Picture: Mathieu Kauffmann (Photo: Gault Millau)

The new Gault Millau WeinGuide Deutschland – for 2020 – was published on November 5, 2019. It reviews on about 1000 pages more than 11.500 wines of 1078 wineries. Its rating symbol is a grape and Germany’s best winemakers are awarded one to five grapes.

I plan to release the following postings on schiller-wine:

Germany’s Best Winemakers – Gault Millau WeinGuide Deutschland 2020 Awards
Germany’s Top Winemakers (With 5/5 Grapes) - Gault Millau WeinGuide Deutschland 2020
Germany’s Best Wines – Three 100 Points Wines in the Gault Millau WeinGuide Deutschland 2020

Winemaker of the Year: Mathieu Kauffmann

Gault Millau: For Winemaker of the Year, the editors chose the Alsatian Mathieu Kauffmann. A small sensation, because for the first time this award is not linked to a winery. Kauffmann, long cellar master at the champagne house Bollinger, was the winemaker at Weingut Reichsrat von Buhl in the Pfalz for six years, before the paths in the summer 2019 suddenly parted. "Mathieu Kauffmann's courageous handwriting will have a long-lasting impact on wine making in Germany", the Gault & Millau team is convinced. "He bets uncompromisingly on terroir and longevity and gives the Riesling such a striking face. With an experienced view from the outside he brings back to memory, what is in this noble grape variety if you let outstanding vineyards speak for themselves."

See also: Impressive Vineyard Tour and Tasting at Weingut Reichsrat von Buhl in Deidesheim, Pfalz, with Richard Grosche - Germany-South and Alsace 2018 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: Baden, Alsace, Pfalz and Rheinhessen

Picture: Mathieu Kauffmann (Photo: Gault Millau)

Rising Star of the Year: Matthias and Philipp Corvers, Weingut Corvers-Kauter, Rheingau

Gault Millau: For Rising Star of the Year, the editors chose Weingut Corvers-Kauter in Oestrich-Winkel in the Rheingau: "Unstoppable, that's Matthias and Philipp Corvers! Within a short time they have catapulted themselves to the top of the Rheingau." The sudden doubling of the vinyard area has encouraged the father-son duo even more. "The upward trend has manifested itself in rising valuations in the Gault & Millau during the past three years now. In the past year the family then acquired 15 hectares of prime vineyards through long-term leases from the portfolio of Weingut Langwerth of Simmern, one of the most traditional houses of the Rheingau, and mastered the expansion with flying colors. This year, the Gault & Millau team award four of five grapes.

Pictur: Matthias and Philipp Corvers (Photo: Gault Millau)

Discovery of the Year: Philipp Kettern and Daniel Niepoort, Fio Wines, Mosel

Gault Millau: The discovery of the year - this year a duo - comes from the Mosel. Philipp Kettern and Daniel Niepoort are the names of the two young shooting stars who convinced the Gault & Millau team with their project Fio Wines. The idea: to make Riesling, as it used to be, spontaneously fermented, with a long time on the yeast, aged in large barrels and with only a touch of sulphur shortly before filling. A recipe that worked. "Back to the future: Based on old methods, Philipp Kettern and Daniel Niepoort make radically modern Mosel-Rieslings. Sip after sip a discovery!" the editors say. In the Gault & Millau WeinGuide 2020, the two received three red grapes.

Picture: Philipp Kettern and Daniel Niepoort (Photo: Gault Millau)

schiller-wine: Related Postings

UPCOMING Tours/ Wine Dinners/ Tastings - Annette and Christian Schiller/ ombiasyPR & WineTours/ schiller-wine, Germany, France, USA (Issued: November 1, 2019)

Annual Riesling Party at the Schiller Residence in Washington DC, USA (2019)

Impressive Vineyard Tour and Tasting at Weingut Reichsrat von Buhl in Deidesheim, Pfalz, with Richard Grosche - Germany-South and Alsace 2018 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: Baden, Alsace, Pfalz and Rheinhessen

Pictures: Renaissance of Terroir in Germany: Back to the Roots - Seminar at the 2019 American Wine Society National Conference in St. Pete Beach, Florida, USA, led by Annette Schiller

Annette Schiller, President of ombiasy PR and WineTours and member of the American Wine Society, led 2 wine tastings - "Renaissance of Terroir in Germany: Back to the Roots" and "Syrah and Shiraz: Is there any Difference, do they Taste the Same?" - at the 2019 Annual Meetings of the American Wine Society. In addition, Annette and Christian Schiller poured a selection of German wines at the Showcase of Wines event during the second evening.

The tastings were sponsored by ombiasy WineTours and the wine producers whose wines were presented or their US importers.

The 2019 American Wine Society Annual Meetings took place at St. Pete Beach in Florida, on  Oct. 31 – Nov. 2, 2019.

More than 600 members from all over the USA came to this 3-day event, filled with tastings, seminars and presentations.

I have already provided an overview of the event her: The 2019 American Wine Society National Conference in St. Pete Beach, Florida, USA: Seen Through Christian Schiller's Camera Lens

Pictures: At the 2019 American Wine Society National Conference in St. Pete Beach, Florida, USA, with Randall Grahm, Bonny Doon Vineyard, Joel Peterson, Founder Ravenswood Vineyards, Janie Brooks Heuck, President,International Riesling Foundation and Brooks Winery, Joe Broski, AWS President, David Falchek, AWS Executive Director and Diane Meyer, Conference Chairperson

Postings on schiller-wine

This is the second in a series of postings related to the American Wine Society National Conference 2019 in St. Pete Beach, Florida:

The 2019 American Wine Society National Conference in St. Pete Beach, Florida, USA: Seen Through Christian Schiller's Camera Lens

VDP at AWS: Tasting Premium German Wines at the Showcase of Wines of the 2019 American Wine Society National Conference in St. Pete Beach, Florida, with Annette and Christian Schiller

Renaissance of Terroir in Germany: Back to the Roots - Seminar at the 2019 American Wine Society National Conference in St. Pete Beach, Florida, USA, led by Annette Schiller

Syrah and Shiraz: Is there any Difference, do they Taste the Same? - Seminar at the 2019 American Wine Society National Conference in St. Pete Beach, Florida, USA, led by Annette Schiller

Dry Riesling From Around the World - Seminar at the 2019 American Wine Society National Conference in St. Pete Beach, Florida, USA, led by Janie Brooks Heuck, President, International Riesling Foundation

Two American Icons: With Graham Randall, Founder of Bonny Doon Vineyard, and Joel Peterson, Founder of Ravenswood Vineyards,at the 2019 American Wine Society National Conference in St. Pete Beach, Florida, USA

Ombiasy WineTours Booth

One of the about 15 booths at the conference was Annette Schiller's ombiasyPR & WineTours booth, where Annette and I presented her 6 tours to Germany (East, South, North) and France (Bordeaux, Bourgogne, Rhone).

Pictures: Ombiasy WineTours Booth with AWS President Joseph Broski

Renaissance of Terroir in Germany: Back to the Roots

Session C-4:
Presenter: Annette Schiller, Owner, Ombiasy PR & Wine Tours

Abstract: “Location, Location, Location”: That’s the most important requirement for making a good wine. This basic principle was abolished in Germany with the wine law of 1971, when historic vineyard sites were merged. 35,000 single-vineyard sites were reduced to 5,000 big-surfacearea vineyards. In the late 1980’s a movement to return to history started, and the focus shifted back to the “terroir,” the single-vineyard site. This seminar emphasizes the importance of terroir in the German wine landscape. We will explore important single vineyards and will taste 6 wines representing the specific terroir.

Impressions from the Seminar 

The seminar was fully booked with about 115 participants.

Pictures: Renaissance of Terroir in Germany: Back to the Roots - Seminar at the 2019 American Wine Society National Conference in St. Pete Beach, Florida, USA, led by Annette Schiller

Some Slides

Here is a selection of the slides Annette presented.

Pictures: Renaissance of Terroir in Germany: Back to the Roots - Seminar at the 2019 American Wine Society National Conference in St. Pete Beach, Florida, USA, led by Annette Schiller

The Wines

Annette poured 6 wines, 4 white wines, all dry, and 2 red wines, ranging from the Ortswein (village wine) to the Grosse Lage (grand cru) category.


2015 Weingut Kruger-Rumpf, Dorsheimer Riesling. trocken, Nahe

Weingut Kruger-Rumpf
Nahe
23 hectares

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


2011 Weingut Schmitt's Kinder, Randersacker Marsberg, Riesling, Erste Lage, trocken, Franken
2011 Weingut Schmitt's Kinder, Randersacker Sonnenstuhl, Scheurebe, Grosse Lage, GG, trocken, Franken

Weingut Schmitt's Kinder
Franken
14 hectares

See: Vineyard Tour and Tasting at Weingut Schmitt’s Kinder in Randersacker, Franken, with Martin Johann Schmitt– Germany-East Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours


2016 Schlossgut Diel, Burg Layen Schlossberg, Riesling, Erste Lage, trocken, Nahe

Schlossgut Diel
Nahe
26 hectares

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


2018 Weingut Künstler, Hochheimer Hölle, Riesling, Grosse Lage, GG, trocken, Rheingau

Weingut Künstler
Rheingau
36 hectares

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


2016 Weingut Dautel, Bönningheimer Sonnenberg, Spätburgunder, Erste Lage, trocken, Württemberg

Weingut Dautel
Württemberg
13 hectares

See: Tasting at Weingut Dautel in Württemberg with Christian Dautel - Germany-East Wine and Art Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)


2015 Weingut Dautel, Forstberg, Spätburgunder, Grosse Lage, GG, trocken, Württemberg

Weingut Dautel
Württemberg
13 hectares

See: Tasting at Weingut Dautel in Württemberg with Christian Dautel - Germany-East Wine and Art Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)


Thanks

A big thank you to all the sponsors.

Picture: Thanks

Annette Schiller's Presentations at the 2018 American Wine Society Annual Meetings in in Buffalo, New York State

The 2018 American Wine Society National Conference in Buffalo, New York State, USA: Seen Through Christian Schiller's Camera Lens

VDP at AWS: Tasting Premium German Wines at the Showcase of Wines of the 2018 American Wine Society National Conference in Buffalo, New York State, with Annette and Christian Schiller

"Abbey Wines”: The Importance of the Monasteries for the Development of Viticulture - Seminar at the 2018 American Wine Society National Conference in Buffalo, New York State,USA, led by Annette Schiller

Burgundy Pinot Noir and German Pinot Noir: Differences and Similarities - Seminar at the 2018 American Wine Society National Conference in Buffalo, New York State, USA, led by Annette Schiller

A Journey through the Rhône Valley - Seminar at the 2018 American Wine Society National Conference in Buffalo, New York State,USA, led by Annette Schiller

Annette Schiller's Presentations at the 2017 American Wine Society Annual Meetings in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania

The 2017 American Wine Society National Conference in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, USA: Seen Through Christian Schiller's Camera Lens

Showcase of Wines at the 2017 National Conference of the American Wine Society: Annette and Christian Schiller Present German/ VDP/ Loosen Bros. USA Wines

A Journey through the Vineyards of Alsace - A Tasting Seminar at the National Conference 2017 of the American Wine Society, led by Annette Schiller (ombiasyPR & WineTours)

Burgundy: What makes it so Special? - A Tasting Seminar at the 2017 American Wine Society National Conference in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, led by Annette Schiller (ombiasyPR & WineTours)

German Wines in the 21st Century - A Tasting Seminar at the 2017 American Wine Society National Conference in in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, led by Annette Schiller (ombiasyPR & WineTours)

Annette Schiller's Presentations at the 2016 American Wine Society Annual Meetings in California

The 2016 American Wine Society National Conference in California, USA: Seen Through Christian Schiller's Camera Lens

The New Germany: Red, Sparkling and Dry - Tasting at the American Wine Society 2016 National Conference in Los Angeles, USA, led by Annette Schiller

The New Classification of German Wines: The VDP Classification - Annette Schiller Conducting a Seminar at the 2016 National Convention of the American Wine Society in Los Angeles, USA

The Insider’s View of Charles Krug Winery - Peter Mondavi Jr., Co-Proprietor, Charles Krug Winery

Château Climens, Premier Cru Barsac and Savory Dishes…who knew? - Bérénice Lurton, Owner of Château Climens and Tony Lawrence, Global Food & Wine Pairing Specialist

schiller-wine: Related Postings

UPCOMING Tours/ Wine Dinners/ Tastings - Annette and Christian Schiller/ ombiasyPR & WineTours/ schiller-wine, Germany, France, USA (Issued: November 1, 2019)

Annual Riesling Party at the Schiller Residence in Washington DC, USA (2019)

Upcoming: American Wine Society (AWS) National Conference on October 31 to November 3, 2019, at St. Pete Beach in Florida, with 2 Events by Annette Schiller on "Renaissance of Terroir in Germany: Back to the Roots" and "Syrah and Shiraz: Is there any Difference, do they Taste the Same?", USA

Total Immersion in Bordeaux: World Class Wines and Exquisite French Gourmet Cuisine - Bordeaux Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours, France

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

 Vineyard Tour and Tasting at Weingut Schmitt’s Kinder in Randersacker, Franken, with Martin Johann Schmitt– Germany-East Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

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

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

Tasting at Weingut Dautel in Württemberg with Christian Dautel - Germany-East Wine and Art Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Picture: Annette Schiller, Thomas Haag with his Son (Weingut Schloss Lieser) and Stephen Bitterolf at the 2017 Rieslingfeier in NYC. See: The Annual "Slaughterhouse" Riesling Feast in New York: Rieslingfeier 2017, USA

The Vinum WeinGuide Deutschland 2020 was released on Thursda, October 31, 2019. The Vinum WeinGuide Deutschland 2020 reviews on about 1000 pages more than 11.000 wines of 1000 wineries. Its rating symbol is a star and Germany’s best winemakers are awarded one to five stars. The wines are rated on the 1 to 100 scale.

The Vinum WeinGuide Deutschland 2020 honored the following three outstanding personalities of the German wine world with Winemaker of the Year, Rising Star of the Year and Discovery of the Year awards:

Winemaker of the Year (Vinum WeinGuide Deutschland 2020): Matthias and Hansjörg Aldinger, Weingut Aldinger (Württemberg)

Rising Star of the Year (Vinum WeinGuide Deutschland 2020): Carl Ehrhard, Weingut Ehrhard (Rheingau)

Discovery of the Year (Vinum WeinGuide Deutschland 2020): Carsten Saalwächter, Weingut Saalwächter (Rheinhessen)

12 winemakers received the top rating of 5/ 5 stars in the Vinum WeinGuide Deutschland 2020. I have listed them below, arranged by region. There are no changes compared with last year.

See: Germany's 12 Top Winemakers (With 5/5 Stars) - Vinum WeinGuide Deutschland 2019

Postings/ Vinum WeinGuide Deutschland 2020

I am releasing 4 postings with regard to the Vinum WeingGuide Deutschland 2019:

Germany's Best Winemakers - Vinum WeinGuide Deutschland 2020 Awards
Germany's Best Wines: 10 Categories - Vinum WeinGuide Deutschland 2020 
Germany’s 12 Top Winemakers (With 5/5 Stars) - Vinum WeinGuide Deutschland 2020
100 Points Wine - Vinum WeinGuide Deutschland 2020
Winemaker of the Year (Vinum WeinGuide Deutschland 2020): Matthias and Hansjörg Aldinger, Weingut Aldinger (Württemberg)

Ahr

None.

Baden

Bernhard Huber

One of the winemakers leading the German red wine revolution. Bernhard Huber, only 53 years old, died in June 2014, after a battle with cancer. His son, Julian Huber, has taken over. We visited Weingut Huber during the Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2014 and again in 2015. 28 hectares.

See:
Wine Tasting at Weingut Bernhard Huber– Germany-South Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)
Tasting at Weingut Bernhard Huber in Baden, with Yquem Viehauser and Julian Huber – Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

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

Franken

Rudolf Fürst

Weingut Rudolf Fürst has the reputation of being a specialist for red wines, Spätburgunder and Früburgunder, which account for 60% of the production; but brilliant dry wines are also produced. Sebastian Fürst has taken over from his father Paul Fürst. 20 hectares.

See:
Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting (from Barrel and from Bottle) at Weingut Rudolf Fürst, Franken, with Sebastian Fürst - Germany-East Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Art, Culture, History - Berlin, Saale-Unstrut, Sachsen, Württemberg, Franken
Tasting and Tour with the Pinot Noir Legend Paul Fürst, Weingut Rudolf Fürst in Bürgstadt, Franken – Germany-East Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)
Winemaker Dinner with Sebastian Fürst, Weingut Fürst, Franken, at Schaumahl, Offenbach/ Frankfurt, 16 Points Gault Millau, Germany
Winemaker Dinner with Chef/ King of Spices Ingo Holland and Sebastian Fürst (Weingut Rudolf Fürst, Franken), Julian Huber (Weingut Bernhard Huber, Baden) and Jérôme Legras (Champagne Legras & Haas)

Pictures: Paul Fürst, Annette Schiller, Sebastian Fürst and Christian Schiller at Weingut Rudolf Fürst. See: Tasting and Tour with the Pinot Noir Legend Paul Fürst, Weingut Rudolf Fürst in Bürgstadt, Franken – Germany-East Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)


Pictures: Winemaker Dinner with Sebastian Fürst, Weingut Fürst, Franken, at Schaumahl, Offenbach/ Frankfurt, 16 Points Gault Millau, Germany

Pictures: Dinner with Sebastian Fürst and Julian Huber. See: Winemaker Dinner with Chef/ King of Spices Ingo Holland and Sebastian Fürst (Weingut Rudolf Fürst, Franken), Julian Huber (Weingut Bernhard Huber, Baden) and Jérôme Legras (Champagne Legras & Haas)

Pictures: Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting (from Barrel and from Bottle) at Weingut Rudolf Fürst, Franken, with Sebastian Fürst - Germany-East Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Art, Culture, History - Berlin, Saale-Unstrut, Sachsen, Württemberg, Franken

Hessische Bergstrasse

None.

Mittelrhein

None.

Mosel (Mosel - Saar -Ruwer)

Egon Müller

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

Pictures: Annette and Christian Schiller with Egon Müller, Weingut Egon Müller, at the Rieslingfeier 2015 in New York City, USA, see: The 11 Winemakers: Rieslingfeier 2015 in New York City, USA

Picture: Annette Schiller and Egon Müller. See: The Annual "Slaughterhouse" Riesling Feast in New York: Rieslingfeier 2017, USA

Schloss Lieser (Thomas Haag)

The older brother of Oliver Haag, Weingut Fritz Haag, grew up at Weingut Fritz Haag. Thomas Haag has been the winemaker at Weingut Schloss Lieser in Lieser since 1992 and its owner since 1997. Schloss Lieser – a mighty castle – is the landmark of Lieser, a tiny, quaint Mosel village, built in 1875 by Baron von Schorlemer. Weingut Schloss Lieser was founded in 1904 and produced some of the greatest wines in the Mosel region. In the second half of the 1900s, however, the estate passed through several hands and went into decline.

Pictures: Tasting at Weingut Schloss Lieser in Lieser with Owner/ Winemaker Thomas Haag– Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2016

Picture: Thomas Haag, Weingut Schloss Lieser, and Christian Schiller in Mainz. See: Thomas Haag, Weingut Schloss Lieser, Germany’s Winemaker of the Year, Gault Millau WeinGuide Deutschland 2015

Picture: Annette Schiller, Thomas Haag with his Son (Weingut Schloss Lieser) and Stephen Bitterolf at the 2017 Rieslingfeier in NYC. See: The Annual "Slaughterhouse" Riesling Feast in New York: Rieslingfeier 2017, USA

Nahe

Emrich-Schönleber

The first mentioning of winegrowing in the Schönleber family dates back to the mid-18th century. Today the estate has 20.4 hectares of vineyards and 85% is planted with Riesling. Monzingen is located in the western fringes of the Nahe winegrowing area, with vineyards situated between 160 to 250 metres above sea level, and protected from the north by the Soonwald forest. Werner and Frank Schönleber’s rigorous quality control brought the winery to the upper echelon in Germany and beyond.

Picture: Christian Schiller and Werner Schönleber, Weingut Emrich-Schönleber at the 2013 Riesling Gala at Kloster Eberbach, Germany

Pictures: At Weingut Emrich-Schönleber. See: Tasting at Weingut Emrich-Schönleber in Monzingen, Nahe, with Owner/ Winemaker Frank Schönleber - Germany-North Tour 2017 by ombiasy WineTours

Schäfer-Fröhlich

Tim Fröhlich took over the virtually unknown estate of his parents in 1998 and shaped it into one of the top Nahe estates in a very short period of time.Tim is a “master” of indigenous yeast fermentation.  His dry wines are much appreciated in Germany, while in the US and Asia, Weingut Dönnhoff is better known for its fruity-sweet and noble-sweet Rieslings. 20 hectares. 85% Riesling.

Picture: Christian Schiller and Tim Fröhlich in Wiesbaden

Pictures: At Weingut Schäfer-Fröhlich in Bockenau - Germany-North Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential German Riesling and the Northernmost Pinot Noir

Pfalz

Bürklin Wolf

Bernard Bürklin founded this estate in 1597. Today it is run by his descendant, Bettina Bürklin von Gurdaze, and her husband Christian.

Weingut Bürklin Wolf is one of the largest family-owned wine estate in Germany, with 110 hectares of vineyards in the Pfalz Mittelhardt, including many of the best sites in Wachenheim, Forst, Deidesheim and Ruppertsberg. Even though this estate produces first-class sweet wines, the site is most famous for its dry Rieslings.

Pictures: Hauskonzert - Sunday Morning Concert - at Weingut Dr. Bürklin-Wolf with Annette Schiller and Bettina Bürklin-von Guradze and a 150 years old Steinway Concert Piano. See: Impromptu Tasting at Weinbar & Vinothek Weingut Dr. Bürklin-Wolf in Deidsheim, with Managing Director Steffen Brahner - Germany-South and Alsace 2018 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: Baden, Alsace, Pfalz and Rheinhessen

Picture: Annette Schiller, Chef Burkhard Schork, Steffen Brahner, MD, Weingut Bürklin-Wolf. See: Riesling Gala 2017 at Eberbach Monastery in the Rheingau: A Riesling Feast in a Breathtaking Historic Setting, Germany

Knipser

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

Picture: Stephan Knipser, Weingut Knipser, Sebastion Fürst, Weingut Fürst and Christian Schiller in Mainz. See: Germany’s Best Winemakers and Wines – Vinum WeinGuide Deutschland 2018 Awards: The Award Ceremony in Mainz, Germany

Ökonomierat Rebholz

A broad wine portfolio with Riesling and Pinots (Blanc, Noir and Gris) as well as Chardonnay. All dry. A mover and shaker in the "Grosses Gewächs" movement. The estate’s 22 ha are farmed bio-dynamically with a production of about 10,000 cases.

See:
Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Ökonomierat Rebholz in Siebeldingen, Pfalz, with Hansjörg and Valentin Rebholz and Sabine Wagner - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours
Tasting at Weingut Ökonomierat Rebholz in Siebeldingen, Pfalz – Germany-South by ombiasy WineTours (2015)
Wine Tasting at Weingut Ökonomierat Rebholz in Siebeldingen, Pfalz – Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)

Picture: The Table of Hannsjörg Rebholz, Weingut Ökonomierat Rebholz, Pfalz, at the Gala Dinner of the Rieslingfeier 2016 in New York City, with Annette Schiller, David Schildknecht and Hannsjörg Rebholz. See: A German Riesling Feast in New York City: Rieslingfeier 2016, USA

Picture: Annette and Christian Schiller with Hansjörg and Birgit Rebholz at Prowein 2015 in Düsseldorf

Pictures: Tasting at Weingut Ökonomierat Rebholz in Siebeldingen, Pfalz, with Hansjörg Rebholz. See: Tasting at Weingut Ökonomierat Rebholz in Siebeldingen, Pfalz – Germany-South by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Picture: In the Cellar of Weingut Ökonomierat Rebholz, Siebeldingen, Pfalz, with Hansjörg and Valentin Rebholz. See: Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Ökonomierat Rebholz in Siebeldingen, Pfalz, with Hansjörg and Valentin Rebholz and Sabine Wagner - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours

Rheingau

Peter Jakob Kühn

One of the leaders of biodynamic winemaking in Germany. Last year's Gault Millau Deutschland Wunemaker of the Year. 20 hectares. 90% Riesling and 10% Pinot Noir. Peter Jakob's son Peter Bernhard Kühn is in the process of taking over.

Picture: Christian Schiller and Peter Jakob Kühn in Kiedrich, Rheingau, see: Extraordinary Views of the Rheingau Vineyards - A Spectecular Helicopter Flight over the Rheingau with Rheingau Winemakers, Germany

Picture: Annette Schiller with Peter Jakob Kühn in Berlin

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

Rheinhessen

Keller

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

Picture: Annette Schiller,Julia and Klaus Peter Keller at the 2015 Rieslingfeier in New York, see: A German Riesling Feast in New York City: Rieslingfeier 2015, USA

Wittmann

The Wittmann family has been growing grapes and producing wine in the small Rheinhessen village of Westhofen since 1663. Today, the estate cultivates 62 acres of vines in the rolling limestone hills found in the southern part of the region, just west of the Rhine river valley. They have been pioneers in developing the full-bodied, well-balanced style of dry wines for which the region has become known. And they were early adopters of organic (1990) and biodynamic (2004) viticulture.

Riesling is the dominant grape variety, accounting for 65% of the estate’s vineyard area. They also produce the three Pinot varieties (Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir), as well as Silvaner. In addition, small quantities of Scheurebe, Chardonnay and some minor varieties are grown.

Pictures: Philipp Wittmann and Eva Clüsserath-Wittmann, Weingut Wittmann, with Annette and Christian Schiller at Prowein 2015 in Düsseldorf

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

Saale-Unstrut

None.

Sachsen

None.

Württemberg

None.

schiller-wine: Related Postings

UPCOMING Tours/ Wine Dinners/ Tastings - Annette and Christian Schiller/ ombiasyPR & WineTours/ schiller-wine, Germany, France, USA (Issued: November 1, 2019)

Annual Riesling Party at the Schiller Residence in Washington DC, USA (2019)
Winemaker Dinner with Chef/ King of Spices Ingo Holland and Sebastian Fürst (Weingut Rudolf Fürst, Franken), Julian Huber (Weingut Bernhard Huber, Baden) and Jérôme Legras (Champagne Legras & Haas)

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

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

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting (from Barrel and from Bottle) at Weingut Rudolf Fürst, Franken, with Sebastian Fürst - Germany-East Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Art, Culture, History - Berlin, Saale-Unstrut, Sachsen, Württemberg, Franken

Tasting and Tour with the Pinot Noir Legend Paul Fürst, Weingut Rudolf Fürst in Bürgstadt, Franken – Germany-East Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Winemaker Dinner with Sebastian Fürst, Weingut Fürst, Franken, at Schaumahl, Offenbach/ Frankfurt, 16 Points Gault Millau, Germany

Winemaker Dinner with Chef/ King of Spices Ingo Holland and Sebastian Fürst (Weingut Rudolf Fürst, Franken), Julian Huber (Weingut Bernhard Huber, Baden) and Jérôme Legras (Champagne Legras & Haas)

The Annual "Slaughterhouse" Riesling Feast in New York: Rieslingfeier 2017, USA

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

Tasting at Weingut Schloss Lieser in Lieser with Owner/ Winemaker Thomas Haag– Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2016

Tasting at Weingut Emrich-Schönleber in Monzingen, Nahe, with Owner/ Winemaker Frank Schönleber - Germany-North Tour 2017 by ombiasy WineTours

At Weingut Schäfer-Fröhlich in Bockenau - Germany-North Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential German Riesling and the Northernmost Pinot Noir

Impromptu Tasting at Weinbar & Vinothek Weingut Dr. Bürklin-Wolf in Deidsheim, with Managing Director Steffen Brahner - Germany-South and Alsace 2018 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: Baden, Alsace, Pfalz and Rheinhessen

Riesling Gala 2017 at Eberbach Monastery in the Rheingau: A Riesling Feast in a Breathtaking Historic Setting, Germany

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Ökonomierat Rebholz in Siebeldingen, Pfalz, with Hansjörg and Valentin Rebholz and Sabine Wagner - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours

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

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

Extraordinary Views of the Rheingau Vineyards - A Spectecular Helicopter Flight over the Rheingau with Rheingau Winemakers, Germany

One of the Bio-dynamic Stars in Germany: Weingut Peter Jakob Kühn in Östrich, Winkel– 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)

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

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

Pictures: Tasting at Weingut Dönnhoff, Oberhausen, Nahe. with Anne Dönnhoff - Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling

The Dönnhoff family has been making wines for more than 250 years, but a new era started when Helmut Dönnhoff began making wine in 1971. He started out with a vineyard of 10 acres, and through careful acquisition he now cultivates 60 acres of the best vineyards in the Nahe valley. Helmut Dönnhoff has become a living legend of German wine and is celebrated as one of Germany’s very best producers.

Pictures: Arriving at Weingut Dönnhoff

A few years ago, his son, Cornelius Dönnhoff, took over, with his wife Anne, who led the wine tasting. Both are committed to making the most out of the terroir to attain the ultimate in quality. The majority of the grapes planted are Riesling, but Dönnhoff also produces outstanding Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris.

Pictures: Meeting Helmut Dönnhoff earlier on the Tour. See: Attending the 2019 VDP.Weinbörse - Vintage 2018 - in Mainz - Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling

Weingut Dönnhoff: Our Vineyards - Our Family

Anne Dönnhoff: The Dönnhoff Family is proud to call Oberhausen an der Nahe home. Running from Niederhausen to Schloßböckelheim, the majestic landscapes of the Nahe Valley have held sway over us for more than 250 years. The first official mention of the Dönnhoff name dates back to 1761; the family‘s own history book details the early flowering of 1781 and the bumper grape harvest of 1784. Helmut Dönnhoff‘s grandfather laid the cornerstone for the estate‘s success. Right from the outset Hermann Dönnhoff (1880-1953) focused his attention on planting Riesling vines in prized vineyards, and by the 1920s was filling his wines into bottles and selling the finest of them by their individual vineyard names. We owe our undying thanks to his son Hermann Jr. (1916-1991) not just for the cultivation of our “Oberhäuser Brücke” site, but also for the construction of the press house in 1936 and the estate‘s first cellar space. In 1953 the estate received a Merit of Honor from the government for its outstanding viticultural achievements.

Picture: Cornelius Dönnhoff, Weingut Dönnhoff: Stuart Pigott’s Winemaker of the Year (2014), Germany. See: Best German Wines and Winemakers – Stuart Pigott’s Favorites (December 2014)

The grandchild of the estate‘s founder, Helmut Dönnhoff, paved the way for international success by establishing an enduring quality and style in his wines. His vintages would in fact become a byword for renowned German Rieslings the world over. Following his training at his parents‘ estate and university studies in winegrowing, he assumed responsibility for both vineyard and cellar starting in 1971. “Extraordinary wines are based on extraordinary vineyards. I‘m fortunate to have had the opportunity to acquire several world-class sites and in some cases to resume cultivation. It remains very much a privilege for me to produce wine from vineyards of such exceptional quality. It‘s more than I ever could have dreamed when I first started working.” This deep understanding of grand wines and grand vineyards was passed on from father to son to grandson.

Picture: Christian Schiller with Helmut Dönnhoff, Weingut Hermann Dönnhoff

Pictures  Annette Schiller, Helmut Dönnhoff and daughter Christina Dönnhoff (Weingut Dönnhoff) and Didier Cuevlier (Chateau Leoville Poyferre) at Weingut Dr. Robert Weil

Pictures: Dönnhoff Hermann, Oberhausen (Nahe) - An Afternoon with Riesling Star Winemaker Helmut Doennhoff at Weingut Doennhoff in Oberhausen in the Nahe Valley, Germany

The fourth generation now holds the reins: Cornelius Dönnhoff. He began his training in 1999 and, after a series of positions abroad, in 2007 returned to assume responsibility for the estate – initially for the vineyard and cellar, and now for all aspects of the operation. History continues, but the estate remains what it has always been: a family affair in every sense.

With its nine Große Lagen, counted among the absolute finest in the region, the estate today enjoys an excellent international reputation for its grand German Rieslings.

VINEYARD AREA 28ha
VARIETALS Riesling 80 %, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris 20 %
AGE OF VINES 15 – 65 years
SOILS Sandstone, weathered slate, weathered volcanic rock (porphyry and melaphyre)
YIELDS 50 hl/ha
AGEING Fermentation and storage in classic wooden barrels of German oak and stainless steel vats

Pictures: Tasting at Weingut Dönnhoff, Oberhausen, Nahe. with Anne Dönnhoff - Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling

The Wines

We tasted 12 wines, both dry and fruity-sweet and all Riesling, except for the sprakling wine, which was a Pinot Blanc.


Sekt

2013 Weingut Dönnhoff Dönnhoff Pinot Brut Sekt


Riesling Dry


2018 Weingut Dönnhoff Dönnhoff Riesling dry
2018 Weingut Dönnhoff Dönnhoff Tonschiefer Riesling dry


2018 Weingut Dönnhoff Roxheimer Höllenpfad Riesling dry Erste Lage


2016 Weingut Dönnhoff Felsenberg Riesling dry GG Grosse Lage
2012 Weingut Dönnhoff Hermannshöhle Riesling dry GG Grosse Lage


Riesling Fruity-sweet

2018 Weingut Dönnhoff Dönnhoff Riesling off-dry
2018 Weingut Dönnhoff Kreuznacher Krötenpfuhl Riesling Kabinett
2018 Weingut Dönnhoff Oberhäuser Leistenberg Riesling Kabinett


2018 Weingut Dönnhoff Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle Riesling Spätlese
2001 Weingut Dönnhoff Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle Riesling Spätlese
2004 Weingut Dönnhoff Schlossböckelheimer Felsenberg Riesling Auslese


schiller-wine: Related Postings (Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling - Published and Forthcoming Postings)

Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling

Attending the 2019 VDP.Weinbörse - Vintage 2018 - in Mainz - Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Visit and Tasting at Weingut Joachim Flick in Hochheim, Rheingau - Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling

Lunch at the Weingut Schloss Johannisberg Gutsrestaurant - Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling

Cellar Visit and Tasting at Weingut Wegeler in Oestrich-Winkel, Rheingau - Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Robert Weil in Kiedrich, Rheingau, with Jan Christensen - Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling

Kloster Eberbach: Overnight-Stay, Dinner, Tour and Aperitif in the Steinberg Vineyard - Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling

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

Lunch, Cellar Visit and Tasting at Weingut Baron Knyphausen in Erbach, Rheingau, with Owner Gerko Freiherr zu Knyphausen and Winemaker Arne Willkens - Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling

Tasting and Dinner at Weingut Kaufmann in Hattenheim, Rheingau, with Urban Kaufmann and Eva Raps - Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling

Family-style Wine-pairing Lunch at Weingut Hans Lang - Kaufmann, with Owners/ Winemakers Urban Kaufmann and Eva Raps - Germany-North Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Sekt Cellar Tour, Vineyard Tour and Tasting in the Vineyard at Weingut Laquai in Lorch, Rheingau, with Gundolf Laquai - Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling

Lunch in Bacharach, Mittelrhein Region - Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling

Tasting and Vineyard Drive at Weingut Ratzenberger in Bacharach, Mittelrhein, with Jochen Ratzenberger - Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling

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

Tasting at Weingut Franzen, Bremm, Terrassen-Mosel, with Angelina Franzen - Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling

Tasting at Weingut Jos. Jos. Prüm in Bernkastel-Wehlen, Mosel, with Amei Prüm - Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling

Wine Dinner at Weingut Richard Böcking in Traben-Trarbach, Middle Mosel, with Owner Denman Zirkle - Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling

Tasting at Weingut Dr. Loosen in Bernkastel-Kues, Mosel, with Ernie Loosen - Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling

Weingut Dr. H. Thanisch - Erben Mueller-Burggraef: Visit of the Doctorkeller and Tour and Tasting at the Winery, with Owner Matthias Willkomm - Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling

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

Lunch at Restaurant Juffer Flair of Weingut Christian Steinmetz in Brauneberg, Mosel - Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling

Tasting at Weingut Reinhold Haart in Piesport, Mosel, with Johannes Haart - Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling

Schiller’s Favorite Wine Taverns in Trier, Germany

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Peter Lauer in Ayl, Upper Mosel, Saar Valley, with Katharina Lauer and Peter Lauer - Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling

Lunch at WEINrestaurant Ayler Kupp, Weingut Peter Lauer, Saar Valley - Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling

Tasting at Weingut Dönnhoff, Oberhausen, Nahe, with Anne Dönnhoff - Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling

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

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

Visit and tasting at winery Dr. Crusius, Traisen, Nahe, with Peter and Judith Crusius.

Vineyard tour, cellar tour and tasting at winery Kruger-Rumpf, Münster-Sarmsheim, Nahe, with Stefan and Georg Rumpf

Tour, Tasting, Dinner and Overnight Stay at Weingut Kruger Rumpf, Nahe, with Stefan, Cornelia and Georg Rumpf– Germany-North Tour 2017 by ombiasy WineTours

Vineyard tour and tasting at winery Bischel in Appenheim, Rheinhessen, with Christian Runkel, Owner and Winemaker

Winery visit and lunch at winery Louis Guntrum in Nierstein, Rheinhessen, with Konstantin Guntrum

Guntrum is Back (Stuart Pigott/ James Suckling): Wine Pairing Lunch and Tour at Weingut Louis Guntrum in Nierstein, Rheinhessen, with Owners Konstantin and Stephanie Guntrum - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours

Mainlust “Desche Otto” – an Ultra Traditional Apple Wine Tavern, with an Innovative Twist, off the Beaten Track in Schwanheim, Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Picture: The 2019 Bordeaux Group at Château Canon-La-Gaffelière, Appellation Saint-Émilion, Premier Grand Cru Classé B, with Proprietor Count Stephan von Neipperg. See: Total Immersion in Bordeaux: World Class Wines and Exquisite French Gourmet Cuisine - Bordeaux Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Dear friends of good wine,

HAPPY THANKSGIVING to all of you! Hope you all will celebrate this Thursday with friends and family and a juicy turkey.

I do not have a turkey but I do have some very interesting tours in store for you to do in 2020:

Alsace and Germany South: May 15 – May 23, 2020

Germany is so closely identified with Riesling (and yes, it is the largest producer of Riesling world-wide) that you may be surprised to learn that the country is also very strong regarding the Burgundy grapes. It the third-largest producer of Pinot Noir (Spätburgunder), the largest producer of Pinot Blanc (Weissburgunder), and the second largest producer of Pinot Gris (Grauburgunder) in the world. Join us as we discover the southern German wine regions that produce bone dry, opulent Rieslings, outstanding Pinot Noirs and whites from Burgundy grapes. We will step across the Rhine River to compare the wines of the Eastern (German) and Western (French) Rhine valley and we will get a feel for the beautiful, quaint Alsace region with its incredible picturesque wine villages dotted with half-timbered century old buildings. Enjoy the Pfalz, the second largest German wine region by growing area and only topped by Rheinhessen, which it borders to the north. From there, the Pfalz stretches to the French border 53 miles to the south and borders Alsace. In this region French and German vineyards melt into one another and some wineries on the French side own vineyards in Germany and vice versa.

For detailed information on the tour schedule, please check: https://ombiasypr.com/index.php/wine-tours/germany-south/germany-south-alsace-itinerary

For pricing and registration, please go to: https://ombiasypr.com/index.php/wine-tours/germany-south/germany-south-alsace-registration

Pictures: Tasting with Jean-Frederic Hugel at Domaine Hugel in Riquewhir, Alsace, including a Vintage 1945 Domaine Hugel Wine. See: Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: Baden, Alsace, Pfalz and Rheinhessen

Rhône Valley: June 08 - June 17, 2020

Join us as we explore in detail the wines of the Rhône Valley. We start in vibrant, cool, sophisticated Lyon, the capital of Haut Cuisine. We stop in the Northern Rhône where names such as Côte Rôtie, Crozes-Hermitage make us crave a glass of wine. We follow the eponymous Rhône river south to Avignon, the city that was the seat of the papacy for the better part of the 14th century. We spend two nights in Châteauneuf du Pape exploring the famous wines. We do a side-kick to the gorgeous Dentelles de Montmirail where we find the wines of Gigondas, Vacqueyras, Séguret, and the sweet wines of Rasteau and Baumes de Venice, and of course we visit famous Roman sites such as the Pont du Gard and the city of Arles where we also trace van Gogh’s steps. The southern Rhône belongs to Provence. Provence: this immediately ignites a deep yearning for the fragrance coming from purple Lavender fields, for the special light the Impressionist artists masterfully captured in their paintings, for a very special "savoir vivre", and for the dark red, fruity, spicy wines.

For detailed information on the tour schedule, please check:https://ombiasypr.com/index.php/wine-tours/rhone/rhone-itinerary

For pricing and registration, please go to:https://ombiasypr.com/index.php/wine-tours/rhone/rhone-registration

Pictures: At the Pont du Gard in the Southern Rhône Valley. See: Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Bordeaux: September 01 – September 10, 2020

Join us as we explore Sauternes, Pessac-Léognan, Margaux, Saint-Julien, Pauillac, Saint-Estèphe, Médoc, Saint-Emilion, Pomerol, Entre-deux-Mers, and Blaye, where we will visit well-known classified Châteaux, classified under-the-radar Châteaux, and so-called “Petits-Châteaux” producing phenomenal wines. Wine and food, that’s so important in Bordeaux, and wine pairing lunches or dinners at famous châteaux with the owner or Managing Director are an almost daily routine. Besides doing Châteaux hopping, I will also show you other aspects of “Bordeaux” that the usual wine tours do not do: we will be introduced to the “Place de Bordeaux” buying and selling system unique in Bordeaux by visiting a négociant house, a wine merchant; we will visit a cooper to see from A to Z how a barrique is being made; we go to the basin d’Arcachon to see how an oyster is raised; we will experience the big bodies of water so important for the Bordeaux climate: the mighty Gironde estuary and the Atlantic ocean. Instead of sitting for 3 to 4 hours in traffic every day going back and forth to Bordeaux city we will travel around, spending nights in the heart of the Left Bank in Pauillac and in the heart of the Right Bank in Saint-Émilion to “feel” the vineyards; and of course we will spend some time in the vibrant, hip, cultural, cool city of Bordeaux.

For detailed information on the tour schedule, please check: https://ombiasypr.com/index.php/wine-tours/bordeaux/bordeaux-itinerary

For pricing and registration, please go to: https://ombiasypr.com/index.php/wine-tours/bordeaux/bordeaux-registration

Pictures: The 2019 Group at Château Canon-La-Gaffelière, Appellation Saint-Émilion, Premier Grand Cru Classé B, with Proprietor Count Stephan von Neipperg, at the Market Square in Saint-Emilion, at Château Bouscaut, Appellation Pessac-Léognan, Cru Classé de Graves, with Owner Sophie Cogombles-Lurton and her Husband Laurent Cogombles, at Château Le Bon Pasteur, Appellation Pomerol, with Dany Rolland and General Manager Benoit Prévot, at Château Le Reysse, Vignobles Paeffgen, Appellation Médoc, with Stefan and Heike Paeffgen and at Château Lafite-Rothschild, Appellation Pauillac, 1ière Grand Cru Class. See: Total Immersion in Bordeaux: World Class Wines and Exquisite French Gourmet Cuisine - Bordeaux Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Don’t hesitate to contact me anytime if you would like to know more details. I am more than happy to answer all your queries.

Have a wonderful Holiday week and see you on one of the tours.

Annette

Annette Schiller, Diplom-Volkswirt
ombiasy | PR
WINE tours | education | events
Washington DC - Frankfurt am Main
T: +1 (703) 459.7513
T: +49 (0) 177.337.0281
aschiller@ombiasypr.com
web: ombiasypr.com
blog: schiller-wine.blogspot.com - Finalist Millésima Blog Awards 2015

schiller-wine: Related Postings

UPCOMING Tours/ Wine Dinners/ Tastings - Annette and Christian Schiller/ ombiasyPR & WineTours/ schiller-wine, Germany, France, USA (Issued: November 1, 2019)

Annual Riesling Party at the Schiller Residence in Washington DC, USA (2019)

Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: Baden, Alsace, Pfalz and Rheinhessen

Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Total Immersion in Bordeaux: World Class Wines and Exquisite French Gourmet Cuisine - Bordeaux Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Pictures: Tour, Tasting and Shashlik Dinner at Martali Wine, with Owners/ Winemakers Nikoloz Bitskinashvili, Nikheil Bitskinashvili and Thomas Schubaeus - Georgia Wine Tour 2019

The visit of Martali Wine, with Owners/ Winemakers Nikoloz Bitskinashvili, Nikheil Bitskinashvili, and Thomas Schubaeus was by far the most personal of all during the Georgia Wine Tour 2019 of Collegium Vini. This was due to the fact that Klaus Schubaeus, President of the Collegium Vini, is the father of Thomas Schubaeus, one of the 3 co-owners of Martali Wine.

Thomas Schubaeus is a career-changer. He grew up in Germany and finished his university studies with a Master Degree in Political Science. At university, he met his future wife, who is from Georgia. Following their graduation, they moved to Georgia, were she joined the Foreign Service and he founded with Nikoloz (son) and Nikheil (father) Bitskinashvili the Martali Wine. The Bitskinashvilis have always made wine but not at a commercial level.

There are basically 3 types of wineries in Georgia: (1) Large negociant-type producers focussing on mass production for the former Soviet Union and other countries; (2) medium-size producers focussing on what is called European-style wines in Georgia or what I would call main-steam premium wines; and (3) niche-producers that focus on high-end qvevri wines. Martali Wine belongs to the third group. 

We enjoyed a tour and tasting, followed by dinner in the courtyard of Martali Wine. Nikheil Bitskinashvili prepared tradional shashlik for us.

Pictures: Arriving at Martali Wine

Annette and I spent a week in Georgia, the small country that used to be part of the Soviet Union, located between the Black See and the Caspian See. The area is considered to be the birthplace of wine. Research indicates that wine has been made in Georgia for 8000 years. There are over 500 indigenous grape varieties in Georgia. Traditionally, wine in Georgia has been made (fermented and aged) in amphoras burried in the ground.

This was a group-tour of the Collegium Vini, an association of wine lovers in the Frankfurt/ Germany area, of which we are members. The tour was organized by GEORGIENREISEN. Co-owner Tea Totogashvili was our guide. The focus of the tour was on culture and wine.

See here for an overview posting: Georgia Wine Tour 2019: Discovering the Birthplace of Wine

Pictures: Nikoloz Bitskinashvili, Nikheil Bitskinashvili and Thomas Schubaeus

Wine in Georgia

Georgia is located in an area that is considered to be the birthplace of wine. Research indicates that wine has been made in Georgia for 8000 years. There are over 500 indigenous grape varieties in Georgia. Traditionally, wine in Georgia has been made (fermented and aged) in amphoras burried deep in the ground.

Georgia is a small, Christian country with a difficult history. In particular, it was part of the Russian Zsar's Empire. During that period the influence of French winemaking and French cuisine was important. More recently, Georgia was part of the Soviet Union. During the Soviet Union period Georgia was the chief provider of wine for the whole country.This was essentially low-cost mass wine shipped in tanks to all regions of the Soviet Union and bottled there. There was no commercial qvevri winemaking during the Soviet Union period. The commercial sector was dominated by huge stainless steel tanks to produce sweet-style wines.

After the break-up of the Soviet Union and various conflicts between Russia and Georgia, the Georgian wine sector has been adjusting to the new market conditions. The production of inexpensive, often sweet-style wines for Russia and other neighboring countries remains important.

At the same time, the amber wine revolution has discovered Georgia and Georgia has become an important player in the natural wine scene, including in New York, Berlin, London etc. But quevri wines account only for 3% of Georgia's wine exports. Still, they account for 100% of the buzz.

Tradionally, both red and white wine have been fermented and aged in quevris, burried in the ground for temperature control purposes. Basically each family in Georgia has a quevri where they make there wine in this ancient method. Typically, quevri wines are no-sulfur wines with natural yeast only. Whole-bunch fermentation is the rule. 

While the buzz is about the hard-core qvevri winemaking where the grapes are fermented with their skins, pips and stems and aged for an extensive period in a qvevri, you also find winemakers that combine the traditional Georgian approach with modern approaches like aging in barrels or fermenting in qvevris but without skins, pips and stems. In fact, there is a whole range of quevri winemaking. 

Interestingly, not once went a winemaker with us to the vineyard and we did not have one single-vineyard wine in Georgia. In general it seems that vineyard issues are on the backburner in Georgia.

Pictures: Touring the Marani (Wine Cellar)

Qvevri Wines – Different Techniques
Wine Trail Travellor, Terry Sullivan

Qvevri are earthen vessels crafted from clay, fired, coated on the inside with beeswax, often coated on the outside with cement and buried in the ground. Sizes range from one liter to thousands of liters. Compared to other winemaking vessels, qvevri are relatively inexpensive. For example, two qvevri craftsmen in Georgia charge about one dollar per liter. An oak barrel is 225 liters and if it is a French oak barrel can cost $1,000 or more. A 225 liter qvevri would cost $225 plus shipping.

Oak barrels are often used from three to five years. Qvevri are often used for hundreds of years. This ability to reuse a qvevri for centuries makes it the most economical vessel for making wine. We have visited winemakers that are still using qvevri crafted two centuries ago. We discovered that there are different winemaking protocols for making qvevri wine.

Some winemakers place whole grape clusters in the qvevri to ferment and age. The more popular practice is to press the grapes in a wood press using your feet. The grape juice and the chacha (skins, seeds and stems) are placed in the qvevri with the juice to ferment and age. Other winemakers use modern destemmer to destem the grapes and place the juice and chacha into the qvevri. Some producers add all the chacha to the qvevri while others add only a percentage of the chacha to the juice in a qvevri. Then there are a few producers that press the grapes and only add the juice to the qvevri.

Fermentation is done with the native yeasts. We asked if there were enough yeast to ferment the juice if only juice were added to a qvevri. The winemakers using this technique said the always had the juice ferment. After fermentation the techniques also vary. Some winemakers rack the wine into another qvevri without the chacha. While other winemakers seal the original qvevri letting the wine on its chacha. They usually let the wine on the chacha for six months. After which they may rack to another qvevri to help with clarification.

There isn’t one protocol that all winemakers making wine in qvevri follow. As a result, the wines will show different colors as well as aromas, tastes and tannins. A white wine made from only the juice in the qvevri will be a yellow color and probably floral and fruity with no tannins. A white wine fermented and aged on its chacha for six months will be an dark gold or amber color, have more intense aromas and tastes and have mild to bold tannins.

Consumers that want a qvevri made wine for a reason such as a white wine with bold tannins, need to know about the producer and the procedures the winemaker followed.

Pictures: Tasting at Martali Wine

Martali Wine

Thomas Schubaeus: Martali Wine was founded in 2016 by Nikoloz Bitskinashvili, his father Mikheil, and their German friend Thomas Schubaeus with the aim of producing high quality organic wines by adhering to traditional Kakhetian winemaking techniques dating back perhaps several millennia.

The company ́s name is derived from contemplations on the art of winemaking by famous 19th century nobleman, poet and politician Prince Ilia Chavchavadze, the „Father of modern Georgia“.

Pictures: Preparing Shashlik

According to Ilia, a „Martali Wine“ is a wine that is authentic, pure and produced in a traditional fashion. Based in the village of Shashiani, Gurjaani Municipality, Kakheti, our Saperavi grapes are grown on 2,3 hectares in the renowned „Papris Mindori“ microzone in the village of Akhasheni overlooking the Alazani river valley and the snowy peaks of the eastern part of the Greater Caucasus mountain range. At an elevation of 400-500 meters above sea level, this area is characterized by soil made up of loam, gravel, alluvium, a bit of limestone, sandstone, and a hot, dry climate with little to no precipitation during the summer months. Our white grape varieties are grown in Shashiani itself, at about the same elevation and on a similar type of soil.

Pictures: Shashlik Dinner at Martali Wine, with Owners/ Winemakers Nikoloz Bitskinashvili, Nikheil Bitskinashvili and Thomas Schubaeus

In our wine cellar (Marani), we are using traditional clay vessels (Kvevri) for the fermentation process, during which there is as little outside intervention as possible. The wine has full skin contact, and either half or all the branches remain in the kvevri. After fermentation, it is pumped out, and the vessels are thoroughly cleaned, before being refilled and sealed until December, when samples are taken for quality control. All our wines remain in the kvevri for at least six months. As of now we have produced 2017 Saperavi (Alc. 12,5%), 2017 Rkatsiteli (Alc. 13,4%), and 2018 Saperavi (Alc. 15,6%), as well as 2018 Mukuzani (Alc. 12,5%). Aside from degustations in our 120 year old Marani we also offer traditional Kakhetian feasts (Supra) in our family home ́s cozy yard or factory building, as well as master classes for bread baking, churchkhela-making, and preparing shashlik. We are looking forward to hosting you in Shashiani!

Bye-bye

Many thanks for a great tour, tasting and shashlik dinner at Martali Wine.

Pictures: Bye-bye

schiller-wine: Related Postings - Georgia Wine Tour 2019: Discovering the Birthplace of Wine (Published and Forthcoming Postings)

Georgia Wine Tour 2019: Discovering the Birthplace of Wine

Tour and Wine-pairing Lunch at Iago Winery in Mtskheta, with Cult-winemaker Iago Bitarishvili - Georgia Wine Tour 2019

Wine-pairing Lunch at Pheasant's Tears, Arguably Georgia's Most Famous Winery - Georgia Wine Tour 2019

Tour, Tasting, Dinner and Overnight-stay at Schuchmann in Kakheti, with Roland Burdiashvili, Managing Director/ Assistant Winemaker - Georgia Wine Tour 2019

Tour, Extensive Tasting and Light Lunch at Tchotiashveli Estate, with Owner/ Winemaker Kakha Tchotiashvili - Georgia Wine Tour 2019

Tour, Tasting and Dinner at Martali Wine, with Owners/ Winemakers Nikoloz Bitskinashvili, Nikheil Bitskinashvili and Thomas Schubaeus - Georgia Wine Tour 2019

Tour and Extensive Tasting at Château Mukhrani with General Manager/ Winemaker Patrick Honnef

At Mosmieri Winebar and Shop in Tbilisi, with Château Mosmieri Owner Joerg Matthies

Pictures: Best German Wines and Winemakers – Eichelmann WeinGuide Deutschland 2020 Awards, Germany: At Weingut Salway (Baden), Weingut Jülg (Pfalz), Weingut Bischel (Rheinhessen) and Weingut Meyer-Näkel (Ahr)

The Eichelmann WeinGuide Deutschland 2020 - one of the 5 main wine guides in Germany (along with GaultMillau, Vinum, Feinschmecker and Falstaff) - was released in November 2019 in Heidelberg.

Picture: WeinGuides Deutschland 2020 (Photo: Weingut Corvers-Kauter - Facebook)

In the Eichelmann WeinGuide Deutschland 2020, Gerhard Eichelmann presents almost 1000 winemakers and reviews more than 11000 wines. For the rating of the winemakers, he employs a system that awards a winery up to five stars, where 5 stars indicate “world class, top international producers”. There are about 2 dozens of German winemakers in this group.

Additionally, in each issue of the Eichelmann WeinGuide Deutschland a (1) Rising Star of the Year as well as the producers of the best collections of (2) red wines, (3) white wines, (4) noble-sweet and (5) sparkling wines are named. Further, Gerhard Eichelmann presents (6) a “Classic of the Year” Wine and (7) an Honorary Award for Lifetime Achievement.

Picture: Gerhard Eichelmann at the VDP.Grosses Gewaechs Pre-release Tasting in Wiesbaden

Best White Wine Collection: Weingut Bischel, Appenheim (Rheinhessen)

Rheinhessen
19 hectares
20% Riesling, 20% Spätburgunder, 15% Weissburgunder, 15% Grauburgunder

Weingut Bischel from Appenheim in Rheinhessen receives the Best White Wine Collection Award. Christian and Matthias Runkel have accelerated considerably in the last few years; frour years ago they were the Rising Star of the Year. And since then, they have improved further, with a great white wine collection this year, says Gerhard Eichelmann, explaining the choice of editors.

Besides stunning Riesling they produce a gorgeous Pinot-Blanc with an enchanting bouquet of flowers and vanilla, and wonderful, elegant, Pinot-Noirs. Their efforts were awarded with being asked to join the VDP. As of January 1, 2019 they are the newest member of the VDP.

Pictures. At Weingut Bischel. See: Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling

Best Red Wine Collection: Weingut Klopfer, Weinstadt-Großheppach (Württemberg)

Württemberg
11 hectares
25% Riesling, 15% Trollinger, 10% Lemberger, 8% Spätburgunder

Weingut Klopfer from Großheppach in the Remstal receives the Best Red Wine Collection Award. Wolfgang and Christoph Klopfer have steadily improved in recent years, presenting collections at a very high level. This year for the second time in a row a Lemberger of Weingut Klopfer was the highest rated Lemberger, explains Gerhard Eichelmann at the award ceremony.

Best Noble-sweet Collection: Weingut Dr. Corvers-Kauter, Oestrich-Winkel (Rheingau)

Rheingau
29 hectares
75% Riesling, 20% Spätburgunder

Weingut Dr. Corvers-Kauter in Oestrich-Winkel in the Rheingau receives the Best Noble-sweet Collection Award. In the last years, the collections of noble-sweet wines have steadily improved with the vintage 2018 collection reaching a new high, explain the editors.

Best Sekt Collection: Sektkellerei Andres & Mugler, Ruppertsberg (Pfalz)

Sektkellerei Andres & Mugler in Ruppertsberg in the Pfalz receives the Best Sekt Collection Award. Year after year, they present beautifully reliable sparkling wine collections at a very high level, and have been among the top sparkling wine producers in Germany for two decades.

Rising Star of the Year: Weingut Jülg, Schweigen-Rechtenbach (Pfalz)

Pfalz
18 hectares
40% Riesling, 35% Weissburgunder, 35% Grauburgunder

Rising Star of the Year is Weingut Jülg from Schweigen-Rechtenbach in South Palatinate. The Jülg family showed us their strongest collection so far this year, which is led by the wines of the recently introduced top category Opus-Oskar, which is dedicated to winery founder Oskar Jülg, explains the editor Jens Wagner, who is responsible for the Pfalz Region.

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

Discovery of the Year: Winzerhof Linder, Endingen (Baden)

The Eichelmann WeinGuide has always invested a lot of time in the search for new wine talents, and this should become even more important in the future. Therefore, for the first time the Eichelmann WeinGuide contains a Discovery of the Year. Ronald Linder is a career changer. The media engineer and aspiring filmmaker took over the winery of the parents in Endingen at the beginning of the 2010s and changed radically to biodynamic farming; he is now Demeter and Ecovin certified. The wines all have a multi-layered texture, they are exciting and at the same time there is silence in the wines, explains Thomas Veigel, Baden's editor.

Klassiker des Jahres/ Classic of the Year: Kirchberg Oberrotweil Spätburgunder GG, Weingut Salwey, Oberrotweil (Baden)

Baden
41 hectares
40% Grauburgunder, 40% Spätburgunder

In addition to the wineries of the year, Gerhard Eichelmann presented the classic wine of the year, which will become part of the "Mondo Classics Library" This is a collection of the great wines of Germany. Every year a wine from a great vineyard is added. For Eichelmann, the classic wine of the year is a wine that offers high quality, shows a clear for every vintage and can be considered a classic, a prototype with regard to the grape variety and the region. This year, the choice fell on the Kirchberg vineyard in Oberrotweil in the Kaiserstuhl with a Spätburgunder Großes Gewächs of von Konrad Salwey: A fascinating wine, complex, clean and sustainable, praises Gerhard Eichelmann.

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

Honorary Award for Lifetime Achievement: Werner Näkel, Weingut Meyer-Näkel, Dernau (Ahr)

Ahr
19 hectares
75% Spätburgunder, 15% Frühburgunder

Werner Näkel receives the Honorary Award for Lifetime Achievement this year. Werner Näkel is the most renowned winemaker in the Ahr Region, and is importantly responsible for the boom that the region has experienced over the last twenty years. When he started producing dry wines in the eighties and aging red wines in oak barrels, many people were puzzled. Today wines from the Ahr are mostly dry and aging in barrique has become the rule for top level red wines. Werner Näkel is one of the handful of winemakers to whom German wine today owes its high reputation, explains Gerhard Eichelmann at the award ceremony.

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

Eichelmann WeinGuide Deutschland

For previous years, see:

Germany's 29 Best Winemakers - Eichelmann WeinGuide Deutschland 2019
Best German Wines and Winemakers – Eichelmann WeinGuide Deutschland 2019 Awards, Germany

Germany's 28 Best Winemakers - Eichelmann WeinGuide Deutschland 2018
Best German Wines and Winemakers – Eichelmann WeinGuide Deutschland 2018 Awards, Germany

Germany's 27 Best Winemakers - Eichelmann WeinGuide Deutschland 2017
Best German Wines and Winemakers – Eichelmann WeinGuide Deutschland 2017 Awards, Germany

Germany's 28 Best Winemakers - Eichelmann WeinGuide Deutschland 2016
Best German Wines and Winemakers – Eichelmann WeinGuide Deutschland 2016 Awards, Germany

Germany's Top 27 Winemakers: 5 out of 5 Grapes - Eichelmann WeinGuide
Deutschland 2015
Best German Wines and Winemakers – Eichelmann Wine Guide Deutschland 2015 Awards, Germany

Germany’s 26 Top Winemakers - Eichelmann WeinGuide Deutschland 2014
Best German Winemakers – Eichelmann Wine Guide Deutschland 2014 Awards, Germany

Best German Wines and Winemakers – Eichelmann Wine Guide Deutschland 2013 Awards, Germany

Best German Wines - Eichelmann Wine Guide 2012 Awards, Germany

Wine ratings: German wine --- Eichelmann 2010 (Awards)

schiller-wine: Related Postings

UPCOMING Tours/ Wine Dinners/ Tastings - Annette and Christian Schiller/ ombiasyPR & WineTours/ schiller-wine, Germany, France, USA (Issued: November 1, 2019)

Annual Riesling Party at the Schiller Residence in Washington DC, USA (2019)

Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling

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

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

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

Pictures: Vineyard Tour and Tasting at Château Troplong-Mondot, Appellation Saint-Émilion, Premier Grand Cru Classé B - Bordeaux Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Château Troplong-Mondot is one of the most beautiful properties of the appellation. The handsome castle was built in 1745 and it was once part of a sizeable estate that included what today are the Château Pavie vineyards. Since the late 1920s Château Troplong-Mondot was in the hands of the Valette family. In the 1980s it was Christine Valette who managed the estate and brought the quality up to the Premier-Grand-Cru Classé level.

Christine Valette passed away in 2014 and in 2017 the property was sold to the French Insurance Company SOCR. They hired Aymeric de Gironde – then managing director at Cos d’Estournet – to become managing director and he started a complete change in the vineyards, in harvesting ideology, and in vinification techniques. The château with 92 acres under vine is one of the largest estates in the Saint-Émilion appellation and sits on the highest point -300 feet- of the plateau east of the village of Saint-Émilion. The soil consists of a deep limestone deposit under layers of thick clay soil.

Château Troplong-Mondot is undergoing a major renovation. Thus, we could not visit the winemaking facilities but instead enjoyed a wonderful vineyard walk and tasting.

Pictures: Vineyard Tour

Château Troplong Mondot/ Wine-Searcher

Wine-Searcher: Château Troplong Mondot is a producer located on the hills of Saint-Émilion, on the right bank of the Gironde in Bordeaux. Typically for the region, Merlot is the dominant grape variety. Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc are also used in smaller proportions.

Troplong Mondot is classified as Premier Grand Cru Classé B in the Saint-Émilion classification. This was most recently updated in 2012.

Under the previous owners, and their consultant winemaker Michel Rolland, the wine was known for its deep color, concentration and full bodied style. However in 2017 the estate was sold.

The new owners, the French Insurance group SOCR, brought in Aymeric de Gironde – formerly of Pichon Baron and Cos d'Estournel – to manage the estate, with new winemaking consultants. Many changes have been implemented.

Two neighboring vineyard parcels have been added. Six hectares (15 acres) were acquired from Clos Labarde and 4ha (10 acres) from Bellisle Mondot. Initially these will contribute to the second wine, Mondot. The pre existing vineyards cover 33 hectares (81.5 acres).

Soils are well draining limestone and clay, interspersed with chalk and flint. Troplong Mondot has a cooler climate, at a higher elevation, than most of Saint-Émillon. Under the previous owners it was one of the last to harvest grapes each year.

The fruit will now be picked earlier, and previous extraction techniques replaced by more traditional processes. The grand vin is matured in 60 percent new oak which is untoasted, to deliver a less overtly oaky style than before. Positive reports of the 2018 suggest the wine will become fresher with more mineral characters, while retaining a silky texture.

Château Troplong Mondot was established in the late 1800s when Raymond-Theodore Troplong bought and expanded the Mondot estate.

Pictures: Tasting

Aymeric de Gironde, Chief Executive Officer:

A few years ago, I came to Troplong Mondot, as a simple visitor.

I felt a unique atmosphere. I perceived this “Sense of Place” feeling, so well formulated by our Anglo-Saxon friends. A vague feeling, a soothing impression, as if this place wasn’t really quite like any other and that it was just THE right place.

Already, at the time, I felt as if I belonged here. Time has gone by. And I have come back.

Today, more than ever, Troplong Mondot reveals itself to me as a chance, a world apart, and its evocation relentlessly brings back a flood of thoughts and emotions.

This emotional dimension is specific to Troplong Mondot. It is both an inward retreat, made up of souvenirs and reflections, and an openness towards others based on sharing and empathy. It is what I would like to find here.

In the crazy era of the ephemeral and the immediate that is ours today, I invite you to take some time.

The time to invoke this “Sense of Place”, unique to Troplong Mondot. To reflect and exchange, like one would over a glass of wine. To stand tall, like Troplong Mondot on its hilltop, overlooking the view and stretching out across the horizon.

To question oneself and one’s surroundings. To challenge one’s ideas against those of others so as to find the truth.

To take a step back so as to alter our point of view and open ourselves to new perspectives.

Over a short break, whilst reading, eyes will cross to give a particular light to Troplong Mondot’s world. Each and every theme and encounter will reflect its spirit and will reveal its unique character, through the thousand facets that make up its personality. Whether deep or ephemeral, it will be a matter of encounters, discussions, interpretations and either intimate or universal reflections.

All in a way that I hope will allow emotions to emerge and that will open the doors of our world to you.

The world of Troplong Mondot.

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

Pictures: Tour and Tasting at Château Cos d’Estournel, Appellation Saint-Estèphe, 2ième Grand Cru Classé, with Managing Director Aymeric de Gironde - Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2016, France

Château Troplong Mondot

Twenty-five sub-terroirs, three grape varieties and altimeters that vary over several tens of metres

The highest point of the region, culminating at 110 metres

43 hectares altogether, one of the appellation’s largest vineyards

Merlot 85% – Cabernet Sauvignon 13% – Cabernet Franc 2%

A global environment designed over time

A dozen horses that roam up and down the vineyards between March and November

Sustainable soil valuation analyses by Lydia and Claude Bourguignon, since 2007

Preservation of the biodiversity for more than 20 years thanks to the hedges, the forests and the walls that shelter the fauna

A vineyard created in 1700, a château built in 1745

A surname: that of Raymond-Théodore Troplong who shaped the identity and the configuration of the estate and that of his nephew, Edouard, who added his surname onto the existing one, thus creating Troplong Mondot.

Charismatic figures, such as Christine Valette, embodied the freedom of spirit, the determination and the elegant generosity for which the property is still renowned.

An enduring commitment towards our environment, a respectful vision that has been thoroughly conveyed season after season, to prepare the future.

The Wines

2015 Château Troplong-Mondot Mondot US$35
2011 Château Troplong-Mondot Grand Vin US$97
2006 Château Troplong-Mondot Grand Vin US$83

"The brilliant 2011 Troplong Mondot is one of the superstars of the vintage. The final blend was 89% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc, and the wine tips the scales at 14.5% alcohol. Its opaque blue/purple, nearly black color is followed by aromas of blueberry liqueur interwoven with black raspberries, blackberries, licorice, camphor and forest floor. Among the most complete wines of the vintage, with no hollowness, astringency or herbaceousness, this is a tour de force in a challenging vintage. Some tannins are noticeable, but this 2011 is already approachable and should provide delicious, complex drinking over the next two decades. Bravo!" 95 points Robert Parker - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Tasted blind as a vintage comparison at the Valandraud vertical, the 2006 Troplong-Mondot is deep in color with minimal ageing on the rim. The bouquet is rich and generous with mulberry, Hoi Sin, orange blossom and melted tar aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannin, generous black pepper and graphite notes cutting through the dense black fruit, leading to an engaging, tensile, graphite and tobacco-driven finish that exerts both body and length. It still has that slight stockiness, but that is something I like. I have always found much to admire in this vintage of Troplong-Mondot and it continues to give so much pleasure. 93 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (NM) (2/2017)

Pictures: The Wines

Total Immersion in Bordeaux: World Class Wines and Exquisite French Gourmet Cuisine - Bordeaux Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours, France (Published and Forthcoming Postings)

Total Immersion in Bordeaux: World Class Wines and Exquisite French Gourmet Cuisine - Bordeaux Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Total Immersion in Bordeaux: World Class Wines and Exquisite French Gourmet Cuisine - Bordeaux Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Total Immersion in Bordeaux: World Class Wines and Exquisite French Gourmet Cuisine - Bordeaux Tour 2017 by ombiasy WineTours, France

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 Château Pape-Clément, Graves, Appellation Pessac-Léognan, Cru Classé de Graves, with Daley Brennan, Business Development Manager, Eastern USA - Bordeaux Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours, France

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

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 - An Update

Schiller’s Favorite Seafood Places in Bordeaux City, France - An Update

Tour and Tasting at Château Canon-La-Gaffelière, Appellation Saint-Émilion, Premier Grand Cru Classé B, with Proprietor Count Stephan von Neipperg - Bordeaux Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours, France

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

Tour and Tasting at Château Belles-Graves, Appellation Lalande de Pomerol, with Sylvain Garoste, Maître de Chai (Cellar Master) - Bordeaux Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Lunch at Restaurant La Table de Catusseau, Bib Gourmand in the Guide Michelin, in Pomerol - Bordeaux Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Tour and Tasting at Château La Conseillante, Appellation Pomerol, with Technical Director Marielle Cazaux - Bordeaux Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Vineyard Tour and Tasting at Château Troplong-Mondot, Appellation Saint-Émilion, Premier Grand Cru Classé B - Bordeaux Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Tour and Lunch at Château Le Bon Pasteur, Appellation Pomerol, with Dany Rolland and General Manager Benoit Prévot

Wine-pairing Lunch at Château Le Bon Pasteur, Pomerol, with Dany Rolland, GM Benoit Prévot and Chef Frédéric Bozzo - Bordeaux Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Touring Saint-Emilion

Saint Emilion Wines and their Classification, Bordeaux, France

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

Tour and Tasting at Château Gazin, Appellation Pomerol, with Owner Nicolas de Bailliencourts

Tour and Lunch at Château Climens, Appellation Barsac-Sauternes, Première Grand Cru Classé, with Owner and Winemaker Bérénice Lurton

Wine-pairing Lunch at Château Climens, Appellation Barsac-Sauternes, Première Grand Cru Classé, with Owner/ Winemaker Bérénice Lurton and Chef Florence Camaly - Bordeaux Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Tour and Tasting at Château Reynier, Appellation Entre-Deux-Mers, with Owners/ Winemakers Marc Lurton and Agnès Lurton

Lunch at Restaurant La Marina in Blaye

Tour and Tasting at Château Bel-Air La Royère, Appellation Blaye-Côtes de Bordeaux, with Owner/ Winemaker Corinne Loriaud

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

Tour and Tasting at Earl Ostrea Chanca Oyster Farm, with Oyster Farmer Ralph Doerfler

Oysters in Bordeaux: Visiting the Oyster Farmer Raphael Doerfler and his Earl Ostrea Chanca Oyster Farm in Grand Piquey/ Bassin d'Arcachon - Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2017, France

Lunch at Pinasse Café, Cap Ferret, Bassin d'Arcachon - Bordeaux Tour 2017 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Schiller's Favorite Seafood Restaurants in Arcachon and Cap Ferret (Bassin d'Arcachon/ Bordeaux)

Lunch at Pinasse Café, Cap Ferret

Lunch at Pinasse Café, Cap Ferret, Bassin d'Arcachon - Bordeaux Tour 2017 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Tour and Blending Workshop at Château La Tour de Bessan, Appellation Margaux, Cru Bourgeois

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Blending Exercise at Château La Tour de Bessan, Margaux, Cru Bourgeois, with Owner/ Winemaker Marie-Laure Lurton - Bordeaux Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours, France  

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

What is a Bordeaux Cru Bourgeois? France

Tour and Tasting at Château Lafite-Rothschild, Appellation Pauillac, 1ière Grand Cru Classé

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

Tour and Tasting (from Barrel and Bottle) at Château Lafon-Rochet, 4ème Grand Cru Classé St-Estèphe, with Owner Basile Tesseron - Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2018, France

Tour and Lunch at Château Phélan-Ségur, with General Manager Véronique Dausse and Winemaker Fabrice Bacquey

Tour and Tasting at Château Pichon-Longueville-Baron, Appellation Pauillac, 2ième Grand Cru Classé, with Technical Director Jean-René Matignon

Wine-Pairing Lunch at Château Pichon Longueville Baron in Pauillac - Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2017 France

Tour at Cooperage Berger & Fils with Simon Grelier, Managing Director

How a Barrel is Made: Visit of the Cooperage Berger & Fils in Vertheuil– Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2017, France

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

Tour and Tasting at Château Sociando Mallet, Appellation Haut-Médoc– Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2016, France

Tour and Dinner at Château Le Reysse, Vignobles Paeffgen, Appellation Médoc, with Stefan and Heike Paeffgen

Tour, Barrel Tasting and Family Dinner with Stefan and Heike Paeffgen, Château Le Reysse and Château Lassus, Vignobles Paeffgen, Appellation Médoc - Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2017, France

Tour and Tasting at Château Beychevelle, Appellation Saint-Julien, 4ième Grand Cru Classé, with Philippe Blanc, Managing Director

Tour and Tasting at Château Beychevelle, Appellation Saint-Julien, 4ième Grand Cru Classé, with General Manager Philippe Blanc - Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2017, France

Tour and Lunch at Château Desmirail, Appellation Margaux, 3ième Grand Cru Classé, with Owner Denis Lurton

Tour and Tasting at Château Durfort-Vivens, Appellation Margaux, 2ième Grand Cru Classé

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Château Durfort-Vivens, Appellation Margaux, 2ième Grand Cru Classé - Bordeaux Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Winery Tour and Dinner at Château Bouscaut, Appellation Pessac-Léognan, Cru Classé de Graves, with Owner Sophie Cogombles-Lurton and her Husband Laurent Cogombles

Picture: In the Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr with Oliver Haag, Weingut Fritz Haag, Mosel. See: Tasting and Vineyard Walk with Oliver Haag, Weingut Fritz Haag– Germany-North Tour 2017 by ombiasy WineTours

At the end of the year, both leading US wine magazines Wine Enthusiast and Wine Spectator publish their list of the Top 100 wines of the year. Highly prestigious! Below are the German wines that made it to the top this year. Of note: In the past it was almost exclusively noble sweet German wines that made it into these selections. This year, there are dry Rieslings as well as a German Sekt (for the first time ever?) and a German Pinot Blanc (quite likely also a first time).

Wine Enthusiast

The Wine Enthusiast includes 3 German wines in its Top 100 wines of the year, an ultra-premium fruity-sweet Riesling from the Mosel, a sparkling wine from the Pfalz, and an off-dry entry-level wine from the Mosel.

Picture: Wine Enthusiast Top 100 of 2019 (Photo: Wine Enthusiast)

#9: Fritz Haag 2017 Brauneberger Juffer Riesling Auslese Große Lage, Mosel (97 points)

Intensely ripe aromas of pineapple and blossom perfume this exuberantly sweet auslese. It’s a stunningly concentrated, intoxicating wine, laden with sweet honey and stone-fruit flavors balanced by zippy lime acidity. Fresh and primary now, it is nuanced enough to gain complexity for decades to come. Loosen Bros. USA. Editors’ Choice. —A.I. abv: 7.5% Price: $44

#39: von Buhl 2016 Riesling Brut, Pfalz (94 points)

Whiffs of cookie crumbles and blossom introduce this bold Riesling sparkler. The palate is loaded with crisp pear and yellow apple flavors edged by a hint of copper and spine-tingling acidity. It’s a rich, luxuriously textured wine with a long, penetrating finish. Rudi Wiest Selections. Editors’ Choice. —A.I. abv: 12.5% Price: $40

Pictures: Impressive Vineyard Tour and Tasting at Weingut Reichsrat von Buhl in Deidesheim, Pfalz, with Richard Grosche - Germany-South and Alsace 2018 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: Baden, Alsace, Pfalz and Rheinhessen

#97: St. Urbans Hof 2017 Nik Weis From Old Vines Riesling, Mosel (90 points)

Slate and crushed earth tones permeate from start to finish in this racy, intensely mineral Riesling. Just a shade off dry on the palate, it offers concentrated tangerine and lemon-skin flavors offset by a steely tang. This vibrant wine should open and improve through 2022. HB Wine Merchants. —A.I. abv: 10.5% Price: $18

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

Wine Spectator

The Wine Spectator includes 2 German wines in its Top 100 wines of the year, two dry white entry-level wines, a Pinot Blanc from the Pfalz and a Riesling from Franken.

Picture: Wine Spectator Top 100 2019 (Photos: Wine Spectator)

#82: 2017 Friedrich Becker Pinot Blanc Becker Family (90 points) $18

Picture: Annette Schiller and Friedrich Becker sen. See: Wine Tasting at Weingut Friedrich Becker – Germany-South Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

#90: 2017 Hans Wirsching Riesling Iphöfer Kronsberg Alte Rebe, Franken (90 points) $19

Pictures: Silvaner Bocksbeutel, Weingut Wirsching. See: Tour and Tasting at Weingut Wirsching in Iphofen in Franken with General Manager Uwe Matheus – Germany-East Wine and Art Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

schiller-wine: Related Postings

UPCOMING Tours/ Wine Dinners/ Tastings - Annette and Christian Schiller/ ombiasyPR & WineTours/ schiller-wine, Germany, France, USA (Issued: November 1, 2019)

Annual Riesling Party at the Schiller Residence in Washington DC, USA (2019)

Tasting and Vineyard Walk with Oliver Haag, Weingut Fritz Haag– Germany-North Tour 2017 by ombiasy WineTours

Impressive Vineyard Tour and Tasting at Weingut Reichsrat von Buhl in Deidesheim, Pfalz, with Richard Grosche - Germany-South and Alsace 2018 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: Baden, Alsace, Pfalz and Rheinhessen

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

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

Tour and Tasting at Weingut Wirsching in Iphofen in Franken with General Manager Uwe Matheus – Germany-East Wine and Art Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Pictures: Syrah and Shiraz: Is there any Difference, do they Taste the Same? - Seminar at the 2019 American Wine Society National Conference in St. Pete Beach, Florida, USA, led by Annette Schiller

Annette Schiller, President of ombiasy PR and WineTours and member of the American Wine Society, led 2 wine tastings - "Renaissance of Terroir in Germany: Back to the Roots" and "Syrah and Shiraz: Is there any Difference, do they Taste the Same?" - at the 2019 Annual Meetings of the American Wine Society. In addition, Annette and Christian Schiller poured a selection of German wines at the Showcase of Wines event during the second evening.

The tastings were sponsored by ombiasy WineTours and the wine producers whose wines were presented or their US importers.

The 2019 American Wine Society Annual Meetings took place at St. Pete Beach in Florida, on  Oct. 31 – Nov. 2, 2019.

More than 600 members from all over the USA came to this 3-day event, filled with tastings, seminars and presentations.

I have already provided an overview of the event her: The 2019 American Wine Society National Conference in St. Pete Beach, Florida, USA: Seen Through Christian Schiller's Camera Lens

Pictures: At the 2019 American Wine Society National Conference in St. Pete Beach, Florida, USA, with Randall Grahm, Bonny Doon Vineyard, Joel Peterson, Founder Ravenswood Vineyards, Janie Brooks Heuck, President,International Riesling Foundation and Brooks Winery, Joe Broski, AWS President, David Falchek, AWS Executive Director and Diane Meyer, Conference Chairperson

Postings on schiller-wine

This is the second in a series of postings related to the American Wine Society National Conference 2019 in St. Pete Beach, Florida:

The 2019 American Wine Society National Conference in St. Pete Beach, Florida, USA: Seen Through Christian Schiller's Camera Lens

VDP at AWS: Tasting Premium German Wines at the Showcase of Wines of the 2019 American Wine Society National Conference in St. Pete Beach, Florida, with Annette and Christian Schiller

Renaissance of the Terroir in Germany: Back to the Roots - Seminar at the 2019 American Wine Society National Conference in St. Pete Beach, Florida, USA, led by Annette Schiller

Syrah and Shiraz: Is there any Difference, do they Taste the Same? - Seminar at the 2019 American Wine Society National Conference in St. Pete Beach, Florida, USA, led by Annette Schiller

Dry Riesling From Around the World - Seminar at the 2019 American Wine Society National Conference in St. Pete Beach, Florida, USA, led by Janie Brooks Heuck, President, International Riesling Foundation

Two American Icons: With Graham Randall, Founder of Bonny Doon Vineyard, and Joel Peterson, Founder of Ravenswood Vineyards,at the 2019 American Wine Society National Conference in St. Pete Beach, Florida, USA

Ombiasy WineTours Booth

One of the about 15 booths at the conference was Annette Schiller's ombiasyPR & WineTours booth, where Annette and I presented her 6 tours to Germany (East, South, North) and France (Bordeaux, Bourgogne, Rhone).

Pictures: Ombiasy WineTours Booth with AWS President Joseph Broski

Session E-4: Syrah and Shiraz: Is there any Difference, do they Taste the Same?

Presenter: Annette Schiller, Owner, Ombiasy PR & Wine Tours

Abstract: It’s not a big surprise that one of the famous wine producers on the northern Rhône calls one of his wines Chevalier de Stérimberg, the name of a Crusader in the 13th century. For a long time it was assumed that this Crusader brought a grape variety from Persia to France. Later this grape was called Syrah, and the name can be traced back to the ancient Persian city of Shiraz. Genetically, Syrah and Shiraz are the same grape, however there is a difference in the finished wines, depending on where they are grown and how they are made. We will explore Syrah and Shiraz by tasting 6 different wines from around the world.

Pictures: Syrah and Shiraz: Is there any Difference, do they Taste the Same? - Seminar at the 2019 American Wine Society National Conference in St. Pete Beach, Florida, USA, led by Annette Schiller

Impressions from the Seminar

The seminar was fully booked with about 115 participants. vv

Pictures: Syrah and Shiraz: Is there any Difference, do they Taste the Same?, Presented by Annette Schiller, Owner, Ombiasy PR & Wine Tours

Some Slides

Here is a selection of the slides Annette presented.

Pictures: Syrah and Shiraz: Is there any Difference, do they Taste the Same? - Seminar at the 2019 American Wine Society National Conference in St. Pete Beach, Florida, USA, led by Annette Schiller

The Wines

Annette poured 6 wines.


2016 Shiraz Portait, Barossa Valley, Australia

See also: Meeting Doug Lehmann of Peter Lehmann Wines at Pearson’s in Washington DC, USA/Australia


2016 Shiraz, Us de Kap, Coastal Region, Meyer-Näkel, South Africa

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


2017 Syrah, Les Collines de Laure, Northern Rhône IGP, Jean-Luc Colombo, France
2016 Syrah, Terres Brulées, AOC Cornas, Jean-Luc Colombo, France

See also: Tasting at Vins Jean-Luc Colombo in Cornas, Northern Rhône - Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France


2013 Syrah, Jaspis, Ziereisen, Baden, Germany

See also: 2 Cellar Tours and 1 Tasting at Weingut Ziereisen in Efringen, Markgräfler Land, Baden, with Hanspeter and Edel Ziereisen - Germany-South and Alsace 2018 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: Baden, Alsace, Pfalz and Rheinhessen


2015 Syrah, Cass, Paso Robles, California, USA

See also: Richard Branson Presenting Wines from Cass Vineyards and Winery at Screwtop Wine Bar in Virginia?


Thanks

Thanks to the wine sponsors:

Zwalu/ Weingut Meyer-Näkel
Vins Jean Luc Colombo
Weingut Ziereisen
Cass Winery
ombiasy WineTours

Picture: Thanks

Annette Schiller's Presentations at the 2018 American Wine Society Annual Meetings in in Buffalo, New York State

The 2018 American Wine Society National Conference in Buffalo, New York State, USA: Seen Through Christian Schiller's Camera Lens

VDP at AWS: Tasting Premium German Wines at the Showcase of Wines of the 2018 American Wine Society National Conference in Buffalo, New York State, with Annette and Christian Schiller

"Abbey Wines”: The Importance of the Monasteries for the Development of Viticulture - Seminar at the 2018 American Wine Society National Conference in Buffalo, New York State,USA, led by Annette Schiller

Burgundy Pinot Noir and German Pinot Noir: Differences and Similarities - Seminar at the 2018 American Wine Society National Conference in Buffalo, New York State, USA, led by Annette Schiller

A Journey through the Rhône Valley - Seminar at the 2018 American Wine Society National Conference in Buffalo, New York State,USA, led by Annette Schiller

Annette Schiller's Presentations at the 2017 American Wine Society Annual Meetings in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania

The 2017 American Wine Society National Conference in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, USA: Seen Through Christian Schiller's Camera Lens

Showcase of Wines at the 2017 National Conference of the American Wine Society: Annette and Christian Schiller Present German/ VDP/ Loosen Bros. USA Wines

A Journey through the Vineyards of Alsace - A Tasting Seminar at the National Conference 2017 of the American Wine Society, led by Annette Schiller (ombiasyPR & WineTours)

Burgundy: What makes it so Special? - A Tasting Seminar at the 2017 American Wine Society National Conference in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, led by Annette Schiller (ombiasyPR & WineTours)

German Wines in the 21st Century - A Tasting Seminar at the 2017 American Wine Society National Conference in in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, led by Annette Schiller (ombiasyPR & WineTours)

Annette Schiller's Presentations at the 2016 American Wine Society Annual Meetings in California

The 2016 American Wine Society National Conference in California, USA: Seen Through Christian Schiller's Camera Lens

The New Germany: Red, Sparkling and Dry - Tasting at the American Wine Society 2016 National Conference in Los Angeles, USA, led by Annette Schiller

The New Classification of German Wines: The VDP Classification - Annette Schiller Conducting a Seminar at the 2016 National Convention of the American Wine Society in Los Angeles, USA

The Insider’s View of Charles Krug Winery - Peter Mondavi Jr., Co-Proprietor, Charles Krug Winery

Château Climens, Premier Cru Barsac and Savory Dishes…who knew? - Bérénice Lurton, Owner of Château Climens and Tony Lawrence, Global Food & Wine Pairing Specialist

schiller-wine: Related Postings

UPCOMING Tours/ Wine Dinners/ Tastings - Annette and Christian Schiller/ ombiasyPR & WineTours/ schiller-wine, Germany, France, USA (Issued: November 1, 2019)

Annual Riesling Party at the Schiller Residence in Washington DC, USA (2019)

Upcoming: American Wine Society (AWS) National Conference on October 31 to November 3, 2019, at St. Pete Beach in Florida, with 2 Events by Annette Schiller on "Renaissance of Terroir in Germany: Back to the Roots" and "Syrah and Shiraz: Is there any Difference, do they Taste the Same?", USA

Meeting Doug Lehmann of Peter Lehmann Wines at Pearson’s in Washington DC, USA/Australia 

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

Tasting at Vins Jean-Luc Colombo in Cornas, Northern Rhône - Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

2 Cellar Tours and 1 Tasting at Weingut Ziereisen in Efringen, Markgräfler Land, Baden, with Hanspeter and Edel Ziereisen - Germany-South and Alsace 2018 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: Baden, Alsace, Pfalz and Rheinhessen

Richard Branson Presenting Wines from Cass Vineyards and Winery at Screwtop Wine Bar in Virginia?

Picture: Wilhelm Weil, Weingut Robert Weil, with Annette and Christian Schiller. See: Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Robert Weil in Kiedrich, Rheingau, with Jan Christensen - Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling

The Falstaff WeinGuide Deutschland is one of the 5 leadng wine guides in Germany.

The Falstaff WeinGuide Deutschland 2020 contains around 4000 wine recommendations from more than 500 producers, rated according to the 100-point system.

The Falstaff WeinGuide Deutschland 2020 was released in November 2019.

In the tasting team led by Falstaff Germany editor and editor-in-chief Ulrich Sautter, you find luminaries such as Master of Wine Anne Krebiehl from London and the top sommeliers Stéphane Gass ("Schwarzwaldstube", Baiersbronn), Gerhard Retter ("Fischerklause" Lütjensee, and "Cordo ", Berlin) and Oliver Donnecker (" Heimat ", Frankfurt).

Below you find the highest rated wines in the Falstaff WeinGuide Deutschland 2020.

Picture: Falstaff WeinGuide Deutschland 2020 (Photo: Falstaff)

100 Points

2018 Kiedrich Gräfenberg Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese Goldkapsel, Robert Weil (Rheingau)
2018 Saarburg Rausch Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese »#2«, Forstmeister Geltz-Zilliken (Saar)

Picture: Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Forstmeister Geltz-Zilliken with Hanno Zilliken - Germany-North Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

99 Points

2018 Oestrich Lenchen Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese, Peter Jakob Kühn (Rheingau)

Picture: At Weingut Peter Jakob Kühn in Östrich, Winkel with Sandra Kühn-Quenter. See: One of the Bio-dynamic Stars in Germany: Weingut Peter Jakob Kühn in Östrich, Winkel– Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

Highest Rated Dry Rieslings (97 Points)

2017 Pünderich Marienburg Felsterrasse Riesling GG, Clemens Busch (Mosel)
2017 Forst Pechstein Riesling GG, Reichsrat von Buhl (Pfalz)
2018 Schlossböckelheim Felsenberg Riesling GG, Weingut Schäfer-Fröhlich (Nahe)
2018 Nackenheim Rothenberg Riesling »wurzelecht« GG, Weingut Kühling Gillot (Rheinhessen)

Picture: Annette Schiller, Clemens Busch, Christian Schiller at Panda Gourmet in Washington DC. See: Wine-pairing Dinner with Clemens Busch, Weingut Clemens Busch, Mosel, at Panda Gourmet in Washington DC, USA

Pictures: Impressive Vineyard Tour and Tasting at Weingut Reichsrat von Buhl in Deidesheim, Pfalz, with Richard Grosche - Germany-South and Alsace 2018 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: Baden, Alsace, Pfalz and Rheinhessen

Picture: Tasting at Weingut Schäfer-Fröhlich in Bockenau, Nahe - Germany-North Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Pictures: Tasting the Wines of Weingut Battenfeld-Spanier and Weingut Kühling-Gillot at the Spanier Family Home in Hohen-Sülzen and Touring the Winery with Carolin Spanier-Gillot - Germany-South and Alsace 2018 Tour by ombiasy WineTours

Highest Rated Spätburgunder (97 Points)

2015 »Present« Spätburgunder trocken, Weingut Solveigs (Rheingau)

Highest Rated Lemberger (96 Points)

2017 Stetten Mönchberg Berge Lemberger GG, Karl Haidle (Württemberg)

Picture: Vineyard Walk, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Karl Haidle in Kernen-Stetten, Württemberg, with Moritz Haidle - Germany-East Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Art, Culture, History - Berlin, Saale-Unstrut, Sachsen, Württemberg, Franken

Highest Rated Silvaner (96 Points)

2018 Würzburg Stein-Harfe Silvaner GG, Weingut Bürgerspital zum Hl. Geist (Franken)

Picture: Alte Mainbrücke, Würzburg. See: Schiller’s Favorites: 2 Legendary Wine Taverns in Würzburg – Juliusspital and Bürgerspital

schiller-wine: Related Postings

UPCOMING Tours/ Wine Dinners/ Tastings - Annette and Christian Schiller/ ombiasyPR & WineTours/ schiller-wine, Germany, France, USA (Issued: November 1, 2019)

Annual Riesling Party at the Schiller Residence in Washington DC, USA (2019)

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Robert Weil in Kiedrich, Rheingau, with Jan Christensen - Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Forstmeister Geltz-Zilliken with Hanno Zilliken - Germany-North Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

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

Wine-pairing Dinner with Clemens Busch, Weingut Clemens Busch, Mosel, at Panda Gourmet in Washington DC, USA

Impressive Vineyard Tour and Tasting at Weingut Reichsrat von Buhl in Deidesheim, Pfalz, with Richard Grosche - Germany-South and Alsace 2018 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: Baden, Alsace, Pfalz and Rheinhessen

Tasting at Weingut Schäfer-Fröhlich in Bockenau, Nahe - Germany-North Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Tasting the Wines of Weingut Battenfeld-Spanier and Weingut Kühling-Gillot at the Spanier Family Home in Hohen-Sülzen and Touring the Winery with Carolin Spanier-Gillot - Germany-South and Alsace 2018 Tour by ombiasy WineTours

Vineyard Walk, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Karl Haidle in Kernen-Stetten, Württemberg, with Moritz Haidle - Germany-East Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Art, Culture, History - Berlin, Saale-Unstrut, Sachsen, Württemberg, Franken

Alte Mainbrücke, Würzburg. See: Schiller’s Favorites: 2 Legendary Wine Taverns in Würzburg – Juliusspital and Bürgerspital

Pictures: Tour and Tasting at Weingut Dr. Crusius, Traisen, Nahe, with Dr. Peter Crusius and his Daughter Judith Crusius - Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling

“I want our wines to reflect their origins and delight the senses” - Dr. Peter Crusius, Weingut Dr. Crusius.

Dr. Peter Crusius and his daughter Judith were our hosts. Dr. Peter Crusius gave us a cellar tour and Judith Crusius led the tasting.

Pictures: Arriving at Weingut Dr. Crusius

Weingut Dr. Crusius

Dr. Peter Crusius: Our family first settled in Traisen in 1576. The old estate buildings, which are still the heart of the Dr. Crusius winery today, were built in 1888. In the 1950s, Hans Crusius transformed what was then a mixed agricultural and winegrowing operation into a wine estate covering 7.5 ha. Today it has grown to 21 ha and is one of Germany’s top wine estates.

Picture: Dr. Peter Crusius and his wife Birgitta Crusius with their Daughters Judith Crusius and Rebecca Crusius

Dr. Peter Crusius, the son of Hans Crusius, is the present owner and has planted the estate predominantly with Riesling (60%), some white Burgundy varieties (30%) and several varieties of red wine (Pinot noir précoce and Pinot noir 10%). Two thirds of the vineyard area is classified as VDP.GROSSE LAGE® and VDP.ERSTE LAGE®. These top vineyard sites include the spectacular “Traiser Bastei” and the very steep “Schlossböckelheimer Felsenberg”.

Dr. Peter Crusius and his wife Birgitta Crusius put their long years of experience and solid training into the maturation of the wines and the production and marketing of around 120,000 bottles per year. Our two daughters are now bringing their own, fresh perspective to the family business: Judith Crusius is mainly involved in the marketing and export side of things, whilst Rebecca, who is currently studying enology at Geisenheim University, helps out in the cellar and the vineyards whenever her timetable permits.

Year in, year out, we remain committed to our common goal of crafting wines that reflect their origins and delight the senses.

Pictures: Welcome with a Glass of 2015 Weingut Dr. Crusius Traiser Auxerrois Brut Nature

Motivation

Dr. Peter Crusius: For over 400 years our family has lived in one of Germany’s most beautiful wine regions – the Middle Nahe. The scenery on this stretch of the River Nahe is noticeably more rugged and varied, the river still meanders in its original bed and the red cliffs of the mighty Rotenfels form the region’s spectacular centrepiece. This unique landscape is our incentive to craft wines that reflect their origins and delight the senses.

A First-Class Portfolio of Vineyard Sites

Dr. Peter Crusius: We’re convinced that the best, most characteristic wines can only evolve in superb vineyards. Which is why part of our success is due to the fact that 70% of our total vineyard area is classified as either VDP.ERSTE LAGEN® or VDP.GROSSE LAGEN®,according to the vineyard site statutes of the VDP Nahe. The vineyards are all located in the direct vicinity of the wine estate (with no vineyard more than 8km away), in the area surrounding our home village of Traisen, in Norheim, Niederhausen and Schlossboeckelheim.

Pictures: In the Wine Cellar

Unique Wine Expertise

Dr. Peter Crusius: We’re convinced that solid professional training and long years of experience in tasting and crafting wines help us make the right decisions in the vineyard and in the cellar. Whether we’re completing the intensive, continuous tasting sessions at the young-wine stage, tackling vertical tastings of different vintages or tasting the wines of our colleagues, we always taste as a team over several days. During this process, the extensive experience of Peter & Birgitta Crusius in growing grapes and making wine meets the new ideas and inspirations of their daughters Judith (Sales & Marketing) & Rebecca (currently studying enology at Geisenheim). We think it’s a wonderful combination!

Pictures: Tasting with Judith Crusius

Professional and Passionate Work

Dr. Peter Crusius: We’re convinced that professionalism and passion in one’s day-to-day work creates better wines – wines that reflect their origins to inspire and delight. In the vineyards we pay meticulous attention to the health of the vines. We harvest by hand with only a few, very experienced grape-pickers. Work in the cellar is done with maximum care and flexibility. For us, there’s no dogmatic contradiction between spontaneous and selected yeast fermentation. We use both methods, depending on the vintage and harvest situation. Our approach is equally pragmatic when it comes to the choice of old wooden barrels or stainless steel tanks for aging the wine.

But for all the methodology, each year we consciously create space for experimentation and we continually force ourselves to break the rules. Two successful examples of these experiments are the cultivation of Auxerrois and our Riesling Cuvée Top-of-the-Rock.

The Wines Judith Crusius Poured 

We tasted 10 wines, all white.


2015 Weingut Dr. Crusius Traiser Auxerrois Brut Nature


2018 Weingut Dr. Crusius Traiser Weissburgunder & Auxerrois dry
2018 Weingut Dr. Crusius Traiser Weissburgunder "Kaffel" dry


2018 Weingut Dr. Crusius Dr. Crusius Sonnenfels Riesling dry (VDP.Gutswein)
2018 Weingut Dr. Crusius Vom Fels Traisen Riesling dry (VDP.Ortswein)


2018 Weingut Dr. Crusius Traiser Rotenfels Riesling dry (VDP.Erste Lage)
2018 Weingut Dr. Crusius Norheimer In der Kirschhecke Riesling dry (VDP.Erste Lage)


2017 Weingut Dr. Crusius MÜHLBERG GG Riesling dry (VDP.Grosse Lage)


2018 Weingut Dr. Crusius KUPFERGRUBE Kabinett Riesling (VDP.Grosse Lage) 
2017 Weingut Dr. Crusius BASTEI Auslese Riesling (VDP.Grosse Lage)


Bye-bye

Many thanks for a great tour and tasting.

Pictures: Bye-bye

schiller-wine: Related Postings (Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling - Published and Forthcoming Postings)

Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling

Attending the 2019 VDP.Weinbörse - Vintage 2018 - in Mainz - Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Visit and Tasting at Weingut Joachim Flick in Hochheim, Rheingau - Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling

Lunch at the Weingut Schloss Johannisberg Gutsrestaurant - Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling

Cellar Visit and Tasting at Weingut Wegeler in Oestrich-Winkel, Rheingau - Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Robert Weil in Kiedrich, Rheingau, with Jan Christensen - Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling

Kloster Eberbach: Overnight-Stay, Dinner, Tour and Aperitif in the Steinberg Vineyard - Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling

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

Lunch, Cellar Visit and Tasting at Weingut Baron Knyphausen in Erbach, Rheingau, with Owner Gerko Freiherr zu Knyphausen and Winemaker Arne Willkens - Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling

Tasting and Dinner at Weingut Kaufmann in Hattenheim, Rheingau, with Urban Kaufmann and Eva Raps - Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling

Family-style Wine-pairing Lunch at Weingut Hans Lang - Kaufmann, with Owners/ Winemakers Urban Kaufmann and Eva Raps - Germany-North Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Sekt Cellar Tour, Vineyard Tour and Tasting in the Vineyard at Weingut Laquai in Lorch, Rheingau, with Gundolf Laquai - Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling

Lunch in Bacharach, Mittelrhein Region - Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling

Tasting and Vineyard Drive at Weingut Ratzenberger in Bacharach, Mittelrhein, with Jochen Ratzenberger - Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling

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

Tasting at Weingut Franzen, Bremm, Terrassen-Mosel, with Angelina Franzen - Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling

Tasting at Weingut Jos. Jos. Prüm in Bernkastel-Wehlen, Mosel, with Amei Prüm - Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling

Wine Dinner at Weingut Richard Böcking in Traben-Trarbach, Middle Mosel, with Owner Denman Zirkle - Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling

Tasting at Weingut Dr. Loosen in Bernkastel-Kues, Mosel, with Ernie Loosen - Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling

Weingut Dr. H. Thanisch - Erben Mueller-Burggraef: Visit of the Doctorkeller and Tour and Tasting at the Winery, with Owner Matthias Willkomm - Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling

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

Lunch at Restaurant Juffer Flair of Weingut Christian Steinmetz in Brauneberg, Mosel - Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling

Tasting at Weingut Reinhold Haart in Piesport, Mosel, with Johannes Haart - Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling

Schiller’s Favorite Wine Taverns in Trier, Germany

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Peter Lauer in Ayl, Upper Mosel, Saar Valley, with Katharina Lauer and Peter Lauer - Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling

Lunch at WEINrestaurant Ayler Kupp, Weingut Peter Lauer, Saar Valley - Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling

Tasting at Weingut Dönnhoff, Oberhausen, Nahe. with Anne Dönnhoff - Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling

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

Visit and tasting at winery Dr. Crusius, Traisen, Nahe, with Peter and Judith Crusius.

Vineyard tour, cellar tour and tasting at winery Kruger-Rumpf, Münster-Sarmsheim, Nahe, with Stefan and Georg Rumpf

Tour, Tasting, Dinner and Overnight Stay at Weingut Kruger Rumpf, Nahe, with Stefan, Cornelia and Georg Rumpf– Germany-North Tour 2017 by ombiasy WineTours

Vineyard tour and tasting at winery Bischel in Appenheim, Rheinhessen, with Christian Runkel, Owner and Winemaker

Winery visit and lunch at winery Louis Guntrum in Nierstein, Rheinhessen, with Konstantin Guntrum

Guntrum is Back (Stuart Pigott/ James Suckling): Wine Pairing Lunch and Tour at Weingut Louis Guntrum in Nierstein, Rheinhessen, with Owners Konstantin and Stephanie Guntrum - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours

Mainlust “Desche Otto” – an Ultra Traditional Apple Wine Tavern, with an Innovative Twist, off the Beaten Track in Schwanheim, Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Pictures: Annette and Christian Schiller at the 2018 American Wine Society National Conference in Buffalo, New York State. See: The 2018 American Wine Society National Conference in Buffalo, New York State, USA: Seen Through Christian Schiller's Camera Lens

This posting provides listings of all postings that I issued concerning the 6 ombiasy WineTours that took place in 2018, all lead by Annette Schiller: ombiasy WineTours 2018: Germany-South/ Alsace, Germany-East, Bordeaux, Bourgogne/ Champagne, Rhône Valley

The Sun-Kissed South: Germany’s Pinot Noir, the Other Whites, the Culinary Regions - Germany-South and Alsace 2018 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: Baden, Alsace, Pfalz and Rheinhessen

Picture: Dinner in Beautiful Riquewhir, Alsace

Germany South / Alsace
Baden • Alsace • Pfalz • Rheinhessen
May 12 - May 20, 2018

The Germany-South and Alsace Tour by ombiasy WineTours took place from May 12 - May 20, 2018. The size of the group varied during the tour between 6 and 4 members, including Annette and Christian Schiller. This posting provides an overview.

We visited a total of 18 wineries in Alsace in France and 3 different German wine regions where predominantly grapes other than Riesling are planted: Baden, the most southern German wine region and Germany’s answer to Burgundy; Pfalz with its almost Mediterranean climate and voluptuous whites and reds; Southern Rheinhessen where a variety of white grapes and also Pinot-Noir grow.

Annette Schiller in her announcement: Discover Germany’s southern wine regions and red wine country Germany. Explore Baden, the southernmost and internationally fairly unknown region that produces outstanding Pinot Noirs (in German: Spätburgunder), and whites from Burgundy grapes and other varietals. Visit wineries on the shore of Lake Constance, the largest body of water in Germany bordering Switzerland. Take a look at medieval monasteries and other cultural heritage sites. We will spend one night in an epicurean's dream destination in the Kaiserstuhl to indulge in true southern German hospitality and 1-Michelin star gourmet food. We will step across the Rhine River to compare the very different wines of the eastern (German) and western (French) Rhine valley and we will get a feel for beautiful, quaint Alsace with its incredible picturesque wine villages dotted with half-timbered century old buildings. Enjoy a 2-Michelin star dinner at a great Alsatian restaurant with truly French charme. Enjoy the Pfalz and Rheinhessen regions with its gently rolling hills, sumptuous red and white wines, and a generation of young, ambitious, up and coming winemakers. Discover Mainz, on of the ten wine capitals of the World, where wine is one of the most important part of everyday life.

The Sun-Kissed South: Germany’s Pinot Noir, the Other Whites, the Culinary Regions - Germany-South and Alsace 2018 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: Baden, Alsace, Pfalz and Rheinhessen

Sekt: Cellar Tour and Tasting at Griesel&Compagnie, Sekthaus Streit, Bensheim, with Winemaker Rachele Crosara - Germany-South and Alsace 2018 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: Baden, Alsace, Pfalz and Rheinhessen

Lunch at 1 Michelin Star Restaurant Landhaus Feckl in Ehningen, with Chef Franz Feckl and Host Manuela Feckl - Germany-South and Alsace 2018 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: Baden, Alsace, Pfalz and Rheinhessen

The Evolving Structure of the Wine Industry in Germany– The Case of the Lake Constance Region

Schloss Salem at Lake Constance in Germany: A Museum, a School and a Wine Estate

Visit of Schloss Salem, Kirche Birnau and Weingut Markgraf von Baden - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Staatsweingut Meersburg in Meersburg, Baden, Lake Constance (Bodensee) - Germany-South and Alsace 2018 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: Baden, Alsace, Pfalz and Rheinhessen

2 Cellar Tours and 1 Tasting at Weingut Ziereisen in Efringen, Markgräfler Land, Baden, with Hanspeter and Edel Ziereisen - Germany-South and Alsace 2018 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: Baden, Alsace, Pfalz and Rheinhessen

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Pinot Noir Star Producer Weingut Martin Waßmer in Bad Krozingen, Markgräfler Land, Baden - Germany-South and Alsace 2018 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: Baden, Alsace, Pfalz and Rheinhessen

Dinner at Restaurant Schwarzer Adler, 1 Star Michelin, Oberbergen, Kaiserstuhl, Baden - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours

Tasting and Cellar Tour at Weingut Hunn in Gottenheim, Tuniberg, Baden, with Kilian and Martina Hunn - Germany-South and Alsace 2018 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: Baden, Alsace, Pfalz and Rheinhessen

The World Class Wines of Alsace

In the world class white wine region Alsace

Tour and Tasting at Domaines Schlumberger in Guebwiller, Alsace - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Rieflé-Landmann in Pfaffenheim, Alsace, with Paul Rieflé - Germany-South and Alsace 2018 Tour by ombiasy WineTours

Cellar Tour and Massive Tasting at Domaine Rolly-Gassmann in Rorschwihr, Alsace, with Pierre Gassmann - Germany-South and Alsace 2018 Tour by ombiasy WineTours

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Pfister in Dahlenheim, Alsace, with Melanie Pfister - Germany-South and Alsace 2018 Tour by ombiasy WineTours

Promenade au Fleckenstein: Dinner at L'Auberge du Cheval Blanc (2 Stars Michelin) in Lembach, Alsace, with Chef Pascal Bastian - Germany-South and Alsace 2018 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: Baden, Alsace, Pfalz and Rheinhessen

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

Vineyard Tour at Weingut Siener in Birkweiler, Pfalz, with Peter Siener - Germany-South and Alsace 2018 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: Baden, Alsace, Pfalz and Rheinhessen

Extensive Vertical "Kastanienbusch" Tasting (Riesling and Spätburgunder) at Weingut Siener in Birkweiler, Pfalz, with Owner/ Winemaker Peter Siener - Germany-South and Alsace 2018 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: Baden, Alsace, Pfalz and Rheinhessen

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

Impromptu Tasting at Weinbar & Vinothek Weingut Dr. Bürklin-Wolf in Deidsheim, with Managing Director Steffen Brahner - Germany-South and Alsace 2018 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: Baden, Alsace, Pfalz and Rheinhessen

Impressive Vineyard Tour and Tasting at Weingut Reichsrat von Buhl in Deidesheim, Pfalz, with Richard Grosche - Germany-South and Alsace 2018 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: Baden, Alsace, Pfalz and Rheinhessen

Winemaker Dinner at Weingut Reichsrat von Buhl in Deidesheim, Pfalz, Germany

Tasting the Wines of Weingut Battenfeld-Spanier and Weingut Kühling-Gillot at the Spanier Family Home in Hohen-Sülzen and Touring the Winery with Carolin Spanier-Gillot - Germany-South and Alsace 2018 Tour by ombiasy WineTours

The Wine Maker Couple H.O. Spanier and Carolin Spanier-Gillot, with Roland Gillot, Lead Wine Tasting of Kuehling-Gillot and Battenfeld-Spanier Wines at Weingut Kuehling-Gillot, Germany

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Wagner-Stempel in Siefersheim, Rheinhessen, with Winemaker Oliver Müller and Owner Cathrin Wagner - Germany-South and Alsace 2018 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: Baden, Alsace, Pfalz and Rheinhessen

Cellar Tour and Lunch at Weingut Schloss Westerhaus in Ingelheim, Rheinhessen, with the Owners Countess and Count von Schönburg-Glauchau and Technical Director Toni Frank - Germany-South and Alsace 2018 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: Baden, Alsace, Pfalz and Rheinhessen

Tasting at Weingut Knewitz in Appenheim, Rheinhessen - Germany-South and Alsace 2018 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: Baden, Alsace, Pfalz and Rheinhessen

Schiller’s Favorite Wine Taverns in Mainz, Germany

Germany-East Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Art, Culture, History - Berlin, Saale-Unstrut, Sachsen, Württemberg, Franken

Picture: Wine Pairing Dinner in the Park of Burg Schaubeck, Weingut Graf Adelmann, Württemberg, with Felix Count Adelmann

The Germany-East Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: "Wine, Art, Culture and History - Germany's Undiscovered Wine Regions and World-renowned Art Centers" took place from June 11 to June 20, 2018. The tour started in Berlin and ended in Frankfurt.

This tour allowed wine lovers and aficionados of the arts to experience what the statement “wine is a form of art” entails. We lived the profound relationship between wine, music, visual arts, history by visiting Germany’s beautiful, lesser known wine regions, and the region which is the cradle of German culture, and intellectual thinking. We met winemakers who embody the "wine and art" approach right at their wineries, and we attended world-class concert, opera and ballet performances.

We visited a total of 16 wineries (the majority are members of the VDP, the German association of elite wine makers) in 4 different wine regions:

Saale-Unstrut, the northernmost German wine region and former GDR territory. It is situated on the hillsides lining the Saale and Unstrut rivers and produces racy white wines from many white grape varieties (see also: Schiller's Favorite Winemakers in the Saale Unstrut Region, Germany).

Sachsen, also located in the former GDR, is the easternmost German wine region and extends some 35 miles north and south of Dresden along the Elbe river. 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 (see also: Schiller's Favorite Winemakers in Sachsen (Saxony), Germany).

Württemberg, Germany’s premier red wine region with hearty, bold wines made from grapes like Lemberger (Blaufränkisch in Austria), and Trollinger. This is the region where wine is ingrained in daily life like nowhere else. The Württemberg region has the highest per capita consumption of wine in Germany.

Franken with its Bavarian charm and gorgeous, crisp, crystal clear wines from their signature grape Silvaner.

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

Today, all thirteen wine regions in Germany produce outstanding wines. However, the two regions in the former GDR had a lot of catching up to do. 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. The winemaking process was deprived of modern farming and cellar techniques. The majority of wine produced was for the consumption of the communist party members. After the iron curtain came down, family wineries were founded, and the winemakers pursued quality with a vengeance. Some of Germany’s finest Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris today come from the Saale-Unstrut and Sachsen regions.

Berlin • Saale-Unstrut • Sachsen • Württemberg • Franken

Hildebrandt Organ Naumburg • Gewandhaus Leipzig • Semperoper Dresden • Ballet Stuttgart

Germany-East Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Art, Culture, History - Berlin, Saale-Unstrut, Sachsen, Württemberg, Franken

Vineyard Tour and Tasting at the Königlicher Weinberg Klausberg in Sanssouci, Potsdam - Germany-East Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Art, Culture, History - Berlin, Saale-Unstrut, Sachsen, Württemberg, Franken

Vineyard Tour and Tasting at Weingut Dr. Lindicke in Werder an der Havel, Brandenburg - Germany-East Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Art, Culture, History - Berlin, Saale-Unstrut, Sachsen, Württemberg, Franken

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Born in Salzatal, Saale-Unstrut, with Elisabeth Born - Germany-East Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Art, Culture, History - Berlin, Saale-Unstrut, Sachsen, Württemberg, Franken

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

Wine Pairing Dinner at Restaurant Zufriedenheit in Naumburg, with Chef Robert Klaus and his Excellent Food, and Uwe Lützkendorf, Weingut Lützkendorf, and his World-class Wines - Germany-East Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Art, Culture, History - Berlin, Saale-Unstrut, Sachsen, Württemberg, Franken

Tasting at Weingut Uwe Lützkendorf, with Uwe Lützkendorf, in Bad Kösen, Saale-Unstrut– Germany-East Tour 2017 by ombiasy WineTours

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

Visit and Tasting at Landesweingut Kloster Pforta in Bad Kösen, Saale-Unstrut, with Managing Director Björn Probst - Germany-East Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Art, Culture, History - Berlin, Saale-Unstrut, Sachsen, Württemberg, Franken

Wine and Music:"Martin Luther Lunch" at the Historic Vincenz Richter Restaurant, Weingut Vincenz Richter, in Meissen with Senior Boss Gottfried Herrlich and the Music of Bach, Mozart and Beethoven – Germany-East Tour 2017 by ombiasy WineTours

Vineyard Tour and Tasting at Weingut Schuh in Coswig, Sachsen, with Katharina Pollmer-Schuh and Matthias Schuh - Germany-East Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Art, Culture, History - Berlin, Saale-Unstrut, Sachsen, Württemberg, Franken

Tour and Dinner at Weingut Schloss Proschwitz - Prinz zur Lippe in Zadel, Sachsen, with Georg Prinz zur Lippe - Germany-East Tour 2017 by ombiasy WineTours

Visit and Tasting at the Sächsisches Staatsweingut Schloss Wackerbarth in Radebeul, Sachsen - Germany-East Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Art, Culture, History - Berlin, Saale-Unstrut, Sachsen, Württemberg, Franken

Wine and Opera in Dresden: Mozart at Semper Opera and the Best Wines of Sachsen at Wine Bar Weinzentrale in Dresden-Neustadt, with Owner/ Sommelier Jens Pietzonka – Germany-East Tour 2017 by ombiasy WineTours

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

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Aldinger in Fellbach (Stuttgart), with Matthias Aldinger - Germany-East Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Art, Culture, History - Berlin, Saale-Unstrut, Sachsen, Württemberg, Franken

Vineyard Walk, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Karl Haidle in Kernen-Stetten, Württemberg, with Moritz Haidle - Germany-East Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Art, Culture, History - Berlin, Saale-Unstrut, Sachsen, Württemberg, Franken

Vineyard Tour and Cellar Tour at Weingut Graf Adelmann, Burg Schaubeck, in Steinheim-Kleinbottwar, Württemberg, with Felix Count Adelmann - Germany-East Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Art, Culture, History - Berlin, Saale-Unstrut, Sachsen, Württemberg, Franken

Dinner with Felix Graf Adelmann, Weingut Graf Adelmann, at Burg Schaubeck in Kleinbottwar, Württemberg - Germany-East Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Art, Culture, History - Berlin, Saale-Unstrut, Sachsen, Württemberg, Franken

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Zehnthof Luckert, in Sulzfeld, Franken, with Philipp Luckert - Germany-East Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Art, Culture, History - Berlin, Saale-Unstrut, Sachsen, Württemberg, Franken

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Staatlicher Hofkeller in Würzburg, Franken, with General Manager Marcel von den Benken– Germany-East Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Wine Pairing Dinner at 1 Michelin Star Restaurant Reisers am Stein and Tasting and Tour at Weingut am Stein Ludwig Knoll, with Winemaker Franziska Schömig - Germany-East Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Art, Culture, History - Berlin, Saale-Unstrut, Sachsen, Württemberg, Franken

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting (from Barrel and from Bottle) at Weingut Rudolf Fürst, Franken, with Sebastian Fürst - Germany-East Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Art, Culture, History - Berlin, Saale-Unstrut, Sachsen, Württemberg, Franken

Tasting and Tour with the Pinot Noir Legend Paul Fürst, Weingut Rudolf Fürst in Bürgstadt, Franken– Germany-East Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Visit and Tasting at Weingut Benedikt Baltes in Klingenberg, Franken: The Wines of Weingut Benedikt Baltes and of Weingut Julia Bertram - Germany-East Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Art, Culture, History - Berlin, Saale-Unstrut, Sachsen, Württemberg, Franken

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

Schiller’s Favorite Wine Taverns in Würzburg

Total Immersion in Bordeaux: World Class Wines and Exquisite French Gourmet Cuisine - Bordeaux Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours, France 

Pictures: Tasting from Barrel with Owner Basile Tesseron, at Château Lafon-Rochet, Appellation Saint-Estèphe, 4ième Grand Cru Classé, and Family-style Wine Tasting Dinner at Château Le Reysse, Vignobles Paeffgen, Appellation Médoc, with Owner/ Winemaker Stefan Paeffgen

Led by Annette Schiller, the Bordeaux Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours took place from Tuesday, September 04, 2018 - Thursday, September 13, 2018. The group comprised 5 wine lovers from Australia and the United States, including Annette and Christian Schiller.

Annette Schiller: Our way of traveling allows wine lovers to fully experience authentic Bordeaux. "Bordeaux" embodies not only "wine": The interplay of wine and food is very important. Therefore our tour has a strong culinary component, with exquisite wine pairing lunches and dinners at the Châteaux playing a daily part of our journey through the Bordeaux wine region. Drawing on our love and deep knowledge of the region and close personal ties to many of the Château owners/ managers/ winemakers, our small group visits many of the hidden gems that other tours pass by, but which are essential to feel what Bordeaux is all about. In a nutshell: this is an on the ground wine class on Bordeaux!

Total Immersion in Bordeaux: World Class Wines and Exquisite French Gourmet Cuisine - Bordeaux Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Total Immersion in Bordeaux: World Class Wines and Exquisite French Gourmet Cuisine - Bordeaux Tour 2017 by ombiasy WineTours, France

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

Tour and Tasting at Château La Mission Haut-Brion, Appellation Pessac-Léognan, Cru Classé de Grave - Bordeaux Tour 2017 by ombiasy WineTours, 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 - An Update

Schiller’s Favorite Seafood Places in Bordeaux City, France - An Update

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 Château Mondésir Gazin, Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux, Côtes de Bourg, with Owner/ Winemaker Marc Pasquet - Bordeaux Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Lunch at Restaurant La Terrasse Rouge, Château La Dominique, Appellation Saimt-Emilion, Grand Cru Classé - Bordeaux Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Tour and tasting at Château Clos Fourtet, Appellation Saint-Emilion, Premier Grand Cru Classé B - Bordeaux Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Saint Emilion Wines and their Classification, Bordeaux, France

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

Tour and Tasting at Château La Conseillante, Appellation Pomerol, with General Manager/ Winemaker Marielle Cazaux - Bordeaux Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Tour and Tasting at Château La Conseillante, Appellation Pomerol, with GM/ Winemaker Marielle Cazaux - Bordeaux Tour 2017 by ombiasy WineTours

Wine-pairing Lunch at Château Le Bon Pasteur, Pomerol, with Dany Rolland, GM Benoit Prévot and Chef Frédéric Bozzo - Bordeaux Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Tour and Tasting (including from Barrel) at Tertre Rôteboeuf, Saint Emilion, with Owner and Winemaker François Mitjavile, France – Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2018)

Wine-pairing Lunch at Château Climens, Appellation Barsac-Sauternes, Première Grand Cru Classé, with Owner/ Winemaker Bérénice Lurton and Chef Florence Camaly - Bordeaux Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours, France

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

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

Bio in Bordeaux: Cellar Tour, Vineyard Tour and Winepairing Lunch at Chateau Beauséjour and Château Langais, AOC Puisseguin-St.Emilion, with Owner/ Winemaker Gérard Dupuy - Bordeaux Tour 2017 by ombiasy WineTours

Schiller's Favorite Seafood Restaurants in Arcachon and Cap Ferret (Bassin d'Arcachon/ Bordeaux)

Oysters in Bordeaux: Visiting the Oyster Farmer Raphael Doerfler and his Earl Ostrea Chanca Oyster Farm in Grand Piquey/ Bassin d'Arcachon - Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2017, France

Lunch at Pinasse Café, Cap Ferret, Bassin d'Arcachon - Bordeaux Tour 2017 by ombiasy WineTours, France

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

What is a Bordeaux Cru Bourgeois? France

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Blending Exercise at Château La Tour de Bessan, Margaux, Cru Bourgeois, with Owner/ Winemaker Marie-Laure Lurton - Bordeaux Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Château Durfort-Vivens, Appellation Margaux, 2ième Grand Cru Classé - Bordeaux Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Tour and Tasting at Château Pichon Longueville Baron in Pauillac - Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2017 France

Wine-Pairing Lunch at Château Pichon Longueville Baron in Pauillac - Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2017 France

Tour and Tasting at Château Ormez de Pez, Appellation Saint-Estèphe - Bordeaux Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours, France

How a Barrel is Made: Visit of the Cooperage Berger & Fils in Vertheuil– Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2017, France

Tour and Tasting (from Barrel and Bottle) at Château Lafon-Rochet, 4ème Grand Cru Classé St-Estèphe, with Owner Basile Tesseron - Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2018, France

Tour and Tasting at Château Léoville Poyferré, Saint-Julien, 2ième Grand Cru Classé, with Anne Cuvelier - Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2017, France

Tour, Barrel Tasting and Family Dinner with Stefan and Heike Paeffgen, Château Le Reysse and Château Lassus, Vignobles Paeffgen, Appellation Médoc - Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2017, France

Winery Tour and Tasting at Château Léoville-Barton, Appellation Saint-Julien, 2ième Grand Cru Classé and Château Langoa Barton, Appellation Saint-Julien, 3ième Grand Cru Classé - Bordeaux Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Winery tour, Tasting and Lunch at Château Lascombes, Margaux, 2ième Grand Cru Classé - Bordeaux Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Tour and Gourmet Dinner with Wine-pairing at Château Haut-Bailly, Appellation Pessac-Léognan, Grand Cru Classé, with Daina Paulin - Bordeaux Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Tour and Wine Dinner at Château Haut-Bailly, Graves, Appellation Pessac-Léognan, Grand Cru Classé - Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2017, France

Burgundy (and Champagne) Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: From Lyon to Paris - Wine, Food, Culture and History, France

Picture: In Vosne-Romanée at the Romanée-Conti Vineyard

The Burgundy (and Champagne) Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours, led by Annette Schiller, took place from Thursday, September 20 to Sunday, September 30, 2018.

Annette Schiller: What comes to your mind, when you hear ‘Burgundy’? First class Chardonnay and Pinot Noir; ancient history; world-renowned vineyards; Cistercian monks; 1000 year old abbeys; quaint small wine villages; the Hospice de Beaune; good cuisine. We explored in detail these different aspects during our tour through Burgundy and the Champagne region. We started in vibrant, cool, sophisticated Lyon, the capital of Haut Cuisine, travelled through Beaujolais, and worked our way up to the north, visiting the Beaujolais, the Mâconnais, the Côte Chalonnaise, traveling through the most famous white wine vineyards in the Côte de Beaune, to the world famous red wine vineyards in the Côte de Nuits, to Chablis and crossing into the Champagne region before ending in Paris in the famous La Coupole restaurant.

Burgundy is one of the world’s best-known wine areas, but perhaps one of the least understood. Burgundy is the most terroir-oriented region in France. Immense attention is paid to the area of origin, as opposed to Bordeaux, where classifications are producer-driven and awarded to individual châteaux. In Burgundy a specific vineyard or region will bear a given classification, regardless of the owner or producer.

Secularization during Napoleonic times and the Napoleonic inheritance law led to a subdivision of even the most precious vineyards so that some growers hold only a row or two of vines. Clos de Vougeot for example is a vineyard of 130 acres today parceled into plots owned by 80 different owners. This led to the emergence of négociants who aggregate the produce of many growers to make a single wine.

Burgundy with its 80,000 acres under vine represents just 3% of the French vineyard surface area. The core of the Burgundy region is divided into five appelations from north to south: Chablis, a predominantly white wine region; Côte de Nuits, predominantly red with the world-famous Grands Crus such as La Tache, Romanée Conti, Clos de Vougeot, etc; Côte de Beaune, red and white, including the world’s most expensive white wine, the Grand Cru Montrachet as well as the famous Grand Cru Charlemagne. Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune together form the so called ‘Côte d’Or’, where the Grand Crus are located. Côte Chalonnaise and the Mâconnais follow further south and transition into the Beaujolais. According to the French land registry Beaujolais belongs to the Burgundy region. When we talk about Burgundy here I am referring to the 5 core regions. Nearly all white Burgundy is Chardonnay with only 6% Aligoté planted. Red Burgundy is almost 100% Pinot Noir, with a small amount of Gamay. There also is 3% ‘Passetoutgrain’, which is a blend of Pinot Noir and Gamay. The Cistercian monks were instrumental in introducing winemaking in Burgundy and spreading the art of winemaking to other parts in Europe.

Burgundy (and Champagne) Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: From Lyon to Paris - Wine, Food, Culture and History, France

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 La Table de Chaintré (1 Star Michelin) in Chaintré, with Chef Sébastien Grospellier - Burgundy (and Champagne) Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: From Lyon to Paris

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

Visit and Tasting at Domaine de Fussiacus in Fuissé, Poully-Fuissé, Mâconnais, with Owner/ Winemaker Yannik Pacquet - Burgundy (and Champagne) Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: From Lyon to Paris

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Desvignes in Givry, Côte Chalonnaise, with Owner/ Winemaker Gautier Desvignes - Burgundy (and Champagne) Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: From Lyon to Paris

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

Dinner at Restaurant Le Chevreuil in Meursault, with the Wines of Domaine Matrot - Burgundy (and Champagne) Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: From Lyon to Paris

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Cave Ropiteau Frères in Meursault, Côte de Beaune - Burgundy (and Champagne) Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: From Lyon to Paris

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 Tour and Tasting in the Vineyard in Meursault with Karoline Knoth and the Wines of Domaine Pierre Morey - Burgundy (and Champagne) Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: From Lyon to Paris

Olivier Leflaive in Puligny Montrachet: Vineyard Walk and Cellar Tour, with Patrick Leflaive - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2018, France

Wine-pairing Lunch at La Table de Olivier in Puligny Montrachet with Patrick Leflaive– Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2018, France

Visit and Tasting at Château de Chassagne-Montrachet in Chassagne-Montrachet, Côte de Beaune– Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2018, France

Visit and Tasting: Maison Joseph Drouhin in Beaune– Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Schiller’s Favorite Wine Bars in Beaune, Bourgogne

Visit: Hospices de Beaune– Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2016, France

Lunch at Le Carmin (1 Star Michelin) in Beaune– Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2018, France

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Château de Pommard in Pommard, Côte de Beaune - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2018, France

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Faiveley in Nuits-Saint-George, Côte de Nuits, with Matilde Nicolas, Communications Director - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2018, France

Visit of Château du Clos de Vougeot - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Touring the Vineyards of Vosne-Romanée, Côte de Nuits, with Armelle Rion, Domaine Armelle et Bernhard Rion– Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2018, France

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Armelle et Bernard Rion in Vosne ­Romanée, Côte de Nuits - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Guillon & Fils in Gevrey­-Chambertin, Côte de Nuits, with Jean-Michel Guillon - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

An Institution: Lunch at Restaurant Chez Guy in Gevrey­-Chambertin - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Vineyard and Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine du Clos St. Louis, Côte de Nuits, with Owner/ Winemaker Philippe Bernard - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours

Wine Pairing Lunch, Cellar Visit, Vineyard Tour and Tasting at Domaine Jean­ Marc Brocard in Préhy, Chablis– Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours, France

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

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Château Long-Depaquit in Chablis, with Technical Director Cécilia Trimaille - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours

Champagne– An Introduction, France

French Champagne Houses and German Roots

Visit and Tasting at Champagne Jean Josselin, a Grower Champagne House in Gyé­ sur­ Seine – Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Tour of l'Avenue de Champagne in Epernay - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours

Dinner at 1-Star Michelin Restaurant Les Berceaux in Épernay - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2018, France

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Mercier in Épernay - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2018, France

Lunch at La Coupole, Boulevard du Montparnasse, Paris - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2018, France

Dining and Wining on Boulevard Montparnasse in Paris: La Rotonde, Le Dôme and La Coupole, France – Pre-Bordeaux Wine Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France 

Pictures: At the Pont du Gard in the Southern Rhône Valley

The Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France took place from October 15 - October 24, 2018

We started in vibrant, cool, sophisticated Lyon, the capital of Haut Cuisine. On our first day in Lyon we travelled a couple of miles north of Lyon to visit the domaine of Eric Texier, who is one of the dynamic winemakers in the Rhône valley, although his domaine is located in the very southern tip of the Beaujolais region.

The next two days we spent in the Northern Rhône area visiting domaines in the Côte Rôtie, Condrieu, Hermitage and Crozes-Hermitage.

We then travelled to Séguret, which lies picturesquely at the foot of the Dentelles de Montmirail, a mountain range visible from afar because of the dramatically jagged shape of their peaks. From here we explored domaines in Gigondas, Vacqueyras, Rasteau.

The weekend, we spent in "real" Prvovençe at the foot of the famous village Les Baux de Provence. Here almost every wine domaine also produces olive oil. We visited a winery and olive oil production.

The next two nights we spent in Avignon. We traced the footsteps of van Gogh in Arles, we travel to the Pont du Gard to be amazed at what the Romans already achieved 2000 years ago, we visit the famous Papal Palace in Avignon as well as the famous Pont d'Avignon.

The last day and night we explored Châteauneuf du Pape with visits and tasting of famous and not so famous wineries and the last evening we had a fabulous wine pairing dinner at the beautiful winery and hostellerie Château des Fines Roches on the outskirts of Châteauneuf du Pape.

We visited a total of 21 domaines in well-known appellations such as Côte Rôtie, Crozes-Hermitage, Châteauneuf du Pape, Gigondas, Vacqueras, etc.

We got intimate insights into the world of the Rhône Valley wines with visits to famous domaines, but also to excellent lesser known and unknown producers.

We saw the beautiful terraced vineyard sites clinging to the slopes of the steep mountains in the Northern Rhône.

We explored the fascinating history of the region and its importance for wine production and wine trade.

We visited an olive farm in the southernmost part of the Rhône valley wine region.

We visited medieval villages and historic landmarks from Roman times.

We had meals at beautiful, quaint French village restaurants typical for the region.

We dined at a Michelin-starred restaurant.

We travelled through incredibly beautiful landscapes, which have been made immortal by the paintings of the Impressionist artists.

We did a guided tour of the Papal Palace in Avignon.

We experienced genuine French hospitality and the Provence "savoir-vivre".

The Rhône Valley is one of the oldest wine regions in France, and the second largest after Bordeaux. The Greeks introduced viticulture in the 4th century BC. Later the Romans came and brought viticulture to a different level. Since then the world has discovered Rhône wines and some of the most famous wines come from the Rhône Valley.

The vineyards are located on both sides of the river. The Rhône Valley is divided into two distinctively different regions: the Northern Rhône and the Southern Rhône. The Northern Rhône stretches for 60 miles from Vienne – south of Lyon – to Valence, and produces just 5% of Rhône wines.

The region has a continental climate with pronounced seasons. The soils are granitic and schistous and the vineyards are located on very steep terraced slopes. The red grape of the Northern Rhône is 100% Syrah. Depending on the appellation the red wines are often blended with 5 – 20% of the white varietals Viognier, Marsanne, and Roussanne.

As the Rhône river flows southward and the valley widens the climate changes. It becomes more Mediterranean with long, warm summers and mild winters. Here we find the big brother of the Northern Rhône, the Southern Rhône wine region which accounts for 95% of the production and with Grenache being the principal variety in most red wine blends. There also is Syrah, Mourvèdre, ( “GSM” blends) and a variety of other red and white grapes. The landscape is much flatter than in the north and a variety of soils can be found: alluvial soils, limestone subsoils, sand, gravel, stones. We will taste the entire range of Rhône wines: reds, whites, rosé, sweet, fortified wines. It is so difficult to choose which wine estate to visit since there are many great producers. We selected top estates of different price points, from top-rated well-known expensive wines to budget friendly, excellent, unknown wines of small producers.

Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Rhône Valley Tour December 2017: From Lyon to Avignon - Wine, Food, Culture, History

Understanding the Wines of the Rhône Valley: The Classification - AOC/ Vin de Pay/ Vin de France

The Rhône Wine Region in Southern France and its Wines: History, Classification, Northern and Southern Rhône

Cellar Tasting, including from Barrel, at Domaine Éric Texier in Charney, with Laurence Texier - Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Dinner at Le Bouchon des Filles in Lyon - Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

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

Cellar Tour, Tasting and Vineyard Drive at E. Guigal in Ampuis, Côte Rôtie, Northern Rhône - Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Tasting at Maison Clusel-Roche in Ampuis, Côte Rôtie, Northern Rhône - Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Tasting at Domaine Georges Vernay in Condrieu, Northern Rhône, with Owner Paul Ansellem-Vernay - Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Dinner at Hôtellerie Beau Rivage in Condrieu, with Chef Chef Ludovic Mounier - Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Maison Delas-Frères in Saint Jean de Muzols, Saint Joseph, Northern Rhône - Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Lunch at Restaurant La Grappe d’Or in Saint-Péray, with Chef Pierre Yves Jacques Sébastien - Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Tasting at Vins Jean-Luc Colombo in Cornas, Northern Rhône - Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Vineyard Walk and Tasting at Paul Jaboulet Aîné in Tain-l’Hermitage, Hermitage, Northern Rhône - Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Cellar Tasting at Domaine Laurent Habrard in Gervans, Crozes-Hermitage, Northern Rhône, with Owner and Winemaker Laurent Habrad - Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Combier in Pont de l’Isère, Crozes-Hermitage, Northern Rhône, with Laurent Combier - Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Lunch at La Grand Table de Michel Chabran, 1-star Michelin, in Pont d l’Isère, Northern Rhône, with Chef Michel Chabran - Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Les Bruyères in Beaumont-Monteux, Northern Rhône, with Owner/ Winemaker David Reynaud - Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine La Martinelle in Lafare, Ventoux,  with Owner/ Winemaker Corinna Kruse Faravel - Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Lunch at Restaurant Le Mesclun in Séguret, Southern Rhône - Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Cellar Tour and Tasting, including from Barrel, at Domaine Marcel Richaud in Cairanne, Southern Rhône, with Owner/ Winemaker Claire Richaud - Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Tasting, Dinner and Overnight Stay at Domaine de Cabasse, Séguret, Southern Rhône, with Owner/ Winemaker Benoît Baudry - Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Lunch at Restaurant Le Dolium (Rhonéa Vignoble Coopérative) in Beaumes-de Venise, Southern Rhône - Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Vineyard and Cellar Tour and Tasting of Wine and Olive Oil at Mas Saint Berthe, Les Baux de Provence, with Winemaker Christian Nief - Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Dinner and Overnight-stay at Hôtel/ Restaurant Benvengudo in Les Baux de Provence - Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine du Pégau in Châteauneuf du Pape, with Owner/ Winemaker Laurence Féraud and Winemaker Andreas Lenzenwöger - Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Lunch at Pont du Gard - Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine de la Mordorée, Tavel, Southern Rhône, with Owner Ambre Delorme and Winemaker Rémy Chauvet - Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine La Bastide Saint Dominique in Courthézon, Châteauneuf du Pape, with Owner Véronique Bonnet and Owner/ Winemaker Eric Bonnet - Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Tasting at the Caveau of the Perrin Family in Châteauneuf du Pape - Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Château La Nerthe, Châteauneuf du Pape - Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Dinner and Overnight-stay at Hôstellerie du Château des Fines Roches in Châteauneuf du Pape, with Chef Hugo Loridan-Fombonnet - Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

New Year’s Eve at Château des Fines Roches in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France

schiller-wine: Related Postings

ombiasy WineTours 2017:Germany-East, Germany-North, Bordeaux, Germany-South/ Alsace - All Postings

ombiasy WineTours 2016: Germany-North, Germany-East, Bourgogne and Bordeaux - All Postings

ombiasy WineTours 2015: Bourgogne, Germany-East Wine and Art, Germany-South, Germany-North and Bordeaux - All Postings

ombiasy WineTours 2014: Germany-North and Germany-South - All Postings

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Pictures: Tour and Extensive Tasting at Château Mukhrani with General Manager/ Winemaker Patrick Honnef - Georgia Wine Tour 2019

Niche Import & Co (USA): "Patrick Honnef graduated from Wine Management & Winemaking in Heilbronn, Germany. Following that, he worked as a Technical Director of Château d’Aiguilhe for 10 years and was supported by the remarkable wine consultant Stephane Derenencourt. At the end of 2013, he was presented with the opportunity to become Technical Director of Château Mukhrani. He is currently working to position Château Mukhrani wines at the top of the Georgian wine culture."

General Manager/ Winemaker Patrick Honnef was our host. We toured with him the winemaking facilities, followed by a seated tasting of 8 wines, led by Patrick Honnef.

Indeed, I met Patrick Honnef the first time when he was Technical Director of Chateau d’Aiguilhe, owned by Count Stephan of Neipperg, in Bordeaux.

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

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

Annette and I spent a week in Georgia, the small country that used to be part of the Soviet Union, located between the Black See and the Caspian See. The area is considered to be the birthplace of wine. Research indicates that wine has been made in Georgia for 8000 years. There are over 500 indigenous grape varieties in Georgia. Traditionally, wine in Georgia has been made (fermented and aged) in amphoras burried in the ground.

This was a group-tour of the Collegium Vini, an association of wine lovers in the Frankfurt/ Germany area, of which we are members. The tour was organized by GEORGIENREISEN. Co-owner Tea Totogashvili was our guide. The focus of the tour was on culture and wine.

See here for an overview posting: Georgia Wine Tour 2019: Discovering the Birthplace of Wine

Wine in Georgia

Georgia is located in an area that is considered to be the birthplace of wine. Research indicates that wine has been made in Georgia for 8000 years. There are over 500 indigenous grape varieties in Georgia. Traditionally, wine in Georgia has been made (fermented and aged) in amphoras burried deep in the ground.

Georgia is a small, Christian country with a difficult history. In particular, it was part of the Russian Zsar's Empire. During that period the influence of French winemaking and French cuisine was important. More recently, Georgia was part of the Soviet Union. During the Soviet Union period Georgia was the chief provider of wine for the whole country.This was essentially low-cost mass wine shipped in tanks to all regions of the Soviet Union and bottled there. There was no commercial qvevri winemaking during the Soviet Union period. The commercial sector was dominated by huge stainless steel tanks to produce sweet-style wines.

After the break-up of the Soviet Union and various conflicts between Russia and Georgia, the Georgian wine sector has been adjusting to the new market conditions. The production of inexpensive, often sweet-style wines for Russia and other neighboring countries remains important.

At the same time, the amber wine revolution has discovered Georgia and Georgia has become an important player in the natural wine scene, including in New York, Berlin, London etc. But quevri wines account only for 3% of Georgia's wine exports. Still, they account for 100% of the buzz.

Pictures: In the Wine Cellar - "European-type Wines"

Tradionally, both red and white wine have been fermented and aged in quevris, burried in the ground for temperature control purposes. Basically each family in Georgia has a quevri where they make there wine in this ancient method. Typically, quevri wines are no-sulfur wines with natural yeast only. Whole-bunch fermentation is the rule. 

While the buzz is about the hard-core qvevri winemaking where the grapes are fermented with their skins, pips and stems and aged for an extensive period in a qvevri, you also find winemakers that combine the traditional Georgian approach with modern approaches like aging in barrels or fermenting in qvevris but without skins, pips and stems. In fact, there is a whole range of quevri winemaking. 

Interestingly, not once went a winemaker with us to the vineyard and we did not have one single-vineyard wine in Georgia. In general it seems that vineyard issues are on the backburner in Georgia.

Pictures: In the Wine Cellar - Marani, Qvevri Wines

Château Mukhrani

Château Mukhrani: Château Mukhrani is based on the historical tradition of wine-making in Mukhrani region. This is the first and the only true Georgian Royal Chateau, which unites four key components: vineyards, winery, castle and history. In 1512 Mukhrani became the prince’s estate, governed by Bagrationi royal family. Mukhranian wine production was established by Ivane Mukhranbatoni a famous representative of royal family, political and public figure of the 19th century. In 1876, Ivane Mukhranbatoni returned from France with Chateau concept knowledge and since then the history of Château Mukhani’s winemaking starts.

During the Soviet time Château Mukhrani was abandoned and almost destroyed. In 2002, a group of businessmen, Frederik Paulsen, Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze laid basis for restoration of the project of Château Mukhrani. Group intended to revive the estate to its former glory and re-establish production at Mukhrani, combining modern and traditional technologies. New investment group aims to create strong international brands, which will serve as a profound representative of Georgian wine on international market.

In 2007, major investment was made in new winery of Château Mukhrani. Now it is equipped with ultra-modern technology and corresponds with ISO 9001:2005 Food Safety and ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management standards.

Along with modern winery, Château Mukhrani Cellar was also reconstructed, returning to unique origin, which has great historical value. Today the cellar is fully reconstructed and stores more than 1000 barrels of wine at constant temperature of 16C.

Since 2007, Château Mukhrani is making wine from grapes harvested in its own vineyards. To make the wine more exquisite and truly unique, winery receives grapes for processing maximum in 15 minutes from harvesting.

Pictures: In the Cellar - Chacha (Georgian Wine Brandy)

Patrick Honnef - Winemaker, Viticulturist, CEO Château Mukhrani

Château Mukhrani: Graduated from Wine Management and Winemaking in Heilbronn, Germany, I spent 11 years in the Bordeaux region and worked as a Technical Director of Chateau d’Aiguilhe for 10 years and was supported by the remarkable wine-consultant Stephane Derenencourt. The powerful Merlot dominated reds of Chateau d’Aiguilhe were regularly noted between 88-92 points, top-scores for a not classified cru of Bordeaux. End of 2013 the challenge to become technical director of Château Mukhrani in the Caucasian Republic of Georgia crossed my way. The huge potential and history of the “Cradle of Wine” is a dream for each passionate about wine.

Today this country is embracing its renaissance of wine culture, combining ancient amphora winemaking (known as Qvevris) and modern international techniques. Be part of this process, rediscover the autochthone grape varieties and reveal their great potential is marvelous.

At Château Mukhrani, we work with hand-picked 102 ha of vineyards, all surrounding the winery, with a low density of plantation, with the objective to grow the best quality grapes, as the base of a great wine. Focussed on rare, forgotten grape varieties and equipped with a beautiful modern winery, we are working to position Château Mukhrani wines in the top range of the Georgian wine culture. Always respecting and learning from the local terroir, we are striving for the finest wines of Georgia. Along this passion for wine, we are working with our team to restore our royal castle and become the leading wine tourism and hospitality estate in the country.

Pictures: Annette and Christian Schiller with Patrick Honnef

The Princes of Mukhrani

Château Mukhrani: The Princes of Mukhrani (Mukhranbatoni) stem from one of the oldest royal dynasties in the World - the Bagrationi. In 1512 King David of Kartli donated the Mukhrani Estate, dominating the Ksani and Aragvi gorges, to his brother Prince Bagrat. Since then his descendants have left their mark in all sectors of modern contemporary life - political, economic, as well as cultural in the great history of the proud Georgian Nation. Throughout the centuries this fertile land was attractive to many invaders and the Princes of Mukhrani protected it with courage against the various enemies. Sensible and brave warriors - they defended the land brilliantly and courageously. Their knightly nature, diligence and self-sacrifice allowed them to occupy the Royal Throne of the Country as early as the 17th century.

Pictures: Tour and Extensive Tasting at Château Mukhrani with General Manager/ Winemaker Patrick Honnef - Georgia Wine Tour 2019

Castle

Château Mukhrani: In 1873, designed by French architects, Ivane Mukhranbatoni began construction of the castle that took 12 years to complete. The surrounding gardens were designed by a Versailles gardener. Both castle and grounds captured visitors’ attentions. The huge venue was a cultural centre for the Georgian elite. Ivane Mukhranbatoni hosted many guests including famous Georgian public figures counting writers and poets such as Ilia Chavchavadze and Akaki Tsereteli, along with the Russian Imperator of the time. The castle was famous for its Italian gilded furniture together with the first European parquet in Georgia. The castle’s first floor housed an amphitheater for 150 people, and on other floors were a variety of salons. During its renovation the castle was visited by 81 year-old Tatiana Faberge, descendent of the famous French Jeweler Carl Faberge. She also claimed to be the great-grand daughter of Ivane’s brother. Tatiana has initiated the return of the original furniture that was in the castle during the 19th century. After the renovation the furniture will be placed in the castle’s museum.

Tasting

We tasted 8 wines in the modern taating room of Château Mukhrani with Patrick Honnef.

Pictures: Tasting

The Wines Patrick Poured


2017 Château Mukhrani Goruli Mtsvane

Stainless steel only.

Vinification: Grapes are transferred into vibrating reception bins and then moved on an extremely gentle conveyor belt to the crusher. Destemming and immediate chilling of the must at 5 to 6°C while transferring for de-juicing or skin maceration under strict inert gas ambient with in-line injection as well as inert conditions in the tank space. Free run separation and juice settling under a temperature controlled environment. Decantation. Fermentation of clear juice at 14 to 15°C using only selected yeast species. Elevage by means of «sur lie». Style balance and preparation for bottling. Bottling is done under the highest standards protecting the wine from all possibilities for quality hazard.


2017 Château Mukhrani Rkatsiteli Supérieur

Stainless steel only.


2017 Château Mukhrani Rkatsiteli Royale

Stainless steel and aged in barrique.


2016 Château Mukhrani Qvevri

50% Mtsvane - 50% Rkatsiteli. 6 months in qvevri.


2016 Château Mukhrani Saperavi Supérieur

60% stainless steel, 40% barrique.

Patrick Honnef: Colour of opulent ruby. Bouquet of black mulberry, blackberry and cherry. Palate echoes with soft oak. Exuberant, yet velvety tannins are well balanced within the entire structure. The wine has excellent expressed vinosity. With age it may develop diamond-crystalline deposits, further showing its noble origin and revered handling.

Saperavi is Georgia’s endemic varietal and has all the noble characteristics making it one of the world’s most outstanding red wines. Saperavi is a rich, varietal, fruity wine of bountiful body and great vinosity.

Both red meat and game fried, grilled and stewed with spices. Excellent with mature cheeses of different styles.


2017 Château Mukhrani Qvevri

60% Saperavi, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon. 3 months in qvevri and 18 months in used barrique.


2015 Château Mukhrani Collection Secrète

50% Saperavi, 30% Cabernet Franc, 25% Syrah, 5% Petit Verdot.


2015 Château Mukhrani Réserve Royale

100% Saperavi. Aged in new oak for 24 months.

Patrick Honnef: The hues of its smooth sunbathed colour range from rich, dark red to crimson, with a notable glint of blue around the rim. Aromas of mulberry, blackberry, mixed with cherry. An excellent texture and well balanced palate offers a combined sensation of the varietal fruit and tannins from both grapes and oak, still to reach their final maturity. There is a long, pure and aromatic length. This wine is still maturing and shows enormous potential for storing in the cellar for up to 15 years. Once matured, it will reveal a character of oak aged Saperavi loved by all who have had the pleasure to taste this truly magnificent varietal of wine.

Saperavi is Georgia’s endemic variety and has all the noble characteristics making it one of the World’s most outstanding reds. The Microclimate of Mukhrani, where the grapes for this truly fine and exquisite wine grow, boasts of its pristine and almost wild virginal natural qualities. Through thousands of years the soil, the sun, the wine varietals, the winemakers and vignerons have combined to deliver the juice for wine of such elegance.

Both Red meat and game fried, grilled and stewed with spices. Excellent with mature cheeses of different styles.


Bye-bye

Many thanks Patrick for a great tour and tasting - à bientôt.

Pictures: Bye-bye

Good Night

Good Night.

Pictures: Last View of Château Mukhrani on the Way to the Bus

schiller-wine: Related Postings - Georgia Wine Tour 2019: Discovering the Birthplace of Wine (Published and Forthcoming Postings)

Georgia Wine Tour 2019: Discovering the Birthplace of Wine

Tour and Wine-pairing Lunch at Iago Winery in Mtskheta, with Cult-winemaker Iago Bitarishvili - Georgia Wine Tour 2019

Wine-pairing Lunch at Pheasant's Tears, Arguably Georgia's Most Famous Winery - Georgia Wine Tour 2019

Tour, Tasting, Dinner and Overnight-stay at Schuchmann in Kakheti, with Roland Burdiashvili, Managing Director/ Assistant Winemaker - Georgia Wine Tour 2019

Tour, Extensive Tasting and Light Lunch at Tchotiashveli Estate, with Owner/ Winemaker Kakha Tchotiashvili - Georgia Wine Tour 2019

Tour of the Marani, Qvevri Wine Tasting and Shashlik Dinner at Martali Wine, with Owners/ Winemakers Nikoloz Bitskinashvili, Nikheil Bitskinashvili and Thomas Schubaeus - Georgia Wine Tour 2019

Tour and Extensive Tasting at Château Mukhrani with General Manager/ Winemaker Patrick Honnef

At Mosmieri Winebar and Shop in Tbilisi, with Château Mosmieri Owner Joerg Matthies

Pictures: Annette and Christian Schiller with Wilhelm Weil, Weingut Robert Weil, Fritz Keller, Weingut Franz Keller and Caroline Spanier-Gillot, Weingut Kuehling-Gillot

The new Gault Millau WeinGuide Deutschland – for 2020 – was published on November 5, 2019. It reviews on about 1000 pages more than 11.500 wines of 1078 wineries. Its rating symbol is a grape and Germany’s best winemakers are awarded one to five grapes.

Picture: WeinGuides Deutschland 2020 (Photo: Weingut Corvers-Kauter - Facebook)

I plan to release the following postings on schiller-wine:

Germany’s Best Winemakers – Gault Millau WeinGuide Deutschland 2020 Awards
Germany’s Top Winemakers (With 5/5 Grapes) - Gault Millau WeinGuide Deutschland 2020
Germany’s Best Wines – Three 100 Points Wines in the Gault Millau WeinGuide Deutschland 2020

3 wines were awarded 100 points in the Gault Millau WeinGuide Deutschland 2020: An ultra-premium dry Riesling from Weingut Kühling-Gillot in Rheinhessen, a Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir) from Weingut Franz Keller in Baden and a noble-sweet Riesling from Weingut Robert Weil in Rheinhessen.

100 Point: 2018 Weingut Kühling-Gillot, Nackenheimer Rothenberg, Riesling Wurzelecht, Großes Gewächs, Rheinhessen

Weingut Kühling-Gillot
Rheinhessen
15 hectares
60% Riesling, 25% Spätburgnder

Picture: Carolin Gillot-Spanier and H.O. Spanier, Weingut Kühling-Gillot and Weingut Battenfeld-Spanier, are Winemaker of the Year - Vinum WeinGuide Deutschland 2018. See: Germany’s Best Winemakers and Wines – Vinum WeinGuide Deutschland 2018 Awards: The Award Ceremony in Mainz, Germany

Picture: Philipp Wittmann, Weingut Wittmann, and H.O. Spanier, Weingut Battenfeld-Spanier and Weingut Kühling-Gillot, with Annette Schiller in Mainz. See: VDP.Rheinhessen Invited to a Gala Dinner: The World Class Wines of the VDP.Rheinhessen Winemakers and the World Class Food of Philipp Stein (1 Star Michelin, Favorite), with Klaus Peter Keller, Philipp Wittmann, H.O.Spanier, Caroline Gillot-Spanier and Other Rheinhessen Stars

Picture: Tasting at Weingut Kühling-Gillot in Bodenheim, with Frank Schuber and Roland Gillot. See: Wine Tasting at Weingut Kühling-Gillot in Bodenheim: Kühling-Gillot and Battenfeld-Spanier Wines – Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

Pictures: Tasting the Wines of Weingut Battenfeld-Spanier and Weingut Kühling-Gillot at the Spanier Family Home in Hohen-Sülzen and Touring the Winery with Carolin Spanier-Gillot - Germany-South and Alsace 2018 Tour by ombiasy WineTours

Pictures: Christian Schiller with H. O. Spanier, Caroline Spanier-Gillot and Roland Gillot in Bodenheim. See: The Wine Maker Couple H.O. Spanier and Carolin Spanier-Gillot, with Roland Gillot, Lead Wine Tasting of Kuehling-Gillot and Battenfeld-Spanier Wines at Weingut Kuehling-Gillot, Germany

100 Points: 2017 Weingut Franz Keller, Achkarrer Schlossberg, Spätburgunder, Großes Gewächs, Baden

Weingut Franz Keller
Baden
57 hectares
34% Grauburgunder (Pinot Gris), 29% Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir), 14% Weissburgunder (Pinot Blanc)

Picture: Annette Schiller and Fritz Keller at Weingut Franz Keller, October 2019. See: Best German Red Wine - Meininger Rotweinpreis 2019, Germany

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

Pictures: Tasting with Fritz Keller at Weingut Franz Keller in Oberbergen, Baden. See: Tour and Tasting at Weingut Franz Keller in Oberbergen, Baden– Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Pictures: Fritz Keller and Friedrich Keller, Weingut Franz Keller, with Annette and Christian Schiller  at Prowein. See: Prowein 2015 in Düsseldorf, Germany– Schiller’s Impressions

100 Points: 2018 Weingut Robert Weil, Kiedricher Gräfenberg, Riesling, Trockenbeerenauslese. Versteigerungswein, Rheingau

Weingut Robert Weil
Rheingau
90 hectares
100% Riesling

Pictures: Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Robert Weil in Kiedrich, Rheingau, with Jan Christensen - Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling

Pictures: Wilhelm Weil with Annette and Christian Schiller at Weingut Robert Weil

Pictures: Wilhelm Weil and Christian Schiller at Weingut Robert Weil. See: Visiting Wilhelm Weil at his Weingut Robert Weil in Kiedrich, Germany and Tasting with Wilhelm Weil the 2010 Weingut Weil Wines in Kiedrich, Germany

Picture: Wilhelm Weil, Gesine Roll, Stuart Pigott, Christian Schiller and Annette Schiller at Gut Hermannsberg in 2019 

schiller-wine: Related Postings

UPCOMING Tours/ Wine Dinners/ Tastings - Annette and Christian Schiller/ ombiasyPR & WineTours/ schiller-wine, Germany, France, USA (Issued: November 1, 2019)

Annual Riesling Party at the Schiller Residence in Washington DC, USA (2019)

Impressive Vineyard Tour and Tasting at Weingut Reichsrat von Buhl in Deidesheim, Pfalz, with Richard Grosche - Germany-South and Alsace 2018 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: Baden, Alsace, Pfalz and Rheinhessen

Germany’s Best Winemakers and Wines – Vinum WeinGuide Deutschland 2018 Awards: The Award Ceremony in Mainz, Germany

VDP.Rheinhessen Invited to a Gala Dinner: The World Class Wines of the VDP.Rheinhessen Winemakers and the World Class Food of Philipp Stein (1 Star Michelin, Favorite), with Klaus Peter Keller, Philipp Wittmann, H.O.Spanier, Caroline Gillot-Spanier and Other Rheinhessen Stars

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

Tasting the Wines of Weingut Battenfeld-Spanier and Weingut Kühling-Gillot at the Spanier Family Home in Hohen-Sülzen and Touring the Winery with Carolin Spanier-Gillot - Germany-South and Alsace 2018 Tour by ombiasy WineTours

 The Wine Maker Couple H.O. Spanier and Carolin Spanier-Gillot, with Roland Gillot, Lead Wine Tasting of Kuehling-Gillot and Battenfeld-Spanier Wines at Weingut Kuehling-Gillot, Germany

Best German Red Wine - Meininger Rotweinpreis 2019, Germany

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

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

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Robert Weil in Kiedrich, Rheingau, with Jan Christensen - Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling

Visiting Wilhelm Weil at his Weingut Robert Weil in Kiedrich, Germany and Tasting with Wilhelm Weil the 2010 Weingut Weil Wines in Kiedrich, Germany

Prowein 2015 in Düsseldorf, Germany– Schiller’s Impressions

 

Pictures: Tour and Wine-pairing Lunch at Château Le Bon Pasteur, Appellation Pomerol, with Dany Rolland and General Manager Benoit Prévot - Bordeaux Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Following a

Vineyard Tour and Tasting at Château Troplong-Mondot, Appellation Saint-Émilion, Premier Grand Cru Classé B - Bordeaux Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours, France

we drove over from  Saint-Émilion to Pomerol for a gourmet lunch with wine pairing at Château Le Bon Pasteur, hosted by Dany Rolland and General Manager Benoit Prévot. Chef Frédéric Bozzowas in the kitchen.

Before lunch, Dany and Benoit gave us a tour of the estate.

Château Le Bon Pasteur is located at the junction of the famous terroirs of Pomerol and Saint-Émilion. It was acquired by the Rolland family around 1920. The grandson of the original owner, Michel Rolland, well known around the world as “flying winemaker” and wine consultant, and his wife Dany, a highly regarded oenologist in her own right created a model vineyard and produce outstanding wines.

Pictures: Welcome - Dany Roland and Benoit Prévot

Change of Ownership

Château Le Bon Pasteur was acquired by the Rolland family around 1920. The grandson of the original owner, Michel Rolland, well known around the world as “flying winemaker” and wine consultant, and his wife Dany, also an oenologist, created a model vineyard and produce outstanding wines. Not so long ago, they sold it to Pan Sutong, a Hong Kong businessman and entrepreneur.

According to Forbes 2015 World Billionaire's list published in March 2015, Sutong was placed at number 153 with an estimated net worth of $8.6 billion. Pan Sutong is a wine lover. In 2011, his Goldin Group bought the Sloan Estate in the Napa Valley. The Sloan 2002 and 2007 vintages were awarded 100 points by Robert Parker.

In 2013, the Group purchased three châteaux in Bordeaux, namely Château Le Bon Pasteur in Pomerol, Château Rolland-Maillet in Saint-Émilion and Château Bertineau St-Vincent in Lalande-de-Pomerol. As Goldin Financial’s long-term working partner, Michel Rolland facilitated this acquisition. Similar to Sloan, despite the transfer of ownership, nothing changed in terms of wine-making procedures and staff.

Pictures: Château Le Bon Pasteur, Pomerol - Vineyard Tour

Pomerol

Pomerol is remarkable for being unremarkable. It is not a long-established area. There are no beautiful chateaux. There is no real town center, just roads connecting the lands and small, farmhouse style wineries. Pomerol has no classification system. With 800 hectares, it is a small area, with small domains. By contrast: The vineyards of St. Emilion cover more than 5000 hectares; the production of Petrus is just 10% of that of Lafite.

Nevertheless, Pomerol has managed to earn itself a place among the region's most-respected names. The list of the Pomerol’s best properties includes Le Pin, one of the precursors of the Garagistes style, Petrus and Lafleur, with all three of them regarded as "hors classe" growths, and: Eglise-Clinet, Trotanoy, Vieux-Château Certan, L´Evangile, Certan-de-May, La Fleur-Pétrus, Clinet, Bon Pasteur, Le Gay, Rouget, Clos l'Eglise, Nénin, Petit-Village, Lagrange and Gazin. Pomerol, with the wines of Chateau Petrus and Chateau Le Pen, now commands higher prices than those of the long-established Medoc.

Pomerol has the highest Merlot share in Bordeaux, with Merlot accounting for 80% and Cabernet Franc for the rest. Vines are old and yields are extremely low.

Over the centuries, Pomerol had always been in the shadow of Medoc, Graves and even St. Emilion. Only at the beginning of the 20th century, things changed when Belgians and primarily Dutchmen were more and more interested in the red Pomerol wines. It was not until the 1950s that British merchants woke up to the wines and began to import them into the UK.

Pictures: Château Le Bon Pasteur, Pomerol - Cellar Tour with Dany Rolland and Benoit Prévot

Château Le Bon Pasteur

Château Le Bon Pasteur was acquired by the Rolland family - Joseph and Hermine Dupuy - in 1920. The grandson of the original owner, Michel Rolland, well known around the world as “flying winemaker” and wine consultant, and his wife Dany, also an oenologist, created a model vineyard and produce outstanding wines. In May, 2013, Le Bon Pasteur (including the two affiliated properties) was sold to Sutong Pan, the first Asian investor to buy a truly legendary Pomerol estate. Dany and Michel Rolland continue to manage the estate and make the wine.

In the beginning, the owners grew the grapes, but sold the harvest in bulk to negociants. The Dupony family later passed Le Bon Pasteur on to their children, Serge and Geneviève Rolland. In 1978, the Rolland family continued the tradition and gave Chateau Le Bon Pasteur to their children Michel and Jean-Daniel Rolland. This gave birth to the modern era for Le Bon Pasteur and the start of the career for Michel Rolland.

The property Le Bon Pasteur originally consisted of vineyards in the three communes of Pomerol, Saint-Émilion and Néac, the last one in the appellation Lalande-de-Pomerol. Originally all three wines were called Le Bon Pasteur, with the respective appellation indicated. From 1978, the wine from Saint-Émilion has been called Château Rolland-Maillet and that from Lalande-de-Pomerol called Château Bertineau Saint-Vincent. They are all produced at Le Bon Pasteur.

Le Bon Pasteur consists of 7 hectares with 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. Production averages 2,500 cases.

Starting with the 2010 vintage, the grapes are fermented in barrel, with the barrels being regularly turned during the maceration period. Also, in 2010, Michel and Dany Rolland started to include about 1/3 whole clusters in the fermentation. The wines are aged for 15 to 18 months in 100% new French oak barrels and then bottled without fining and filtering.

The closest neighbor is Château l’Evangile, and possibly some parts of the next neighbor Château La Conseillante are also visible.

Pictures: Apéritif

Michel and Dany Rolland

Michel Rolland grew up on Château Le Bon Pasteur. He studied at the prestigious Bordeaux Oenology Institute, where he met his wife and fellow oenologist, Dany Rolland, and graduated as part of the class of 1972. In 1973, Michel Rolland and his wife bought into an oenology lab in Libourne. They took over full control of the lab in 1976 and expanded it to include tasting rooms. Michel and Dany Rolland's two daughters, Stéphanie and Marie, also work at the lab.

After having sold Château Le Bon Pasteur, Château Bertineau Saint-Vincent in Lalande de Pomerol and Château Rolland-Maillet in Saint-Émilion, the Rollands still own several properties in Bordeaux, including Château Fontenil in Fronsac, and Château La Grande Clotte in Lussac-Saint-Émilion. In addition, they are joint venture partnerships with Bonne Nouvelle in South Africa, Val de Flores in Argentina, Campo Eliseo in Spain and Yacochuya and Clos de los Siete in Argentina.

In addition, Michel Rolland consults for many producers in Bordeaux, in Argentina, South Africa (Simonsberg Stellenbosch), and Spain (Toro).

Pictures: Wine-pairing Lunch at Château Le Bon Pasteur, Appellation Pomerol, with Dany Rolland and General Manager Benoit Prévot - Bordeaux Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Apéritif

Pieces of Serrano
Cuillère of salmon tartare with dill
Toast of foie gras
King prawn rolled in bacon

Mariflor Argentine Mendoza Sauvignon Blanc 2016 (US$21)


Wine-pairing Lunch

From there, we moved to the lunch table.


Appetizer

Lobster crisp with chanterelle mushrooms

Château La Grande Clotte Blanc 2015 (US$20)



Main Course

Veal Medaillon awith virgin oil

Château Fontenil France Fronsac 2012(US$109)


Cheese

Comté Cheese

Château Le Bon Pasteur France Pomerol 2009 (US$106)


Dessert

Hot cholocate fondant with red berries coulis

Val de Flores Argentine Mendoza 2012 (US$58)

The Val de Flores vineyard is ten hectares and is planted with Malbec which are more than fifty years old. The vineyard is situated at the foot of the Andean mountains at Vista Flores in South Mendoza. The vineyard soils is alluviums and deep silts. This wine was aged for 14 months in new French oak barrels and bottled unfined and unfiltered.

Yacochuya 2013 (US$48)


Coffee & Cannelés de Bordeaux

We finished with coffee and ccffee & cannelés de Bordeaux. Dany had a cigarillo.


Chef Frédéric Bozzo

The lunch was pepared by Chef Frédéric Bozzo.

Pictures: Dany Rolland with Chef Frédéric Bozzo

Bye-Bye

Many thanks Dany Rolland and Benoit Prévot for a most entertaining event.

Pictures: Bye-bye

Total Immersion in Bordeaux: World Class Wines and Exquisite French Gourmet Cuisine - Bordeaux Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours, France (Published and Forthcoming Postings)

Total Immersion in Bordeaux: World Class Wines and Exquisite French Gourmet Cuisine - Bordeaux Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Total Immersion in Bordeaux: World Class Wines and Exquisite French Gourmet Cuisine - Bordeaux Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Total Immersion in Bordeaux: World Class Wines and Exquisite French Gourmet Cuisine - Bordeaux Tour 2017 by ombiasy WineTours, France

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 Château Pape-Clément, Graves, Appellation Pessac-Léognan, Cru Classé de Graves, with Daley Brennan, Business Development Manager, Eastern USA - Bordeaux Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours, France

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

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 - An Update

Schiller’s Favorite Seafood Places in Bordeaux City, France - An Update

Tour and Tasting at Château Canon-La-Gaffelière, Appellation Saint-Émilion, Premier Grand Cru Classé B, with Proprietor Count Stephan von Neipperg - Bordeaux Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours, France

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

Tour and Tasting at Château Belles-Graves, Appellation Lalande de Pomerol, with Sylvain Garoste, Maître de Chai (Cellar Master) - Bordeaux Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Lunch at Restaurant La Table de Catusseau, Bib Gourmand in the Guide Michelin, in Pomerol - Bordeaux Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Tour and Tasting at Château La Conseillante, Appellation Pomerol, with Technical Director Marielle Cazaux - Bordeaux Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Vineyard Tour and Tasting at Château Troplong-Mondot, Appellation Saint-Émilion, Premier Grand Cru Classé B - Bordeaux Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Tour and Wine-pairing Lunch at Château Le Bon Pasteur, Appellation Pomerol, with Dany Rolland and General Manager Benoit Prévot - Bordeaux Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Wine-pairing Lunch at Château Le Bon Pasteur, Pomerol, with Dany Rolland, GM Benoit Prévot and Chef Frédéric Bozzo - Bordeaux Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Touring Saint-Emilion

Saint Emilion Wines and their Classification, Bordeaux, France

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

Tour and Tasting at Château Gazin, Appellation Pomerol, with Owner Nicolas de Bailliencourts

Tour and Lunch at Château Climens, Appellation Barsac-Sauternes, Première Grand Cru Classé, with Owner and Winemaker Bérénice Lurton

Wine-pairing Lunch at Château Climens, Appellation Barsac-Sauternes, Première Grand Cru Classé, with Owner/ Winemaker Bérénice Lurton and Chef Florence Camaly - Bordeaux Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Tour and Tasting at Château Reynier, Appellation Entre-Deux-Mers, with Owners/ Winemakers Marc Lurton and Agnès Lurton

Lunch at Restaurant La Marina in Blaye

Tour and Tasting at Château Bel-Air La Royère, Appellation Blaye-Côtes de Bordeaux, with Owner/ Winemaker Corinne Loriaud

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

Tour and Tasting at Earl Ostrea Chanca Oyster Farm, with Oyster Farmer Ralph Doerfler

Oysters in Bordeaux: Visiting the Oyster Farmer Raphael Doerfler and his Earl Ostrea Chanca Oyster Farm in Grand Piquey/ Bassin d'Arcachon - Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2017, France

Lunch at Pinasse Café, Cap Ferret, Bassin d'Arcachon - Bordeaux Tour 2017 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Schiller's Favorite Seafood Restaurants in Arcachon and Cap Ferret (Bassin d'Arcachon/ Bordeaux)

Lunch at Pinasse Café, Cap Ferret

Lunch at Pinasse Café, Cap Ferret, Bassin d'Arcachon - Bordeaux Tour 2017 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Tour and Blending Workshop at Château La Tour de Bessan, Appellation Margaux, Cru Bourgeois

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Blending Exercise at Château La Tour de Bessan, Margaux, Cru Bourgeois, with Owner/ Winemaker Marie-Laure Lurton - Bordeaux Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours, France  

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

What is a Bordeaux Cru Bourgeois? France

Tour and Tasting at Château Lafite-Rothschild, Appellation Pauillac, 1ière Grand Cru Classé

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

Tour and Tasting (from Barrel and Bottle) at Château Lafon-Rochet, 4ème Grand Cru Classé St-Estèphe, with Owner Basile Tesseron - Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2018, France

Tour and Lunch at Château Phélan-Ségur, with General Manager Véronique Dausse and Winemaker Fabrice Bacquey

Tour and Tasting at Château Pichon-Longueville-Baron, Appellation Pauillac, 2ième Grand Cru Classé, with Technical Director Jean-René Matignon

Wine-Pairing Lunch at Château Pichon Longueville Baron in Pauillac - Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2017 France

Tour at Cooperage Berger & Fils with Simon Grelier, Managing Director

How a Barrel is Made: Visit of the Cooperage Berger & Fils in Vertheuil– Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2017, France

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

Tour and Tasting at Château Sociando Mallet, Appellation Haut-Médoc– Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2016, France

Tour and Dinner at Château Le Reysse, Vignobles Paeffgen, Appellation Médoc, with Stefan and Heike Paeffgen

Tour, Barrel Tasting and Family Dinner with Stefan and Heike Paeffgen, Château Le Reysse and Château Lassus, Vignobles Paeffgen, Appellation Médoc - Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2017, France

Tour and Tasting at Château Beychevelle, Appellation Saint-Julien, 4ième Grand Cru Classé, with Philippe Blanc, Managing Director

Tour and Tasting at Château Beychevelle, Appellation Saint-Julien, 4ième Grand Cru Classé, with General Manager Philippe Blanc - Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2017, France

Tour and Lunch at Château Desmirail, Appellation Margaux, 3ième Grand Cru Classé, with Owner Denis Lurton

Tour and Tasting at Château Durfort-Vivens, Appellation Margaux, 2ième Grand Cru Classé

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Château Durfort-Vivens, Appellation Margaux, 2ième Grand Cru Classé - Bordeaux Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Winery Tour and Dinner at Château Bouscaut, Appellation Pessac-Léognan, Cru Classé de Graves, with Owner Sophie Cogombles-Lurton and her Husband Laurent Cogombles

Pictures: Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour, Lunch and Tasting at Weingut Fürst Hohenlohe Oehringen in Oehringen–Verrenberg, Württemberg– Germany-East Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

The annual German Red Wine Competition (Deutscher Rotweinpreis), organized by the international wine magazine Vinum, exists since 1987. At that time, German red wine accounted for only about 15 percent of German wine production. 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.

This year, 1530 wines were submitted for the competition. The wines were grouped into 8 categories. In addition, a special award was given to Sophie Christmann, Weingut Christmann, Pfalz.

The Best/ Deutschen Rotweinpreis 2019 (Vinum)

ENTDECKUNG DES JAHRES/ Discovery of the Year

Sophie Christmann, Weingut Christmann, Pfalz is the "Discovery of the Year". She took over the Spätburgunder wines in the renowned parental winery (her father is president of the federal VDP) with the 2017 vintage and immediately produces elegant trio of Spätburgunder wines.

Pictures: At Weigut A. Christmann - Harvest Time. See: Winery Tour and Wine Tasting at Weingut A. Christmann, with Steffen Christmann– Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)

SPÄTBURGUNDER/ Pinot Noir

1. Platz 2017 Walporzheimer Kräuterberg, Ahr Winzergenossenschaft Mayschoß-Altenahr

2. Platz, ex aequo

2017 Kammerberg Pfalz Weingut Jülg, Schweigen-Rechtenbach

2016 Zinkelerde Großes Gewächs, Pfalz Weingut Theo Minges, Flemlingen

2014 Kindenheimer Vogelsang «Glockenspiel» Réserve, Pfalz Weingut Neiss, Kindenheim

2009 Endinger (Magnum) Engelsberg «R» ***, Baden Weingut Knab, Endingen

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

KLASSISCHE DEUTSCHE SORTEN/ Classic German Varieties

1. Platz 2016 St. Laurent «Blacklist»,Pfalz Weingut Rothmeier, Landau-Mörlheim

2. Platz, ex aequo

2016 Marienthaler Rosenberg Frühburgunder,Ahr Weingut Peter Kriechel, Ahrweiler

2016 St. Laurent Goldkapsel,Pfalz Weingut Gerhard Hochdörffer, Nußdorf

CUVÉES/ Cuvées

1. Platz 2017 «R» Réserve, Nahe Weingut Christian Bamberger, Bad Sobernheim

2. Platz 2012 AnnA, Baden Weingut Seeger, Leimen

3. Platz, ex aequo

2015 Kult Cuvée Wirtemberg Réserve, Württemberg Collegium Wirtemberg, Stuttgart

2016 Das Kreuz, Pfalz Weingut Rings, Freinsheim

Pictures: Tasting with Andreas Rings. See: Tasting and Cellar Tour at Weingut Rings in Freinsheim, Pfalz, with Andreas Rings - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours

Pictures: Andreas Rings, Weingut Rings, and Annette and Christian Schiller in Frankfurt, Germany

LEMBERGER/ Lemberger

1. Platz 2017 Réserve, Baden Weingut Plag, Kürnbach

2. Platz, ex aequo

2016 Schwaigerner Ruthe Großes Gewächs, Württemberg Weingut Graf Neipperg, Schwaigern

2013 Schwaigerner Ruthe Großes Gewächs, Württemberg Weingut Graf Neipperg, Schwaigern

Pictures: Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Graf Neipperg in Schwaigern, Württemberg– Germany-East Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Pictures: Gert Aldinger, Weingut Aldinger, Karl Eugen Erbgraf zu Neipperg, Weingut Des Grafen Neipperg and Annette Schiller See: 2017 VDP Trade Fair Weinbörse - Vintage 2016 - in Mainz: Schiller’s Report

UNTERSCHÄTZTE SORTEN/ Underrated Grape Varieties

1. Platz 2016 Portugieser Divinus, Württemberg Weinkonvent Dürrenzimmern

2. Platz 2016 Markelsheimer Probstberg Tauberschwarz Réserve, Württemberg Weingut Hofmann, Röttingen

3. Platz 2016 Schwarzriesling «Albert», Baden Weingut Plag, Kürnbach

INTERNATIONALE KLASSIKER/ International Classics

1. Platz 2016 Cabernet Franc Grand Vintage, Rheinhessen Weingut Peth-Wetz, Bermersheim

2. Platz 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon, Rheinhessen Weingut Karl May, Osthofen

3. Platz 2016 Großheppacher Wanne Klingenberg Syrah «SL», Württemberg Weingut Bernhard Ellwanger, Weinstadt

Pictures: Christmas Party 2018 of the Weinfeder - the Association of German-speaking Wine Journalists - in the Remstal in Württemberg, with the Wine Estates Jürgen Ellwanger, Bernhard Ellwanger, Doreas and Karl Haidle, Germany

NEUZÜCHTUNGEN/ New Varieties

1. Platz 2015 Flur 1 (Dornfelder), Rheinhessen Weingut Gutzler, Gundheim

2. Platz, ex aequo

2018 Verrenberg Zweigelt, Württemberg Weingut Fürst zu Hohenlohe-Oehringen

2015 Korber Sommerhalde Zweigelt, Württemberg Weingut Zimmerle, Korb

Pictures: Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour, Lunch and Tasting at Weingut Fürst Hohenlohe Oehringen in Oehringen–Verrenberg, Württemberg– Germany-East Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

EDELSÜSS/ Noble Sweet

1. Platz, es aequo

2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé Eiswein, Pfalz Weingut Frey, Essingen

2018 Spätburgunder Blanc de Noir Beerenauslese, Pfalz Weingut Frey, Essingen

3. Platz 2016 Spätburgunder/Merlot Blanc de Noir, Trockenbeerenauslese Weingut Frey, Essingen

schiller-wine: Related Postings

UPCOMING Tours/ Wine Dinners/ Tastings - Annette and Christian Schiller/ ombiasyPR & WineTours/ schiller-wine, Germany, France, USA (Issued: November 1, 2019)

Annual Riesling Party at the Schiller Residence in Washington DC, USA (2019)

At Weigut A. Christmann - Harvest Time. See: Winery Tour and Wine Tasting at Weingut A. Christmann, with Steffen Christmann– Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)

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

Tasting with Andreas Rings. See: Tasting and Cellar Tour at Weingut Rings in Freinsheim, Pfalz, with Andreas Rings - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Graf Neipperg in Schwaigern, Württemberg– Germany-East Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Christmas Party 2018 of the Weinfeder - the Association of German-speaking Wine Journalists - in the Remstal in Württemberg, with the Wine Estates Jürgen Ellwanger, Bernhard Ellwanger, Doreas and Karl Haidle, Germany

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour, Lunch and Tasting at Weingut Fürst Hohenlohe Oehringen in Oehringen–Verrenberg, Württemberg– Germany-East Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

2017 VDP Trade Fair Weinbörse - Vintage 2016 - in Mainz: Schiller’s Report

Pictures: VDP at AWS: Tasting Premium German Wines at the Showcase of Wines of the 2019 American Wine Society National Conference in St. Pete Beach, Florida, USA, with Annette and Christian Schiller, here with Randall Grahm, Bonny Doon Vineyard, California, USA

Annette Schiller, President of ombiasy PR and WineTours and member of the American Wine Society, led 2 wine tastings - "Renaissance of Terroir in Germany: Back to the Roots" and "Syrah and Shiraz: Is there any Difference, do they Taste the Same?" - at the 2019 Annual Meetings of the American Wine Society.

In addition, Annette and Christian Schiller poured a selection of German wines at the Showcase of Wines event during the second evening.

The tastings were sponsored by ombiasy WineTours and the wine producers whose wines were presented or their US importers.

The 2019 American Wine Society Annual Meetings took place at St. Pete Beach in Florida, on  Oct. 31 – Nov. 2, 2019.

More than 600 members from all over the USA came to this 3-day event, filled with tastings, seminars and presentations.

I have already provided an overview of the event her: The 2019 American Wine Society National Conference in St. Pete Beach, Florida, USA: Seen Through Christian Schiller's Camera Lens

Pictures: At the 2019 American Wine Society National Conference in St. Pete Beach, Florida, USA, with Randall Grahm, Bonny Doon Vineyard, Joel Peterson, Founder Ravenswood Vineyards, Janie Brooks Heuck, President,International Riesling Foundation and Brooks Winery, Joe Broski, AWS President, David Falchek, AWS Executive Director and Diane Meyer, Conference Chairperson

Postings on schiller-wine

This is the fourth in a series of postings related to the American Wine Society National Conference 2019 in St. Pete Beach, Florida:

The 2019 American Wine Society National Conference in St. Pete Beach, Florida, USA: Seen Through Christian Schiller's Camera Lens

VDP at AWS: Tasting Premium German Wines at the Showcase of Wines of the 2019 American Wine Society National Conference in St. Pete Beach, Florida, with Annette and Christian Schiller

Renaissance of the Terroir in Germany: Back to the Roots - Seminar at the 2019 American Wine Society National Conference in St. Pete Beach, Florida, USA, led by Annette Schiller

Syrah and Shiraz: Is there any Difference, do they Taste the Same? - Seminar at the 2019 American Wine Society National Conference in St. Pete Beach, Florida, USA, led by Annette Schiller

Dry Riesling From Around the World - Seminar at the 2019 American Wine Society National Conference in St. Pete Beach, Florida, USA, led by Janie Brooks Heuck, President, International Riesling Foundation

Two American Icons: With Graham Randall, Founder of Bonny Doon Vineyard, and Joel Peterson, Founder of Ravenswood Vineyards,at the 2019 American Wine Society National Conference in St. Pete Beach, Florida, USA

Ombiasy WineTours Booth

One of the about 15 booths at the conference was Annette Schiller's ombiasyPR & WineTours booth, where Annette and I presented her 6 tours to Germany (East, South, North) and France (Bordeaux, Bourgogne, Rhone).

Pictures: Ombiasy WineTours Booth with AWS President Joseph Broski

Friday, November 1, 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm: Showcase of Wines

VDP - Wines of Germany Table (Annette and Christian Schiller) 

Annette and Christian Schiller presented 6 German wines. All wines were from VDP producers, the association of about 200 elite winemakers in Germany. Iconic Bonny Doon Vineyard winemaker Randall Grahm showed a keen interest in the wines.

Pictures: VDP - Wines of Germany Table (Annette and Christian Schiller), with Randall Grahm, Bonny Doon Vineyard

The VDP

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

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

Picture: VDP Logo

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

The New Classification of German Wines – the VDP Classification

Although many people think that there is only one wine classification system in Germany – the classification system of the Law of 1971 – this is not correct. True, the classification system of the Law of 1971 is the standard classification system in Germany and many winemakers in Germany use this approach. Increasingly, however, German wine producers are moving away from the standard, in particular the producers of premium wines in Germany. Importantly, the members of the VDP, the association of about 200 elite winemakers in Germany, have all converted to the new classification.

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.

The VDP Wine Classification

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

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

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

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

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

VDP.Grosse Lage - The Peak of the Pyramid

VDP.Grosse Lage is the peak of the terroir-based pyramid, equivalent to Grand Cru in the Bourgogne. These are the very best vineyards of Germany. Note: For a Grosse Lage vineyard, like in the Bourgogne, you don’t use the village name on the label, just the name of the vineyard.

Maximum yield is at 50hl/ha. The grapes have to be harvested by hand while the sugar content of the grapes at harvest has to be at least at Spätlese level. The grapes can be fermented in a dry, fruity-sweet and noble-sweet style.

A dry wine from a VDP.Grosse Lage is designated VDP.Grosses Gewächs and labeled Qualitätswein Trocken. A Grosses Gewächs wine is an ultra premium dry wine made from a Grosse Lage vineyard.

Picture: GG - Grosses Gewächs

A fruity or noble sweet wine from a VDP.Grosse Lage is labeled with one of the traditional Prädikats: Kabinett, Spätlese, Auslese, Beerenauslese, Eiswein or Trockenbeerenauslese.

VDP.Erste Lage - First Class

VDP.Erste Lage designates first-class vineyards with distinctive characteristics, equivalent to Premier Cru in the Bourgogne. Erste Lage vineyards provide optimal growing conditions, as evidenced over a long period of time.

They are planted with traditional varieties. Maximum yield is at 60hl/ha. The grapes have to be harvested by hand while the sugar content of the grapes at harvest has to be at least at Spätlese level.

A dry wine from a VDP.Erste Lage is labeled Qualitätswein trocken. Note that there is no “VDP.Erstes Gewächs” designation.

A fruity or noble sweet wine from a VDP.Erste Lage is labeled with one of the traditional Prädikats: Kabinett, Spätlese, Auslese, Beerenauslese, Eiswein or Trockenbeerenauslese.

VDP.Ortswein - Sourced from Superior Soils

A VDP.Ortswein originates from a village's best vineyards that are planted with grape varieties typical of their region, equivalent to a village wine in the Bourgogne. Maximum yield is at 75hl/ha.

A dry VDP.Ortswein is labeled Qualitätswein Trocken.

A VDP.Ortswein with residual sweetness is labeled with one of the traditional Prädikats.

VDP.Gutswein – Entry Level

VDP.Gutsweine are the entry-level wines in the VDP's hierarchy.

Key Elements of the VDP Classification System to Remember

First: Use of the Prädikats Kabinett, Spätlese and Auslese only for fruity-sweet wines - As a major innovation, the VDP members have dropped the traditional Prädikats for dry wine. Only wines that have a noticeable level of sweetness carry the traditional Prädikats like Kabinett, Spätlese or Auslese. Thus, if you see Spätlese on the label of a VDP member wine, you can be sure that it is a fruity-sweet Spätlese. “Spaetlese Trocken” or “Kabinett Trocken” does not exist anymore among the VDP members. If you still find it - and you may indeed find it on the shelves - it is due to the number of exceptions which are in force for the transition period.

Second: The Prädikats Kabinett, Spätlese and Auslese no longer indicator of ripeness at harvest, but indicator for sweetness of the finished wines - In the 1971 Classification, the Prädikats Kabinett, Spaetlese and Auslese are an indicator of ripeness at harvest. Thus, for instance, you can have a fruity-sweet Spätlese and a dry Spaetlese. In the VDP classification, the Prädikats Kabinett, Spaetlese and Auslese are an indicator of sweetness of the finished wine (and not of the ripeness at harvest).

Third: All dry wines up to the highest quality level labeled Qualitätswein Trocken - All dry wines up to the highest quality level – the Grosses Gewächs wines from a Grosse Lage vineyard – are labeled Qualitaetswein (QbA) Trocken. A wine made from grapes harvested at Spätlese level and fully fermented to complete dryness, for example, is marketed as QbA wine. And the level of quality would be indicated by the terroir concept (Gutswein, Ortswein, Erste Lage, Grosse Lage).

This of course does not make it easier for wine consumers to read and understand German wine labels, because the Qualitätswein denomination has a completely different meaning in the standard classification system. There, it indicates that this wine is an entry-level wine of basic quality. In the VDP classification, Qualitätswein does not mean anything, as in the VDP system even the ultra-premium dry wines are labeled as a QbA.

Fourth: Grosses Gewaechs ultra-premium dry wine - The dry counterpart of the fruity-sweet Spätlese and Auslese wines of the VDP are the dry Grosses Gewächs wines. These are ‘Grand Cru” wines made from grapes from a Grosse Lage vineyard, harvested at Spätlese or Auslese level in terms of sugar content and fully fermented so that they become dry. The Grosse Gewächs label is thought to resemble the Grand Cru designation in neighboring France. Here and there, these wines are dry.

Obviously, the Grosses Gewächs label has become obsolete. Grosse Lage Trocken says it all. You do not need the predicate Grosses Gewächs. But the Grosses Gewächs label is well established in the market and recognized by wine consumers.

Fifth: No single vineyard wines below Grosse Lage and Erste Lage - In the VDP classification, only Grosse Lage and Erste Lage vineyards appear on the label. If a wine comes from a vineyard that is not in the exclusive circle of Grosse and Erste Lage, the label will not carry any vineyard name. Instead, it will be either a village wine (with just the village and the name of the winery on the label) or an Estate wine (with just the name of the winery on the label).

For more on the new VDP Classification, see:

The New Classification of German Wines: The VDP Classification - Annette Schiller Conducting a Seminar at the 2016 National Convention of the American Wine Society in Los Angeles, USA

Annette Schiller's Presentations at the 2018 American Wine Society Annual Meetings in in Buffalo, New York State

The 2018 American Wine Society National Conference in Buffalo, New York State, USA: Seen Through Christian Schiller's Camera Lens

VDP at AWS: Tasting Premium German Wines at the Showcase of Wines of the 2018 American Wine Society National Conference in Buffalo, New York State, with Annette and Christian Schiller

"Abbey Wines”: The Importance of the Monasteries for the Development of Viticulture - Seminar at the 2018 American Wine Society National Conference in Buffalo, New York State,USA, led by Annette Schiller

Burgundy Pinot Noir and German Pinot Noir: Differences and Similarities - Seminar at the 2018 American Wine Society National Conference in Buffalo, New York State, USA, led by Annette Schiller

A Journey through the Rhône Valley - Seminar at the 2018 American Wine Society National Conference in Buffalo, New York State,USA, led by Annette Schiller

Annette Schiller's Presentations at the 2017 American Wine Society Annual Meetings in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania

The 2017 American Wine Society National Conference in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, USA: Seen Through Christian Schiller's Camera Lens

Showcase of Wines at the 2017 National Conference of the American Wine Society: Annette and Christian Schiller Present German/ VDP/ Loosen Bros. USA Wines

A Journey through the Vineyards of Alsace - A Tasting Seminar at the National Conference 2017 of the American Wine Society, led by Annette Schiller (ombiasyPR & WineTours)

Burgundy: What makes it so Special? - A Tasting Seminar at the 2017 American Wine Society National Conference in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, led by Annette Schiller (ombiasyPR & WineTours)

German Wines in the 21st Century - A Tasting Seminar at the 2017 American Wine Society National Conference in in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, led by Annette Schiller (ombiasyPR & WineTours)

Annette Schiller's Presentations at the 2016 American Wine Society Annual Meetings in California

The 2016 American Wine Society National Conference in California, USA: Seen Through Christian Schiller's Camera Lens

The New Germany: Red, Sparkling and Dry - Tasting at the American Wine Society 2016 National Conference in Los Angeles, USA, led by Annette Schiller

The New Classification of German Wines: The VDP Classification - Annette Schiller Conducting a Seminar at the 2016 National Convention of the American Wine Society in Los Angeles, USA

The Insider’s View of Charles Krug Winery - Peter Mondavi Jr., Co-Proprietor, Charles Krug Winery

Château Climens, Premier Cru Barsac and Savory Dishes…who knew? - Bérénice Lurton, Owner of Château Climens and Tony Lawrence, Global Food & Wine Pairing Specialist

schiller-wine: Related Postings

UPCOMING Tours/ Wine Dinners/ Tastings - Annette and Christian Schiller/ ombiasyPR & WineTours/ schiller-wine, Germany, France, USA (Issued: November 1, 2019)

Annual Riesling Party at the Schiller Residence in Washington DC, USA (2019)

Upcoming: American Wine Society (AWS) National Conference on October 31 to November 3, 2019, at St. Pete Beach in Florida, with 2 Events by Annette Schiller on "Renaissance of Terroir in Germany: Back to the Roots" and "Syrah and Shiraz: Is there any Difference, do they Taste the Same?", USA

Total Immersion in Bordeaux: World Class Wines and Exquisite French Gourmet Cuisine - Bordeaux Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours, France

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

Vineyard Tour and Tasting at Weingut Schmitt’s Kinder in Randersacker, Franken, with Martin Johann Schmitt– Germany-East Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

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

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

Tasting at Weingut Dautel in Württemberg with Christian Dautel - Germany-East Wine and Art Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Pictures: Hansjörg and Matthias Aldinger with Christian Schiller in Mainz. See: Germany’s Best Winemakers and Wines– Vinum WeinGuide Deutschland 2018 Awards: The Award Ceremony in Mainz, Germany

The Vinum WeinGuide Deutschland 2020 was released on Thursday, October 31, 2019. The Vinum WeinGuide Deutschland 2020 reviews on about 1000 pages more than 11.000 wines of 1000 wineries. Its rating symbol is a star and Germany’s best winemakers are awarded one to five stars. The wines are rated on the 1 to 100 scale.

Picture: WeinGuides Deutschland 2020 (Photo: Weingut Corvers-Kauter - Facebook)

The Vinum WeinGuide Deutschland 2020 honored the following three outstanding personalities of the German wine world with Winemaker of the Year, Rising Star of the Year and Discovery of the Year awards:

Winemaker of the Year (Vinum WeinGuide Deutschland 2020): Matthias and Hansjörg Aldinger, Weingut Aldinger (Württemberg)

Rising Star of the Year (Vinum WeinGuide Deutschland 2020): Carl Ehrhard, Weingut Ehrhard (Rheingau)

Discovery of the Year (Vinum WeinGuide Deutschland 2020): Carsten Saalwächter, Weingut Saalwächter (Rheinhessen)

12 winemakers received the top rating of 5/ 5 stars in the Vinum WeinGuide Deutschland 2020. I have listed them below, arranged by region. There are no changes compared with last year.

See:
Germany's 12 Top Winemakers (With 5/5 Stars) - Vinum WeinGuide Deutschland 2020
Germany's 12 Top Winemakers (With 5/5 Stars) - Vinum WeinGuide Deutschland 2019

Postings/ Vinum WeinGuide Deutschland 2020

I am releasing 4 postings with regard to the Vinum WeingGuide Deutschland 2019:

Germany's Best Winemakers - Vinum WeinGuide Deutschland 2020 Awards
Germany's Best Wines: 12 Categories - Vinum WeinGuide Deutschland 2020
Germany's 12 Top Winemakers (With 5/5 Stars) - Vinum WeinGuide Deutschland 2020
Winemaker of the Year (Vinum WeinGuide Deutschland 2020): Matthias and Hansjörg Aldinger, Weingut Aldinger (Württemberg)

Winemaker of the Year (Vinum WeinGuide Deutschland 2020): Nominees

Weingut A. Christmann, Steffen Christmann, Pfalz
Weingut Jean Stodden, Alexander Stodden, Ahr
Weingut Aldinger, Matthias and Hansjörg Aldinger, Württemberg

Winemaker of the Year (Vinum WeinGuide Deutschland 2020): Matthias and Hansjörg Aldinger, Weingut Aldinger (Württemberg)

Vinum: Württemberg's best Riesling? Best Lemberger? Top Sekt? World-class Sauvignon Blanc? All this is available at the Aldingers. Even with many wine icons - 13 wines from the current collection exceeded the 90-point mark! - one should by no means overlook a wine such as the Götzberg Riesling Kabinett, which, with a structure reminiscent of a Saar wine, redefines the previous understanding of this predicate level in Württemberg in an almost impudent manner. Out of this world are the red Grosse Gewächse (GGs). The Marienglas Pinot Noir is reminiscent of a Nuits-Saint-Georges of the fine kind; great complexity and delicate balance excite in the Lämmler.

Pictures: Gert Aldinger, Weingut Aldinger, Karl Eugen Erbgraf zu Neipperg, Weingut Des Grafen Neipperg and Annette Schiller See: 2017 VDP Trade Fair Weinbörse - Vintage 2016 - in Mainz: Schiller’s Report

In the arguably #1 wineguide of Germany, the Gault Millau Weinguide Deutschland, until recently there was no winemaker from Württemberg in the top group (world class producers) of a dozen or so winemakers. This changed in 2018, when Weingut Aldinger was promoted to the 5/ 5 stars group. Weingut Aldinger is not only Württemberg's #1 producer but also nationwide among the group of 12 or so world class producers. Not well known in the US, but Aldinger plays in the same league as JJ Prüm, Egon Müller, Weil and Dönnhoff, to name a few. See: Germany's 18 Top Winemakers - The Gault Millau WeinGuide Deutschland 2018

The export share of Weingut Aldinger is small, but increasing rapidly. Weingut Aldinger is not yet available in the USA.

Pictures: Hansjörg and Matthias Aldinger with Christian Schiller in Mainz. They won the Best Winzersekt Award with their Weingut Aldinger 2010 Pinot Crémant Brut Nature. See: Germany’s Best Winemakers and Wines– Vinum WeinGuide Deutschland 2018 Awards: The Award Ceremony in Mainz, Germany

Visit: Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Aldinger with Matthias Aldinger

We visited Weingut Aldinger as part of the Germany-East Tour 2018. See: Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Aldinger in Fellbach (Stuttgart), with Matthias Aldinger - Germany-East Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Art, Culture, History - Berlin, Saale-Unstrut, Sachsen, Württemberg, Franken

We were supposed to be hosted by Gert Aldinger. But he and his wife were stuck in Postugal as their flight was cancelled. Matthias Aldinger took over from him in collaboration with a staff member. We met Matthias Aldinger in the cellar and we spent quite some time with him there. He also joined us for part of the extensive tasting, including from barrel.

The roots of this Fellbach (near Stuttgart) estate stretch back to the 15th century. Gert Aldinger assumed the helm in 1992, with all the responsibility that comes with 500 years of winegrowing tradition. 15 years later, the estate was already counted among Württemberg's finest, with sons Hansjörg and Matthias beginning their chapter at the forefront.

Pictures: Weingut Aldinger in the Middle of Fellbach

Weingut Aldinger

Weingut Aldinger is right in the middle of Fellbach, a wine village near Stuttgart in Württemberg. The family's long winegrowing tradition can be traced back to the year 1492, when "Bentz the Aldinger" cultivated vines here. Today the winery is owned by Gert Aldinger in the 15th generation and managed by his sons Hansjörg Aldinger and Matthias Aldinger in the 16th generation.

The vineyard area totals 30 hectares, including the following single vineyards: Berg (Hanweil), Goldberg and Lämmler (Fellbach), Schlossberg (Rotenberg), Mönchberg and Pulvermächer (Stetten), Götzenberg (Uhlbach), and in monopoly ownership Gips (Untertürkheim).

Pictures: The Vineyards of Weingut Aldinger

33% Riesling, 15% Lemberger, 15% Spätburgunder, 10% Sauvignon blanc, 8% Trollinger, 6% Merlot, 5% Weissburgunder, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Chardonnay.

Picture: Grape Varieties

The white wines are slowly fermented at between 12 and 14 ° C to preserve the primary grape flavors before being stored in steel tanks. The red wines ferment for up to 20 days on the mash before they undergo malolactic fermentation and age depending on the quality or desired type of wine in steel tanks, large oak barrels or barrique.

Pictures: Cellar Tour

Weingut Aldinger - VDP

The roots of this Fellbach estate stretch back to the 15th century, with each successive generation building seamlessly onto the long winegrowing tradition. The Aldinger family's particular joie de vivre perhaps reflects that long historical perspective. Gert Aldinger assumed the helm in 1992, with all the responsibility that comes with 500 years of winegrowing tradition. 15 years later, the estate was already counted among Württemberg's finest, with sons Hansjörg and Matthias beginning their chapter at the forefront. "Working together with nature is the only way to achieve world-class quality. We listen carefully to the needs of our soil, vines and skies," Hansjörg Aldinger proclaims. The grapes and fermenting must are treated as gently as possible throughout the entire vinification. The guiding philosophy of "less is more" has kept them on their ideal path: terroir-driven wines that thrill in the glass.

Pictures:  Tasting at Weingut Aldinger in Fellbach (Stuttgart), with Matthias Aldinger

Bye-bye

Many thanks for this impressive tasting.

Pictures: Bye-bye

Nominee: Weingut A. Christmann, Steffen Christmann, Pfalz

Vinum: The winery of the VDP president Steffen Christmann has always scored with their Rieslings. But never before have the reds been as good as they are now!

Even the simple Riesling Gutswein has a clear, juicy statement - with the ease of 11.5% alcohol. turns. After that, there is only one direction - upwards - although Christmann's wines have always been on the light side. The Ortswein Königsbach is taut, the Ersten Lagen form the Kapellenberg and Ölberg offer a quiet way, the Ölberg particularly fine and delicate. With the Rieslings from the Grossen Lagen Great Lakes there is no limit. In addition, four Pinot Noirs were introduced to us - they were the best Pinot Noirs ever produced by Christmann.

Pictures: At Weigut A. Christmann - Harvest Time. See: Winery Tour and Wine Tasting at Weingut A. Christmann, with Steffen Christmann– Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)

Nominee: Weingut Jean Stodden, Alexander Stodden, Ahr

Vinum: Also from the year 2017, exceptional winemaker Alexander Stodden's Pinot Noir collection is the best in the Ahr Valley. Alexander Stodden's wines are always elegant and the Grosse Lage vineyards vineyards clearly differentiable in terms of taste. His Frühburgunder is also the best in the region and in a particularly difficult vintage for the grape variety. At the heart of the collection are the wines from the Recher Herrenberg, the family's home mountain. Here, Alexander Stoddens owns large plots and he can pick out the best plots and barrels for the different wines. So the Ortswein is already in a class of its own, not to mention of course the Grossen Gewächse.

Pictures: Tasting with Alexander Stodden, Weingut Jean Stodden, Ahr. See: Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Jean Stodden, Ahr, with Alexander Stodden - Germany-North Tour 2017 by ombiasy WineTours

schiller-wine: Related Postings

UPCOMING Tours/ Wine Dinners/ Tastings - Annette and Christian Schiller/ ombiasyPR & WineTours/ schiller-wine, Germany, France, USA (Issued: November 1, 2019)

Announcement: Upcoming ombiasy Wine Tours 2020 - (1) Alsace and Germany South, (2) Rhône Valley, (3) Bordeaux

Annual Riesling Party at the Schiller Residence in Washington DC, USA (2019)

Germany’s Best Winemakers and Wines– Vinum WeinGuide Deutschland 2018 Awards: The Award Ceremony in Mainz, Germany

2017 VDP Trade Fair Weinbörse - Vintage 2016 - in Mainz: Schiller’s Report

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

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Jean Stodden, Ahr, with Alexander Stodden - Germany-North Tour 2017 by ombiasy WineTours

Pictures: German Wine Society (Washington DC Chapter) Holiday Dinner at the Cormos Club, USA/ Germany

The 2019 Christmas Party of the German Wine Society (Washington DC Chapter) took place at the Cosmos Club at 2021 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, in the heart of Embassy Row.

Pictures: German Wine Society (Washington DC Chapter) Holiday Dinner at the Cormos Club, USA/ Germany

Cosmos Club

The Cosmos Club, founded in 1878, is a private social club for men and women distinguished in science, literature and the arts, a learned profession or public service. Members come from virtually every profession that has anything to do with scholarship, creative genius or intellectual distinction.

Among its members have been three Presidents, two Vice Presidents, a dozen Supreme Court justices, 36 Nobel Prize winners, 61 Pulitzer Prize winners and 55 recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

The Club offers an impressive array of programs for every member interest: international affairs, science, the arts, and economics—to name a few.

The elegant Clubhouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is designated as a District of Columbia Landmark.

Pictures: German Wine Society (Washington DC Chapter) Holiday Dinner at the Cormos Club, USA/ Germany

Inviation

Ho, Ho, Ho, German Wine Society Members and Friends of German Wines, it’s nearly time to hang the stockings and dream of delicious German wine!

So, please plan to attend the GWS Holiday paired dinner at the Cosmos Club, Saturday, December 14, 2019 starting at 7 pm, with registration and service of welcoming sekt and hors d’oeuvres beginning at 6:30 pm. We are very fortunate to have access to this elegant and festive venue again this year.

The address for our holiday dinner is 2021 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, in the heart of Embassy Row. Metro is near (Dupont Circle Red Line) and parking is available to the rear of the club. The stunning venue is, as in past years, the wood-paneled Members Dining Room on the 2nd floor in this landmark building. Perfect for a special holiday wine event with family and friends!

The paired dinner includes a variety of German wines, among them high-prädikat selections, and a three-course meal preceded by hors d’oeuvres. In addition, there will be entertainment - holiday piano music, guest vocalist Angela Mariano, and an opportunity to sing some German and other traditional songs together! This year, we are offering a choice of three different entrees with different prices - be sure to register for the one you want, and if there are multiple people on your order, register separately for each different entree choice.

The paired menu will be as follows:

Welcome and hors d’oeuvres

Vegan Artichoke & Corn Falafel, Siracha Hummus

Chevre Goat Cheese & Bacon Boats, Red Endive

Prosciutto Braised Fig

nv Dr. Loosen “Dr. L” Sparkling (Sekt) Dry Riesling (12% alc.)

Salad appetizer

Roasted Mushroom Salad, with red endive, local lettuce, roasted acorn squash, candied pecans, yogurt dressing

Popover Bread

2017 Ürizger Würzgarten Riesling Kabinett Mosel (8% alc.)

2018 Emrich-Schönleber Halenberg Riesling GG Trocken Nahe (12.5% alc.)

Entree (choose one dish when registering)

Herb Infused Filet Mignon with roasted truffle potatoes, baby carrot, romanesco, red wine sauce

Sautéed Black Bass with uni, cracked Carolina gold rice, asparagus

Spinach Fettuccine with butternut squash, kale, almond pesto (vegetarian option)

2011 Gunderloch Weingut Nackenheim Rothenburg Riesling Spätlese Rheinhessen (8.5% alc.)

2017 Lovely Lilly Winery (Salzmatten) Pinot Noir Qualitätswein Baden (13% alc.)

Dessert

Honey Lavender Crème Brûlée with fresh berries, madeline

2018 Willi Haag Juffer Brauneberg Riesling Auslese Mosel (8.5% alc.)

2003 Emrich-Schönleber Monzinger Halenberg Riesling Beerenauslese Nahe (9% alc.)

Pictures: German Wine Society (Washington DC Chapter) Holiday Dinner at the Cormos Club, USA/ Germany

Club parking is off Florida Avenue behind the club. There is a small white sign showing the parking entrance. Parking is included in the event price and there is no tipping at the club including the valet parking. Parking is limited and club members have preference. It is highly advisable not to arrive late in case there are numerous other functions going on at the club that evening.

Dress code for the Cosmos Club is strict - jackets and ties for men, comparable business or evening attire for women. No jeans or tennis shoes are allowed.

The dinner price, varying by entree selected, is:
Filet Mignon $165 members/$175 non-members
Black Bass $155 members/$165 non-members
Vegetarian $139 members/$149 non-members

Pictures: German Wine Society (Washington DC Chapter) Holiday Dinner at the Cormos Club, USA/ Germany

GWS and Cosmos Club member Dean Collins has once again offered to give tours of the historic Cosmos Club mansion to interested guests. If you would like to participate in the tour, please arrive one hour early in order to take part.

schiller-wine: Related Postings

UPCOMING Tours/ Wine Dinners/ Tastings - Annette and Christian Schiller/ ombiasyPR & WineTours/ schiller-wine, Germany, France, USA (Issued: November 1, 2019)

Announcement: Upcoming ombiasy Wine Tours 2020 - (1) Alsace and Germany South, (2) Rhône Valley, (3) Bordeaux

Annual Riesling Party at the Schiller Residence in Washington DC, USA (2019)

The German Wine Society (Washington DC Chapter) Presented: 2017 German Vintage Tasting with Phil Bernstein of MacArthur Beverages, Washington DC, USA

Renaissance of the Terroir in Germany. Back to the Roots - Wine Tasting Seminar lead by Annette Schiller at the German Wine Society (Washington DC Chapter), USA