Mosel Valley, Germany

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

Tasting at Weingut Schloss Lieser in Lieser, Mosel, with Thomas Haag

Schiller’s Favorite Wine Taverns in Trier, Germany

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Forstmeister Geltz-Zilliken in Saarburg, Saar with Hanno Zilliken

Lunch at Landgasthof Zur Traube in Meddersheim, Nahe: Remembering Klaus Peter Wodartz' Ente in Wiesbaden

Tasting at Weingut Schäfer-Fröhlich in Bockenau, Nahe

Dinner with Wine Pairing at the new Wine Tavern of Weingut Kruger-Rumpf in Bingen, Rheinhessen, with Stefan Rumpf

Tasting at Weingut Tesch in Langenlonsheim, Nahe, with Martin Tesch

Cellar Tour and Wine Pairing Lunch at Weingut Hans Lang in Hattenheim, Rheingau, with Urban Kaufmann and Eva Raps

Picture: Tasting from Barrel with Adrien Bernard at Domaine de Chevalier

Led by Annette Schiller, the Bordeaux Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours took place from September 6 to 15, 2016. The group comprised 14 wine lovers from the United States and Switzerland, including Annette and Christian Schiller. I already provided an overview of the tour. See the list of postings at the end of the article. This posting focuses on our first winery visit, Domaine de Chevalier.

See: Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2016, France

Adrien Bernard, son of current Director and Owner Olivier Bernard, and future Director and Owner of Domaine de Chevalier, was our host. Olivier Bernard is currently President of the “Union des Grand Crus de Bordeaux”, the association of 133 grands crus estates in the Bordeaux region,

The tour started in the vineyard. We talked a lot about the 2016 vintage. We then moved to the modern production facility, where we tasted the new vintage from barrel, both red and white. The lovely tour ended with a final tasting from bottle in the tasting room of Domaine de Chevalier.

Picture: Arriving

Domaine de Chevalier

Domaine de Chevalier is located south of the City of Bordeaux in the commune of Léognan, the capital of the Graves region.

Domaine de Chevalier is classified as a Graves Cru Classé. Domaine de Chevalier is one of the few Graves estates to produce both first class reds and whites.

Viticulture of significance at Domaine de Chevalier was begun during the 19th century when it was owned and run by Arnaud Ricard, also the proprietor of Château Malartic-Lagravière.

Director Adjoint Rémi Edange was our host. Director and Owner Olivier Bernard, who is currently President of the “Union des Grand Crus de Bordeaux”, the association of 133 grands crus estates in the Bordeaux region, joined us on the tour.

Pictures: With Owner Olivier Bernard in the Cellar during the 2015 ombiasy WineTours Visit.

See: 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

In 1983 Domaine de Chevalier was bought by the Bernard family, producers of Cognac and major Bordeaux wine merchants. Managed by Claude Ricard since 1948, he stayed on as advisor for several years. It was during the tenure of Claude Ricard, that Domaine de Chevalier was included in the 1959 Graves Classification.

From a property of 80 hectares, the vineyard area consists of 35 hectares of red grape varieties: 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 2.5% Cabernet Franc, and 2.5% Petit Verdot; and 4.5 hectares of white grape varieties: 70% Sauvignon blanc and 30% Sémillon. Since the Bernard family has taken over, the vineyard size has almost doubled.

The Grand Vin, Domaine de Chevalier, is annually produced in 7,000 cases of the red wine and 1,200 cases of the dry white. The red and white second wines, L'Esprit de Chevalier, has a production of 5,800 and 800 cases, respectively. There is also a third wine, Pessac Leognan.

Picture: Annette Schiller and Hugo Bernard, Son of Oivier Bernard, Owner of Domaine de Chevalier, at the UGC Tasting in Washington DC, 2016.

See: Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux (UGC) on the 2016 North America Tour - Schiller’s Favorites

The first grapes were planted by a man who was a chivaley, the old Gascon word for knight. Later the modern French word “Chevalier” was used for the estate, the old name “Domaine” instead of the word “Chateau” to describe a wine making estate has never been abandoned. It is one of a very few Bordeaux estates to be named Domaine instead of Château.

Adrien Bernard

The charming Adrien Bernard was our host. He is one of the two sons of Director and Owner Olivier Bernard. After spending several years in Asia in the wine trade, he recently returned home to get ready for an eventual take-over of the estate (along with his brother). Adrien is likely to focus on the marketing side, while his younger brother Hugo is slated to take the lead on the wine production side.

Picture: Adrien Bernard and Christian Schiller

In the Vineyard

Pictures: In the Vineyard with Adrien Bernard

Cellar Tour with Tasting from Barrel

We spent some time in the wine cellar with Adrien Bernard.

Pictures: Cellar Tour and Tasting from Barrel at Domaine de Chevalier, Graves, Appellation Pessac-Léognan, Grand Cru Classé, with Owner Adrien Bernard

As for the white wine, the grapes are put into a pneumatic winepress where they are softly pressed. The must is run off into barrel in a refrigerated room. The must is decanted from its lees by gravity flow after approximately 24 hours. The barrels are then taken into the fermentation area. After long experimentation, we now use about 30% new oak. The final blend is done on the early side, in January after the vintage. Regular bâtonnage strengthens the wine’s structure and makes it more refined. Ageing takes place on the lees until the end of the first summer after the vintage. The wine then spends a second winter in barrel, after which it is naturally clarified – in fact, so much so that when it is bottled the following spring, only very slight filtration is necessary.

Pictures: Cellar Tour and Tasting from Barrel at Domaine de Chevalier, Graves, Appellation Pessac-Léognan, Grand Cru Classé, with Owner Adrien Bernard

As for the red wine, fermentation is preceded by maceration lasting 4-6 days which highlights the wine’s fruit. A close watch is kept on fermentation temperatures, which can rise to 30-32° C towards the end. The wine is regularly pumped over and sometimes accompanied by pigeage (punching down the cap). The wine stays on the skins for 15-25 days. As the wine finishes its maceration, the temperature is gradually lowered to 20/22°C and then run off into new oak barrels for malolactic fermentation. The final blending of red wine takes place in January.

Pictures: Cellar Tour and Tasting from Barrel at Domaine de Chevalier, Graves, Appellation Pessac-Léognan, Grand Cru Classé, with Owner Adrien Bernard

The red wine ages entirely in barrel. This lasts 14-24 months for the grand vin. The proportion of new oak varies from 40 to 60% depending on the vintage. Racking is done by gravity flow from barrel to barrel and the wine is bottled in late June.

The second wine, Esprit de Chevalier ages for less time (approximately 12 months) in barrels that have already been used for two years. The third wine ages for around10 months in 2-4 year-old barrels.

Tasting from Bottle

We ended the visit with a tasting from bottle.

Wine Searcher Average Prices

Wine Searcher Average Prices: White Bordeaux Wine of Domaine de Chevalier (in US$)

2015: 85
2014: 78
2013: 82
2012: 90
2010: 112

Wine Searcher Average Prices: Red Bordeaux Wine of Domaine de Chevalier (in US$)

2015: 57
2014: 43
2013: 43
2012: 51
2010: 79

Bye-bye

Thanks Adrien for a great tour and tasting.

Pictures: Bye-bye

Postings on the Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2016, France (Posted and Forthcoming)

Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2016, France

Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

Bordeaux Wine Tour 2013 by ombiasy

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 2016, France

Tour and Tasting at Domaine de Chevalier, Graves

Dinner with a View: At Restaurant L’Estacade in Bordeaux City

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

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

Tour and Tasting at Château Canon La Gaffelière, Saint-Emilion, Premier Grand Cru Classé

Tour and Wine Lunch at Château Beauséjour, Puisseguin Saint-Emilion, with Owner and Winemaker Gérard Dupuy

Tour and Tasting at Château de Figeac, Saint-Emilion, Premier Grand Cru Classé

Tour and Tasting at Château Beauregard, Pomerol

Tour at Château Le Bon Pasteur, Pomerol, with Dany Rolland

Wine Lunch at Château Le Bon Pasteur, Pomerol, with Dany Rolland

Tasting were it all Started: At the "Garage" of Jean-Luc Thunevin, Owner and Winermaker of Château Valandraud, Premier Grand Cru Classé since 2012

Tour and Tasting at Château de Fargues, Sauternes, with Prince Eudes d’Orléans

Wine Pairing Lunch at the 1-star Michelin Restaurant Claude Darozze, with Marie-Hélène Lévêque, Owner of Châteaux Chantegrive

Tour of Château de Chantegrive, Appellation Grave

Tour and Tasting at Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte, Pessac-Léognan, Grand Cru Classé.

Wine Pairing Lunch at the 2-star Michelin Restaurant La Grande Vigne (at Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte)

Tour of the new Musee du Vin in Bordeaux City

Seafood lunch at Pinasse Cafe in Cap Ferret

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

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

What is a Bordeaux Cru Bourgeois? France

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

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

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

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

At the Invitation of Owner Michel Tesseron: Private Dinner at Château Lafon-Rochet, Saint-Estèphe, 4ième Grand Cru Classé

Tour and Tasting at Château Sociando Mallet, Appellation Haut-Médoc

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

Lunch were the Locals eat: At Le Peyrat in Saint-Estèphe in Saint Estephe

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

Tour and Tasting at Château Margaux, Appellation Margaux, 1ière Grand Cru Classé

Tour and Tasting at Château Kirwan, Appellation Margaux, 3ième Grand Cru Classé, with Owner Nathalie Schyler

Picnic Lunch at Château Kirwan, Appellation Margaux, 3ième Grand Cru Classé, with Owner Nathalie Schyler

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

Picture: Annette Schiller and Owner/ Winemaker Uwe Lützkendorf, Weingut Lützkendorf, in Bad Kösen, Saale-Unstrut – Germany-East Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

After a long absence, the German Wine Society (GWS - Washington DC Chapter) will return to Old Europe Restaurant in Georgetown.

Annette Schiller, President of ombiasy WineTours and long-standing member of the GWS, will conduct a tasting entitled: “The New Germany – Red, Dry, Sparkling.” Annette will present 3 red wines, 1 Sekt (sparkling wine) and 5 dry and 1 “halbtrocken” white wines from 9 out of the 13 wine regions in Germany. The tasting also includes 2 Grosses Gewächs (Grand Cru) wines.

Germany is increasingly becoming known as a serious red wine producer; Germany is the #3 producer world-wide of Pinot-Noir (= Spätburguder). Germans have always been obsessed with sparkling wines: 1 out of 4 sparklers produced in the world is consumed in Germany; and Germany is home to the second largest sparkling wine producer world-wide. In terms of white wine Germany is known for its Rieslings. Yes, it is the #1 Riesling producer world-wide, but also the #1 Pinot-Blanc (Weissburgunder) and #2 Pinot-Gris (Grauburgunder) producer.

All presented winemakers, Annette knows personally. She has visited all of them on one of the wine tours to Germany (Germany-East, Germany-South and Germany-Nord). Annette will share memories from these visits.

In terms of food, we are trying a new concept to better cater to people who arrive hungry straight from the office. Cindy O. Herold, the Chef and Owner of Old Europe Restaurant, will spoil us with a sumptuous Wine Tasting Buffet, composed of a variety of typical German dishes:

* German bread basket presented with “Kräuterbutter”-garlic herb butter and “Schmalz”,
* assorted cheese platter with house made “Obazda”-Bavarian style beer cheese,
* fresh fruits and crackers,
* “Bunte Schnittchen”-assorted cold cut canapes presented with deviled eggs,
* “Fleischpflanzl”-Bavarian style bite size meatballs garnished with cornichons,
* “Kartoffelpuffer”-potato pancakes served with apple sauce and sour cream,
* Germany’s most loved sausages: Bratwurst, Bauernwurst, Weißwurst, Knockwurst and Debreziner Wurst presented with sauerkraut, apple red cabbage, mustard trio and Berlin style curry ketchup,
* petite chicken Schnitzel “Wiener Art”-Vienna style served with warm German potato salad,
* “Apfelstrudel mit Vanillesoße”-apple strudel served with vanilla sauce. There will be coffee serviced with the dessert course.

In addition, Old Europe will set up a cash bar for guests that might like a drink before or after the tasting event. Also, guests are more than welcome to order from the à la carte menu before or after the event.

Old Europe is located in Georgetown at 2434 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington DC. There is ample parking in the side street behind the Old Europe.

The Wines:

RED

2014 Spätburgunder Unplugged, Kreuzberg, Ahr

Picture: Christian Schiller with Owners/winemakers Ludwig Kreuzberg and Frank Josten

See: Germany-North Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential German Riesling and the Northernmost Pinot Noir

2012 Spätburgunder, Schloss Proschwitz GG, Schloss Proschwitz, Sachsen

Picture: Amuse-Gueule at Ed.Em in Chassagne Montrachet - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

The Burgundy (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours took place from May 26 to June 05, 2016. We experienced French hospitality and culinary art at the highest level.

See:
Burgundy (and Champagne) 2016 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: From Lyon to Reims - Wine, Food, Culture and History

We had a luncheon at the iconic Paul Bocuse restaurant at the doorsteps of Lyon, dinners/ lunches at village restaurants serving typical Burgundian dishes and meals at fine dining restaurants.

See:
Lunch at L’Auberge du Pont de Collonges, Paul Bocuse’s Iconic Restaurant in Collonges au Mont d’Or, France - Burgundy (and Champagne) 2016 Tour by ombiasy WineTours
Dinner at a Bouchon - Chez Paul - in Lyon: Schiller’s Favorite Bouchons in Lyon, France

With regard to the latter, we had a super dinner at Restaurant Ed.Em in Chassagne Montrachet. Ed.Em is among the top restaurants in the Bourgogne, with 1 Michelin star.

Karoline Knoth from Meursault, who had guided us through the vineyards of Meursault in the afternoon before the dinner, joined us at Ed.Em.

See: Vineyard Walk in Meursault with Karoline Knoth - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Picture: Arriving at Ed.Em

Dinner at Ed.Em in Chassagne Montrachet

The dinner was a set menu, pre-ordered by Annette Schiller for the whole group. Participamt chose their own wine.

Michelin: The name is a contraction of Édouard and Émilie, who have taken over the premises of the former restaurant, Chassagne. He is a young chef with an impeccable CV (Lameloise, Marcon) who combines personality and subtlety in his tasty set menus where delicacy is never missing. She is a pastry chef and guarantees to round your meal off with a flourish. Hurry!

Pictures: The Menu

Cellar Tours Fave Restaurants in Burgundy and Beaujolais for Wine Lovers (November - 26 – 2014): No gastronomic journey through Burgundy can omit L’ Ed Em, a restaurant as mythical for its incredible selection of white Burgundies as its superlative cuisine.

Head Chef Edouard Mignort is one of the greats, having studied in Paris and Burgundy under the tutelage of various 3 Michelin starred masters, he finally achieved his dream of opening a restaurant of his own with his charming wife Emilie last year. It quickly built a mighty reputation for warm hospitality, professionalism and precise, mouth-watering cuisine executed with flair. The whole experience feels slick and polished, but without the pretension that can so often plague fine dining establishments in France.

Allons en vendage by Katharina Knoth

Karoline Knoth also presented to us her new book "Allons en vendage".

Pictures: Karoline Knoth with her Book "Allons en vendage" and Annette Schiller in Geisenheim, Rheingau

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

Pictures: Dinner at Ed.Em with Karolina Knoth

The key to Edouard’s culinary flair is his unwavering obsession with only the finest, seasonal ingredients, “everything else rests on this foundation,” he says. With this arsenal of great produce, he crafts such delights as Breton lobster and octopus, Bresse chicken with a red pepper sauce and shallot cream, not to mention strawberry poached in red wine with Chantilly cream and mint sorbet. The cheese selection, including, of course, the legendary Epoisses, is one of the best in the Cote d’ Or, as is the generously well-stocked wine cellar, containing many of the region’s most famous names with prices to match.

Good Night

Pictures: Good Night

Postings: Burgundy (and Champagne) 2016 Tour by ombiasy WineTours:From Lyon to Reims - Wine, Food, Culture and History (Published and Forthcoming Postings)

Burgundy (and Champagne) 2016 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: From Lyon to Reims - Wine, Food, Culture and History

Dinner at a Bouchon - Chez Paul - in Lyon: Schiller’s Favorite Bouchons in Lyon, France

Introduction to the Burgundy Wine Region at Antic Wine in Lyon with Flying Sommelier Georges Dos Santos - Burgundy (and Champagne) 2016 Tour by ombiasy WineTours

Lunch at L’Auberge du Pont de Collonges, Paul Bocuse’s Iconic Restaurant in Collonges au Mont d’Or, France - Burgundy (and Champagne) 2016 Tour by ombiasy WineTours

In the Most Prestigious AOC in the Mâconnais: Pouilly-Fuissé, France

Vineyard Walk, Cellar Walk and Tasting at Domaine Ferret in Fuissé, Poully Fuissé, Mâconnais, with Winemaker Audrey Braccini - Burgundy (and Champagne) 2016 Tour by ombiasy WineTours

Visit and Tasting at Domaine Georges Descombes in Vermont, Villié-Morgon, Beaujolais - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Lunch at Restaurant Le Mercurey in Mercurey - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

At Domaine Theulot-Juillot in Mercurey, Côte Chalonnaise, with Nathalie Theulot - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Tour of Château de Rully and Tasting of Domaine du Château de Rully Wines, with Count Raoul de Ternay - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Michel Prunier & Fille in Auxey Duresses, Côte de Beaune - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Where Robert Parker likes to Eat: Lunch at La Crémaillère in Auxey-Duresses - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Vineyard Walk in Meursault with Karoline Knoth - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Dinner at the 1 Michelin Star Restaurant Ed.Em in Chassagne Montrachet - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Maison Olivier Leflaive in Puligny Montrachet, Côte de Beaune: Vineyard Walk and Cellar Tour with Olivier and Patrick Leflaive along with Sommelier Charles Devarennes

Wine Pairing Lunch at Restaurant La Table d’Olivier Leflaive in Puligny Montrachet

Visit of the Hospice de Beaune

Lunch at Brasserie le Carnot in Beaune

Tour of the Ancient Cellars and Tasting at Maison Joseph Drouhin in Beaune, Côte de Beaune

Schiller’s Favorite Wine Bars in Beaune, Bourgogne

An American in Burgundy: Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Dublère in Savigny lès Beaune with Owner/ Winemaker Blair Pethel

Charcuterie and Cheese Paired with 12 Burgundy Wines at La Maison de Maurice in Beaune with Maurice Marle

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Faiveley in Nuits-Saint-George, Côte de Nuits

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Jean-Jacques Confuron in Prémeaux-Prissey Côte de Nuits with Louis Meunier

Lunch at Restaurant La Cabotte in Nuits-Saint-George

Visit and Tasting at Domaine Thibault Liger-Belair in Nuits-Saint-George with Thibault Liger-Belair

Visit of Château du Clos de Vougeot

Where the Most Expensive Red Wines Come from: Vineyard Walk, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Anne Gros in Vosne-Romanée, Côte de Nuits

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Guillon & Fils in Gevrey-Chambertin, Côte de Nuits, with Jean-Michel Guillon

An Institution: Lunch at Restaurant Chez Guy in Gevrey-Chambertin

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Armelle et Bernhard Rion in Vosne-Romanée, Côte de Nuits, with Alice Rion

Tour at the Fontenay Abbey (Bernard de Clairveau), Montbard

Wine Pairing Lunch, Cellar Visit, Vineyard Tour and Tasting at Domaine Jean Marc Brocard in Préhy, Chablis

Schiller’s Favorite Wine Bars and other Wine Venues in Chablis, France

Champagne– An Introduction, France

French Champagne Houses and German Roots

Visit and Tasting at the Grower Champagne House Champagne Jean Josselin in Gyé sur Seine, Champagne, with Jean Pierre Josselin, his Wife and Sharona Tsubota

Cellar Visit and Tasting at the Champagner House AR Lenoble in Epernay, Champagne, with Export Manager Christian Holthausen

Cellar Visit and Tasting at the Champagner House Taittinger in Reims, Champagne

Lunch at Brasserie Flo in Reims

Picture: Dinner with a View: At Restaurant L’Estacade in Bordeaux City

Our first day in Bordeaux ended with dinner at Restaurant L‘Estacade. The restaurant is situated right on the water of the Garonne river and the view of the city of Bordeaux across the river is magical.

For what we did earlier this day, see here:
How Does the Negociant System in Bordeaux Work? Tour and Tasting at Millésima - Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2016, France
Tour and Tasting from Barrel at Domaine de Chevalier, Graves, Appellation Pessac-Léognan, Grand Cru Classé, with Owner Adrien Bernard - Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2016, France

For the whole tour, see here:
Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2016, France

Pictures: The View from Restaurant L’Estacade (all pictures are mine except for the last one which is from the Blog de MaisouBlanco)

We had a pre-ordered dinner (by Annette Schiller) with petits châteaux wines. There are thousands and thousands of petits châteaux. They make inexpensive but very good wines. It’s easy to forget what a huge wine producing area Bordeaux is – as an appellation, it produces more wine than the whole of Australia. These petits châteaux can struggle to make their voices heard on the market.

Tom Cannavan (Tom Cannavan‘s Wine-Pages.com): Across the River Garonne (an easy stroll) and built on stilts over the water with amazing views of the city, the food doesn’t need to be good, but is. Respectful, but fusiony cuisine.

Pictures: The Dinner

Decanter - Insider‘s Guide to Bordeaux City (written by Véronique Sanders of Château Haut-Bailly , Pessac-Léognan, in 2014): For me , if I am looking for a relaxed atmosphere I go to Gravelier for its modern cuisine and delicious menu du jour, or La Brasserie Bordelaise for its foie gras and fine grilled meats. Other favourites of mine include L’Estacade on the right bank of the Garonne, looking across the river to the Place de la Bourse, La Tupina for the typicity of its regional cuisine, L’Univerre for its wine list and Le Petit Commerce for its selection of fresh fish. These are some of my long-time favourites, but there are also many new and inventive restaurants opening in the city … Garopapilles, a wine shop and restaurant, is the new project from our former chef, Tanguy Laviale, offering fine cuisine in an intimate setting.

Postings on the Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2016, France (Posted and Forthcoming)

Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2016, France

Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

Bordeaux Wine Tour 2013 by ombiasy

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 2016, France

Tour and Tasting from Barrel at Domaine de Chevalier, Graves, Appellation Pessac-Léognan, Grand Cru Classé, with Owner Adrien Bernard - Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2016, France

Dinner with a View: At Restaurant L’Estacade in Bordeaux City

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

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

Tour and Tasting at Château Canon La Gaffelière, Saint-Emilion, Premier Grand Cru Classé

Tour and Wine Lunch at Château Beauséjour, Puisseguin Saint-Emilion, with Owner and Winemaker Gérard Dupuy

Tour and Tasting at Château de Figeac, Saint-Emilion, Premier Grand Cru Classé

Tour and Tasting at Château Beauregard, Pomerol

Tour at Château Le Bon Pasteur, Pomerol, with Dany Rolland

Wine Lunch at Château Le Bon Pasteur, Pomerol, with Dany Rolland

Tasting were it all Started: At the "Garage" of Jean-Luc Thunevin, Owner and Winermaker of Château Valandraud, Premier Grand Cru Classé since 2012

Tour and Tasting at Château de Fargues, Sauternes, with Prince Eudes d’Orléans

Wine Pairing Lunch at the 1-star Michelin Restaurant Claude Darozze, with Marie-Hélène Lévêque, Owner of Châteaux Chantegrive

Tour of Château de Chantegrive, Appellation Grave

Tour and Tasting at Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte, Pessac-Léognan, Grand Cru Classé.

Wine Pairing Lunch at the 2-star Michelin Restaurant La Grande Vigne (at Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte)

Tour of the new Musee du Vin in Bordeaux City

Seafood lunch at Pinasse Cafe in Cap Ferret

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

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

What is a Bordeaux Cru Bourgeois? France

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

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

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

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

At the Invitation of Owner Michel Tesseron: Private Dinner at Château Lafon-Rochet, Saint-Estèphe, 4ième Grand Cru Classé

Tour and Tasting at Château Sociando Mallet, Appellation Haut-Médoc

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

Lunch were the Locals eat: At Le Peyrat in Saint-Estèphe in Saint Estephe

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

Tour and Tasting at Château Margaux, Appellation Margaux, 1ière Grand Cru Classé

Tour and Tasting at Château Kirwan, Appellation Margaux, 3ième Grand Cru Classé, with Owner Nathalie Schyler

Picnic Lunch at Château Kirwan, Appellation Margaux, 3ième Grand Cru Classé, with Owner Nathalie Schyler

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

Pictures: Annette and Christian Schiller Pouring German Wine at the German Embassy in Washington DC. See: German Wine at the 2015 EU Open House - German Embassy in Washington DC, USA

Following the successful Bordeaux Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours in September 2016, Annette Schiller has scheduled 4 interesting tastings of German wines for the months of October and November 2016, in Washington DC and in Los Angeles in the USA.

See here for the Bordeaux Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours:
Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2016, France

Washington DC: “Deutsch am Mittag” with Annette Schiller and German Wine at the Goethe Institut

Tuesday, October 25, 12:00 am to 1:15 pm
1990 K St NW #03, Washington, DC 20006

Annette will be the special invitee of the monthly “Deutsch am Mittag” in October at the Goethe Institut.

Join us for monthly lunchtime gatherings of those interested in hearing and speaking German. Each month, a special guest speaks on a topic. Participants can bring their lunch and join in the ensuing conversation.

Annette will talk about her life in Washington DC since moving to the Washington DC area in 1983. The focus will be on her passion for German wine, in particular her ombiasypr winetours to Germany and France and the her ombiasypr tasting events. We will taste 2 wines.

See here for her upcoming wine tours in 2017:
Heads up for the 2017 Tours - to Germany and France - by ombiasy WineTours

Picture: Washington DC, USA

Washington DC: The New Germany: Red, Sparkling and Dry - Tasting at the German Wine Society (DC Chapter)

Friday, October 28, 7 pm
Restaurant Old Europe
2434 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007
Members: $55 and Non-members: $62
For signing up, go to: GWS (DC Chapter)

Annette will lead a tasting with 10 German wines. Annette will present 3 red wines, 1 Sekt (sparkling wine) and 5 dry and 1 “halbtrocken” white wines from 9 out of the 13 wine regions in Germany. The tasting also includes 2 Grosses Gewächs (Grand Cru) wines.

Germany is increasingly becoming known as a serious red wine producer; Germany is the #3 producer world-wide of Pinot-Noir (= Spätburguder). Germans have always been obsessed with sparkling wines: 1 out of 4 sparklers produced in the world is consumed in Germany; and Germany is home to the second largest sparkling wine producer world-wide. In terms of white wine Germany is known for its Rieslings. Yes, it is the #1 Riesling producer world-wide, but also the #1 Pinot-Blanc (Weissburgunder) and #2 Pinot-Gris (Grauburgunder) producer.

All presented winemakers, Annette knows personally. She has visited all of them on one of the wine tours to Germany (Germany-East, Germany-South and Germany-Nord). Annette will share memories from these visits:

Schnaitmann (Württemberg), Kreuzberg (Ahr), Proschwitz (Sachsen), Schönleber (Rheingau), von Oetinger (Rheingau), Immich-Batterieberg (Mosel), Schmitt‘s Kinder (Franken), Lützkendorf (Saale-Unstrut), von Winning (Pfalz), Schloss Neuweier (Baden).

In terms of food, Cindy O. Herold, the Chef and Owner of Old Europe Restaurant, will spoil us with a sumptuous Wine Tasting Buffet, composed of a variety of typical German dishes.

For more information, see:
Invitation: The New Germany (Red, Sparkling and Dry) - German Wine Society Tasting at Old Europe Restaurant in Washington DC with Annette Schiller on Friday, October 28, 2016, USA

Picture: Annette Schiller Presenting at the German Wine Society in Philadelphia. See: New Developments in German Wine - Annette Schiller at the German Wine Society in Philadelphia, USA

Los Angeles: The New Germany: Red, Sparkling and Dry - Tasting at the American Wine Society (Annual Meetings in Los Angeles)

Friday, November 4, 2:30 pm
American Wine Society Annual Meetings 2016
Los Angeles
AWS members only

Along the lines of the Washington DC tasting of October 28, Annette will lead a tasting with 6 German wines at Annual Meetings of the American Wine Society. About 400 members from all over the USA are coming to this 3-day event, filled with tastings, seminars and presentations. More than 70 people have already signed up for this event, where Annette will present The New Germany: Red, Sparkling and Dry.

Annette will pour the wines from the following winemakers, who graciously sponsored the wines. Special tahnks goes to US importer of German wines Rudi Wiest.

Weingut Rainer Schnaitmann, Württemberg (Rudi Wiest)
Weingut Ökonomierat Rebholz, Pfalz (Rudi Wiest)
Weingut Christian L. Stahl, Franken
Sekt- und Weingut F.B. Schönleber, Rheingau
Weingut Schäfer-Fröhlich, Nahe (Rudi Wiest)
Weingut Schloss Proschwitz - Prinz zur Lippe, Sachsen

Picture: Annette and Christian Schiller with Rudi Wiest, Rudi Wiest Selections, in Mainz. See: 2016 VDP Trade Fair Weinbörse - Vintage 2015 - in Mainz: Schiller’s Report

Los Angeles: The New Classification of German Wines – the VDP Classification

Saturday, November 5, 9 am
American Wine Society Annual Meetings 2016
Los Angeles
AWS members only

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 is the standard classification system in Germany and many winemakers in Germany use this approach. A large number of winemakers, however, have moved away from the standard, in particular the VDP producers and more generally, the producers of premium wines in Germany.

In a nutshell, the VDP is moving to a classification system that resembles very much the classification system in the Bourgogne. The classification of the VDP puts the terroir principle at the center of its classification approach. With the latest modifications of 2012, the absolutely finest vineyards are called Grosse Lage (for the 2011 vintage still called Erste Lage) and dry wines from these super top vineyards are called Grosses Gewächs. Grosses Gewächs wines are the finest dry wines from Germany’s finest vineyards.

We will taste wines from each category of the new classification. The wines are sponsored by Dr. Loosen Bros., the US importer for Dr. Loosen (Mosel), Villa Wolf (Pfalz), Robert Weil (Rheingau), Wittmann (Rheinhessen), Maximin Grünhaus (Mosel) and Fritz Haag (Mosel).

We will have 6 wines: 3 wines from the highest quality level (Grosse Lage/ Grand Cru) and 1 wine from each of the other 3 quality levels:

Gutswein/ Estate Wine: Weingut Wittmann
Ortswein/ Village Wine: Weingut Robert Weil
Erste Lage/ Premier Cru: Weingut Robert Weil
Grosse Lage/ Grand Cru: GG Weingut Wittmann
Grosse Lage/ Grand Cru: GGR Weingut Dr. Loosen
Grosse Lage/ Grand Cru: Spätlese Weingut Dr. Loosen

See also:
Steffen Christmann (Weingut A. Christmann) and Wilhelm Weil (Weingut Robert Weil) Presented the New Wine Classification of the VDP, Germany
Approaches to Classifying German Wine: The Standard Approach (the Law of 1971), the VDP Approach and the Zero Classification Approach

Picture: The German Wine and Culture Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2013 at Weingut Dr. Loosen. See: Ernst Loosen Presented his Wines at Weingut Dr. Loosen, Bernkastel-Kues, Mosel Valley, Germany

schiller-wine - Related Postings

Heads up for the 2017 Tours - to Germany and France - by ombiasy WineTours

Germany-East Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Art, Culture and History

Germany-North Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential German Riesling and the Northernmost Pinot Noir

Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Burgundy (and Champagne) 2016 by ombiasy WineTours: From Lyon to Reims - Wine, Food, Culture and History

Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

German Wine at the 2015 EU Open House - German Embassy in Washington DC, USA

Steffen Christmann (Weingut A. Christmann) and Wilhelm Weil (Weingut Robert Weil) Presented the New Wine Classification of the VDP, Germany

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

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

2016 VDP Trade Fair Weinbörse - Vintage 2015 - in Mainz: Schiller’s Report

New Developments in German Wine - Annette Schiller at the German Wine Society in Philadelphia, USA

Picture: With Lutz Müller at the Summer Tavern of Weingut Lutz Müller in Dresden

I had heard so much about Weingut Lutz Müller and the winery's open-air tavern on the banks of the Elbe River which is open during the summer months. We had to go there. It ws a real treat.

Pictures: Weingut Lutz Müller and the Summer Tavern with Schloss Albrechtsberg, Lingner Schloss and Schloss Eckberg, Dresden, Sachsen

Weingut Lutz Müller

Weingut Lutz Müller is situated in the vineyards of the Albrechtsberg castle on the hillside with great views of the Elbe river, and Dresden. Castle Albrechtsberg was built for Prince Albrecht of Prussia (1809-1872). The winery Lutz Müller came into being through the passion of Lutz’s parents. They loved wine and as a hobby they started to make wine in Pillnitz. Lutz shared the passion and decided to make it a profession. He studied winemaking at the government owned winery in Radebeul and later gained a lot of experience while working at the Castell winery in the Franken wine region, at wineries in the Mosel and Baden region as well as in California. In 2000 he and his parents had the opportunity to renovate the dilapidated Kavaliershaus of Schloss Albrechtsburg and to build a winery. Today parcels in the top vineyard sites „Dresdner Elbhang“ und „Pillnitzer königliche Weinberge“ belong to Lutz Müller.

Lunch at Weingut Lutz Müller

We did not have a chance to visit the winery but had lunch with Lutz Müller in his open-air wine tavern on the banks of the Elbe River. It is a ver basic but very charming place. The wines and food is self-service. Lutz Müller's son offered 6 different wines of Weingut Lutz Müller, all by the glass. And next to the wine booth was a food booth were you could order freshly-made Flammkuchen, a pizza-kind of dish.

We tried all 6 different wines and ate delicious, freshly-made Flammkuchen.

Pictures: Lunch at the Summer Tavern of Weingut Lutz Müller, Dresden

Before Lunch: Tasting at Weingut Klaus Zimmerling in Oberpoyritz

Before lunch, we stopped at Weingut Klaus Zimmerling to taste the new vintage. Klaus Zimmerling, arguably the most famous winemaker in Sachsen, was away. We knew that this weekend he was not around. So we only scheduled a short tasting. We were well treated by one of his collaborators.

Pictures: Annette and Christian Schiller with Klaus Zimmerling, Weingut Zimmerling, During a Previous Visit

In 1992, shortly after reunification, Klaus Zimmerling founded this winery. This is a very special place, hard to describe – you have to feel it - where art and wine is intimately intertwined. Two people, two passions, a heartwarming experience: Klaus Zimmerling, the grape whisperer, who sees his vineyard, the perfectly shaped, southern facing Rysselkuppe as a gift and natural wonder, which imposes on him the duty to go the extra mile to produce extraordinary wine; Malgorzata Chodakoska, his wife, who sculptures graceful feminine figures in her studio, which sits in the middle of the vines. Every year one of her sculptures will serve as model for the bottle label of that particular vintage.

Pictures: At Weingut Klaus Zimmerling

After Lunch: Visit of the Royal Palace in Dreden

After lunch, we went back to Dresden and visited the Royal Palace.

Pictures: Dresden

Dresden has a long history as the capital of the kingdom of Saxony. For centuries the Saxon royals spared no money and effort to furnish the city with artistic, and cultural splendor. The baroque and rococo city center, and wealth of art, gave the city the nickname: “Florence of the north”. In modern times, until 1933, when the Nazi regime came into power, Dresden was Europe’s capital of modern art. The allied bombings during the night of February 13, 1945 at the end of World War II wiped out the city. During GDR times very few of the most important historical monuments were restored. After reunification restauration efforts intensified, and major reconstruction projects, including rebuilding the “Frauenkirche”, were completed. The restoration of the Royal Palace is about to be completed.

We visited the “Türckische Cammer” (Turkish Chamber). This is one of the oldest and most important collections of Ottoman art anywhere in the world outside Turkey. The largest object in the Türckische Cammer, which opened in 2010, is an Ottoman three-mast tent – a 20 m long, 8 m wide and 6 m high dream made of gold and silk. Only in Dresden is it possible for visitors to enter such a tent and examine the supreme craftsmanship of Ottoman textile artists at close quarters.

We also visited the “Historisches Grünes Gewölbe” (Historic Green Vault), to get a glimpse into the late baroque world of the Saxon royals. The Green Vault was reopened on the ground floor in 2006. From 1723 to 1730, August the Strong had a series of rooms constructed to represent his wealth and power as an absolute monarch; the full, incredible experience of this late baroque synthesis of the arts is once again available to visitors in the original rooms.

Evening: Wine Bar in Dresden Neustadt

The day ended in a nice, cosy wine bar in the Dresden Neustadt.

Pictures: In a Wine Bar in Dresden Neustadt

Postings: Germany-East Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Art, Culture and History (Published and Forthcoming Postings)

Germany-East Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Art, Culture and History

Tasting at Weingut Uwe Lützkendorf, with Uwe Lützkendorf, in Bad Kösen, Saale-Unstrut – Germany-East Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Vineyard Visit and Wine Tasting Lunch at Weingut Hey in Naumburg, Saale-Unstrut, with Matthias Hey – Germany-East Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Weingut Pawis in the Saale Unstrut Region: Wine Tasting with Marcus Pawis – Germany-East Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Schiller's Favorite Winemakers in the Saale Unstrut Region, Germany

Wine Lunch at the Historic Vincenz Richter Restaurant, Weingut Vincenz Richter in Meissen with Senior Boss Gottfried Herrlich – Germany-East Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Visit, Tasting and Dinner at Weingut Schloss Proschwitz, Prinz zur Lippe in Zadel, Sachsen, with Georg Prinz zur Lippe - Germany-East Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Tasting at Weingut Tim Strasser/ Rothes Gut in Meissen, Sachsen, with Tim Strasser - Germany-East Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Lunch with Wine Pairing at Weingut Drei Herren in Radebeul, Sachsen, with Restaurant Manager/ Sommelier Dirk Brauer - Germany-East Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Visit of Weingut Klaus Zimmerling: The Wines of Klaus Zimmerling and the Art of his Wife Malgorzata Chodakoska - Germany-East Wine and Art Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Lunch at Weingut Lutz Müller, Schloss Albrechtsburg, Sachsen, with Lutz Müller

Schiller's Favorite Winemakers in Sachsen (Saxony), Germany

Vineyard tour, Cellar Tour, Tasting and Dinner at Weingut Zur Schwane in Volkach, Franken with Winemaker Christian Kallisch

Vinyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Horst Sauer in Eschendorf, Franken, with Horst Sauer

Vineyard tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Schmitt’s Kinder in Randersacker, Franken, with Martin Johann Schmitt

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Staatlicher Hofkeller in Würzburg, Franken, with General Manager Marcel von den Benken

Schiller’s Favorites: 2 Legendary Wine Taverns in Würzburg – Juliusspital and Bürgerspital

Schiller’s Favorite Wine Taverns in Würzburg, Franken, Germany

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour, Lunch and Tasting at Weingut Fürst Hohenlohe Öhringen in Öhringen–Verrenberg,Württemberg with Winemaker Joachim Brand

Visit of Staatsweingut Weinsberg in Weinsberg, Württemberg, with Kyle Frank from the Finger Lakes

Cellar Tour, Vineyard Tour, Tasting and Dinner at Weingut Graf von Bentzel-Sturmfeder in Schozach, Württemberg, with Kilian Graf von Bentzel-Sturmfeder

Picture: At Olivier Leflaive in Puligny Montrachet, with Olivier Leflaive

During the Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours, we spent a morning and part of the afternoon at Oliver Leflaive. The visit comprised 3 parts: (1) We started out with an extensive walk through the vineyards of Puligny Montrachet. (2) This was followed by a visit of the new winery. (3) We ended the visit in Puligny Montrachet with a wine tasting lunch at La Table de Olivier, the restaurant of Olivier Leflaive.

Olivier and Patrick Leflaive along with Sommelier Charles Devarennes were our hosts. In the wine cellar we met Franck Grux, the Directeur Technicque of Olivier Leflaive, and Philipp Grillet, Maître de Chai of Olivier Leflaive.

The Leflaive family is a longstanding Burgundian “wine” family who always could call some of the best vineyards in Burgundy their own. But it was Joseph Leflaive, grandfather of Olivier, Patrick and cousin AnneClaude (owner of Domaine Leflaive, who died very suddenly last spring) who brought the family business to a different level when he founded Domaine Leflaive.

This posting covers parts (1) and (2). Part (3) will be covered in a separate posting.

The Leflaive Family in Puligny Montrachet

Just after the First World War, Olivier’s grandfather, Joseph Leflaive, was faced with the failure of his steel factory in Saint-Etienne. His investments in Burgundy were all he had left and he decided to enlarge his wine estate. Burgundy had not yet recovered from the effect of the phylloxera epidemic, which meant that vineyards were for sale at a very low price. Joseph Leflaive was able to buy 25 hectares for his domaine.

In 1920, Joseph Leflaive started a program of replantation with better adapted root stock, and progressively started to sell wine under his own label rather than to négociants. It became a family-run operation covering some 35 hectares.

After the death of Joseph Leflaive in 1953, his son, Joseph Régis, the father of Olivier and Patrick Leflaive, was in insurance and along with his brother Vincent, decided to take over the rein of Domaine Leflaive. The estate soon began producing top-flight wines.

In 1973, Domaine Leflaive was given a company structure to avoid splitting it up with subsequent inheritance, with the family members becoming the shareholders. Joseph Régis had 5 children and Vincent Leflaive had 3 children. Joseph Régis and Vincent Leflaive continued to manage the company.

Pictures: At Olivier Leflaive in Puligny Montrachet, with Olivier and Patrick Leflaive

Olivier Leflaive

Oliver Leflaive is one of the 5 children of Joseph Régis. Initially, he pursued a career in TV and radio for 10 years. In 1982, he joined his uncle Vincent Leflaive to co-manage Domaine Leflaive.

In 1984, Olivier Leflaive launched his own company Olivier Leflaive Frères, which we visited, with the help of his uncle Vincent and his brother Patrick. He quickly established his own reputation amongst Burgundy’s finest.

In 1990, Anne-Claude Leflaive replaced her father Vincent Leflaive in the management of Domaine Leflaive.

In 1994, the share holderss of Domaine Leflaive, i.e. the family Leflaive decided to give the management of Domaine Leflaive to Anne-Claude Leflaive. Olivier Leflaive left Domaine Leflaive and focused henceforth on his own company, Olivier Leflaive Frères, which he had already launched 10 years before.

Pictures: Meeting Franck Grux, the Directeur Technicque of Olivier Leflaive, and Philipp Grillet, Maître de Chai of Olivier Leflaive

Maison Olivier Leflaive Frères

Olivier Leflaive founded his own company Olivier Leflaive Frères, which we visited, with the help of his uncle Vincent and his brother Patrick, in In 1984. His brother Patrick invested in the business and became co-owner. His uncle Vincent also invested and acted in an advisory capacity, introducing him to winegrowers, and eventually to Jean-Marc Boillot who became his winemaker from 1984 to 1988.
Together, they brought this haute-couture business to life.

In 1988, Franck Grux took over as a winemaker and still holds this role today. Franck Grux was a young and talented winemaker who had been working at the Domaine Roulot in Meursault. He rapidly became Olivier’s right-hand man. Over the two past decades, he was able to establish a strong, long-term relationships with the best growers in the region.

Olivier Leflaive Frères is known today as a négociant (a wine buyer and seller) of high quality with a focus on the whites from the famous villages of Puligny, Chassagne and Meursault. Olivier Leflaive is continuously expanding and has acquired several vineyards that allow the Domaine to develop and build up its range of Domaines Wines alongside the négoce business.

In 1997, Olivier Leflaive Frères opened the Table d’Olivier Leflaive, Burgundy’s first table d’hôte enabling.

In 2001, Olivier Leflaive Frères extended its expertise to the Chablis AOC. In the same year, Olivier’s brother Patrick Leflaive, one of the initial investors, joined the company as President.

As numbers of diners grow, in 2006, Olivier Leflaive decided to open La Maison d’Olivier Leflaive, a 4 star hotel, to allow guests to stay longer in Puligny Montrachet.

2010, after several long years, Olivier and Patrick received their family legacy in the form of some fabulous terroirs:

– Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru
– Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru
– Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Pucelles
– Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Folatières
– Meursault 1er Cru Blagny Sous le Dos d’Âne

In the same year, Oliver Leflaive retired from Olivier Leflaive Frères.

In the Vineyards of Puligny-Montrachet

We started our visit with a vineyard walk. We (with other visitors of Olivier Leflaive) walked about a kilometer from La Maison d’Olivier Leflaive to the vineyards of Puligny-Montrachet.

Pictures: Vineyard Walk in Puligny Montrachet with Sommelier Charles Devarennes

Charles Devarennes: Our daily mission is to produce top quality grapes. This involves a sustainable approach to working the vines, and also supporting our partner winegrowers in cultivating their plots using an organic or biodynamic approach. We have not any organic certification as we don’t hesitate to use chemical treatment if it’s really necessary.

The harvest is entirely manual and the grapes are picked with the utmost respect for the plant. Harvesting by machine is to be avoided at all costs as it damages the vines and can never match the skill and judgment of a human being.

In the Cellar of Olivier Leflaive

From the vineyards, we walked back to La Maison d’Olivier Leflaive and from there to the new production facility. The whole group was split up into two and Olivier Leflaive took one group and Patrick Leflaive took the ot group. We were with Patrick Leflaive.

During the tour of the wine cellar, we met Franck Grux, the Directeur Technicque of Olivier Leflaive, and Philipp Grillet, Maître de Chai.

Pictures: In the Cellar of Olivier Leflaive in Puligny Montrachet, with Olivier and Patrick Leflaive

Olivier Leflaive: Although the quality of the harvest is key, vinification and ageing also play a major role in bringing out the essence of each appellation. Franck Grux and Philippe Grillet make it their daily task to ensure the quality of the wines and respect for the terroir. As such, the estate’s approach is to treat each cuvée individually.

Olivier Leflaive: We vinify and age the equivalent of 120 hectares of vines (including 17 of our own), the majority of which are white wines from the three prestigious Côte de Beaune villages of Puligny-Montrachet, Chassagne-Montrachet and Meursault, as well as from Chablis and the Côte Chalonnaise.

Lunch and Wine Tasting at La Table de Olivier

From the production facility, we walked back to La Maison d’Olivier Leflaive, where we had lunch cum wine tasting with Olivier and Patrick Leflaive joining us for part of the lunch. The lunch will be covered in a separate posting.

Picture: Wine Pairing Lunch at La Table d'Olivier with Olivier Leflaive (see separate Posting)

Postings: Burgundy (and Champagne) 2016 Tour by ombiasy WineTours:From Lyon to Reims - Wine, Food, Culture and History (Published and Forthcoming Postings)

Burgundy (and Champagne) 2016 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: From Lyon to Reims - Wine, Food, Culture and History

Dinner at a Bouchon - Chez Paul - in Lyon: Schiller’s Favorite Bouchons in Lyon, France

Introduction to the Burgundy Wine Region at Antic Wine in Lyon with Flying Sommelier Georges Dos Santos - Burgundy (and Champagne) 2016 Tour by ombiasy WineTours

Lunch at L’Auberge du Pont de Collonges, Paul Bocuse’s Iconic Restaurant in Collonges au Mont d’Or, France - Burgundy (and Champagne) 2016 Tour by ombiasy WineTours

In the Most Prestigious AOC in the Mâconnais: Pouilly-Fuissé, France

Vineyard Walk, Cellar Walk and Tasting at Domaine Ferret in Fuissé, Poully Fuissé, Mâconnais, with Winemaker Audrey Braccini - Burgundy (and Champagne) 2016 Tour by ombiasy WineTours

Visit and Tasting at Domaine Georges Descombes in Vermont, Villié-Morgon, Beaujolais - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Lunch at Restaurant Le Mercurey in Mercurey - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

At Domaine Theulot-Juillot in Mercurey, Côte Chalonnaise, with Nathalie Theulot - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Tour of Château de Rully and Tasting of Domaine du Château de Rully Wines, with Count Raoul de Ternay - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Michel Prunier & Fille in Auxey Duresses, Côte de Beaune - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Where Robert Parker likes to Eat: Lunch at La Crémaillère in Auxey-Duresses - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Vineyard Walk in Meursault with Karoline Knoth - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Dinner at the 1 Michelin Star Restaurant Ed.Em in Chassagne Montrachet - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Maison Olivier Leflaive in Puligny Montrachet, Côte de Beaune: Vineyard Walk and Cellar Tour with Olivier and Patrick Leflaive along with Sommelier Charles Devarennes

Wine Pairing Lunch at Restaurant La Table d’Olivier Leflaive in Puligny Montrachet

Visit of the Hospice de Beaune

Lunch at Brasserie le Carnot in Beaune

Tour of the Ancient Cellars and Tasting at Maison Joseph Drouhin in Beaune, Côte de Beaune

Schiller’s Favorite Wine Bars in Beaune, Bourgogne

An American in Burgundy: Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Dublère in Savigny lès Beaune with Owner/ Winemaker Blair Pethel

Charcuterie and Cheese Paired with 12 Burgundy Wines at La Maison de Maurice in Beaune with Maurice Marle

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Faiveley in Nuits-Saint-George, Côte de Nuits

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Jean-Jacques Confuron in Prémeaux-Prissey Côte de Nuits with Louis Meunier

Lunch at Restaurant La Cabotte in Nuits-Saint-George

Visit and Tasting at Domaine Thibault Liger-Belair in Nuits-Saint-George with Thibault Liger-Belair

Visit of Château du Clos de Vougeot

Where the Most Expensive Red Wines Come from: Vineyard Walk, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Anne Gros in Vosne-Romanée, Côte de Nuits

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Guillon & Fils in Gevrey-Chambertin, Côte de Nuits, with Jean-Michel Guillon

An Institution: Lunch at Restaurant Chez Guy in Gevrey-Chambertin

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Armelle et Bernhard Rion in Vosne-Romanée, Côte de Nuits, with Alice Rion

Tour at the Fontenay Abbey (Bernard de Clairveau), Montbard

Wine Pairing Lunch, Cellar Visit, Vineyard Tour and Tasting at Domaine Jean Marc Brocard in Préhy, Chablis

Schiller’s Favorite Wine Bars and other Wine Venues in Chablis, France

Champagne– An Introduction, France

French Champagne Houses and German Roots

Visit and Tasting at the Grower Champagne House Champagne Jean Josselin in Gyé sur Seine, Champagne, with Jean Pierre Josselin, his Wife and Sharona Tsubota

Cellar Visit and Tasting at the Champagner House AR Lenoble in Epernay, Champagne, with Export Manager Christian Holthausen

Cellar Visit and Tasting at the Champagner House Taittinger in Reims, Champagne

Lunch at Brasserie Flo in Reims

Picture: Tasting at Weingut H.J. Kreuzberg in Dernau, Ahr, with Owners/ Winemakers Ludwig Kreuzberg and Frank Josten

From Thursday, May 05, 2016 to Wednesday, May 11, 2016, we spent 7 days on the Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours, touring 5 German wine regions (Rheingau, Mittelrhein, Ahr, Mosel and Nahe), tasting fabulous wines, meeting world-renowned wine makers, visiting a top notch Sekt house, and delving deep into German history and culture. The group was small - there were 5 of us, including Annette and Christian Schiller.

I have provided aon overview here: Germany-North Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential German Riesling and the Northernmost Pinot Noir

We stayed 1 night in the Ahr region - at the beautiful Steigenberger Hotel in Bad Neuenahr – and visited 2 producers: Winzergenossenschaft Mayschoss in Mayschoss and Weingut Kreuzberg in Dernau. In addition, we had lunch at the Gutsschänke of the Meyer-Näkel, one of the best if not the best producer in the Ahr.

Pictures: Welcome at Weingut H.J. Kreuzberg, Ahr

With red wines accounting for 90% of the output in the Ahr, these visits were dominated by delicious Spätburgunder wines, in contrast to the white wine domination before (in the Mittelrhein and the Rheingau) and after (in the Mosel). The Ahr valley north of the 50 °latitude is unquestionable the northernmost region for producing top Pinot-Noirs. The secret lies in an ideal micro-climate found in the narrow canyons along the river with their very special geological conditions, and south-facing slopes. Wine making along the tiny Ahr river goes back to Roman times. There is no other wine region in the world with such a high concentration of Pinot Noir (86%).

I have already reported about our visit of the Winzergenossenschaft Mayschoss. This posting covers the visit of Weingut Kreuzberg.

Owners/ winemakers Ludwig Kreuzberg and Frank Josten were our hosts.

Weingut H.J. Kreuzberg

This winery has long been recognized as one of the top estates for producing great Pinot-Noirs in Germany. It is a young estate by German standards.

Weingut Kreuzberg was founded in 1953 by the grandfather of the current co-owner, Ludwig Kreuzberg. In the estate’s second generation, “Jupp” headed the business for over 40 years together with his wife, Maria, his sister, Angela and his brother-in-law, Johannes. During this time they expanded the vineyards to an area of 3.5 hectares.

In 1994, “Jupp” passed the business on to his son Ludwig. His brother remained the cellar master for 10 years until he left and started to produce his own wine. In 2007, Albert Schauman, while making the wines at Weingut Jean Stodden, started to consult with Weingut H.J. Kreuzberg. In 2013 Frank Josten joined the team.

Pictures: Sekt with Ludwig Kreuzberg and Frank Josten

Today Ludwig Kreuzberg and Frank Josten co-manage the estate, which has grown to cover 12 hectares (9 hectares owned and 3 hectares leased). Since 2013, Albert Schauman is the head winemaker.

Frank Josten: In the vineyard, we practice integrated wine growing. Organic soil cultivation (fertilisation with animal dung, straw covering, bark mulch or covering with vegetation) plays a vital role in this. Cutting back the vines in the premium positions leads to a limitation of yield which may be lower than 35 hl/ha. Partial leaf removal from the vines in late summer and thinning of the grapes, as well as selective hand-picking are important aspects of the work in our vineyards.
2/3s of the vineyards are on steep slopes with a high proportion of Devonian slate; soils that give the Ahr wines their typical character.

In the cellar, all dry red wines are produced in a traditional manner, i.e. with open mash fermentation and in old or new oak casks (Barriques). Malolactic fermentation and gentle filtration are also important elements of our philosophy.

Pictures: Tasting at Weingut H.J. Kreuzberg in Dernau, Ahr, with Ludwig Kreuzberg and Frank Josten

Germany’s Collection of the Year 2011 (Gault Millau)

Gault Millau: A pleasing upwards trend in Dernau. The Wine-growing estate belonging to Ludwig Kreuzberg has been on the up for several years and has been one of the Ahr’s best estates for a long time. However, the Pinot Noir and Pinot Noir Précoce from 2008 has been a great success for the family business.

The wines are wonderfully structured, showing clean and lasting fruity aromas and posess class and elegance thanks to their perfectly integrated acidity and fine tannins.

The Pinot Noir from the Devonian slate stands out from this most harmonious collection as an example of elegant Burgundy style. [...]”

The Wines we Tasted

Frank Josten led the tasting in the beginning. Midway through the tasting, Ludwig Kreuzberg took over.

NV, Weingut H.J. Kreuzberg, Blanc de Noir Sekt

2015 Weingut H.J. Kreuzberg, Blance de Noir

2014 Weingut H.J. Kreuzberg, Spätburgunder
2014 Weingut H.J. Kreuzberg, Spätburgunder Unplugged

2014 Weingut H.J. Kreuzberg, Frühburgunder C
2013 Weingut H.J. Kreuzberg, Devonschiefer Spätburgunder

2013 Weingut H.J. Kreuzberg, Ahrweiler Silberberg, Spätburgunder GG
2012 Weingut H.J. Kreuzberg, Dernauer Hardtberg Frühburgunder GG

Bye-bye

Pictures: Thanks Ludwig Kreuzberg and Frank Josten for a great tasting.

Pictures: Bye-bye

Postings: Germany-North Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential German Riesling and the Northernmost Pinot Noir (Posted and Forthcoming)

Germany-North Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential German Riesling and the Northernmost Pinot Noir

Tour and Tasting at Weingut von Oetinger, Rheingau, with Achim von Oetinger– Germany-North 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Lunch and Tour: Kloster Eberbach in the Rheingau – Germany-North Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Bourgogne in Riesling Land: Tasting at Chat Sauvage in Johannisberg, Rheingau, with Winemaker Michael Städter – Germany-North Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Cellar Tour, Tasting and Dinner at Wein- und Sektgut F.B. Schönleber in Östrich-Winkel, Rheingau, with Ralp and Bernd Schönleber - Germany-North Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Leitz in Rüdesheim, with Johannes Leitz – Germany-North Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut August Kesseler in Assmanshausen, with Winemaker Simon Batarseh – Germany-North Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Rhine River Cruise in the Mittelrhein Valley, an UNESCO World Heritage Region - Germany-North Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Tasting at Weingut Matthias Müller in Spay, Mittelrhein, with Johannes and Matthias Müller - Germany-North Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Visit and Tasting at Winzergenossenschaft Mayschoss in Mayschoss, Ahr – Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2016

Tasting Pinot Noir at Weingut Kreuzberg in Dernau, Ahr with Owners/ Winemakers Ludwig Kreuzberg and Frank Josten

Tasting at Weingut Markus Molitor in Haus Klosterberg, Mosel

Tasting at Weingut Jos. Jos. Prüm in Bernkastel-Wehlen, Mosel, with Frau Prüm

The Wines of the Berncasteler Doctor, Bernkastel-Kues in the Mosel Valley, Germany

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

Tasting at Weingut Schloss Lieser in Lieser, Mosel, with Thomas Haag

Schiller’s Favorite Wine Taverns in Trier, Germany

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Forstmeister Geltz-Zilliken in Saarburg, Saar with Hanno Zilliken

Lunch at Landgasthof Zur Traube in Meddersheim, Nahe: Remembering Klaus Peter Wodartz' Ente in Wiesbaden

Tasting at Weingut Schäfer-Fröhlich in Bockenau, Nahe

Dinner with Wine Pairing at the new Wine Tavern of Weingut Kruger-Rumpf in Bingen, Rheinhessen, with Stefan Rumpf

Tasting at Weingut Tesch in Langenlonsheim, Nahe, with Martin Tesch

Cellar Tour and Wine Pairing Lunch at Weingut Hans Lang in Hattenheim, Rheingau, with Urban Kaufmann and Eva Raps

Picture: Tour and Tasting at Château Canon La Gaffelière, Appellation Saint-Emilion, Premier Grand Cru Classé

Led by Annette Schiller, the Bordeaux Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours took place from September 6 to 15, 2016. The group comprised 14 wine lovers from the United States and Switzerland, including Annette and Christian Schiller. I already provided an overview of the tour.

See: Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2016, France

This posting focuses on our first visit in Saint-Emilion, Château Canon La Gaffelière, which is owned by the German von Neipperg family.

Magali Malet was our host.

Château Canon La Gaffelière

Canon La Gaffelière also is one of the only 15 Premier Grand Cru Classé B châteaux in Saint-Emilion. Proprietor Count Stephan von Neipperg is a descendant of an Austrian / German noble line dating back to the Holy Roman Empire. Members of this dynasty always played important roles in European history and politics, and have been making wine since the 12th century. The family still owns a wine estate in the Württemberg region of Germany, where their roots are.

Pictures: Château Canon La Gaffelière, Appellation Saint-Emilion, Premier Grand Cru Classé

The von Neipperg Family in Germany, Austria and France

Proprietor Count Stefan von Neipperg hails from the German wine region of Württemberg where his family has maintained its existing vineyards since the 15th century and bottles its wine under the family label, Weingut des Grafen von Neipperg. In fact, the von Neipperg counts are descended from a noble line dating back to the Holy Roman Empire. The first record of the Count von Neipperg goes as far back as the 12th century.

Pictures: Welcome

Count Joseph Hubert von Neipperg branched out in 1971 and acquired 4 St. Emilion estates in 1971: La Mondotte, Château Canon La Gaffelière, Clos de l'Oratoire, and Château Peyraud. Since 1984, Count Joseph Hubert’s son Count Stephan has been in charge of these 4 estates. Moreover, he expanded the family’s French holdings further and also entered into a joint venture in Bulgaria.

Here is a list of all von Neipperg estates:

La Mondotte, AOC Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, Premier Grand Cru Classé

Château Canon La Gaffelière, AOC Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, Premier Grand Cru Classé

Clos de l'Oratoire, AOC Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, Grand Cru Classé

Château Peyreau, AOC Saint-Émilion

Château d'Aiguilhe, AOC Cotes de Castillon

Clos Marsalette, AOC Pessac-Léognan

Château Guiraud, AOC Sauternes, Premier Cru Classé 1855

Château Soleil. AOC Puisseguin Saint-Emilion

Bulgaria: Count Stephan von Neipperg, in conjunction with the banker Karl-Heinz Hauptmann, was one of the first people to invest in the wine sector in Bulgaria - in the Bessa Valley, in the Pazardjik region, 135 km southeast of Sofia.

Count Stephan von Neipperg in France

Stephan Graf von Neipperg was borne at the family estate in Schwaigern. As a young man, he had no intention of getting involved in wine. He studied politics and business administration in Paris. Later, after having decided to change course, he also studied winemaking in Montpelier.

Picture: Annette Schiller and Stephan von Neipperg at the UGC Tasting in Washington DC, 2016. See: Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux (UGC) on the 2016 North America Tour - Schiller’s Favorites

In 1983, Stephan Graf von Neipperg Neipperg moved with his German wife Sigweis to St. Emilion. At that point, the French holdings of the von Neipperg family consisted of the four estates his father had bought in 1971. Since then Stephan Graf von Neipperg he expanded the family’s French holdings further and also entered into a joint venture in Bulgaria. He has become one of the Right Bank's most successful winemakers.

Picture: Christian Schiller with Count Stephan von Neipperg at Château Canon La Gaffelière, see: A Morning at Château Canon La Gaffeliere in Saint Emilion with Owner Count Stefan von Neipperg, Bordeaux

Picture: Wine Dinner with Count Stephan von Neipperg at Château Canon La Gaffelière, see: Dinner at Château Canon La Gaffeliere, Appellation Saint-Emilion, Premier Grand Cru Classé, France

On that very successful route, Stephan Graf von Neipperg linked his fortunes to Stéphane Derenoncourt, a Normandy millworker's son who had never seen a grapevine before hitchhiking to Bordeaux in 1982, but taught himself enology and has since confounded traditionalists with his winemaking.

Picture: Christian Schiller with a Distributor of the Wines of Stefan Graf von Neipperg, including La Mondotte and Canon La Gaffeliere, at TopWine China 2014. See: Emerging Wine Giant China: Top Wine China 2014, Beijing, China

Château Canon La Gaffeliere Tour

We started in the vineyards, then moved to the production facilities and ended the visit with a tasting of 4 wines.

Pictures: Vineyard Tour at Château Canon La Gaffelière, Appellation Saint-Emilion, Premier Grand Cru Classé

Château Canon La Gaffelière is located on the outskirts of the medieval town of Saint-Emilion, at the southern foot of the slope. The 19.5 hectare vineyard has a complex, outstanding terroir of clay-limestone and clay-sand soil. The topsoil is primarily sandy, increasingly so as one moves away from the slope. The vines, an average of 45 years old, are deeply rooted in the soil and absorb all the goodness in the terroir. They are mostly replaced individually rather than plot by plot (which maintains the average age). The last major replanting dates back to 1986.

Pictures: Cellar Tour at Château Canon La Gaffelière, Appellation Saint-Emilion, Premier Grand Cru Classé

In 1988, Stephan Graf von Neipperg instituted a green harvest, dropping fruit in June to gain depth and ripeness in September. He stopped using chemical fertilizers and insecticides in 1993 as he edged toward a more biodynamic approach. "Just like 70 years ago," Stephan Graf von Neipperg. "The insects eat each other." He harvested later than his neighbors and aged his cuvées entirely in new oak.

The mixture of grape varieties cultivated on the wine estate (55% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon) is rather untypical in comparison to the rest of the appellation. This identity, strongly influenced by Cabernet, gives the Canon La Gaffelière wines an outright complex character.

The Wines Megali Malte Poured

Megali showed us 4 wines.

Pictures: Tasting at Château Canon La Gaffelière, Appellation Saint-Emilion, Premier Grand Cru Classé

2012 Château d'Aiguilhe, AOC Cotes de Castillon

Wine-Searcher Average Price in US$: 24

Château d'Aiguilhe is located on hills overlooking the Right Bank of the Dordogne River, on the border of the Côtes de Castillon appellation.

This 110 hectare estate has 50 hectares of vines, which are planted exclusively on the upper part of the hills. The vineyard has excellent natural drainage and south-facing sun exposure. The minerals in the clay-limestone soil account for a wine of both power and finesse in which the roundness of Merlot (80%) marries beautifully with the concentration and complexity of Cabernet Franc (20%).

Comte Stefan von Neipperg purchased the estate in 1998. He invested millions of euros in a state-of-the-art facility at Château d'Aiguilhe, in the previously unnoticed Côtes de Castillon appellation, then dared to market the wine like a St.-Emilion Grand Cru Classé. The success of d’Aiguilhe is credited with putting Cotes de Castillon on the map.

2010 Clos de l'Oratoire, AOC Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, Grand Cru Classé

Wine-Searcher Average Price in US$: 61

Clos de l'Oratoire is located on Saint-Emilion's north-east slope. The 10 hectares of vines grow on Fronsac molasse covering a layer of sand with a clay subsoil. This terroir is ideally suited to the blend of Merlot (90%), Cabernet Franc (5%), and Cabernet Sauvignon (5%) grapes. Merlot contributes roundness and opulence to the wine, whereas Cabernet Franc is responsible for power, aromatic complexity, and length.

In 1991, Stephan Graf von Neipperg was given control of Clos de l'Oratoire, and he subsequently bought the remaining 30 percent of the property from other investors.

2008 Château Canon La Gaffelière, AOC Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, Premier Grand Cru Classé

Wine-Searcher Average Price in US$: 84

2006 La Mondotte, AOC Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, Premier Grand Cru Classé

Wine-Searcher Average Price in US$: 283

The 4.5-hectare estate, founded in the 19th century, is situated on the most eastern plateau of Saint-Emilion and was purchased in 1971 by the family of the Counts of Neipperg, at the same time as the Château Canon La Gaffelière. Even though La Mondotte used to be in the shadow of Canon La Gaffelière as long as to the middle of the 1990ies, it has benefited to the same extent of the philosophy of Stephan von Neipperg and his teams.

Excellent hydric regulation encourages the vines to sink their roots deep into the soil. The superb sun exposure and fine natural drainage due to the steep slope make this a very early-maturing terroir. The vines are an average of 50 years old and the vineyard contains only premium grape varieties (75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc). Ripening, especially of Merlot, is almost invariably early and complete.

The recent admission of Château La Mondotte - which sixteen years ago used to be almost unknown on the market - in the extremely closed circle of Premiers Grand Crus Classés is extraordinary.

Bye-bye

Many thanks Megali for a great tour and tasting.

Picture: Leaving Château Canon La Gaffelière, Appellation Saint-Emilion, Premier Grand Cru Classé

Postings on the Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2016, France (Posted and Forthcoming)

Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2016, France

Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

Bordeaux Wine Tour 2013 by ombiasy

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 2016, France

Tour and Tasting from Barrel at Domaine de Chevalier, Graves, Appellation Pessac-Léognan, Grand Cru Classé, with Owner Adrien Bernard - Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2016, France

Dinner with a View: At Restaurant L’Estacade in Bordeaux City - Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2016, 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

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

Tour and Tasting at Château Canon La Gaffelière, Saint-Emilion, Premier Grand Cru Classé

Tour and Wine Lunch at Château Beauséjour, Puisseguin Saint-Emilion, with Owner and Winemaker Gérard Dupuy

Tour and Tasting at Château de Figeac, Saint-Emilion, Premier Grand Cru Classé

Tour and Tasting at Château Beauregard, Pomerol

Tour at Château Le Bon Pasteur, Pomerol, with Dany Rolland

Wine Lunch at Château Le Bon Pasteur, Pomerol, with Dany Rolland

Tasting were it all Started: At the "Garage" of Jean-Luc Thunevin, Owner and Winermaker of Château Valandraud, Premier Grand Cru Classé since 2012

Tour and Tasting at Château de Fargues, Sauternes, with Prince Eudes d’Orléans

Wine Pairing Lunch at the 1-star Michelin Restaurant Claude Darozze, with Marie-Hélène Lévêque, Owner of Châteaux Chantegrive

Tour of Château de Chantegrive, Appellation Grave

Tour and Tasting at Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte, Pessac-Léognan, Grand Cru Classé.

Wine Pairing Lunch at the 2-star Michelin Restaurant La Grande Vigne (at Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte)

Tour of the new Musee du Vin in Bordeaux City

Seafood lunch at Pinasse Cafe in Cap Ferret

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

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

What is a Bordeaux Cru Bourgeois? France

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

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

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

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

At the Invitation of Owner Michel Tesseron: Private Dinner at Château Lafon-Rochet, Saint-Estèphe, 4ième Grand Cru Classé

Tour and Tasting at Château Sociando Mallet, Appellation Haut-Médoc

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

Lunch were the Locals eat: At Le Peyrat in Saint-Estèphe in Saint Estephe

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

Tour and Tasting at Château Margaux, Appellation Margaux, 1ière Grand Cru Classé

Tour and Tasting at Château Kirwan, Appellation Margaux, 3ième Grand Cru Classé, with Owner Nathalie Schyler

Picnic Lunch at Château Kirwan, Appellation Margaux, 3ième Grand Cru Classé, with Owner Nathalie Schyler

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

Picture: In the Old Cellar of Weingut Zur Schwane in Franken with General Manager/ Winemaker Christian Kallisch

Following the visit of the Richard Wagner Museum and lunch in Beyreuth, we arrived in the late afternoon in Volkach in Franken. Well known in Volkach is Zur Schwane in the center of Volkach, a top hotel with restaurant and a winery. This hotel has a more than 600 year history of catering to guests. It was in 1404 that the Schwan family founded this hotel across from the village church. Weingut Zur Schwane is a member of the VDP, the association of about 200 elite winemakers in Germany.

In the late afternoon, Weingut Zur Schwane‘s General Manager/ Winemaker Christian Kallisch drove with us to the vineyards of Weingut Zur Schwane and showed us the wine cellar. We tasted from barrel and from bottle in the winery and the hotel. We also met owner Michael Pfaff (of the previous generation) and Eva Pfaff-Düker (of the current generation).

Pictures: Arriving at Hotel/ Restaurant/ Weingut Zur Schwane in Volkach, Franken, with Owner Eva Pfaff-Düker

Following the winery tour and tasting, we had dinner at Restaurant Zur Schwane. This restaurant is renowned for its outstanding cuisine and its fabulous wine list showcasing the best of Franken.

We spent the night at Hotel zur Schwane and enjoyed the fabolous breakfast the following morning.

Weingut Zur Schwane

General Manager/ Winemaker Christian Kallisch took us on a tour to the vineyards, the new production facility, the old cellar at the hotel and the tasting area of the hotel.

We stopped 3 times for tastings: At the new production facility, the cellar (from barrel) and in the tasting room. Finally, we had more Zur Schwane wines for dinner at the Zur Schwane Restaurant.

Shortly after the Schwan family established the hotel they started their own winery. In the 1930s the Pfaff family purchased the properties. Today the winery and hotel/restaurant are owned and managed by Eva Pfaff-Düker and Ralph Düker. Within three generations the Pfaff family has turned the old, neglected property to one of the number one places for true pleasure in Franconia. A magical transformation: from an ugly duckling into the beautiful “Schwane”.

The family saga began when Maria and Josef Maria Pfaff became the owners of the historic building in 1934. The original building had been built in 1404, and was then made into an inviting and unique hotel with comfortable guest rooms. With the efforts put forth by the Pfaff family, the wines fruit brandies from the Schwane became widely known in Franconia.

In 1973 Petra and Michael Pfaff took over the newly flourishing property and continued the warm-hearted, sophisticated “Schwane” hospitality. This was officially signed and sealed in 1980, when the “Schwane” became a member of the Romantikhotel group, and the winery became a member of the association of German quality wine estates (VDP) in 1993.

Since 1997 Eva Pfaff-Düker and Ralph Düker have been managing the family business. Their credo is the contemporary interpretation of old traditions.

In the Vineyard

Christian Kallisch: For more than 2000 years grapes have thriven on the shell-limestone slope along the bend of the Main River. The region formed by the meandering Main is a unique terroir which has received a classification as one of the best vineyard locations in Germany. With its steep slopes, mud-covered limestone soil, and constant maritime-continental climate, it is ideal for viticulture.

Pictures: In the Vineyard

Escherndorfer Lump: With its south facing slopes and 60% grade, the wine growing there is rife with power and minerality. There we have planted three varietals: Silvaner, Riesling and Pinot Noir.

Volkacher Ratsherr: The Volkacher Ratsherr – our original slope! A thin layer of clay over a ground of shell and limestone is the foundation for the voluminous wines with the compact fruit from the Volkacher Ratsherr.

Christian Kallisch: The Dükers honor the long tradition by respecting the soil and natural environment. They see every vineyard and each wine as individual and practice a supervised “hand off” approach to allow the wines to develop with as little interfering as possible. 50% of their vineyards is planted with Franken’s signature grape “Silvaner”.

Pictures: First Tasting in the New Storage Facilities

In the Cellar

Christian Kallisch: What begins in the vineyards is completed in the barrels. Maturing in oak is especially important for red wines, as they reveal their aromas in contact with wood and oxygen. White wines, on the other hand, usually mature in stainless steel tanks to retain their freshness and liveliness.

Pictures: In the Cellar

Silvaner

Christian Kallisch: The delightful love affair between Franconia and Silvaner has lasted for over 350 years. Even though the vine originates from the Alps, it has found its perfect conditions here in Franconia. No matter how diverse the environment Silvaner is grown in and developed – it always remains true to itself, full-flavored and strong in character.

Pictures: Tasting from Barrel in the Cellar

Riesling

Christian Kallisch: With its noble-piquant aroma, Riesling is deemed the king among white wines. German wines have gained international recognition from this stunning varietal, boosting their popularity abroad. This high quality wine only grows under the best climatic conditions and thrives in the sunniest regions.

Pictures: In the Cellar

Pinot Blanc

Christian Kallisch: Pinot Blanc is one of the most important white grape varieties in the entire world. Very often it matures in wood barrels; however we choose a combination of stainless steel tanks and barrels for the best balance. The resulting wine is not only full-bodied and elegant, but crisp and mineral driven as well.

Pictures: Tasting at Hotel Zur Schwane with General Manager/ WineMaker Christian Kallisch and Owner Michael Pfaff

Pinot Noir

Christian Kallisch: When it comes to high demands in quality, Pinot Noir, Riesling’s “red brother” will be your best choice. When grown under perfect conditions, this noble wine will reveal its unique ruby red, full-bodied and velvety Burgundian notes.

Dinner at Restaurant Zur Schwane

We had a wonderful dinner at Restaurant zur Schwane and more delicious Weingut Zur Schwane wines.

Pictures: Dinner at Restaurant Zur Schwane

Postings: Germany-East Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Art, Culture and History (Published and Forthcoming Postings)

Germany-East Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Art, Culture and History

Tasting at Weingut Uwe Lützkendorf, with Uwe Lützkendorf, in Bad Kösen, Saale-Unstrut – Germany-East Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Vineyard Visit and Wine Tasting Lunch at Weingut Hey in Naumburg, Saale-Unstrut, with Matthias Hey – Germany-East Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Weingut Pawis in the Saale Unstrut Region: Wine Tasting with Marcus Pawis – Germany-East Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Schiller's Favorite Winemakers in the Saale Unstrut Region, Germany

Wine Lunch at the Historic Vincenz Richter Restaurant, Weingut Vincenz Richter in Meissen with Senior Boss Gottfried Herrlich – Germany-East Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Visit, Tasting and Dinner at Weingut Schloss Proschwitz, Prinz zur Lippe in Zadel, Sachsen, with Georg Prinz zur Lippe - Germany-East Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Tasting at Weingut Tim Strasser/ Rothes Gut in Meissen, Sachsen, with Tim Strasser - Germany-East Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Lunch with Wine Pairing at Weingut Drei Herren in Radebeul, Sachsen, with Restaurant Manager/ Sommelier Dirk Brauer - Germany-East Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Visit of Weingut Klaus Zimmerling: The Wines of Klaus Zimmerling and the Art of his Wife Malgorzata Chodakoska - Germany-East Wine and Art Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Lunch at Weingut Lutz Müller, Schloss Albrechtsburg, Sachsen - Germany-East Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Schiller's Favorite Winemakers in Sachsen (Saxony), Germany

Vineyard tour, Cellar Tour, Tasting and Dinner at Weingut Zur Schwane in Volkach, Franken with Winemaker Christian Kallisch

Vinyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Horst Sauer in Eschendorf, Franken, with Horst Sauer

Vineyard tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Schmitt’s Kinder in Randersacker, Franken, with Martin Johann Schmitt

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Staatlicher Hofkeller in Würzburg, Franken, with General Manager Marcel von den Benken

Schiller’s Favorites: 2 Legendary Wine Taverns in Würzburg – Juliusspital and Bürgerspital

Schiller’s Favorite Wine Taverns in Würzburg, Franken, Germany

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour, Lunch and Tasting at Weingut Fürst Hohenlohe Öhringen in Öhringen–Verrenberg,Württemberg with Winemaker Joachim Brand

Visit of Staatsweingut Weinsberg in Weinsberg, Württemberg, with Kyle Frank from the Finger Lakes

Cellar Tour, Vineyard Tour, Tasting and Dinner at Weingut Graf von Bentzel-Sturmfeder in Schozach, Württemberg, with Kilian Graf von Bentzel-Sturmfeder

Discussion (in German) Deutsch am Mittag: Weinland Deutschland

Tue, 10/25/2016
12:00 PM - 1:15 PM
Goethe-Institut Washington

1990 K Street NW, Suite 03
(Entrance on 20th Street NW, lower level)
Washington, DC

In conversation with Annette Schiller

Sprechen Sie Deutsch? All who wish to hear and speak German are invited to bring their lunch to our monthly presentation and discussion. A topic of interest from German culture, history, or contemporary affairs will be presented, in German, by a selected speaker. Discussion on the topic will complete the Mittagstisch.

With approximately 250,000 acres of vineyards, Germany is one of the smallest of the important wine-producing countries – others include Spain, France and Italy – in central Europe. However, viticulture in Germany has a long tradition, tracing its roots back to Roman times 2,000 years ago.

Today there are 13 wine growing regions in Germany. Together, they produce 9.25 mio hectoliter of wine; of that, 4 mio hectoliter is exported to the US. Germany is primarily known in the US for its delicious fruity-sweet and noble-sweet Rieslings. However, 85% of the wines produced in Germany are dry, and the country is also a serious producer of red wine, which comprises 38% of the output. Germany is the world’s leading producer of Riesling and Pinot-Blanc (Weißburgunder), second in the production of Pinot Gris (Grauburgunder), and third for Pinot Noir (Spätburgunder). It also has a long-standing passion of sparkling wine, being the world’s second-largest producer and number one consumer. This presentation will give an overview of the 13 wine regions alongside a tasting of three wines showcasing different signature grape varieties of Germany.

Annette Schiller has been involved in wine since her student days at the University of Mainz, Germany. A macro-economist by training, for many years she organized high-level international conferences for the World Bank. However, wine has always been an important part of Schiller’s life, and she continually educates herself and takes part in tastings to enrich her knowledge. She is often asked to judge wine competitions, and since 2012 she has been organizing in-depth wine tours to Germany and France, the wine countries she knows best.

Beverages and sweets are provided.

Tickets $5/No charge for Friends of the Goethe-Institut.

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For more information on this event go to the Goethe-Institut web site.

For more information on other tastings by Annette Schiller in the next few weeks go to: Invitation/ Announcement: 4 US East Coast and West Coast German Wine Tastings with Annette Schiller from ombiasy WineTours Coming up in Late October and Early November, 2016

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Picture: Lunch and Wine Tasting at La Table de Olivier in Puligny Montrachet with Olivier Leflaive

During the Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours, we spent a morning and part of the afternoon at Oliver Leflaive. The visit comprised 3 parts: (1) We started out with an extensive walk through the vineyards of Puligny Montrachet. (2) This was followed by a visit of the new winery. (3) We ended the visit in Puligny Montrachet with a wine tasting lunch at La Table de Olivier, the restaurant of Olivier Leflaive.

Olivier and Patrick Leflaive along with Sommelier Charles Devarennes were our hosts. In the wine cellar we met Franck Grux, the Directeur Technicque of Olivier Leflaive, and Philipp Grillet, Maître de Chai of Olivier Leflaive.

The Leflaive family is a longstanding Burgundian “wine” family who always could call some of the best vineyards in Burgundy their own. But it was Joseph Leflaive, grandfather of Olivier, Patrick and cousin AnneClaude (owner of Domaine Leflaive, who died very suddenly last spring) who brought the family business to a different level when he founded Domaine Leflaive.

This posting covers part (3). Parts (1) and (2) were already covered here:
Olivier Leflaive in Puligny Montrachet: Vineyard Walk and Cellar Tour, with Olivier and Patrick Leflaive - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2016, France

The Leflaive Family in Puligny Montrachet

Just after the First World War, Olivier’s grandfather, Joseph Leflaive, was faced with the failure of his steel factory in Saint-Etienne. His investments in Burgundy were all he had left and he decided to enlarge his wine estate. Burgundy had not yet recovered from the effect of the phylloxera epidemic, which meant that vineyards were for sale at a very low price. Joseph Leflaive was able to buy 25 hectares for his domaine.

In 1920, Joseph Leflaive started a program of replantation with better adapted root stock, and progressively started to sell wine under his own label rather than to négociants. It became a family-run operation covering some 35 hectares.

After the death of Joseph Leflaive in 1953, his son, Joseph Régis, the father of Olivier and Patrick Leflaive, was in insurance and along with his brother Vincent, decided to take over the rein of Domaine Leflaive. The estate soon began producing top-flight wines.

In 1973, Domaine Leflaive was given a company structure to avoid splitting it up with subsequent inheritance, with the family members becoming the shareholders. Joseph Régis had 5 children and Vincent Leflaive had 3 children. Joseph Régis and Vincent Leflaive continued to manage the company.

Pictures: Meeting Franck Grux, the Directeur Technicque of Olivier Leflaive, and Philipp Grillet, Maître de Chai of Olivier Leflaive. See: Olivier Leflaive in Puligny Montrachet: Vineyard Walk and Cellar Tour, with Olivier and Patrick Leflaive - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2016, France

Maison Olivier Leflaive Frères

Olivier Leflaive founded his own company Olivier Leflaive Frères, which we visited, with the help of his uncle Vincent and his brother Patrick, in In 1984. His brother Patrick invested in the business and became co-owner. His uncle Vincent also invested and acted in an advisory capacity, introducing him to winegrowers, and eventually to Jean-Marc Boillot who became his winemaker from 1984 to 1988.

Together, they brought this haute-couture business to life.

In 1988, Franck Grux took over as a winemaker and still holds this role today. Franck Grux was a young and talented winemaker who had been working at the Domaine Roulot in Meursault. He rapidly became Olivier’s right-hand man. Over the two past decades, he was able to establish a strong, long-term relationships with the best growers in the region.

Olivier Leflaive Frères is known today as a négociant (a wine buyer and seller) of high quality with a focus on the whites from the famous villages of Puligny, Chassagne and Meursault. Olivier Leflaive is continuously expanding and has acquired several vineyards that allow the Domaine to develop and build up its range of Domaines Wines alongside the négoce business.

In 1997, Olivier Leflaive Frères opened the Table d’Olivier Leflaive, Burgundy’s first table d’hôte enabling.

In 2001, Olivier Leflaive Frères extended its expertise to the Chablis AOC. In the same year, Olivier’s brother Patrick Leflaive, one of the initial investors, joined the company as President.

As numbers of diners grow, in 2006, Olivier Leflaive decided to open La Maison d’Olivier Leflaive, a 4 star hotel, to allow guests to stay longer in Puligny Montrachet.

2010, after several long years, Olivier and Patrick received their family legacy in the form of some fabulous terroirs:

– Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru
– Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru
– Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Pucelles
– Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Folatières
– Meursault 1er Cru Blagny Sous le Dos d’Âne

In the same year, Oliver Leflaive retired from Olivier Leflaive Frères.

Lunch and Wine Tasting at La Table de Olivier

From the production facility, we walked back to La Maison d’Olivier Leflaive, where we had lunch cum wine tasting with Patrick Leflaive joining us.

Lunch and Wine Tasting at La Table de Olivier with Olivier Leflaive along with Sommelier Charles Devarennes

We took the Repas Degustation Emotion, including 6 wines. Some of us ordered also a Batard-Montrachet Grand Cru.

Starters

BOURGOGNE «Les Sétilles » 2013
Gougères

Fish Course

SAINT-AUBIN 2011 et SAINT-AUBIN 1er Cru Chatenières 2011
Gravelax marinated salmon with citrus cream

Meat Course

MEURSAULT "Les Tillets” 2011 et MEURSAULT 1er Cru “Bouchères” 2010
Free range pork loin, peas and almond

Extra: 2011 Batard-Montrachet Grand Cru

Cheese Course

VOLNAY 2011
Regional cheeses from A. Hess

Dessert

Chocolate and Blackcurrant Mousee, shortbread biscuit and a red-fruit emulsion

Postings: Burgundy (and Champagne) 2016 Tour by ombiasy WineTours:From Lyon to Reims - Wine, Food, Culture and History (Published and Forthcoming Postings)

Burgundy (and Champagne) 2016 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: From Lyon to Reims - Wine, Food, Culture and History

Dinner at a Bouchon - Chez Paul - in Lyon: Schiller’s Favorite Bouchons in Lyon, France

Introduction to the Burgundy Wine Region at Antic Wine in Lyon with Flying Sommelier Georges Dos Santos - Burgundy (and Champagne) 2016 Tour by ombiasy WineTours

Lunch at L’Auberge du Pont de Collonges, Paul Bocuse’s Iconic Restaurant in Collonges au Mont d’Or, France - Burgundy (and Champagne) 2016 Tour by ombiasy WineTours

In the Most Prestigious AOC in the Mâconnais: Pouilly-Fuissé, France

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Dinner at the 1 Michelin Star Restaurant Ed.Em in Chassagne Montrachet - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Olivier Leflaive in Puligny Montrachet: Vineyard Walk and Cellar Tour, with Olivier and Patrick Leflaive - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2016, France

Wine Pairing Lunch at Restaurant La Table d’Olivier Leflaive in Puligny Montrachet

Visit of the Hospice de Beaune

Lunch at Brasserie le Carnot in Beaune

Tour of the Ancient Cellars and Tasting at Maison Joseph Drouhin in Beaune, Côte de Beaune

Schiller’s Favorite Wine Bars in Beaune, Bourgogne

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Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Jean-Jacques Confuron in Prémeaux-Prissey Côte de Nuits with Louis Meunier

Lunch at Restaurant La Cabotte in Nuits-Saint-George

Visit and Tasting at Domaine Thibault Liger-Belair in Nuits-Saint-George with Thibault Liger-Belair

Visit of Château du Clos de Vougeot

Where the Most Expensive Red Wines Come from: Vineyard Walk, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Anne Gros in Vosne-Romanée, Côte de Nuits

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Guillon & Fils in Gevrey-Chambertin, Côte de Nuits, with Jean-Michel Guillon

An Institution: Lunch at Restaurant Chez Guy in Gevrey-Chambertin

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French Champagne Houses and German Roots

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Lunch at Brasserie Flo in Reims

Picture: Gérard Dupuy and Annette Schiller at Château Beauséjour in AOC Puisseguin-St.Emilion

Ever heard of Gérard Dupuy and his Château Beauséjour in AOC Puisseguin-St.Emilion? Probably not. Unless, perhaps, you are into organic wines. Or unless you subscribe to the Wine Enthusiast. Because the wines of Gérard Dupuy were very favorably reviewed in the Wine Entusiast recently.

Château Beauséjour is not one of the 300 or so winemakers in Bordeaux that produce a premium Bordeaux which sells en primeur for 50 to 500 Euros per bottle. No, Château Beauséjour is one of the other 18.000 producers or so that are not in the limelight and that make so called petit château Bordeaux wines. These producers have to struggle against the competition of wines from all over the world, including the New World. In my view, many of these petit château Bordeaux producers offer very good value for the price.

As part of the attempt to offer a broad perspective, the 2016 Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours included a tour, tasting and wine lunch at Château Beauséjour, a petit château producer.

Gérard Dupuy and his partner in life and business Claire were our hosts. We met a passionate, gifted winemaker who makes beautiful wines, and is following biodynamic principles.

Pictures: Welcome at Château Beauséjour, Appellation Puisseguin Saint-Emilion

Gérard Dupuy showed us around. Following the tour, we enjoyed a wonderful 3 course luncheon matched with the wines of Gérard Dupuy, in the newly renovated dining area at the château that served as the horse barn in the old days. The lunch was prepared by an old friend of Gérard Dupuis, who used to run a fine restaurant in the area and is now doing catering.

Gérard Dupuy and his Wines

Gérard Dupuy is the owner of Château Beauséjour, located on the fringes of the village of Puisseguin, where his mother still lives, and of Château Langlais where Claire and he live. Both properties belong to the AOC Puisseguin-Saint-Emilion. He also owns vineyards in Castillon where he produces the Domaine de la Grande Courraye, AOC Castillon-Côtes de Bordeaux (red)), and in 2010 he bought vineyards in Bergerac, where he produces the Clos du Moulin – AOC Bergerac (red and white). Finally, Gérard Dupuy produces a NV sparkling wine in the champagne method, Les Bulles de Beauséjour. The winemaking facilities are at Château Beauséjour and all wines are made here.

Picture: Gérard Dupuy and Annette Schiller at Bistro Bis in Washington DC, USA. See: From Millésime Bio in Montpellier, France, to Bistro Bis in Washington DC, USA: Gérard Dupuy and his Château Beausejour Wines in AOC Puisseguin-Saint-Emilion

Pictures: Sommelier Moez Ben Achour and Chef de Cuisine Paul Stearman from Marcel's, one of the Top Restaurants in Washington DC, Tasting with the Wines of Gérard Dupuy. See: From Millésime Bio in Montpellier, France, to Bistro Bis in Washington DC, USA: Gérard Dupuy and his Château Beausejour Wines in AOC Puisseguin-Saint-Emilion

Where do Gérard Dupuy's Wine come from?

There are 4 so called satellites of the AOC Saint-Emilion, which do not have the classification system of the AOC Saint-Emilion. They are all located to the north of the town of Saint-Emilion. The 4 satellites are: AOC Puisseguin-Saint-Emilion; AOC Saint-Georges-Saint-Emilion; AOC Montagne-Saint-Emilion; AOC Lussac-Saint-Emilion.

The AOC Puisseguin-Saint-Emilion lies at the heart of the four satellite titles of the Saint-Emilion appellation. The grape varieties permitted are Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Thus, Puisseguin-Saint-Emilion produces only red wines. Merlot is predominant, most often partnered with Cabernet Franc. To qualify for the Puisseguin-St. Emilion appellation, wines must contain a minimum of 11% alcohol and come from vineyards planted to a density of less than 5500 vines per hectare. Puisseguin-Saint-Emilion was granted AOC status in 1936. 753 hectares of vine planted areas belong to the appellation.

AOC Castillon-Côtes de Bordeaux lies east of the village of Saint-Emilion and north of the town of Castillon. Castillon-Côtes de Bordeaux is an appellation for red wines only. The dominant grape variety is Merlot (70%). Cabernet-Franc (20%) and Cabernet-Sauvignon (10%) account for the rest.

Castillon-Côtes de Bordeaux was recognized AOC only recently (1989). For a long time the wines of Castillon were only used as complementary alternatives to enhance Saint-Emilion blendings in poor years. Until 2009, these wines were sold as Côtes de Castillon. In 2009, the Côtes de Castillon appellation was merged with several other Bordeaux Côtes to form the new Côtes de Bordeaux title.

Castillon has grown from around 2,450 hectares in 1982 to 3,250 today. During the last 25 years, several growers of Saint-Emilion, Pomerol, and other famous areas have recognized the Castillon-Côtes de Bordeaux’s potential and invested in local vineyards. One of them is Count Stephan von Neipperg, owner of the classified Château Canon-La Gaffelière in Saint-Emilion, (whom we also visit on the ombiasy PR Wine Tour to Bordeaux) who acquired Château d'Aiguilhe.

AOC Bergerac borders the Bordeaux wine region to the east and is situated around the town of Bergerac. There are about 30,000 acres of vineyards and the Bergerac area contains 13 AOCs for red, white and rosé wines. Red grape varieties planted are: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, a little bit of Côt, Fer Servadou, Mérille. The main white grape varieties are: Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, Muscadelle. Some Ugni Blanc, Ondenc, and Chenin Blanc can also be found here.

In the Vineyard

The first thing we did after arriving, was to tour the vineyards with Gérard Dupuy. The vineyard area totals 13.5 hectares. Gérard Dupuy told us that the clay and limestone soil of Château Beauséjour is planted with Merlot (73%), Cabernet Franc (22%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (5%). All grapes are organically grown, certified by Ecocert. “The refusal of chemical treatments at our wineries dates back to their appearance on the market after 1945. We practice the total grass cover. This method allows regulating the ecosystem in a monoculture, while limiting soil erosion. In our vineyards, wild tulips thrive in the vineyard rows in the spring.” The average age of the vines is 40 years.

Pictures: In the Vineyard

In the Cellar

Moving on to the cellar, Gérard Dupuy follows the natural wine philosophy: “In the cellar, we use a minimalist approach. Our wines are aged for a period of 12 to 24 months in oak barrels.” All of his wines are made at Château Beauséjour.

Pictures: Cellar Tour

Gérard Dupuy in the Wine Enthusiast

Recently, the wines of Gérard Dupuy were very favorably rviewed by Roger Voss, the European Editor of the Wine Enthusiast. Congratulations!

Pictures: The wines of Gérard Dupuy in the Wine Enthusiast

Wine Lunch

Lunch was fabulous. We started out with an aperitif.

Pictures: NV Bulles de Beauséjour Brut

We then moved to the newly renovated dining area for a wonderful 3-course meal and Gérard Dupuy’s impressive wines.

Pictures: Wine Pairing Lunch at at Château Beauséjour

The menu was prepared by the former Owner and Chef of the Auberge du Village in 33330 Saint Christophe des Bardes. It was excellent. Jane Anson on Auberge du Village in 33330 Saint Christophe des Bardes: “Just the kind of local restaurant you look for – inexpensive, simple and charming - and it’s very popular. The wine list is short, but well chosen (hard not to be when you are surrounded by Saint Emilion Grand Cru Classés) and as keenly priced as the food.”

Pictures: Wine Pairing Lunch at at Château Beauséjour

The Wines Gérard Dupuy Poured

NV Bulles de Beauséjour Brut

2011 Clos du Moulin AOC Bergerac Blanc

Annette Schiller: When I came to Puisseguin in 2012, Gérard offered some oysters and a white wine. I liked the wine and asked, where the wine was from. With a mischievous grin he said: from here. That took me by surprise since he could only produce red wines from his vineyards as far as I knew. Then he explained with his dry humor that he loves oysters and that he simply wants a good wine in his cellar to go with his oysters. So, he bought vineyards in the AOC Bergerac to make his own white wine for his oysters. This Clos du Moulin white is a blend of 40% Sémillon 40% Muscadelle 20% Sauvignon Blanc.

NV Clos du Moulin Blanc Demi-sec

2010 Château Langlais AOC Puisseguin-Saint-Emilion

2010 Château Beauséjour AOC Puisseguin-Saint-Emilion

Annette Schiller’s notes from a tasting earlier in Washington DC: This wine was the knock off for me. The color in the glass was pitch dark, the nose of dark berries, spices, herbal notes was bewitching. This wine is a blend of 50% Merlot and 50% Cabernet Franc. On the palate the wine had tension, but at the same time was gloriously harmonious with an endless finish. It was matured for 24 months in new oak and produced with almost no intervention. It was a very authentic wine reflecting at its best what is called ‘terroir’. The grapes came from 80 year old vines, planted in 1936 by Gérard’s grandfather. Harvest was at a very low yield of 30 hl / ha, and only 9,000 btl were produced.

2000 Château Langlais AOC Puisseguin-Saint-Emilion

Magnum. Outstanding.

Bye-bye

Thank you so much Gérard and Claire.

Pictures: Bye-bye

Postings on the Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2016, France (Posted and Forthcoming)

Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2016, France

Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

Bordeaux Wine Tour 2013 by ombiasy

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 2016, France

Tour and Tasting from Barrel at Domaine de Chevalier, Graves, Appellation Pessac-Léognan, Grand Cru Classé, with Owner Adrien Bernard - Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2016, France

Dinner with a View: At Restaurant L’Estacade in Bordeaux City - Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2016, 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

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

Tour and Tasting at Château Canon La Gaffelière, Appellation Saint-Emilion, Premier Grand Cru Classé – Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2016, France

Tour and Wine Lunch at Château Beauséjour, Puisseguin Saint-Emilion, with Owner and Winemaker Gérard Dupuy

Tour and Tasting at Château de Figeac, Saint-Emilion, Premier Grand Cru Classé

Tour and Tasting at Château Beauregard, Pomerol

Tour at Château Le Bon Pasteur, Pomerol, with Dany Rolland

Wine Lunch at Château Le Bon Pasteur, Pomerol, with Dany Rolland

Tasting were it all Started: At the "Garage" of Jean-Luc Thunevin, Owner and Winermaker of Château Valandraud, Premier Grand Cru Classé since 2012

Tour and Tasting at Château de Fargues, Sauternes, with Prince Eudes d’Orléans

Wine Pairing Lunch at the 1-star Michelin Restaurant Claude Darozze, with Marie-Hélène Lévêque, Owner of Châteaux Chantegrive

Tour of Château de Chantegrive, Appellation Grave

Tour and Tasting at Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte, Pessac-Léognan, Grand Cru Classé.

Wine Pairing Lunch at the 2-star Michelin Restaurant La Grande Vigne (at Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte)

Tour of the new Musee du Vin in Bordeaux City

Seafood lunch at Pinasse Cafe in Cap Ferret

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

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

What is a Bordeaux Cru Bourgeois? France

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

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

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

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

At the Invitation of Owner Michel Tesseron: Private Dinner at Château Lafon-Rochet, Saint-Estèphe, 4ième Grand Cru Classé

Tour and Tasting at Château Sociando Mallet, Appellation Haut-Médoc

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

Lunch were the Locals eat: At Le Peyrat in Saint-Estèphe in Saint Estephe

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

Tour and Tasting at Château Margaux, Appellation Margaux, 1ière Grand Cru Classé

Tour and Tasting at Château Kirwan, Appellation Margaux, 3ième Grand Cru Classé, with Owner Nathalie Schyler

Picnic Lunch at Château Kirwan, Appellation Margaux, 3ième Grand Cru Classé, with Owner Nathalie Schyler

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

Picture: At Hospices de Beaune

We started the day with a tour of the Hospices de Beaune, had lunch in Beaune at Brasserie Le Carnot, visited 2 wine producers, including tastings, in the afternoon: Joseph Drouhin and Domaine Dublère, which is owned and run by the former American journalist Blair Pethel, and ended the day with a light dinner cum tasting of natural wines from the Bourgogne at one of my favorite wine bars in Beaune, Chez Maurice, led by Maurice Marle. See: Schiller’s Favorite Wine Bars in Beaune, Bourgogne

I already reported about the whole trip here:Burgundy (and Champagne) 2016 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: From Lyon to Reims - Wine, Food, Culture and History

This posting focuses on the visit of the Hospices de Beaune.

Pictures: Arriving at Hospices de Beaune

Hospices de Beaune

The Hôtel-Dieu, one of the finest examples of French fifteenth-century architecture, is a stunning building, most famous for its elaborate tiled roofs. Until recently, it housed the Hospices de Beaune, founded in 1443 by Nicolas Rolin, chancellor of Burgundy, as a hospital for the poor. Services for patients are now provided in modern hospital buildings and the original hospital building, the Hôtel-Dieu, is now a museum.

The Hôtel-Dieu consists of a pair of two-storied buildings arranged around a stone courtyard. The building wings are well-preserved today; they contain half-timber galleries and ornate rooftops with dormer windows.

Pictures: Tour of Hospices de Beaune

Today, you can walk through the former hospital and marvel at the sensitivity and attention afforded patients who often possessed little more than the clothes on their backs. Cared for by an order of nuns, the patients lived in large halls that still afforded them privacy and dignity.

Over the centuries, many donations - farms, property, woods, works of art and of course vineyards - were made to the Hospices de Beaune, by grateful families and generous benefactors.

A Tour Guide led us in a very entertaining and informative way through the Hôtel-Dieu, starting in the open courtyard to view the beautiful roofs and including the Hall of the Poor and the restored kitchen.

Pictures: At the Hospices de Beaune

Domaine des Hospices de Beaune

Today, the Hospices de Beaune owns 61 hectares of donated vineyard land, much of this classified Grand and Premier Cru. Since 1852, the Domaine des Hospices de Beaune sells its wine through an auction, which takes place on the third Sunday in November amid a three-day festival devoted to the food and wines of Burgundy called Les Trois Glorieuses. The charity is preceded by a black tie dinner at the Clos de Vougeot on day one and followed by the lunch La Paulée de Meursault on day three.

For an interesting video about the auction, see here.

Pictures: The Wines of the Domaine de Hospices de Beaune

Postings: Burgundy (and Champagne) 2016 Tour by ombiasy WineTours:From Lyon to Reims - Wine, Food, Culture and History (Published and Forthcoming Postings)

Burgundy (and Champagne) 2016 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: From Lyon to Reims - Wine, Food, Culture and History

Dinner at a Bouchon - Chez Paul - in Lyon: Schiller’s Favorite Bouchons in Lyon, France

Introduction to the Burgundy Wine Region at Antic Wine in Lyon with Flying Sommelier Georges Dos Santos - Burgundy (and Champagne) 2016 Tour by ombiasy WineTours

Lunch at L’Auberge du Pont de Collonges, Paul Bocuse’s Iconic Restaurant in Collonges au Mont d’Or, France - Burgundy (and Champagne) 2016 Tour by ombiasy WineTours

In the Most Prestigious AOC in the Mâconnais: Pouilly-Fuissé, France

Vineyard Walk, Cellar Walk and Tasting at Domaine Ferret in Fuissé, Poully Fuissé, Mâconnais, with Winemaker Audrey Braccini - Burgundy (and Champagne) 2016 Tour by ombiasy WineTours

Visit and Tasting at Domaine Georges Descombes in Vermont, Villié-Morgon, Beaujolais - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Lunch at Restaurant Le Mercurey in Mercurey - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

At Domaine Theulot-Juillot in Mercurey, Côte Chalonnaise, with Nathalie Theulot - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Tour of Château de Rully and Tasting of Domaine du Château de Rully Wines, with Count Raoul de Ternay - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Michel Prunier & Fille in Auxey Duresses, Côte de Beaune - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Where Robert Parker likes to Eat: Lunch at La Crémaillère in Auxey-Duresses - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Vineyard Walk in Meursault with Karoline Knoth - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Dinner at the 1 Michelin Star Restaurant Ed.Em in Chassagne Montrachet - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Olivier Leflaive in Puligny Montrachet: Vineyard Walk and Cellar Tour, with Olivier and Patrick Leflaive - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2016, France

Lunch and Wine Tasting at La Table de Olivier in Puligny Montrachet with Olivier Leflaive – Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2016, France

Visit of the Hospice de Beaune

Lunch at Brasserie le Carnot in Beaune

Tour of the Ancient Cellars and Tasting at Maison Joseph Drouhin in Beaune, Côte de Beaune

Schiller’s Favorite Wine Bars in Beaune, Bourgogne

An American in Burgundy: Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Dublère in Savigny lès Beaune with Owner/ Winemaker Blair Pethel

Charcuterie and Cheese Paired with 12 Burgundy Wines at La Maison de Maurice in Beaune with Maurice Marle

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Faiveley in Nuits-Saint-George, Côte de Nuits

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Jean-Jacques Confuron in Prémeaux-Prissey Côte de Nuits with Louis Meunier

Lunch at Restaurant La Cabotte in Nuits-Saint-George

Visit and Tasting at Domaine Thibault Liger-Belair in Nuits-Saint-George with Thibault Liger-Belair

Visit of Château du Clos de Vougeot

Where the Most Expensive Red Wines Come from: Vineyard Walk, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Anne Gros in Vosne-Romanée, Côte de Nuits

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Guillon & Fils in Gevrey-Chambertin, Côte de Nuits, with Jean-Michel Guillon

An Institution: Lunch at Restaurant Chez Guy in Gevrey-Chambertin

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Armelle et Bernhard Rion in Vosne-Romanée, Côte de Nuits, with Alice Rion

Tour at the Fontenay Abbey (Bernard de Clairveau), Montbard

Wine Pairing Lunch, Cellar Visit, Vineyard Tour and Tasting at Domaine Jean Marc Brocard in Préhy, Chablis

Schiller’s Favorite Wine Bars and other Wine Venues in Chablis, France

Champagne– An Introduction, France

French Champagne Houses and German Roots

Visit and Tasting at the Grower Champagne House Champagne Jean Josselin in Gyé sur Seine, Champagne, with Jean Pierre Josselin, his Wife and Sharona Tsubota

Cellar Visit and Tasting at the Champagner House AR Lenoble in Epernay, Champagne, with Export Manager Christian Holthausen

Cellar Visit and Tasting at the Champagner House Taittinger in Reims, Champagne

Lunch at Brasserie Flo in Reims

Picture: At Château Figeac, Premier Grand Cru Classé B, in Saint-Émilion

Château de Figeac is one of the 15 Premier Grand Cru Classé B Châteaux in Saint-Emilion. Its prominent neighbor is Château Cheval Blanc. The vineyards of Château de Figeac border the Pomerol appellation vineyards and thus the vines grow on a very different terroir than the rest of the Saint-Emilion vines. The Figeac wines show a more “Left Bank” character than the rest of the Saint-Emilion wines.

In 1892, the Manoncourt family took over the Château, restored it to its former glory, and transformed the estate into one of the most elegant châteaux in Saint-Emilion.

We visited Château Figeac as part of the Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), organized and led by Annette Schiller. The tour took place from September 15 to 24, 2015. The group comprised 8 wine lovers from the United States, including Annette and Christian Schiller.

I already provided an overview about the tour: Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

This posting focuses on our visit of Château Figeac.

Gwennaelle Brieu was our host. We also had a chance to talk with Figeac's Director Frédéric Faye and met winemaker Jean Albignon.

Pictures: Meeting Château Figeac's Technical Director Frédéric Faye

Château Figeac

Because of its fine gravel based soil (which is uncommon in the Right Bank), Merlot accounts only for 30 % of the plantings (which is very low by Saint Emilion standards). The Château Figeac Grand Vin is dominated (70%) by Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc in equal parts. Château Figeac is known as the most Médoc of the Saint Emilion chateaux.

Pictures: Arriving at Château Figeac

Château Figeac is an old estate. It takes its name from a Roman called Figeacus who built a villa here. Today, one can still see a water-supply system dating from the Gallo-Roman period, foundations of buildings from the Middle Ages and defensive walls along with the remains of a Renaissance chateau incorporated into its structure.

Until the late 18th century, Château Figeac had been in the hands of one family for almost 500 years. With almost 200 hectares, Château Figeac was one of the largest wine estates at the time, but parts were sold and the estate was subdivided several times until 1892, when the Manoncourt family purchased Château Figeac. (A sizable chunk which was purchased by the Ducasse family in 1832 formed the nucleus of what would eventually become Cheval Blanc.)

Pictures: Cellar Tour at Château Figeac

For most of the past 70 years, Château Figeac was been associated with Thierry Manoncourt, who took over the management of the property in 1946, and his wife Marie-France; Thierry Manacourt passed away in 2010. It was under his leadership that Château Figeac rose to the front ranks of Saint-Émilion estates. His son-in-law Comte Eric d'Aramon took over the daily running of the estate in 1988. In 1992, Thierry Manacourt divided the business between his 4 daughters, bestowing the larger share on his eldest daughter, Laure.

Château Figeac tends to harvest early with a view of retaining freshness. After Haut Brion and Latour, Château Figeac was the third estate in Bordeaux to introduce stainless steel tanks; there are now 20 temperature controlled vats, 10 in oak and 10 stainless steel. Since the mid-1970s, Figeac has been aged in 100% new oak. The time spent in new oak varies according to the vintage character. The 1997 vintage was aged 12 months, while the 2009 vintage saw new oak for 18 months.

Pictures: In the Vineyard at Château Figeac

The following wines are produced: Château Figeac (Saint-Emilion - Premier Grand Cru Classé B), La Grange-Neuve de Figeac (second wine) and Chateau Petit-Figeac (bought in 2002 as most of the vineyard was in the middle of their Château Figeac vineyard. The wine is now made at Château Figeac). In total, the Figeac estate amounts to 54 hectares of which 40 are planted with vines. Annual production is 10 000 cases.

Pictures: Getting Ready for Harvest

The family also owns two other wineries: the nearby Château La Fleur-Pourret (4, 5 hectares, Château La Fleur Pourret was part of Château Figeac many years ago, also bought in 2002), and Château de Millery (just over 1 hectare), in the southern sector of St.-Emilion known as St.-Christophe des Bardes.

Pictures: Tasting at Château Figeac

New Management Team

For many years, Madame Manancourt's son-in-law, Comte Eric d'Aramon, was the DG of Château Figeac, but he was removed in 2013, when the Manoncourt family appointed Jean-Valmy Nicolas as Joint Managing Director and Frédéric Faye as Manager of Château Figeac. Jean-Valmy Nicolas (a graduate of France’s HEC business school) is a co-owner of Chateau La Conseillante in Pomerol and a professional at an investment company in Paris.

Pictures: Christian Schiller with Winemaker Jean Albignon and Technical Director Frédéric Faye at Château Figeac

Frédéric Faye (an engineering graduate of Bordeaux’s ENITA), has been at Château Figeac since 2002, when he began as Vineyard Manager before being promoted to the post of Technical Manager. He now has overall management of the vineyard and the wine-making, as well as the sales of the wines.

As part of these changes, in March 2013, Michel Rolland signed a consulting contract with Château Figeac, with the aim of bringing it up to Premier Grand Cru Classé A.

Wine-searcher Average Prices in US$

2015 US$145
2014 US$087
2013 US$081
2011 US$116
2010 US$297
2000 US$173

Postings on the Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2016, France (Posted and Forthcoming)

Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2016, France

Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

Bordeaux Wine Tour 2013 by ombiasy

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 2016, France

Tour and Tasting from Barrel at Domaine de Chevalier, Graves, Appellation Pessac-Léognan, Grand Cru Classé, with Owner Adrien Bernard - Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2016, France

Dinner with a View: At Restaurant L’Estacade in Bordeaux City - Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2016, 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

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

Tour and Tasting at Château Canon La Gaffelière, Appellation Saint-Emilion, Premier Grand Cru Classé – Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2016, France

Tour and Wine Pairing Lunch at Château Beauséjour, Appellation Puisseguin Saint-Emilion, with Owner/ Winemaker Gérard Dupuis - Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2016, France

Tour and Tasting at Château de Figeac, Saint-Emilion, Premier Grand Cru Classé

Tour and Tasting at Château Beauregard, Pomerol

Tour at Château Le Bon Pasteur, Pomerol, with Dany Rolland

Wine Lunch at Château Le Bon Pasteur, Pomerol, with Dany Rolland

Tasting were it all Started: At the "Garage" of Jean-Luc Thunevin, Owner and Winermaker of Château Valandraud, Premier Grand Cru Classé since 2012

Tour and Tasting at Château de Fargues, Sauternes, with Prince Eudes d’Orléans

Wine Pairing Lunch at the 1-star Michelin Restaurant Claude Darozze, with Marie-Hélène Lévêque, Owner of Châteaux Chantegrive

Tour of Château de Chantegrive, Appellation Grave

Tour and Tasting at Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte, Pessac-Léognan, Grand Cru Classé.

Wine Pairing Lunch at the 2-star Michelin Restaurant La Grande Vigne (at Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte)

Tour of the new Musee du Vin in Bordeaux City

Seafood lunch at Pinasse Cafe in Cap Ferret

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

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

What is a Bordeaux Cru Bourgeois? France

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

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

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

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

At the Invitation of Owner Michel Tesseron: Private Dinner at Château Lafon-Rochet, Saint-Estèphe, 4ième Grand Cru Classé

Tour and Tasting at Château Sociando Mallet, Appellation Haut-Médoc

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

Lunch were the Locals eat: At Le Peyrat in Saint-Estèphe in Saint Estephe

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

Tour and Tasting at Château Margaux, Appellation Margaux, 1ière Grand Cru Classé

Tour and Tasting at Château Kirwan, Appellation Margaux, 3ième Grand Cru Classé, with Owner Nathalie Schyler

Picnic Lunch at Château Kirwan, Appellation Margaux, 3ième Grand Cru Classé, with Owner Nathalie Schyler

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

Picture: Annette Schiller Presenting at the Goethe Institute in Washington DC

Annette Schiller was the special invitee of the monthly “Deutsch am Mittag” (German over Lunch) in October at the Goethe Institute in Washington DC, USA.

Sprechen Sie Deutsch? All who wish to hear and speak German were invited to bring their lunch to this monthly presentation and discussion. A topic of interest from German culture, history, or contemporary affairs is presented, in German, by a selected speaker. Discussion on the topic completes the Mittagstisch.

Pictures: Goethe Institute

This month, the topic was "Weinland Deutschland". Annette provided an overview of wine producer Germany and poured 3 wines.

For more information on this event go to the Goethe-Institut web site.

For more information on other tastings by Annette Schiller in the next few weeks go to: Invitation/ Announcement: 4 US East Coast and West Coast German Wine Tastings with Annette Schiller from ombiasy WineTours Coming up in Late October and Early November, 2016

For Annette Schiller's upcoming wine tours in 2017 go to: Heads up for the 2017 Tours - to Germany and France - by ombiasy WineTours

Weinland Deutschland

With approximately 250,000 acres of vineyards, Germany is one of the smallest of the important wine-producing countries – others include Spain, France and Italy – in central Europe. However, viticulture in Germany has a long tradition, tracing its roots back to Roman times 2,000 years ago.

Pictures: Annette Schiller Presenting at the Goethe Institute in Washington DC

Today there are 13 wine growing regions in Germany. Together, they produce 9.25 mio hectoliter of wine; of that, 4 mio hectoliter is exported to the US. Germany is primarily known in the US for its delicious fruity-sweet and noble-sweet Rieslings. However, 85% of the wines produced in Germany are dry, and the country is also a serious producer of red wine, which comprises 38% of the output. Germany is the world’s leading producer of Riesling and Pinot-Blanc (Weißburgunder), second in the production of Pinot Gris (Grauburgunder), and third for Pinot Noir (Spätburgunder). It also has a long-standing passion of sparkling wine, being the world’s second-largest producer and number one consumer. This presentation will give an overview of the 13 wine regions alongside a tasting of three wines showcasing different signature grape varieties of Germany.

Annette Schiller

Annette Schiller has been involved in wine since her student days at the University of Mainz, Germany. A macro-economist by training, for many years she organized high-level international conferences for the World Bank. However, wine has always been an important part of Schiller’s life, and she continually educates herself and takes part in tastings to enrich her knowledge. She is often asked to judge wine competitions, and since 2012 she has been organizing in-depth wine tours to Germany and France, the wine countries she knows best.

Picture: Annette Schiller and Helmut Dönnhoff at Weingut Dönnhoff

The Wines: Ahr, Rheingau and Franken

Pictures: Annette Schiller Poured 3 Wines, from the Rheingau, the Ahr and the Franken Regions

2014 Weingut H.J. Kreuzberg, Spätburgunder Unplugged, Gutswein, trocken

Picture: 2014 Weingut H.J. Kreuzberg, Spätburgunder Unplugged, Gutswein, trocken

Picture: Tasting at Weingut H.J. Kreuzberg in Dernau, Ahr, with Owners/ Winemakers Ludwig Kreuzberg and Frank Josten. See also: Tasting at Weingut H.J. Kreuzberg in Dernau, Ahr, with Ludwig Kreuzberg and Frank Josten– Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2016

2014 Weingut Balthasar Ress, Riesling, Von Unserem, Gutswein, trocken

Picture: 2014 Weingut Balthasar Ress, Riesling, Von Unserem, Gutswein, trocken

Picture: Dirk Würz, Weingut Balthasar Ress, Technical Director, in the Cellar Tasting the new Wine. See also : At Weingut Balthasar Ress in Hattenheim, Rheingau, during the 2015 Harvest with Winemaker Dirk Würtz, Germany

2014 Weingut Hans Wirsching, Iphöfer Silvaner, Ortswein, trocken

Picture: 2014 Weingut Hans Wirsching, Iphöfer Silvaner, Ortswein, trocken

Picture: Cellar Tour with Uwe Matheus at Weingut Wirsching. See also: 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)

schiller-wine - Related Postings

Heads up for the 2017 Tours - to Germany and France - by ombiasy WineTours

Germany-East Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Art, Culture and History

Germany-North Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential German Riesling and the Northernmost Pinot Noir

Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Burgundy (and Champagne) 2016 by ombiasy WineTours: From Lyon to Reims - Wine, Food, Culture and History

Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

German Wine at the 2015 EU Open House - German Embassy in Washington DC, USA

Steffen Christmann (Weingut A. Christmann) and Wilhelm Weil (Weingut Robert Weil) Presented the New Wine Classification of the VDP, Germany

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

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

2016 VDP Trade Fair Weinbörse - Vintage 2015 - in Mainz: Schiller’s Report

New Developments in German Wine - Annette Schiller at the German Wine Society in Philadelphia, USA

Tasting at Weingut H.J. Kreuzberg in Dernau, Ahr, with Ludwig Kreuzberg and Frank Josten– Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2016

At Weingut Balthasar Ress in Hattenheim, Rheingau, during the 2015 Harvest with Winemaker Dirk Würtz, Germany

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)

Picture: Bordeaux Festival in Washington DC: Fête du Bordeaux of Calvert and Woodley (2016)

Calvert and Woodley: Our annual Fête du Bordeaux dinner is here! This year's Fête du Bordeaux introduces the soon-to-be-released 2014 vintage, but also features wines from 2009, 1996 and others. The 2014 vintage is a good, if not very good, vintage with many excellent wines. We were quite happy when we tasted them in 2015 and again earlier this year. They're still quite young, obviously, but they show plenty of promise. The dinner will be Wednesday, October 26th at the Park Hyatt in Washington, DC.

Pictures: Fête du Bordeaux of Calvert and Woodley (2016)

US Wine Retailer of the Year 2012, Ed Sands and his son Michael Sands put on again a fantastic evening with an amazing selection of ultra-premium Bordeaux wines and the food of Blue Duck Tavern Chef Franck Loquet at the Fête du Bordeaux Dinner 2016.

Pictures: Ed and Michael Sands of Calvert and Woodley with Annette Schiller

This year‘s special guests were:

Picture: Cécile Loqmane, Marketing and Communication Manager, representing Château Figeac

Picture: Technical Director Marielle Cazaux, representing Château La Conseillante

Picture: Owner Lilian Barton-Sartorius, representing Châteaux Léoville Barton and Langoa Barton

Picture: Owner Jean-Charles Cazes, representing Château Lynch-Bages and Ormes de Pez

Ombiasy WineTours

Annette Schiller visits Bordeaux once a year with a group of not more than 12 people on her ombiasy tour of Bordeaux. For 2017, she has added a second tour, an ultra-premium high-end tour with a smaller group. During the past 3 ombiasy tours to Bordeaux, we always visited Château Figeac, the last time just a few months ago. See here: Tour and Tasting at Château Figeac, Premier Grand Cru Classé B, in Saint-Émilion– Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2016, France

We visited Château Lynch-Bages and Ormes de Pez and met owner Jean-Charles Cazes on the ombiasy WineTours to Bordeaux in 2013. See here: Tour and Tasting at Château Lynch-Bages in Bages, Bordeaux, France

We have not yet visited Châteaux Léoville Barton and Langoa Barton as we always visited one of the two other Léoville châteaux, Château Leoville Poyferre.

Annette already agreed with Technical Director Marielle Cazaux that in 2017, the ombiasy WineTour to Bordeaux will include a visit of and tasting at Château La Conseillante.

For more details, see: Heads up for the 2017 Tours - to Germany and France - by ombiasy WineTours

Pictures: Tasting at the Fête du Bordeaux of Calvert and Woodley (2016)

Château Léoville-Barton and Château Langoa Barton

The Barton family, the current owners of Château Léoville-Barton and Château Langoa Barton, are able to trace their Bordeaux roots all the way back to 1722. That was the year that Thomas Barton left Ireland for Bordeaux. Like many successful owners, Barton started out as a Bordeaux negociant.

The first foray into ownership for the Barton family was in St. Estephe, with Chateau Le Boscq in 1745, which was awarded Cru Bourgeois status in 1932. In 1995, the Barton family sold it to Dourthe.

Also in 1745, the Barton family partnered with another powerful Bordeaux family to form a Bordeaux wine negociant company, Barton and Guestier. It was controlled by the Barton family until the Seagram Group got control in 1986. Today, Barton and Guestier is part of the international wine and spirit company Diageo.

The next major purchase for the Barton family took place in 1821. That was the year they bought Chateau Langoa Barton. Following the purchase of Langoa Barton, they bought a second St. Julien estate: Culled from the vineyards of Château Leoville Las Cases, that estate became Chateau Leoville Barton, a deuxième cru en 1855. Interestingly, because no wine making facilities came with the purchase, they were forced to make the wines at Château Langoa Barton. Until today, production of both wines takes place at Langoa Barton.

When Ronald Barton, who had inherited the family’s property from his father, who was tragically killed in a hunting accident in the 1920's, died without an heir in 1986, his nephew Anthony took control of the family properties. Anthony had already moved from Ireland - where the family maintains a home - to Bordeaux in 1951.

Picture: Christian Schiller with Lilian Barton-Sartorius at Ruth Chris Steakhouse in Washington DC. See: A Vertical Blind Tasting of Châteaux Léoville-Barton and Langoa-Barton plus the 2011 Chateau Mauvesin-Barton with Lilian Barton-Sartorius in Washington DC, USA

Château Léoville-Barton

Château Léoville-Barton is a Deuxième Cru en 1855 in the Saint-Julien appellation.

There are now 47 hectares of vineyards at Château Léoville-Barton, planted with 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Franc. Vinification is performed in the cellar at Langoa-Barton, as there is in fact no château at Léoville-Barton.

The grand vin is Château Léoville-Barton, the second wine is La Reserve de Léoville-Barton. Total production is 20.000 cases.

Château Langoa-Barton

Château Langoa-Barton is a Troisième Cru en 1855 in the Saint-Julien appellation.

Located along the banks of the Gironde river, Langoa-Barton has 15 hectares under vine: 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot.

About 7,000 cases of Château Langoa-Barton are produced.

In September, 2011, the Barton family purchased an additional Bordeaux estate, Château Mauvesin in Moulis.

Pictures: Christian G.E. Schiller with Lilian Barton Sartorius and Mélanie Barton Sartorius in Washington DC at the UGCB Tasting in 2014

Château Lynch Bages and Château Ormes de Pez

Jean-Charles Cazes, the grandfather of the Jean-Charles we met, purchased Château Lynch Bages and Château Ormes de Pez in St. Estèphe on the eve of the Second World War. Lynch Bages and Ormes de Pez have been run by the Cazes family ever since.

Until Jean-Charles Cazes took over in 2006, his father, Jean Michel Cazes, was at the helm of the family empire. He was a very influential personality in Bordeaux. Before returning to Pauillac in 1973 to take over the family's insurance and wine interests, Jean-Charles was for 10 years a manager, based in Paris.

In addition to the Cazes family wine interests, from 1987 to 2000, Jean-Michel Cazes developed AXA Millésimes, the wine properties department of the insurance company AXA. French insurance companies are required to invest in French property. Their assets in Bordeaux include Château Pichon Longueville Baron, Château Suduiraut, Cantenac Brown (recently sold) and Chateau Petit Village Abroad they own Quinta do Noval, a Port producer in the Douro Valley in Portugal, and the Tokay producing Disznókő estate in Hungary.

In 2006, after 33 years in charge of the Cazes family interests, Jean-Michel Cazes stepped down, handing over management of the family interests to his son Jean-Charles Cazes. Born in 1974, Jean Charles grew up at Lynch Bages, the last of four children, and the only son.

Jean-Charles Cazes assumed overall responsibility for management of the renowned Cazes family estates and winemaking operations, extending from Bordeaux to southern France and including joint ventures in Portugal and Australia, including the Bordeaux chateaux of Lynch-Bages, Ormes de Pez and Villa Bel-Air; the Michel Lynch brand of Bordeaux varietals; L'Ostal Cazes and the Circus line of wines from the Languedoc; a distribution company, JM Cazes-Selection; Xisto, a joint venture with the Roquette family in Portugal's Douro Valley; and Tapanappa, a joint venture in South Australia undertaken with the Bollinger family of Champagne fame and pioneering Australian winemaker, Brian Croser.

Jean-Michel Cazes continues to lead the wine and tourism division of the family’s activities, notably Château Cordeillan-Bages in Pauillac converted into a hotel and a restaurant of two Michelin stars.

Pictures: In the Cellar of Château Lynch-Bages with Jean-Charles Cazes. See: Tour and Tasting at Château Lynch-Bages in Bages, Bordeaux, France

Chateau Lynch Bages

Chateau Lynch Bages is a Fifth Growth in the village of Bages, just southwest of Pauillac. Jean-Charles Cazes was able to purchase Lynch Bages in 1939.

The vineyards total 90 hectares, with 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. The white wine vineyard, planted on 6 hectares, is located to the west, with vines 20 years old on average, it’s composed of 53% Sauvignon Blanc, 32% Semillon and 15% Muscadelle.

Lynch Bages produces 3 wines:

Chateau Lynch Bages, AOC Pauillac, 5th Grand Cru Classe, 25,000 cases.

Echo de Lynch Bages, AOC Pauillac, 10,000 cases, often a blend of 50 to 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25 to 30% Merlot and 15 to 20% Cabernet Franc.

Blanc de Lynch Bages, AOC Bordeaux Blanc 4,000 cases. They begun making white wine in 1990.

Chateau Ormes-de-Pez

Château Les Ormes-de-Pez is in the Saint-Estèphe appellation. In the 2003 listing that was later annulled, Château Les Ormes-de-Pez was classified as one of 9 Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnels. It belongs to the group of six former Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel (Château Chasse Spleen, Château Les Ormes de Pez, Château de Pez, Château Potensac, Château Poujeaux and Château Siran) that have decided to remain outside the Cru Bourgeois Classification.

The vineyard area, divided into two blocks north and south of the village of Saint-Estèphe, extends over 33 hectares, with 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 20% Merlot. The annual production is 15,000 cases.

Ormes de Pez was purchased by Jean Charles Cazes in 1927.

Château Figeac

Château de Figeac is one of the 15 Premier Grand Cru Classé B Châteaux in Saint-Emilion. Its prominent neighbor is Château Cheval Blanc. The vineyards of Château de Figeac border the Pomerol appellation vineyards and thus the vines grow on a very different terroir than the rest of the Saint-Emilion vines. The Figeac wines show a more “Left Bank” character than the rest of the Saint-Emilion wines.

Because of its fine gravel based soil (which is uncommon in the Right Bank), Merlot accounts only for 30 % of the plantings (which is very low by Saint Emilion standards). The Château Figeac Grand Vin is dominated (70%) by Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc in equal parts. Château Figeac is known as the most Médoc of the Saint Emilion chateaux.

Château Figeac is an old estate. It takes its name from a Roman called Figeacus who built a villa here. Today, one can still see a water-supply system dating from the Gallo-Roman period, foundations of buildings from the Middle Ages and defensive walls along with the remains of a Renaissance chateau incorporated into its structure.

Pictures: At Château Figeac with General Manger/ Technical Director Frédéric Faye. See: Tour and Tasting at Château Figeac, Premier Grand Cru Classé B, in Saint-Émilion– Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2016, France

Until the late 18th century, Château Figeac had been in the hands of one family for almost 500 years. With almost 200 hectares, Château Figeac was one of the largest wine estates at the time, but parts were sold and the estate was subdivided several times until 1892, when the Manoncourt family purchased Château Figeac. (A sizable chunk which was purchased by the Ducasse family in 1832 formed the nucleus of what would eventually become Cheval Blanc.)

For most of the past 70 years, Château Figeac was been associated with Thierry Manoncourt, who took over the management of the property in 1946, and his wife Marie-France; Thierry Manacourt passed away in 2010. It was under his leadership that Château Figeac rose to the front ranks of Saint-Émilion estates. In 1992, Thierry Manacourt divided the business between his 4 daughters, bestowing the larger share on his eldest daughter, Laure.

Château Figeac tends to harvest early with a view of retaining freshness. After Haut Brion and Latour, Château Figeac was the third estate in Bordeaux to introduce stainless steel tanks; there are now 20 temperature controlled vats, 10 in oak and 10 stainless steel. Since the mid-1970s, Figeac has been aged in 100% new oak. The time spent in new oak varies according to the vintage character. The 1997 vintage was aged 12 months, while the 2009 vintage saw new oak for 18 months.

The following wines are produced: Château Figeac (Saint-Emilion - Premier Grand Cru Classé B), La Grange-Neuve de Figeac (second wine) and Chateau Petit-Figeac (bought in 2002 as most of the vineyard was in the middle of their Château Figeac vineyard. The wine is now made at Château Figeac). In total, the Figeac estate amounts to 54 hectares of which 40 are planted with vines. Annual production is 10 000 cases.

The family also owns two other wineries: the nearby Château La Fleur-Pourret (4, 5 hectares, Château La Fleur Pourret was part of Château Figeac many years ago, also bought in 2002), and Château de Millery (just over 1 hectare), in the southern sector of St.-Emilion known as St.-Christophe des Bardes.

Pictures: At Château Figeac with Technical Director Frédéric Faye. See also: Tour and Tasting at Château Figeac, Premier Grand Cru Classé B, in Saint-Émilion – Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

For many years, Madame Manancourt's son-in-law, Comte Eric d'Aramon, was the DG of Château Figeac, but he was removed in 2013, when the Manoncourt family appointed Jean-Valmy Nicolas as Joint Managing Director and Frédéric Faye as Manager of Château Figeac.

Jean-Valmy Nicolas (a graduate of France’s HEC business school) is a co-owner of Chateau La Conseillante in Pomerol and a professional at an investment company in Paris.

Frédéric Faye (an engineering graduate of Bordeaux’s ENITA), has been at Château Figeac since 2002, when he began as Vineyard Manager before being promoted to the post of Technical Manager. He now has overall management of the vineyard and the wine-making, as well as the sales of the wines.

As part of these changes, in March 2013, Michel Rolland signed a consulting contract with Château Figeac, with the aim of bringing it up to Premier Grand Cru Classé A.

Château La Conseillante

Berry Bros. And Rudd: Château La Conseillante is amongst the crème de la crème of Pomerol producers. It can trace its history back to 1735 and has been in the hands of the Nicolas family since 1874.

La Conseillante's 13 hectares of vineyards are located on a plateau in eastern Pomerol on the boundary with the St-Emilion appellation. Its vineyards border those of L`Evangile, Petit-Village, Vieux Château-Certan and Cheval Blanc.

La Conseillante is a blend of 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc and 5% Malbec. The grapes are harvested by hand and are then fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats. The wine is then aged in small oak casks (90% new) for 18-20 months. It is bottled unfiltered.

Executive Chef Franck Loquet

Franck Loquet joined Park Hyatt Washington in November 2015 as the new executive chef. Prior to joining Park Hyatt Washington Chef Loquet served as the executive chef for the Hotel Sofitel Lafayette Square since July 2011. He relocated to the United States from Paris, France where he worked for world-renowned chef Alain Ducasse from 2008 to 2011. His culinary experience includes working at multiple one and two-star Michelin restaurants throughout Europe including Ze Kitchen Galerie in Paris, cooking with William Ledeuil, winner of the "Chef of the Year 2010" by the Gault Millau guide; Midsummer House Restaurant in Cambridge, England under Chef Daniel Clifford; and at Inverlochy Castle in Fort William, Scotland.

Named one of the finest restaurants in Washington, DC by Zagat, The Washington Post, and Washingtonian, Blue Duck Tavern features creative American cuisine crafted from the region’s seasonal ingredients. The centerpiece of the open restaurant is a wood-burning. Touches of dark oak, blue burlap, handcrafted furnishings and rustic wood tables create a warm atmosphere. The restaurant also features a private Chef’s Ttable seating up to 18 guests. Blue Duck Tavern has 1 star in the Michelin Guide.

Picture: Chef Franck Loquet

Champagne Reception

Chef's Selection of Passed Hors d'oeuvres
Krug Grande Cuvée Champagne ($169)

Pictures: Champagne Reception

Picture: Rudger de Vink of RdV with his Wife and Annette Schiller

Picture: Marlene RedDoor, Lilian Barton-Sartorius, Lilian Barton-Sartorius, Châteaux Léoville Barton and Langoa Barton, and Michael Sands

Picture: Marielle Cazaux, Château La Conseillante, and Annette Schiller

Picture: Marielle Cazaux, Château La Conseillante, and Annette Schiller with Bob and Lynette

Picture: Marlene RedDoor, Mark Dryfoos and Cécile Loqmane, Château Figeac

Picture: Christian Schiller and Cécile Loqmane, Château Figeac

The Dinner

You could order all the wines at the event at a special price. The regular Calvert and Woodlye are given in brackets.

Pictures: Michael Sands Opening the Dinner and Introducing the Specail Guests

First Course

Pan-Seared Scallops with Orange Purée, Smoked Potato, Apricot and Fennel

Blanc de Lynch-Bages 2015 ($47)

Second Course

Porcini Tortellini with Chestnut Purée, Fontina Cheese, Sage, Chicken Jus

Petit-Figeac 2014 ($40)
Château Ormes de Pez 2014 ($35)
Château Figeac 2014 ($119)
Château La Conseillante 2014 ($139)
Château Langoa-Barton 2014 ($59)
Château Lynch-Bages 2014 ($119)
Château Léoville-Barton 2014 ($90)

Third Course

Seared Duck Breast with Black Truffle Jus, Plumped Currants, Black Berries and Pickled Plums

Château Figeac 2009 ($299)
Château La Conseillante 2006 ($169)
Château Langoa-Barton 2006 ($70)
Château Lynch-Bages 2006 ($159)

Fourth Course

Short Rib with Carrot Purée, Duck Fat Carrots, Coriander Crumble, Pearl Onions

Château Figeac 2004 ($159)
Château La Conseillante 1996 ($179)
Château Lynch-Bages 1996 ($269)
Château Léoville-Barton 1999 ($139)

Dessert

Canelé with Chestnut Mousse, Candied Chestnuts, and Wine Gelée

Château Suduiraut 2005 ($99)

Coffee

schiller-wine - Related Postings

Heads up for the 2017 Tours - to Germany and France - by ombiasy WineTours

Germany-East Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Art, Culture and History

Germany-North Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential German Riesling and the Northernmost Pinot Noir

Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Burgundy (and Champagne) 2016 by ombiasy WineTours: From Lyon to Reims - Wine, Food, Culture and History

Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

Tour and Tasting at Château Figeac, Premier Grand Cru Classé B, in Saint-Émilion – 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 2016, France

A Vertical Blind Tasting of Châteaux Léoville-Barton and Langoa-Barton plus the 2011 Chateau Mauvesin-Barton with Lilian Barton-Sartorius in Washington DC, USA

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

Picture: The 2016 American Wine Society Annual Meetings

Annette Schiller, President of ombiasy PR and WineTours and member of the American Wine Society, will lead two German wine tastings at the forthcoming Annual Meetings of the American Wine Society. The tastings are sponsored by ombiasy WineTours and the wine producers whose wines are being presented or their US importers.

Picture: Christian Schiller and Oliver Haag, Weingut Fritz Haag, in Seattle. We will Taste a Weingut Fritz Haag Wine at the Saturday Session. See: The German Winemakers at the 4th Riesling Rendezvous in Seattle, USA

The 2016 American Wine Society Annual Meetings will take place on November 2 - 5, 2016, at the Hilton Orange County in Costa Mesa, South of Los Angeles.

About 400 members from all over the USA are coming to this 3-day event, filled with tastings, seminars and presentations.

Picture: Vineyard Tour with Rainer Schnaitmann, Weingut Schnaitmann, Württemberg. We will Taste a Weingut Schnaitmann Wine at the Friday Session. See also: Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting with Rainer Schnaitmann at Weingut Rainer Schnaitmann in Fellbach, Württemberg – Germany-East Wine and Art Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), Germany

The American Wine Society

The American Wine Society was founded in 1967 as a non-profit, educational, consumer-oriented organization for those interested in learning more about all aspects of wine. On October 7, 1967, around 200 grape growers, home winemakers, and wine lovers gathered at Dr. Konstantin Frank’s vineyard on Keuka Lake near Hammondsport, NY for the AWS’ initial meeting.

Picture: Christian Schiller Tasting with Kai Schätzel at Weingut Schätzel. We will Taste a Weingut Schätzel Wine at the Friday Session. See: A New Fixture in the Reemerging Red Slope of Nierstein - Visiting Kai Schaetzel and his Weingut Schaetzel in Nierstein, Rheinhessen, Germany

In December of the same year, the thirteen charter members, led by Founder Dr. Konstantin Frank, met to determine the organization structure of AWS and elect officers. Now in its 49th year, the American Wine Society is the largest consumer based wine education organization in North America. Membership is open to anyone interested in wine and over 21 years of age.

Picture: Annette Schiller, David Schildknecht and Hannsjörg Rebholz, Weingut Ökonomierat Rebholz. in New York. We will Taste a Weingut Ökonomierat Rebhalz at the Friday Session. See also: Tasting at Weingut Ökonomierat Rebholz in Siebeldingen, Pfalz – Germany-South by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

In the early days, AWS members were located primarily in the eastern part of the country. As the society grew , we established chapters throughout the eastern U.S., then into the south and Midwest, and finally into western states. Today, the American Wine Society has over 5,000 members in 45 states and 120 chapters across the U.S.

Picture: Annette and Christian Schiller’s Summer of Riesling 2016 in McLean, Virginia, with German Winemaker Christian L. Stahl. We will Taste a Weingut Christian Stahl wine at the Friday Session. See also: Welcome to the USA: Christian L. Stahl from Winzerhof Stahl in Franken, Germany

Each November the Society hosts hosts a three-day national conference with two full days of educational seminars, nearly 49 to choose from. Winery owners, wine educators, and renowned wine makers are selected to present sessions during this national event. In addition, a program educating members to become AWS certified wine judges is conducted on the day preceding the seminars.

Picture: Dinner with Ralf Schönleber, Wein- und Sektgut F.B. Schönleber in Östrich-Winkel, Rheingau. We will Taste a Wein- und Sektgut F.B. Schönleber Sekt at the Friday Session. See also: Cellar Tour, Tasting and Dinner at Wein- und Sektgut F.B. Schönleber in Östrich-Winkel, Rheingau, with Ralph and Bernd Schönleber - Germany-North Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Los Angeles: The New Germany: Red, Sparkling and Dry - Tasting at the American Wine Society (Annual Meetings in Los Angeles)

Friday, November 4, 2:30 pm
American Wine Society Annual Meetings 2016
Los Angeles
AWS members only

Germany is increasingly becoming known as a serious red wine producer; Germany is the #3 producer world-wide of Pinot-Noir (= Spätburguder).

Germans have always been obsessed with sparkling wines: 1 out of 4 sparklers produced in the world is consumed in Germany; and Germany is home to the second largest sparkling wine producer world-wide.

Germany is known for its Rieslings. Yes, it is the #1 Riesling producer world-wide, but also the #1 Pinot-Blanc (Weissburgunder) and #2 Pinot-Gris (Grauburgunder) producer. And, today, most of the white wines produced in Germany are dry.

More than 70 people have signed up for this event, where Annette will present: The New Germany: Red, Sparkling and Dry.

Picture: Visit, Tasting and Dinner at Weingut Schloss Proschwitz, Prinz zur Lippe in Zadel, Sachsen, with Georg Prinz zur Lippe. We will Taste a Weingut Schloss Proschwitz Wine at the Friday Session. See also: Visit, Tasting and Dinner at Weingut Schloss Proschwitz, Prinz zur Lippe in Zadel, Sachsen, with Georg Prinz zur Lippe - Germany-East Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Annette will pour 6 wines. The wines are sponsored by the winemakers and by the US importer of German wines, Rudi Wiest.

Weingut Rainer Schnaitmann, Württemberg (Rudi Wiest)
Weingut Ökonomierat Rebholz, Pfalz (Rudi Wiest)
Weingut Christian L. Stahl, Franken
Sekt- und Weingut F.B. Schönleber, Rheingau
Weingut Schloss Proschwitz - Prinz zur Lippe, Sachsen
Weingut Schätzel, Rheinhessen

Picture: Annette and Christian Schiller with Rudi Wiest, Rudi Wiest Selections, in Mainz. Rudi Wiest Selections sponsored the Rainer Schnaitmann and the Ökonomierat Rebholz wines. See: 2016 VDP Trade Fair Weinbörse - Vintage 2015 - in Mainz: Schiller’s Report

Los Angeles: The New Classification of German Wines – the VDP Classification

Saturday, November 5, 9 am
American Wine Society Annual Meetings 2016
Los Angeles
AWS members only

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 is the standard classification system in Germany and many winemakers in Germany use this approach. A large number of winemakers, however, have moved away from the standard, in particular the VDP producers and more generally, the producers of premium wines in Germany.

Picture: Christian Schiller, Martina Weil, Annette Schiller Wilhelm Weil at the 2013 Rheingau Riesling Gala. We will Taste 2 Weingut Robert Weil Wines at the Saturday Session. See also:
Kiedrich: Visit of the Basilica of Saint Valentine and of Weingut Robert Weil - Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

In a nutshell, the VDP is moving to a classification system that resembles very much the classification system in the Bourgogne. The classification of the VDP puts the terroir principle at the center of its classification approach. With the latest modifications of 2012, the absolutely finest vineyards are called Grosse Lage (for the 2011 vintage still called Erste Lage) and dry wines from these super top vineyards are called Grosses Gewächs. Grosses Gewächs wines are the finest dry wines from Germany’s finest vineyards.

Pictures: At Weingut Wittmann with Philipp Wittmann and Eva Clüsserat-Wittmann. We will Taste 2 Weingut Wittmann Wines in the Saturday Session. See also: Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting with Philipp Wittmann and Eva Clüsserath-Wittmann at Weingut Wittmann in Westhofen – Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)

We will taste wines from each category of the new classification. The wines are sponsored by Dr. Loosen Bros., the US importer for: Dr. Loosen (Mosel), Villa Wolf (Pfalz), Robert Weil (Rheingau), Wittmann (Rheinhessen), Maximin Grünhaus (Mosel) and Fritz Haag (Mosel).

We will have 6 wines: 3 wines from the highest quality level (Grosse Lage/ Grand Cru) and 1 wine from each of the other 3 quality levels:

Gutswein/ Estate Wine: Weingut Fritz Haag
Ortswein/ Village Wine: Weingut Robert Weil
Erste Lage/ Premier Cru: Weingut Robert Weil
Grosse Lage/ Grand Cru: GG Weingut Wittmann
Grosse Lage/ Grand Cru: GG Weingut Dr. Loosen
Grosse Lage/ Grand Cru: Spätlese Dr. Loosen

See also:
Steffen Christmann (Weingut A. Christmann) and Wilhelm Weil (Weingut Robert Weil) Presented the New Wine Classification of the VDP, Germany
Approaches to Classifying German Wine: The Standard Approach (the Law of 1971), the VDP Approach and the Zero Classification Approach

Picture: The German Wine and Culture Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2013 at Weingut Dr. Loosen. We will taste 2 Weingut Dr. Loosen Wines at the Saturday Session. See also: Ernst Loosen Presented his Wines at Weingut Dr. Loosen, Bernkastel-Kues, Mosel Valley, Germany

schiller-wine - Related Postings

Heads up for the 2017 Tours - to Germany and France - by ombiasy WineTours

Germany-East Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Art, Culture and History

Germany-North Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential German Riesling and the Northernmost Pinot Noir

Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Burgundy (and Champagne) 2016 by ombiasy WineTours: From Lyon to Reims - Wine, Food, Culture and History

Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

German Wine at the 2015 EU Open House - German Embassy in Washington DC, USA

Steffen Christmann (Weingut A. Christmann) and Wilhelm Weil (Weingut Robert Weil) Presented the New Wine Classification of the VDP, Germany

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

New Developments in German Wine - Annette Schiller at the German Wine Society in Philadelphia, USA

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

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting with Rainer Schnaitmann at Weingut Rainer Schnaitmann in Fellbach, Württemberg – Germany-East Wine and Art Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), Germany

A New Fixture in the Reemerging Red Slope of Nierstein - Visiting Kai Schaetzel and his Weingut Schaetzel in Nierstein, Rheinhessen, Germany

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

Cellar Tour, Tasting and Dinner at Wein- und Sektgut F.B. Schönleber in Östrich-Winkel, Rheingau, with Ralph and Bernd Schönleber - Germany-North Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Visit, Tasting and Dinner at Weingut Schloss Proschwitz, Prinz zur Lippe in Zadel, Sachsen, with Georg Prinz zur Lippe - Germany-East Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

2016 VDP Trade Fair Weinbörse - Vintage 2015 - in Mainz: Schiller’s Report

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

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

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

Picture: Annette Schiller at Restaurant Old Europe in Washington DC with the German Wine Society (DC Chapter): The New Germany – Red, Dry, Sparkling

After a long absence, the German Wine Society (GWS - Washington DC Chapter) returned to Old Europe Restaurant in Georgetown.

Annette Schiller, President of ombiasy WineTours and long-standing member of the GWS, conducted a tasting entitled: “The New Germany – Red, Dry, Sparkling.”

Pictures: Carl Willner, President of the German Wine Society (DC Chapter) Opening the Event

Annette presented 3 red wines, 1 Sekt (sparkling wine) and 6 dry and 1 “halbtrocken” white wines from 10 out of the 13 wine regions in Germany. The tasting also included 2 Grosse Lage/ Grand Cru GG wines.

Germany is increasingly becoming known as a serious red wine producer; Germany is the #3 producer world-wide of Pinot-Noir (= Spätburguder).

Germans have always been obsessed with sparkling wines: 1 out of 4 sparklers produced in the world is consumed in Germany; and Germany is home to the second largest sparkling wine producer world-wide.

Germany is known for its Rieslings. Yes, it is the #1 Riesling producer world-wide, but it is also the #1 Pinot-Blanc (Weissburgunder) and #2 Pinot-Gris (Grauburgunder) producer. And, today, most of the white wines produced in Germany are dry.

All presented winemakers, Annette knows personally. She has visited all of them on one of the wine tours to Germany (Germany-East, Germany-South and Germany-Nord). Annette shared memories from these visits.

Pictures: The New Germany – Red, Dry, Sparkling: German Wine Society Tasting, led by Annette Schiller, at Restaurant Old Europe in Washington DC

In terms of food, Cindy O. Herold, Chef and Owner of Old Europe Restaurant, spoiled us with a sumptuous Wine Tasting Buffet, composed of a variety of typical German dishes:

* German bread basket presented with “Kräuterbutter”-garlic herb butter and “Schmalz”,
* assorted cheese platter with house made “Obazda”-Bavarian style beer cheese,
* fresh fruits and crackers,
* “Bunte Schnittchen”-assorted cold cut canapes presented with deviled eggs,
* “Fleischpflanzl”-Bavarian style bite size meatballs garnished with cornichons,
* “Kartoffelpuffer”-potato pancakes served with apple sauce and sour cream,
* Germany’s most loved sausages: Bratwurst, Bauernwurst, Weißwurst, Knockwurst and Debreziner Wurst presented with sauerkraut, apple red cabbage, mustard trio and Berlin style curry ketchup,
* petite chicken Schnitzel “Wiener Art”-Vienna style served with warm German potato salad,
* “Apfelstrudel mit Vanillesoße”-apple strudel served with vanilla sauce. There will be coffee serviced with the dessert course.

Old Europe is located in Georgetown at 2434 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington DC.

Pictures: The Outstanding German Food of Chef/ Owner Cindy O. Herold

The Wines

Pictures: The Wines

APERITIF WINE

2014 Riesling trocken, Weingut Schauss, Nahe

Pictures: 2014, Riesling trocken, Weingut Schauss, Nahe

RED

30 or 40 years ago, German red wine accounted for only about 15 percent of German wine output. Today, we are well over 35 percent. And not only the vineyard area planted with red grapes has expanded dramatically, but also the quality has improved considerably. Today, German red wine can compete with any red wine in the world, I believe. As a result, German red wines are increasingly appearing in the international wine market. Of course, given its location, they tend to be not like the fruity red wines we know from warmer countries, but lean and more elegant, with a lot of finesse.

2014 Spätburgunder, Winzergenossenschaft Mayschoss, Ahr

The Ahr valley north of the 50 °latitude is unquestionable the northernmost region for producing top Pinot-Noirs. The secret lies in an ideal micro-climate found in the narrow canyons along the river with their very special geological conditions, and south-facing slopes. Wine making along the tiny Ahr river goes back to Roman times. There is no other wine region in the world with such a high concentration of Spätburgunder/ Pinot Noir (86%).

Picture: 2014 Spätburgunder, Winzergenossenschaft Mayschoss, Ahr

Picture: Visit and Tasting at Winzergenossenschaft Mayschoss in Mayschoss, Ahr

See also: Visit and Tasting at Winzergenossenschaft Mayschoss in Mayschoss, Ahr – Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2016

2012 Spätburgunder, Weingut Schloss Proschwitz, Schloss Proschwitz, Grosse Lage, GG, Sachsen

Annette Schiller: This region tickles all your senses with its unique voluptuous baroque architecture, a rich history, its wealth of art, and love of all the good things in life.

What it is not so well-known for is its wine. Bordering Poland and the Czech Republic, Sachsen is one of Germany’s small wine regions (360 hectares) and disappeared from the wine map during the communist period.

Picture: 2012 Spätburgunder, Weingut Schloss Proschwitz, Schloss Proschwitz, Grosse Lage, GG, Sachsen

During the communist times from 1945 until reunification in 1989, wine production was nationalized, and winemaking took place in huge VEB (volkseigener Betrieb / company owned by the people) wineries. The output, the bottle count was imposed on the VEB by the State, and therefore quality could not play a major role. After the iron curtain came down, family wineries were founded, and the winemakers pursued quality with a vengeance.

The three main grape varieties are Müller-Thurgau, Riesling and Weissburgunder but many others are grown in smaller quantities, including Grauer Burgunder, Spätburgunder, Roter Traminer, Kerner, Dornfelder, Goldriesling, Scheurebe and a rarity, Dunkelfelder. The wines are mostly dry (trocken). Most of the wine produced in Sachsen is consumed in the region.

Picture: Wine Pairing Dinner at Lippe'sches Gutshaus, Schloss Proschwitz, with Prinz zur Lippe

See: Dining with Prinz zur Lippe, Owner of Weingut Schloss Proschwitz, at the Lippe’sches Gutshaus - Germany-East Wine and Art Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

2012 Lemberger, Weingut Schnaitmann, Gutswein, Württemberg

More wine is consumed in Württemberg (per capita) than anywhere else in Germany - actually twice as much as in the rest of Germany. The German poet Friedrich von Schiller wrote already several centuries ago: “A Württemberger without wine--is that a real Württemberger?” Yet, the wines of Württemberg are very difficult to find outside of Germany. This is changing slowly, as the world is discovering the outstanding German red wines.

Picture: 2012 Lemberger, Weingut Schnaitmann, Gutswein, Württemberg

Picture: Tasting with Rainer Schnaitmann at Weingut Rainer Schnaitmann in Fellbach, Württemberg

See: Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting with Rainer Schnaitmann at Weingut Rainer Schnaitmann in Fellbach, Württemberg – Germany-East Wine and Art Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), Germany

SEKT

Not well known, Germany is one of the largest sparkling wine markets in the world. One of four bottles of sparkling wine produced in the world 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.

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, who only make Sekt and (iii) winemakers, who make predominantly wine, but complement their wine selection by a few Sekts. The Sekts produced by large Sekt estates 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. In addition to Sekt, Germany produces semi-sparkling wine, which is called Perlwein. But the production of Perlwein is small.

2012 Riesling Sekt, Extra Brut, Sekt- und Weingut F.B.Schönleber, Rheingau

Picture: 2012 Riesling Sekt, Extra Brut, Sekt- und Weingut F.B.Schönleber, Rheingau

Picture: Dinner with Ralf Schönleber, Wein- und Sektgut F.B. Schönleber in Östrich-Winkel, Rheingau

See: Cellar Tour, Tasting and Dinner at Wein- und Sektgut F.B. Schönleber in Östrich-Winkel, Rheingau, with Ralph and Bernd Schönleber - Germany-North Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

WHITE and DRY

When you travel outside of Germany and check the wine lists of restaurants and retail stores in terms of German wines, you easily get the impression that Germans are hooked on sweet wine. It is the fruity-sweet Riesling style that is so popular in the world and that many equate with German wine and the German’s preference for wine. But this is faulty. Germany drinks dry. Like the rest of the world.

I estimate that 95% of the wine consumed in Germany is dry and sweet-style wines are niche wines in Germany. This is pretty much in line with the consumption patterns in the rest of the world. But the delicious low alcohol, fruity-sweet Rieslings that German winemakers are able to produce, are unique in the world and popular everywhere.

2014 Riesling, Weingut Robert Schätzle Schloss Neuweier, Gutswein, trocken, Baden

Weingut Schloss Neuweier, although not well known in the US, is a very special, premium wine producer in Baden, with a long history. The export share of Weingut Schloss Neuweier is negligible, which is typical for the Baden region. But this may change for Weingut Schloss Neuweier in the future and was not like this in the past. Its Mauerwein (Wall wine – from a terraced vineyard on the hill behind the castle) was one of Queen Victoria’s favorites. It had won an award at the International Exhibition of Philadelphia in 1876 and was on the airship Graf Zeppelin’s maiden flight.

Picture: 2014 Riesling, Weingut Robert Schätzle Schloss Neuweier, Gutswein, trocken, Baden

Picture: In the Cellar with Robert Schätzle, Weingut Schloss Neuweier

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

2013 Riesling, Alte Reben, trocken, Weingut Von Oetinger, Gutswein, trocken, Rheingau

Achim von Oetinger is an old buddy of Annette and me. Based in Erbach in the Rheingau, which is 45 minutes away from Frankfurt by car, we see him regularly at events when we are in Germany. I have asked him several times: When will your wines be available in the USA. His answer was always the same: I am too small. I do not have enough wine for getting involved in exports to the USA. Against this background, I was thrilled when Arrowine, a leading wine store in the Washington DC area, started to bring Achim von Oetinger's wines to the US.

Achim von Oetinger is one of the new stars of the Rheingau. It is not without reason that he was Stuart Pigott’s Discovery of the Year 2015. See: Best German Wines and Winemakers – Stuart Pigott’s Favorites (December 2014)

Picture: 2013 Riesling, Alte Reben, trocken, Weingut Von Oetinger, Gutswein, trocken, Rheingau

Picture: Annette Schiller and Achim von Oetinger

See: Tour and Tasting at Weingut von Oetinger, Rheingau, with Achim von Oetinger– Germany-North 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

2013 Riesling, Deidesheimer Paradiesgarten, Weingut Von Winning, Erste Lage, trocken, Pfalz

Terry Theise: The fact that this estate is crafting some of the very best dry wines in Germany is no fluke, rather a result of nearly obsessive winemaker Stefan Attman’s commitment to both dedicated cultivation of Deidesheim and Forst’s best sites and meticulous work in the cellar. Under the same ownership and winemaking team, the Dr. Deinhard label is designated for fruity styles vinified in stainless steel while the Von Winning label is reserved for the Grosses Gewächs sites vinified dry and in wood.

Picture: 2013 Riesling, Deidesheimer Paradiesgarten, Weingut Von Winning, Erste Lage, trocken, Pfalz

Von Winning maintains some of the oldest parcels in Grosses Gewächs vineyards smattered across Forst, Deidesheim, and Ruppertsberg. Attman’s every decision is informed by great enthusiasm and experiences at estates in the Cote d’Or and abroad. For example, Attman’s newer vines are planted at a very high vine density- 9500 vines per hectare, as opposed to the more typical less than 5000. This creates competition amongst the vines, forcing the roots to grow deep, naturally reducing yields. Attman has adopted the single cane trellising system, prevalent in Burgundy, and Grosses Gewächs wines ferment in 500mL French barrels. Von Winning practices organic and sustainable viticulture.

Picture: At Weingut von Winning in Deidesheim, Pfalz

See: Tour and Tasting at Weingut von Winning in Deidesheim, Pfalz– Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), Germany

2013 Weissburgunder, Karsdorfer Hohe Gräte, Weingut Lützkendorf, Grosse Lage, GG. Saale-Unstrut

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

Picture: 2013 Weissburgunder, Karsdorfer Hohe Gräte, Weingut Lützkendorf, Grosse Lage, GG. Saale-Unstrut

Weingut Lützkendorf was founded at the dawn of the 19th century and existed until 1959 when the GDR authorities nationalized the property and integrated the estate into the government run Agricultural Cooperative. In 1991, after the reunification of the two German States the vineyards were returned to the family. Uwe Lützkendorf reestablished the winery, revamped the vineyards, and built new production facilities in Bad Kösen.

To listen to Uwe Lützkendorf , and also to his fellow winemakers in this former GDR area, recounting their stories of reviving an economic and agriculture waste land after German reunification, is living history and worthy of a spy thriller.

Picture: Tasting with Uwe Lützkendorf

See: Tasting at Weingut Uwe Lützkendorf, with Uwe Lützkendorf, in Bad Kösen, Saale-Unstrut – Germany-East Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

2011 Scheurebe, Randersacker Sonnenstuhl, Weingut Schmitt's Kinder, Spätlese trocken, Franken

Franken, located in the northern part of Bavaria, is boasting a long tradition and some fine terroirs (mostly shell limestone and Keuper, a kind of marl). Its two leading grape varieties are Riesling and Silvaner. Typically, Franken wine comes in the distinctive, dumpily-rounded Franken “Bocksbeutel” wine bottle. The bottle’s unusual shape dates back to at least the 16th century. The Bocksbeutel may only be used for Franken wines. In Germany, it is a sign of excellence, while in the US, many consumers link this kind of bottle shape to lower quality wine.

Picture: 2011 Scheurebe, Randersacker Sonnenstuhl, Weingut Schmitt's Kinder, Spätlese trocken, Franken

Picture: In the Vineyard with Martin Johann Schmitt

See: Germany-East Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Art, Culture and History

2012 Riesling, Enkircher Steffensberg, Weingut Immich-Batterieberg, Mosel

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: 2012 Riesling, Enkircher Steffensberg, Weingut Immich-Batterieberg, Mosel

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

See: Post-Rieslingfeier and Pre-Big Glou Dinner with 3 Top Winemakers from Germany at BToo in Washington DC: Clemens Busch, Immich-Batterieberg and Koehler-Ruprecht, USA

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