Pictures: Tasting with Kai Schätzel, Weingut Schätzel, in Nierstein and in Washington DC

Weingut Schätzel is one of the more recent members of the VDP, Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter, the association of the about 200 elite winemakers in Germany. He was invited to join the the VDP and accepted the invitation in 2015. VDP membership is by invitation only, after a thorough examination of the quality of the wines.

See: Weingut Schätzel in Nierstein, Rheinhessen, Joins the VDP, Germany’s Association of Elite Winemakers, Germany 

Instagram Tasting with Kai Schätzel in Washington DC

On April 12, 2022, I participated in a tasting of Weingut Schätzel wines with Kai Schätzel, but it was quite unusual, at least for me.

It was an online tasting with Kai Schätzel and Salt & Silver, an "in" restaurant group in Hamburg. The tasting was organized by the VDP. 

The event took place on Instagram. Unlike Zoom tastings, you do not have to log in and get accepted by the organizer. Your just go to you Instagram account and look for the VDP page. Of course, you could order the tasted wines in advance from the VDP or Weingut Schätzel. 

Me, being in Washington DC currently, could not order the wines, although I have a sizeable number of Schätzel wines in my wine cellar in my home in Washington DC. 

The event took place while I was on my way from home to Washington DC downtown to participate in an in-person event of Aldo Aldige wines. Under the cirsumstances, I could only see a part of the event, first, sitting in the Metro, next, walking through Washington DC downtown, and finally at an Italian restaurant in Washington DC downtown, waiting for the Aldo Aldige tasting to start.

Pictures: Instagram Tasting with Kai Schätzel, Weingut Schätzel, Rheinhessen, Germany in Washington DC, USA

With Kai Schätzel in Nierstein

Weingut Schätzel is located in Nierstein, about 45 Minutes from Frankfurt by car. I have tasted Kai`s wines and have been to his estate many times, including at ombiasy WineTours with my wife Annette Schiller.

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

Pictures: Lunch cum Tasting with Nanne Schätzel, see: Tour, Tasting, and Lunch at Weingut Schätzel in Nierstein, Rheinhessen – Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014) 

Pictures: In the Cellar with Nanne Schätzel, see: German Wine and Culture Tour by ombiasy, 2013

I even celebrated a birthday at Weingut Schätzel.

See: Celebrating Riesling and my Birthday at Weingut Schaetzel in Nierstein, Rheinhessen, Germany

Pictures: In the Roter Hang with Kai Schaetzel at the Birthday Party in 2012

I visited Kai for the first time in 2011, shortly after he had taken over Weingut Schätzel from his parents (in 2008). In the prestigious Gault Millau WeinGuide Deutschland 2011, Weingut Schaetzel moved from 1 to 2 grapes (with 5 grapes being the maximum).

“A new fixture in the reemerging Red Slope of Nierstein”, noted the Gault Millau WeinGuide Deutschland 2011.

Pictures: Christian Schiller with Kai Schaetzel at Weingut Schaetzel in 2011. Fore more on Kai Schaetzel and his Wines see: A New Fixture in the Reemerging Red Slope of Nierstein - Visiting Kai Schaetzel and his Weingut Schaetzel in Nierstein, Rheinhessen, Germany

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

Celebrating Riesling and my Birthday at Weingut Schaetzel in Nierstein, Rheinhessen, Germany

A New Fixture in the Reemerging Red Slope of Nierstein - Visiting Kai Schaetzel and his Weingut Schaetzel in Nierstein, Rheinhessen, Germany

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Picture: Annette and Christian Schiller with Andrea Wirsching, Weingut Wirsching, in Mainz. See also: Tour and Tasting at Weingut Wirsching in Iphofen in Franken with General Manager Uwe Matheus– Germany-East Wine and Art Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Vinum, a leading German wine journal, released a list of the 25 most important wine personalities in Germany in 2022, who are having an important influence on the German wine scene. 

13 of them are winemakers.   

Marc Almert

He is Sommelier World Champion, "Sommelier of the Year" (FAZ) and "Best Sommelier of the World" (Michelin). Today he works as head sommelier and is an executive board member at the "Baur au Lac" in Zurich. 

Theresa Breuer 

She never saw her father Bernhard's inheritance as ballast. Under her hand, the winery continued to develop and is also internationally recognized as a major player in German wine. 

Pictures: Annette Schiller, Theresa Breuer and Christian Schiller in New York City. See: Schiller’s Favorites at the 2013 Riesling and Co Tasting in New York City, USA

Prof. Dr. Monika Christman 

The fact that the German wine world is also visible internationally is also due to the professor from Geisenheim. Today she is the head of the Institute for Oenology and an undisputed authority for every student.

Steffen Christmann 

He not only led his winery into the top group in terms of quality in the Palatinate, he was also elected President of the VDP in 2007. In 2020 he was "Winemaker of the Year" in the VINUM Wine Guide.

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

Caoline Diel 

As the daughter and successor of Armin Diel, she fills in her father's footsteps with flying colors and still goes her own way. It is thanks to her that the wines are contemporary and traditional at the same time. 

Pictures: In the Vineyards with Caroline Diel and Anouk. See: Visiting Armin and Caroline Diel and their Schlossgut Diel in Burg Layen in Germany

Juliane Ellert 

She is a winemaker with vision and power who has managed to inspire a new generation to love wine. No winemaker has more followers - no influencer has better wine.

Prof. Dr. Ulrich Fischer 

Fischer is one of the founding fathers of the Weincampus Neustadt. Along with his team of authors, he received the 2020 American Society of Enology and Viticulture award for the best oenological publication of the year.

Bettina Bürklin-von Guradze 

She was one of the first to focus on biodynamic cultivation, she only sells the best wines after years of cellar maturity. For 30 years she has been responsible for one of the largest German private wineries. 

Stefanie Hehn 

Hehn is in the Weinolymp – and she is only in her mid-30s. She is only the second person in Germany to achieve the title of “Master Sommelière”. Her knowledge and skills are not only in demand in the restaurant. Through social media, she inspires a younger audience to engage with wine. 

Jennifer Henne-Bartz 

She has been in charge of the Vinissima women and wine network since 2020. She is a co-founder of Meetwine GbR and manages through this company the German Wine and Sommelier School in Neustadt, and she is jointly responsible for the cellar of the Johann F. Ohler winery. 

Klaus-Peter Keller 

His wines are stylistic models for the young generation of winegrowers where he trained stars like Julian Haart or Johannes Jülg. His wines are also the price benchmark and are sought after internationally.

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  

Heiner Lobenberg 

Today "Gute Weine Lobenberg" is the largest wine shop in Germany, still managed by the original owner. It is thanks to him that top German wines are once again playing in the Champions League. 

Ernst Loosen 

He is perhaps the ambassador par excellence for the German Wine and known worldwide as the proverbial colorful Dog. Nobody sells German Riesling better than «Ernie».

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

Die Medienagenten 

They brought countless wineries out of their slumber and brought entire regions up to date with fresh ideas and designs. Their handwriting can be seen on hundreds of labels.

Roman Niewodniczanski 

With his 80-hectare farm, he shows that mass and absolute top class do not have to be mutually exclusive. He has brought the Saar from the past into the present.

Pictures: Roman Niewodniczanski and his Old Photos, Books and Maps. See: Lunch, Tasting and Vineyard Walk at Weingut Van Volxem with Owner Roman Niewodniczanski – Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015) 

Theresa Olkus 

Last year she was still seen as a talent, since the beginning of the year she has been the managing director of the VDP, making her one of the most important German wine personalities. 

Volker Raumland 

More or less single-handedly, the Raumlands have not only polished the image of German sparkling wine, they have lifted it from the depths of the wine list into the international limelight.

Gerhard Retter 

Styrian jack of all trades. He is a chef and sommelier, writes, speaks, tastes, posts about everything to do with wine and cuisine, he advises and moderates, and is available around the clock when it comes to wine and enjoyment. 

Monika Reule 

She is Managing Director of the German Wine Institute (DWI) and was able to report an impressive 14 percent increase in reach in the print and online sectors at the beginning of the year. 

Louisa Maria Schmidt 

Under #bringflavorhome, she shows how easily and cheerfully a young audience can approach the subject of wine. Cheeky, weird, animating and above all without fear of contact. 

Prof. Dr. Hans Reiner Schultz

President of the Geisenheim University, President of the OIV expert group and expert par excellence on the impact of climate change on viticulture. 

Andrea Wirsching 

The Wirsching family has been growing wine for almost 400 years, and standing still was never an option here. Above all internationally, she raises awareness of Franconian wine.

Picture: Annette and Christian Schiller with Andrea Wirsching, Weingut Wirsching, in Mainz. See also: Tour and Tasting at Weingut Wirsching in Iphofen in Franken with General Manager Uwe Matheus– Germany-East Wine and Art Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Dirk Würtz 

Dirk Würtz Winemaker, manager, blogger, organizer, author... in short, he is one of the most multifaceted people on the German wine scene. His #solidAHRity campaign has set standards.

Picture: Christian Schiller and Dirk Wuertz in the Freudenhaus in Hamburg, 2010. See: Dirk Wuertz and his Bag-in-a-box Rieslings

Hanspeter Ziereisen

Ziereisen exports more than 50 percent of his selected wines, his wine style is in demand internationally and he enjoys an almost legendary reputation among young winemakers. 

Pictures: Massive Tasting at Weingut Ziereisen, with Hanspeter and Edeltraud Ziereisen. See: 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

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James Suckling, working out of China (Hong Kong), recently released his list of top 100 wines of Germany 2021.  

In my view the James Suckling list represents very well what is going on in Germany currently in terms of wine production, including overwhelmingly ultra-premium dry white and red wines. This is due to the fact that the reviewer - Stuart Pigott - lives in Germany and has a deep understanding of what is going on in the German wine world, including the latest developments.

James Suckling`s Top 100 Wines of Germany 2021 reflects the best appreciation of German wine that I have seen for a while. Bravo Stuart Pigott!

Annette and I have visited almost all of the producers listed by Stuart Pigott on an ombiasy wine tour. I am reposting Stuart`s text and his top 100 list coupled with pictures from recent ombiasy WineTours visits.

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

Top 100 Wines of Germany 2021 - James Suckling/ Stuart Pigott

This year was one of surprises for German wines, the most important of them being how the 2020 vintage dry whites turned out far better than anyone dared to hope during the summer and harvest. If 2019 hadn’t been even better, then 2020 might well have been celebrated as a great vintage!

Why? In almost 40 years of following the wines of Germany I have never seen anything like 2020: it was all charm and elegance, produced under conditions that theoretically made these things impossible. All the old wine books and many modern wine websites tell you Germany is one of the classic cool-climate winemaking locations, with rainfall spread throughout the year. However, the 2020 vintage was not only warmer than historic warm vintages like 1959 and 1976, but also exceptionally dry.

In fact, 2020 was the third drought year in a row and by the end of it the vineyards of Germany were short of rain by an average of 34 centimeters (or just over a foot). As a result, trees with scorched foliage were a common sight. Many wine lovers therefore assumed that the vines must also be badly stressed.

Riesling is more drought-sensitive than chardonnay and theoretically ill-suited to these conditions. However, in the summer of 2020 riesling proved it’s not the sensitive flower that it’s often assumed to be. Usually, as long as the vines were at least a decade old and soils were well managed, their roots could reach enough water to keep photosynthesis going and the grapes developing.

This year’s No. 1 German wine, the dry Dönnhoff Riesling Nahe Hermannshöhle GG 2020, is the perfect example of what was possible. It has great concentration and structure but is also extremely precise and elegant.

The No. 2 German wine is a perfect example of a late-harvested riesling from nobly rotten grapes; a classic wine style with centuries of tradition. The Joh. Jos. Prüm Riesling Mosel Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese Gold Cap 2019 is spectacularly concentrated and succulent but has a fabulous brilliance rare in wines with natural grape sweetness.

2019 was a very great vintage for these wines, but they were very difficult to produce in 2020 because it was mostly so dry there was no Botrytis, or the grapes developed it very slowly. Even specialists like Egon Muller-Scharzhof in the Mosel and Robert Weil in the Rheingau could only produce miniscule quantities of such wines. Those tiny quantities are the reason that riesling BAs and TBAs are absent from this list, and even Auslese are rare. 

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

The No. 3 German wine, the Schloss Johannisberg Riesling Rheingau Grünlack Spätlese 2020, belongs to the legal category below Auslese but is a tremendous achievement for this producer, almost matching the aromatic and filigree perfection of the previous vintage, which was our No. 1 German wine last year.

Why do we weigh the factors quantity and price when assembling the Top 100 hit lists, as well as the ratings that we’ve given? Well, those factors massively impact how accessible these wines are. In these lists it’s important for us to avoid making a major recommendation for wines of which there are only a few hundred bottles, because you’ll almost certainly be unable to buy them.

There are 35,000 bottles of the stunningly racy and super-mineral dry Robert Weil Riesling Kiedrich Gräfenberg GG 2020, making it the largest production wine in this Top 100. That, together with the stunning quality and moderate price, are the reasons it placed 12th. The smallest production wines lie somewhat below 10 percent of that and are nearly all in the last third of the list.

Unfortunately, these rules hit some of Germany’s most exciting rising star winemakers. For example, Stefan Steinmetz of the Gunther Steinmetz winery in the Mosel barely gained a position on this list, and his Mosel colleague Julian Haart of the eponymous winery was locked out completely. In both cases, this means wines that scored 100 points are absent from our Top 100 list.

Picture: Tour and Tasting at Schloss Johannisberg, Rheingau, with Christian Witte, Domaine Director– Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), Germany(2014)

SPECTACULAR PINOTS

These vintners belong to a new group of producers whose uncompromising commitment to quality and acceptance of tiny yields often lead to extremely limited-edition wines. This situation is directly comparable to some small domains in the Burgundy wine region of France, where only one or two casks of wine from a particular Grand Cru vineyards are produced each vintage.

Also reminiscent of Burgundy is the spectacular quality of the 2019 German pinot noir, or spatburgunder, red wines. 2018 and 2019 are clearly the best vintages for these wines in Germany in modern times and perhaps ever. We rate the 2019s higher because they’re more consistent than the 2018s.

Johannes and Christoph Thorle head this pack in the fourth spot on our Top 100 list for their Thörle Spätburgunder Rheinhessen Hölle 2019, a truly breathtaking pinot noir that’s as concentrated as it is refined. The equally impressive but more expensive Bernhard Huber Spätburgunder Baden Wildenstein GG 2019 came in at No. 9 on the Top 100 list.

As important as these categories of high-end German wines are, the diversity of this year’s Top 100 Germany is striking. The May Silvaner Franken Rothlauf GG 2020 (No. 13) is the most mineral and complex dry wine from this unfashionable grape variety we have ever encountered. Here’s an example of what we call the “Wow Factor,” meaning extraordinary wines.

Then there’s the astonishingly subtle and deep Müller Catoir in 16^th position – the Muskateller Pfalz Bürgergarten EL. The muskateller grape, or muscat à petits grains, as it is known in France, is very rare in Germany, with a fraction of one percent of vineyards devoted to it. Here is a new benchmark for dry wines from this grape.

Lastly, chardonnay is now challenging weissburgunder, aka pinot blanc, for the title of most important alternative grape to riesling for dry whites here. Germany is the world’s largest producer of dry pinot blanc, but still a small fish when it comes to chardonnay. Scan down the list of our Top 100 German wines to find the results of this wonderful competition.

The Wine-Searcher is a web search enigine enabling users to locate the price and availability of a given wine and be directed to a store selling the wine. It is "the most successful, and seriously useful, price comparison website" says Jancis Robinson. 

Recently, the Wine-Searcher published a list of the world`s most wanted German wines.  

As expected, it is Riesling only.

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 

6 of the 10 wines are dry, 4 are fruity-sweet, i.e where the sweetness in the wine is generated by interrupting the fermentation, none of 10 wines is noble-sweet, i.e. Beerenauslese, Trockenbeerenauslese or Eiswein.

The list is domintaed by 2 winemakers, Egon Müller and Klauspeter Keller.

Egon Müller`s wines are all fruity-sweet (Kabinett, Spätlese, Auslese)

Klauspeter Keller´s wines are all dry. 

In addition, you find Dönnhoff, JJ Prüm and Georg Breuer on the list.

The Mosel accounts for 4 of the 10 wines, Rheinhessen for 4, and the Nahe and the Rheingau for 1 wine each.

In terms of prices, the least expensive wine on the list is the Weingut JJ Prüm, Wehlener Sonnenuhr, Auslese, Mosel (US$ 65), followed by Weingut Egon Müller, Riesling, Scharzhofberger, Kabinett, Mosel (US$ 76).

The by far most expensive wine is the Weingut Klaus Peter Keller, G-Max, Trocken, Rheinhessen (US$ 2394), followed by Weingut Klaus Peter Keller, Abts Erde, Grosses Gewächs, Trocken, Reinhessen (US$ 430).

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

The World's Most Wanted German Wines on Wine-Searcher List 2022

Weingut Egon Müller, Riesling, Scharzhofberger, Kabinett, Mosel (US$ 76)

Weingut Klaus Peter Keller, G-Max, Trocken, Rheinhessen (US$ 2394)

Weingut Klaus Peter Keller, Hubacker, Grosses Gewächs, Trocken, Reinhessen (US$ 295)

Weingut Klaus Peter Keller, Abts Erde, Grosses Gewächs, Trocken, Reinhessen (US$ 430)

Weingut Dönnhoff, Hermanshöhle, Grosses Gewächs, Trocken, Nahe (US$ 86)

Weingut Egon Müller, Scharzhofberger, Spätlese, Mosel (US$ 224)

Weingut JJ Prüm, Wehlener Sonnenuhr, Auslese, Mosel (US$ 65)

Weingut Egon Müller, Scharzhofberger, Auslese, Mosel (US$ 580)

Weingut Georg Breuer, Berg Schlossberg, Trocken, Rheingau (US$ 294)

Weingut Klaus Peter Keller, Kirchspiel, Grosses Gewächs, Trocken, Reinhessen (US$ 291)

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Picture: Cellar Visit, Vineyard Walk and Tasting at Weingut Maximin Grünhaus in Mertersdorf, Ruwer, with Owner Dr. Carl von Schubert– Germany-North Tour 2017 by ombiasy WineTours

Export of Mosel wines rose sharply in 2021. 

We visit the Mosel regularly, on the Germany - North Tour by ombiasy. Below, I am combining the press release regarding the export growth of Mosel wines with pictures of Mosel producers from recent ombiasy tours.

Press Release, Deutsches Weininstitut, March 3 2022

This emerges from the export statistics of the Association of German Wine Exporters (VDW) in Bonn, as announced by the Moselwein e.V. in Trier, Germany.

Pictures: In the Vineyard with Gernot Kollmann. See: Tasting and Vineyard Visit at Weingut Immich-Batterieberg in Enkirch, Mosel, with Gernot Kollmann - Germany-North Tour 2017 by ombiasy WineTours 

28 Millionen bottles in 100 markets

From January to December 2021, 214,000 hectoliters of wine with a total value of 90 million euros went from the Mosel cellars to 100 countries around the world. This corresponds to around 28 million bottles of 0.75 liters. The average price rose by almost 30 cents per liter to 4.22 euros from the cellar.

In the previous year, the average price was 3.93 euros per liter. The information relates to bottled, white quality wines of the protected designation of origin Mosel up to 13 percent alcohol by volume. Not included in the statistics are red or rosé wines as well as country wines or German wines that are produced in the region and exported.

"After a few difficult years, in which the export of Mosel wines fell due to low harvest quantities and political problems, our export companies have reached the level of 2014 again in 2021," says Ansgar Schmitz, Managing Director of Mosel e.V. Association. At that time, around 214,000 hectoliters of Mosel wine worth 83 million euros were exported.

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

Lates challenges resolved

In recent years, the punitive tariffs on German wines introduced by former US President Trump have had a negative impact on exports. Last but not least, the suspension of these punitive tariffs led to an increase in exports to the USA of 26.9 percent in value and 21.5 percent in volume in 2021.

The USA is still by far the most important export market for Mosel wines. With 92,000 hectoliters, 43.1 percent of all Mosel wines exported in 2021 went to the USA. The US market accounted for 39.1 percent of the value of exports, with a total of 35 million euros. The average price was 3.83 euros per liter.

Pictures: Tasting with Markus Molitor at Weingut Markus Molitor in Haus Klosterberg, Mosel - Germany-North Tour 2017 by ombiasy WineTours

China after USA 2nd best on export-statistics

Other countries are becoming increasingly important for Mosel exports, while the United States' share is steadily shrinking. China has now become the second most important market for Mosel wines, although it is still far behind the USA. In 2021, the wine merchants from the Mosel delivered 12,000 hectoliters worth 7 million euros to China. This represented a volume increase of 62.9 percent compared to 2020, while the value increased by 55.4 percent. The average price for China was 5.90 euros per liter from the cellar. In 2021, China pushed Canada and Norway, where slight decreases in volume were recorded, to third and fourth place in the export statistics for Mosel wines.

Pictures: At Weingut Fritz Haag, with Oliver Haag. See: Germany-North Tour 2017 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential German Riesling and the Northernmost Pinot Noir

Comeback of Mosel wine in Great Britain

Mosel wine experienced an almost sensational comeback in Great Britain last year. Once a market for inexpensive entry-level wines, the British now seem to be buying significantly more higher-quality Rieslings which grapes grow on steep slopes. The value of exports from the Mosel to the United Kingdom went up by around 180 percent, to a total of 5 million euros. The volume, on the other hand, grew “only” by 28.5 percent to 800,000 liters. The average price per liter of wine exported to England was EUR 2.71 in 2020 and rose to EUR 5.91 in 2021. Great Britain thus climbed from 9th place (2020) to 5th place in the Mosel export statistics.

Pictures: At Weingut Clemens Busch with Rita and Clemens Busch. See:Vineyard Tour and Wine Tasting at Weingut Clemens Busch– Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)

Upswing in Japan, Scandinavia and The Netherlands as well

Also in Japan (up around 45 percent in value and volume), Sweden (up 28.5 and 20.1 percent respectively), Finland (up 23 and 16.6 percent respectively) and Denmark (up 39.4 and 24 7%) as well as in The Netherlands (plus 14.6 and 10.3%), the figures for Mosel wines are pointing upwards. With their thirst for Riesling, the Scandinavian countries have been a steadily growing market for Mosel exporters for years. Exports to these four countries totaled 29,000 hectoliters in 2021. That's more than China, Great Britain and Japan combined.

Two other countries neighboring Germany were also drivers of the positive development. Importers in Poland bought 167.4 percent more Mosel wine than in 2020, the value increased by 146.6 percent. The increase in Belgium was even greater: 225.2 percent in value and 177.6 percent in volume. In the Baltic States, the successful course for wines from Mosel, Saar and Ruwer also continued, especially in Latvia with an increase of almost 52 percent in value and 42.7 percent in quantity.

Pictures: In the Vineyards. See: Cellar Visit, Vineyard Walk and Tasting at Weingut Maximin Grünhaus in Mertersdorf, Ruwer, with Owner Dr. Carl von Schubert– Germany-North Tour 2017 by ombiasy WineTours

South Korea and Australia spot Moselwein

Statistically speaking, the Swiss spend almost twice as much as the British on Mosel wines. For the Confederates, the price per liter from the cellar was 11.40 euros in 2021. The small neighboring country recorded an increase in value of 13.3 percent in 2021 and an increase in volume of 8.5 percent to 2,000 hectoliters, according to VDW statistics. South Koreans are also increasingly discovering Mosel wine: the Southeast Asian country also imported 200,000 liters from the Moselle, 60.6 percent more than in 2020. The value rose by 75.5 percent.

And even the Australians appreciate aromatic Riesling wines from steep slopes. After all, 100,000 liters went from the Mosel to "down under" in 2021, at an impressive average price of 8.89 euros per liter. This makes Australia number 20 in the export statistics for the Mosel region. Wine from Germany's oldest wine region is delivered to 80 other countries around the world, from Austria to Vietnam, from Spain to Peru. Exports to countries outside the European Union make up around 70 percent of Mosel wine exports, and even 75 percent in value.

Pictures: Vineyard Tour with Reinhard Löwenstein, Weingut Heymann-Löwenstein in Winningen, Mosel. See: Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Heymann-Löwenstein in Winningen, Mosel, with Reinhard Löwenstein - Germany-North Tour 2017 by ombiasy WineTours 

Ukraine: Mosel estates donate through wine sales

The war in Ukraine and the cost increases for energy, fuel, bottles, cardboard boxes and containers are currently also causing concern for export companies in the Mosel wine-growing region and are clouding expectations for 2022. Ukraine and Russia are not among the most important export markets for Mosel wine, but both countries (just like other Eastern European countries) recorded an high percentage increases in demand in recent years. In 2021, around 1,000 hectoliters of Moselle wines were delivered to Ukraine and Russia, which corresponds to a total of around 266,000 bottles (0.75 liter).

Several Mosel estates and wine companies are currently taking part in charity campaigns for the Ukraine. 

schiller-wine: Related Postings

Announcement: Ombiasy WineTours in 2022 Summer and Fall 

Announcement: 3 Ombiasy Wine Tours in 2022 - Rhône Valley Tour: June 20 - June 29, Germany South - Alsace: July 01 - July 10, Bordeaux: September 20 - September 29 

Christian Schiller`s SCHILLER-WINE Blog on Corking Wines` Top 101 Wine Writers of 2020 List

German Wine Society Capital Chapter Membership Meeting 2022: Carl Willner Re-elected President and Christian Schiller Re-elected Vice-president, USA/ Germany Washington DC Downtown, USA/ Germany

Christian Stahl, Winzerhof Stahl, Franken, Germany back in the USA - Winemaker Dinner at the Schiller Residence in McLean, Northern Virginia

The Wines of Germany: Presentation by Annette Schiller at the German Embassy in Washington DC/ Consular Conference December 2021

All Sorts of Sparklers: How do the Bubbles get into that Bottle - Presentation by Annette Schiller, ombiasy WineTours, at the 2021 American Wine Society National Conference in Atlantic City

Pictures: Tasting with Markus Molitor at Weingut Markus Molitor in Haus Klosterberg, Mosel - Germany-North Tour 2017 by ombiasy WineTours

"Interest in top German wines has skyrocketed in recent years, and demand far exceeds supply. It seems that all serious wine lovers have their eyes on top German wines, especially in Europe and the US," says Alix Rodarie, head of international development at wine auction house iDealwine. Ten years ago, only two German wines were traded on the fine wine trading platform Liv-ex; by 2021, there were already 201.

 

However, the growth drivers are a relatively small group of producers such asMarkus Molitor, JJ Prüm, Zilliken, Dönnhoff and Willi Schaefer. At the top are the wineries Egon Müller and Klaus Peter Keller, which are hardly available on the free market any more, but only at auctions, says Alix Rodarie. "Due to the low supply, the hammer prices for cellars increased by 62 per cent in 2021."

 

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

The regional distribution of top wines on the Liv-ex trading platform is interesting: Mosel accounts for almost 60 percent, followed by Rheinhessen - mainly because of Klaus Peter Keller. A surprisingly low 2.4 percent of the German wines traded on Liv-ex come from the Rheingau. Riesling accounts for almost all of the trade.

Despite the growing interest in dry wines and Grosses Gewächs, the most traded German wines are Spätlesen or Auslesen. Alix Rodarie from iDealwine reports that Trockenbeerenauslesen continue to break records. The most expensive dry white wine in 2021 was a bottle of Domaine d'Auvenay Puligny-Montrachet at €10,070. In 2018, a bottle of Trockenbeerenauslese from Egon Müller was auctioned for 12,160 euros.

At the same time, German wines are an extremely small market segment in the secondary market: white wines account for only 9.5 percent there, and Germany has a share of only 1.8 percent in this segment.

(Source: drinksbusiness, April 1, 2022) 

The Varta-Guide Deutschland 2022 contains a list of the 10 best German wine bars. I have been to 5 of them.

Essers Gasthaus, Köln

Regional specialties and first-class wines from selected producers in Austria and Germany, that is what distinguishes the Essers Gasthaus in Cologne. The menu changes daily with the season, but also includes German and Austrian classics. The wine list is calculated fairly, the ambiance is dignified, the atmosphere informal.

Wein|Kultur|Bar, Dresden

Sommelier Silvio Nitzsche has fulfilled a very personal dream with this small corner restaurant in Dresden. The wine list - called the wine book - lists over 1000 wines, and the right accompaniment is served from a brilliant selection of cheeses. The atmosphere: pleasantly relaxed and informal. The cheese and wine tastings are also popular. 

Pictures: Silvio Nitzsche and Christian Schiller. See: WeinKulturBar in Dresden, Saxony: One of the Best Wine Bars in Germany

Heimat, Frankfurt am Main

Small, friendly restaurant in a restored 1950s oval. Contemporary, with seasonal influences and product-related - this is how Gregor Nowak cooks for you. Very good, European-oriented wine selection. Relaxed atmosphere, friendly service - people like to be guests here! Table reservation advisable.

Balthasar Ress Weinbar, Wiesbaden

This modern wine bar with lounge character is hidden behind the façade of an Art Nouveau villa from the turn of the century, where you can not only taste wines from the in-house winery, but also selected wines from friendly wineries. Selected culinary delicacies are also served.

Pictures: Annette Schiller, Ombiasy Wine Tours, and Dirk Wuertz at Balthasar Ress Weinbar in Wiesbaden. See: Dirk Wuertz Presented the 2012 Grosses Gewaechs Wines of Weingut Balthasar Ress, Germany

Witwenball, Hamburg

The place to go in Hamburg for everyone who likes good wine: 30 changing wines by the glass and 300 bottled wines are offered, mostly from Germany, Austria, France, Spain, Portugal and South Africa. In addition, tasty dishes made from fresh seasonal ingredients are served. Honest and artisan production of the products offered is the focus here. 

Winelive, Meerbusch-Büderich

The Winelive is located in the Lindenhof in Meerbusch-Büderich. In the midst of the bulging shelves of the in-house wine shop, not only international dishes with German and French influences are served here, but also a selection of 450 excellent wines - 30 of them by the glass.

Laurenz, Mainz

A shimmering green lamp made from 280 wine bottles, bar tables made from vineyard sticks and wine tasting in the rustic wine cellar - that is what characterizes the Laurenz in Mainz Neustadt. Treasures from the wine rack and ambitious, regionally influenced cuisine can be enjoyed here in a simple, modern atmosphere.

Picture: Annette Schiller with Andreas Schnura of Laurenz in Mainz at Weingut Gunderloch. See:The 40 Best Wine Bars in Germany (Der Feinschmecker)

Drexlers Wein & Essen, Freiburg im Breisgau

The Drexlers in Freiburg is a modern restaurant with a casual atmosphere. The food is contemporary and seasonal. On the daily changing lunch menu, guests can choose between two reasonably priced dishes. The fine selection of wines includes around 350 items. 

Geisel’s Vinothek, München 

The restaurant in Munich is known for its excellent range of wines. Around 700 different bottled wines from all over the world are stored in the cellar. In addition, the kitchen crew offers tasty regional and Mediterranean dishes. The offer ranges from freshly sliced ​​San Daniele ham to homemade pasta and roast beef with fried potatoes. 

Weinzentrale, Dresden

400 wines with a focus on Germany and Europe are waiting to be tasted at the Weinzentrale in Dresden. Sebastian Roisch cooks here under the motto "Lecker légère from near and far". Every Monday there is a so-called "winemaker-to-guest evening" with vertical samples from classic wineries or tastings with young winemakers from Germany.

Picture: Christian Schiller at Schloss Johannisberg, Rheingau, Germany

In 1980, red grapes accounted for 11.4 percent of German wine production. Over the following decades the share of red wine increased steeply, reaching 36.9 percent in 2006. Obviously, Germany was becoming a red wine country, due to a series of reasons, including climate change.

Picture: Shares of Red and White Wine in Germany - Source: Steffen Schindler (Deutsches Weininstitut)

In the following years, however, the share of red wines has continously decreased, to 32.3 percent in 2021. Is the trend towards becoming a red wine producer broken? The future will tell.

Steffen Schindler of the Deutsches Weininstitut argues that the reason for the decrease is demand-driven: People drink more and more white wine because it suits many trends in modern cuisine better: nordic, asian, vegetarian, vegan, more poultry, fish, salads, vegetables.  

In terms of hectares, wine production in Germany currently stands at slightly above 100.000. The big loosers over the past 4 decades were Müller-Thurgau and Silvaner; their production fell by almost 20.000 hcctares. Riesling increased by 5.000 hectares. 

schiller-wine: Related Postings

Announcement: Ombiasy WineTours in 2022 Summer and Fall 

Announcement: 3 Ombiasy Wine Tours in 2022 - Rhône Valley Tour: June 20 - June 29, Germany South - Alsace: July 01 - July 10, Bordeaux: September 20 - September 29 

Christian Schiller`s SCHILLER-WINE Blog on Corking Wines` Top 101 Wine Writers of 2020 List

German Wine Society Capital Chapter Membership Meeting 2022: Carl Willner Re-elected President and Christian Schiller Re-elected Vice-president, USA/ Germany Washington DC Downtown, USA/ Germany

Christian Stahl, Winzerhof Stahl, Franken, Germany back in the USA - Winemaker Dinner at the Schiller Residence in McLean, Northern Virginia

The Wines of Germany: Presentation by Annette Schiller at the German Embassy in Washington DC/ Consular Conference December 2021

All Sorts of Sparklers: How do the Bubbles get into that Bottle - Presentation by Annette Schiller, ombiasy WineTours, at the 2021 American Wine Society National Conference in Atlantic City

Pictures: La Paulée by Elite Wines at Restaurant 2941 in Northern Virginia: Celebrating 20 Years of Elite Wines with 40 Producers and 4 Chefs

Elite Wines is an importer/distributor of fine wines serving Virginia, Maryland and Washington D.C. It was founded by Laurent Givry 20 years ago. The event was the 20th Anniversary Party of Elite Wines. The portfolio of Elite Wines totals about 100 producers of which 40 had come to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Elite wines at Restaurant 2941.

There were 4 courses, preceeded by a reception and followed by mignardines. Each of the 4 courses was prepared by a different chef. 2 wines were served with each course. 

There were about 100 people in the room. 40 of them were the winemakers. Another 20 or so were people from the industry, like wine store owners. The rest were consumers. As a result, at our table, for example, there were 4 winemakers, the wife of Chef Bart, 2 other consumers and me.

In addition to the 2 wines that were served with each main course at every table, the producers had brought library wines to the event. The winemakers went from table to table and offered their wines.  

During the evening, a lot of memories came back, because Annette Schiller and I had visited many of the winemakers on ombiasy WineTours in Bordeaux and Bourgogne and/ or had had great winemaker dinners with them in Washington DC. See the end of this posting.

Picture: Laurent Givry, Elite Wines, Owner and President, and Janet Cam

Pictures:  Billecart Salmon, Brut Réserve, Nabuchodonosor, NV

Pictures: Reception

 

Picture: With Stéphane Robert, Domaine du Tunnel

Picture: With Jérôme Mader, Domaine Mader

Picture:  François Villard, Domaine Villard

Picture: With Nicolas Rossignol, Domaine Rossignol

Picture:  With Stéphane Robert, Domaine du Tunnel, and Nicolas Rossignol, Domaine Rossignol

 

Picture:  With Laurent Givry

Picture: With Doug Rosen, Arrowine

My Table

 

There were 8 of us at my table. François Villard, Domaine Villard, was sitting on my left and Alphonse Mellot Jr,, Domaine Mellot, was sitting on my right. Also at my table were Lucia Sutera, ColloSorbo, and Federica Grasso, Ca' Del Baio, as well as the wife of Chef Bart Vandaele.

Pictures: My Table

 

Presenting the Winemakers

Pictures: Presentation of the Winemakers 

 

North Sea Gargouillou with Smoked Eel & Maatjes by Chef Bart Vandaele

 

The recipe is originally from Michel Bras. 

Pictures: Laurent Lala and Chef Bart Vandaele

 

SECOND COURSE

 

Poached Lobster Sauternes
ginger & lime
Chef Gérard Pangaud
Nicolas Rossignol, "Les Narvaux", Meursault, 2018
Francois Villard, Condrieu "Les Terrasses du Palat", Condrieu, 2017

 

François Villard, Domaine Villard, and his Wines

 

Pictures: François Villard, Domaine Villard, and his Wines

 

Pictures: Visitors at the Table: Chef Bart Vandaele and Stéphane Robert, Domaine du Tunnel

 

Poached Lobster Sauternes, ginger & lime, Chef Gérard Pangaud

 

Chef Gérard Pangaud explained that when the G7 met in 1982 in Versailles, President Mitterand had asked him to cook for them and, among other things he had prepared these poached Lobster Sauternes.

  

Pictures: Laurent Lala and Chef Gérard Pangaud

 

THIRD COURSE

 

Roasted Californian Squab
basil pomme purée, baby carrot, pea shoot, morel jus
2941 Restaurant
Vega Sicilia, "Valbuena", Ribera del Duero 2014
Bernard & Armelle Rion, "Clos de Vougeot", Grand Cru, Vougeot, 2016

 

The Wines of Lucia Sutera, ColloSorbo, and Federica Grasso, Ca' Del Baio

 

Pictures: The Wines of Lucia Sutera, ColloSorbo, and Federica Grasso, Ca' Del Baio 

 

Visitor from Rioja 

 

Picture: Visitor from Rioja

 

Special Guest at the Table: Laurent Givry 

 

Pictures: Special Visitor at the Table - Laurent Givry 

 

Alphonse Maillot: Special Wines

 

Pictures: Alphonse Maillot - Special Wines 

 

Armelle and Bernard Rion, Domaine Rion - Clos deVougeot Grand Cru

 

Pictures: Armelle and Bernard Rion, Domaine Rion - Clos deVougeot Grand Cru

 

Roasted Californian Squab, basil pomme purée, baby carrot, pea shoot, morel jus,Chef Bertrand Chemel
 

Pictures: Laurent Lala andChef Bertrand Chemel

 

FOURTH COURSE

 

Baba au Rhum
roasted pineapple & vanilla quenelle
Chef Cédric Maupillier & Marc Courseille
Joh. Jos. Prum, Graacher Himmelreich Riesling, Auslese Gold Cap, Mosel 2019
Château Les Justices, Sauternes, 2018

 

Special Wines: Laure Berthet, Domaine C Berthet Rayne

 

Pictures: Special Wines: Laure Berthet, Domaine C Berthet Rayne

 

Special Wine: Stéphane Robert, Domaine du Tunnel

 

Pictures: Special Wine: Stéphane Robert, Domaine du Tunnel  

 

Special Wines:  Armelle and Bernard Rion, Domaine Rion

 

Pictures: Special Wines: Armelle and Bernard Rion, Domaine Rion 

 

Chefs:Chef Bart Vandaele and Chef Bertrand Chemel

 

Pictures: Chefs:Chef Bart Vandaele and Chef Bertrand Chemel 

 

Special Wines: Nicolas Rossignol, Domaine Rossignol, and François Villard, Domaine Villard

 

Pictures: Nicolas Rossignol, Domaine Rossignol, and François Villard, Domaine Villard

 

Baba au Rhum, roasted pineapple & vanilla quenelle, Chef Cédric Maupillier & Marc Courseille

 

Pictures: Baba au Rhum, roasted pineapple & vanilla quenelle, Chef Cédric Maupillier & Marc Courseille

 

MIGNARDISES

 

Mignardises

2941 Restaurant
Francis Darroze, "Domaine de Paguy", 2002, Bas Armagnac

 

Mignardises

 

Picture: Mignardises 

 

Burgundy Moments: La La Song 

 

Pictures: Burgundy Moments: La La Song 

 

Jérôme Mader, Domaine Mader

 

Pictures: Jérôme Mader, Domaine Mader 

 

GOOD NIGHT 

 

Pictures: Good Night 

 

PREVIOUS VISITS OF ELITE WINEMAKERS AT THEIR ESTATES WITH OMBIASY WINETIURS AND WINEMAKER DINNERS IN WASHINGON DC

 

During the evening, a lot of memories came back, because Annette Schiller and I had visited many of the winemakers on ombiasy WineTours in Bordeaux and Bourgogne and/ or had great winemaker dinners with them in Washington DC.

 

Picture: 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 

 

 

Picture: 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

 

 

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

Winemaker Dinner with Alice Rion and Louis Hamman, Domaine Armelle et Bernhard Rion, Vosne ­Romanée, Bourgogne, at the French Embassy/ Restaurant Le Café Descartes in Washington DC, USA/ France 

 

 

Picture: Winemaker Dinner with Alice Rion and Louis Hamman, Domaine Rion, Vosne ­Romanée, Bourgogne, at the French Embassy/ Restaurant Le Café Descartes in Washington DC

 

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 

 

 

Picture: Christian G.E. Schiller and Jean­-Marc Brocard at Domaine Brocard in Préhy

Chef Bart M. Vandaele Celebrated the 2 Year Anniversary of his B Too Restaurant with the Wines of Domaine Jean-Marc Brocard from Chablis, USA/France 

 

 

Picture: Fuad Issa, Annette Schiller, ombiasyPR and WineTours, Bart M. Vandaele, Christian Schiller, Laurant Lala, Elite Wines, Etienne Verdier, Domaine Jean-Marc Brocard and Greet De Keyser, Bart M. Vandaele's Partner 

 

Winemaker Dinner with Nicolas Rossignol, Bourgogne, at Evo Bistro in McLean, Virginia 

 

Picture: Nicolas Rossignol, Annette Schiller and Laurant Lala of Elite Wines at Evo Bistro 

Tasting at Domaine Thibault Liger-Belair in Nuits-­Saint­-George, from Barrel and from Bottle, with Thibault Liger-­Belair - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours 

 

 

Picture: Tasting at Domaine Thibault Liger-­Belair in Nuits-­Saint­-George, from Barrel and from Bottle, with Thibault Liger-­Belair 

 

Tasting with Joël and Sandrine Duffau at Château La Mothe du Barry and Château Les Arromans in the Heart of the Entre-Deux-Mers Region - Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2017, France

 

 

Picture: Denman Zirkle (Weingut Richard Böcking, Mosel, Germany), Joël Duffau and Annette Schiller at Château La Mothe du Barry 

Entre-Deux-Mers Wines and Alsatian Cuisine: Lunch at L‘Auberge Chez Francois with Winemaker Joel Duffau and Chef Jacques Haeringer, USA/ France

 

 

Picture: Chef Jacques Haeringer and Bordeaux winemaker Joel Duffau at L’Auberge Chez Francois

 

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 

 

 

Picture: Tour and Tasting at Château Mondésir Gazin in Plassac, next to Blaye, Bordeaux Right Bank, with Owner/ Winemaker Marc Pasquet 

Bordeaux Winemaker and Owner Marc Pasquet - Château Mondésir-Gazin - at Del Ray Café in Alexandria, Virginia, USA 

 

 

Picture:  Marc and Laurence Pasquet, Christian G.E. and Annette Schiller, and Other Guests  

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 

 

 

Picture: 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 

 

Winemaker Dinner with David Reynaud, Domaine les Bruyeres, Crozes-Hermitage in the Rhône Valley, at Chef Bart Vandaele's BToo in Washington DC, USA/ France 

 

 

Picture: Winemaker David Reynaud, Domaine les Bruyeres, Crozes-Hermitage in the Rhône Valley, and Chef Dieter Samyn, BToo, Washington DC 

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

 

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

JJ Prüm Winemaker Dinner at BToo in Washington DC/ USA, with Wilhelm Steifensand ("Herr Prüm") and Chef Bart Vandaele 

 

 

Picture: Wilhelm Steifensand ("Herr Prüm") and Owner/ Chef Bart Vandaele at BToo in Washington DC/ USA 

schiller-wine: Related Postings

Announcement: Ombiasy WineTours in 2022 Summer and Fall 

Announcement: 3 Ombiasy Wine Tours in 2022 - Rhône Valley Tour: June 20 - June 29, Germany South - Alsace: July 01 - July 10, Bordeaux: September 20 - September 29 

Christian Schiller`s SCHILLER-WINE Blog on Corking Wines` Top 101 Wine Writers of 2020 List

Pictures: In the Art Cellar of Weingut Georg Mueller Stiftung. See: Weingut Georg Müller Stiftung in Hattenheim, Rheingau: Cellar Tour, Art Tour, Tasting and Vineyard Tour with Winemaker Tim Lilienström - Germany-North Tour 2017 by ombiasy WineTours

"Art&Object" recently issued a list of "10 Wineries that Every Art Lover Should Visit". Interestingly, the list includes Weingut Georg Müller Stiftung in Rheingau/ Germany. Recently we visited Weingut Georg Müller Stiftung on a tour by ombiasy WineTours, with Annette Schiller. 

Art&Object: "Because of its natural associations with creativity, craftmanship and pleasure, wine has long been closely aligned with art and consumers often expect to pay good money to enjoy both. While much of the world continues to open up to international tourism in 2022, many wineries have homed in on different ways they can continue integrating art into the experiences they offer visitors.

Some have built intimate galleries in their cellars to showcase the works of local artists, some have commissioned large-scale sculptures throughout their properties, and others regularly invite international artists to design immersive installations near their vineyards. Wine has historically taken center stage in this pairing, but the following ten wineries—from Northern California to South Africa, the North Island of New Zealand to the south of France—all foreground art as a crucial aspect of their identities."

1. The Brander Museum of Folk Art and the Brander Vineyard, Santa Ynez, California, USA

2. Foundry Vineyards, Walla Walla, Washington State, USA

3. Château La Coste, Le Puy-Sainte-Réparade, Provence, France

4. Point Le Estate and Sculpture Park, Merricks, Victoria, Australia

5. Grande Provence Heritage Wine Estate, Franschhoek, South Africa

6. Hess Perssons Estates and Art Collection, Napa, USA

7. Georg Müller, Hattenheim im Rheingau, Germany

8. d'Arenberg, McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia

9. Grizzli Winery, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada

10. Omaha Bay Vineyard and Gallery, Matakana, New Zealand

Weingut Georg Müller Stiftung in Hattenheim, Rheingau: Cellar Tour, Art Tour, Tasting and Vineyard Tour with Winemaker Tim Lilienström - Germany-North Tour 2017 by ombiasy WineTours 

 

Picture: Tasting at Weingut Georg Müller Stiftung with Tim Lilienström

Weingut Georg Müller Stiftung in Hattenheim in the Rheingau was our first stop of the Germany-North Tour 2017 by ombiasy WineTours. It was an excellent start of the tour. Winemaker Tim Lilienström was our host.

We began the visit with a tour of the winemaking facility, followed by a visit of the art cellar and a sit-down tasting. At the end, on the way to Kloster Eberbach, Tim Lilienström showed us the vineyards of Weingut Georg Müller Stiftung.

Thanks you very much Tim.

Pictures: Winemaker and General Manager Tim Lilienström Welcoming us at Weingut Georg Müller Stiftung in Hattenheim

Weingut Georg Müller Stiftung

This wine estate in the heart of the Rheingau, the charming town of Hattenheim, was established in 1882 by Georg Müller, co-owner of the famous sparkling wine house Matheus Müller in Eltville. He also was one of the founders of the VDP. In 1913 Georg Müller donated the wine estate to his home town Hattenheim. He transformed it into a foundation (Stiftung), and the profits were used to support the poor and other charitable causes.

In 2003 the estate was privatized and Peter Winter, chairman of the board of one of the largest wine companies in the world, purchased the winery. He invested heavily, hired an ambitious cellar master, and brought the estate back to its former glory. As an aficionado of the arts Peter Winter uses the 250 years old vaulted wine cellar as a modern art gallery. The modern art on display and the historic cellar make for an impressive, extraordinary exciting exhibition space.

Pictures: In the Wine Cellar with Tim Lilienström

The Art Cellar

The cellar of Weingut Georg Müller Stiftung has become in part a museum. Most of the modern art exhibited in the cellar was produced specifically for the wine cellar. The climatic conditions in the cellar needed to be taken into account in creating the art. Consequently, the sculptors and painters typically worked with stone, metal, silicon or plastic and painted behind glass, Plexiglas or on MDF panels.

It is a fascinating setting down there in the cellar: a large space of about 1000 m2 and 250 years old. It can be used for various purposes, including receptions and wine tastings.

Pictures: In the Art Cellar of Weingut Georg Mueller Stiftung

Peter Winter

When you spent an afternoon at Peter Winter’s Weingut Georg Mueller Stiftung in Hattenheim in the Rheingau, you are a bit reminded of Donald Hess. Donald Hess and Peter Winter appear to be on the same journey, that of wine and art.

See:
Wine, Art and Food: Donald Hess’ Glen Carlou Estate in South Africa
A Painted Winetasting at Weingut Georg Mueller Stiftung in Hattenheim (Eltville), Rheingau, Germany

Picture: Christian Schiller and Peter Winter at Weingut Georg Müller Stiftung

Peter Winter’s journey started in 2003, when he purchased the Weingut Georg Müller Stiftung. Before that turning point in life, Peter Winter was for over 40 years in various key positions in the German wine industry. Importantly, for 18 years he was the Chairman of the Board of one of the ten largest wine companies worldwide. He is also President of the German Wine Exporter Association and teaches at the University of Geisenheim.

What Tim Poured

Art Cellar Tour

2013 Weingut Georg Müller Stiftung Hattenheimer Rheingarten Riesling Sekt Brut

2015 Weingut Georg Müller Stiftung Hattenheimer Riesling trocken VDP.Ortswein
2015 Weingut Georg Müller Stiftung Hattenheimerer Engelsmannsberg Riesling feinherb VDP.Erste Lage
2013 Weingut Georg Müller Stiftung Hattenheimerer Wisselbrunnen Riesling Spätlese VDP.Grosse Lage
2015 Weingut Georg Müller Stiftung Edition PW Frühburgunder trocken

2006 Weingut Georg Müller Stiftung Hattenheimerer Schützenhof Riesling Beerneauslese VDP.Erste Lage

Seated Tasting

2016 Weingut Georg Müller Stiftung Riesling trocken VDP.Gutswein
2016 Weingut Georg Müller Stiftung Sweish Summer trocken VDP.Gutswein (Müller-Thurgau + Scheurebe + Sauvignon Blanc)
2015  Weingut Georg Müller Stiftung Hattenheimerer Schützenhof Riesling trocken VDP.Erste Lage
2015 Weingut Georg Müller Stiftung Hattenheimerer Nussbrunnen Riesling GG VDP.Grosse Lage
2015 Weingut Georg Müller Stiftung Hattenheimerer Hassel Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel VDP.Grosse Lage

Barrique

2015 Weingut Georg Müller Stiftung Auxerrois trocken VDP.Gutswein
2015 Weingut Georg Müller Stiftung Edition PW Spätburgunder trocken VDP.Gutswein
2015 Weingut Georg Müller Stiftung Daniel Spätburgunder trocken VDP.Gutswein

Pictures: Tasting with Tim Lilienström

In the Vineyards

At the end of the visit, on the way to Kloster Eberbach, Tim Lilienström showed us the vineyards of Weingut Georg Müller Stiftung.

The estate covers an area of approximately 12 hectares with excellent vineyard locations such as Schützenhaus, Engelmannsberg, Hassel, Wisselbrunnen, Nussbrunnen or Heiligenberg. Of the vineyards on the wine-growing estate approximately 80% grow Riesling and approximately 15% grow Spätburgunder in an environmentally sustainable way. Frühburgunder, Müller Thurgau, Auxerrois und Ehrenfelser are grown in the remaining vineyards.

Bottle production is 100 000.

Pictures: In the Vineyards of Weingut Georg Müller Stiftung with Tim Lilienström

schiller-wine: Related Postings

Announcement: Ombiasy WineTours in 2022 Summer and Fall 

Announcement: 3 Ombiasy Wine Tours in 2022 - Rhône Valley Tour: June 20 - June 29, Germany South - Alsace: July 01 - July 10, Bordeaux: September 20 - September 29 

Christian Schiller`s SCHILLER-WINE Blog on Corking Wines` Top 101 Wine Writers of 2020 List

 

Pictures: Christian Schiller in McLean, Virginia,  Konstantin Weiser and Alexandra Künstler in New York City and Christian Schiller, Stephen Bitterolf, Annette Schiller in New York City. See: A German Riesling Feast in New York City: Rieslingfeier 2016, USA 

 

 “These are consistently among the top wines produced anywhere in the Mosel, made from painstakingly strict selections from prime steep vineyards planted with old un-grafted vines. Yet prices remain moderate… Savvy readers should plunge on these wines.” - David Rayer & Jean Fish, Mosel Fine Wine Review 

 

Weingut Weiser-Künstler is a small producer of fine Mosel wines both in the dry and fruity-sweet style. In the USA it is represented by New York City based importer Vom Boden. When Vom Boden founder and owner Stephen Bitterolf invited me to a Zoom tasting of Weingut Weiser-Künstler wines, initially I though he was visiting Konstantin Weiser and Alexandra Künstler in Traben-Trabach and streaming from there. 

 

As it turned out, he was in New York City and conducted a most educational and entertaining presentation of Weingut Weiser-Künstler and 3 grand cru wines from there, using Google Earth. Almost 100 people followed with me Stephen's first class presentation, with or without the 3 grand cru wines. 

 

Annette and I have not yet visited Weingut Weiser-Künstler on an ombiasy wine tour but plan to do this on the next German-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours, probably in 2023. 

 

We have met Konstantin Weiser and Alexandra Künstler a few times in New York during a "Rieslingfeier". See: A German Riesling Feast in New York City: Rieslingfeier 2016, USA 

 

I am looking forward to many more presentations of Stephen Bitterolf, not only because he is a very good presenter but also his portfolio includes many most interesting German winemakers. 

 

In the audience was - to my surprise - Robert Frank, who is coming with Annette Schiller and me on both the Rhône Valley Tour and the Germany South - Alsace Tour by Ombiasy Public Relations and Wine Tours in June/ July. See you there Bobby. If you are interested in joining us see: Announcement: 3 Ombiasy Wine Tours in 2022 - Rhône Valley Tour: June 20 - June 29, Germany South - Alsace: July 01 - July 10, Bordeaux: September 20 - September 29 

 

The Weiser-Künstler Master Class - Wednesday, May 4th at 7:00pm EST

 

Vom Boden: Weiser-Künstler is one of the most respected, most influential growers in the Mosel – they are the ultimate “winemaker’s winemaker.” 

 

Yet, because of both supply-side challenges (they make just excruciatingly small quantities of wine) as well as the rather cerebral quality of their wines, they remain curiously unknown in the US. 

 

It’s a strange situation: A small minority fanatically collects these wines while a larger audience seems to have no context or experience with them.

 

This is what we want to change. For me, there are few growers in the Mosel with more depth or soul. Perhaps these are not the easiest wines, but this is part of their magic – and they are unquestionably singular in the landscape of Mosel wine and they deserve their moment in the spotlight.

 

So Wednesday, May 4th at 7:00pm EST, please join me for this tribute to my friends Konstantin Weiser and Alexandra Künstler and the soulful, profound wines they lovingly make.

 

Yes, this will be a Zoom tasting (sorry about that) BUT, we will be sending every participant a custom Google Earth presentation that we’ll be using to really give everyone (literally) a 3D experience that we hope will be impactful.

 

The class will use Weiser-Künstler’s three Grand Cru bottlings – the Ellergrub, Gaispfad and Steffensberg – as guideposts along our route, focusing on these three sites and their importance and individuality in the context of the Mosel.

 

You certainly don’t have to have all or any of these wines to join, but we strongly encourage you to have them on hand AND, uniquely, this year we can help you get them! Because of the pandemic many restaurants in Europe had to cancel their allocations, so we have a bit more than normal and for once, we may actually have enough quantity to send some to you.

 

Email us at orders@vomboden.com and we will do our best to put you in touch with an authorized Weiser-Künstler dealer near you. We will also add you to the list to receive the Zoom link and Google Earth presentation.

 

If you have any questions please reach out and I hope to see you May 4th.

 

Pictures: Weingut Weiser-Künstler, Mosel, Zoom Master Class by Stephen Bitterolf, Vom Boden, USA/ Germany

schiller-wine: Related Postings

Announcement: Ombiasy WineTours in 2022 Summer and Fall 

Announcement: 3 Ombiasy Wine Tours in 2022 - Rhône Valley Tour: June 20 - June 29, Germany South - Alsace: July 01 - July 10, Bordeaux: September 20 - September 29 

Christian Schiller`s SCHILLER-WINE Blog on Corking Wines` Top 101 Wine Writers of 2020 List 

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

Pictures: Winemaker Dinner with Hélène Jaume of Domaine Grand Veneur/ Maison Jaume, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, at L'Auberge Chez Francois in Great Falls, USA/ France

Annette and Christian Schiller are getting ready for the first ombiasy wine tour after the covid break. It will take us to the Rhône Valley from June 20 - June 29, 2022. Towards the end of the tour, we will spend half a day at Domaine Grand Veneur/ Maison Alain Jaume in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. So, it came very handy that co-owner Hélène Jaume, who runs the estate with her 2 brothers Christophe and Sébastien, was in town for a trade tasting of their importer, Kysela Père et Fils, as well as other events. I was able to catch her at a winemaker dinner at the lovely L'Auberge Chez Francois in Great Falls. 

The winemaker dinner turned out to be a very intimite event. There were only 5 other guests plus Hélène Jaume and importer Joe Kysela of Kysela Père et Fils. Chef Jacques Haeringer was travelling. 

 

 

Pictures: Winemaker Dinner with Hélène Jaume of Domaine Grand Veneur/ Maison Jaume, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, at L'Auberge Chez Francois in Great Falls, USA/ France

 

Notwithstanding Jacques's absence, the food was outstanding as were the wines of Hélène Jaume from Châteauneuf-du-Pape and other Southern Rhône Valley AOCs. 

 

I was sitting next to Hélène and had the opportunity to prepare a bit the forthcoming visit of Domaine Grand Veneur/ Maison Alain Jaume by a group of Ombiasy Public Relations and Wine Tours with Annette Schiller. We will do a tour of the vineyards and the winemaking facilities followed by a tasting and lunch at the winery. Hélène Jaume will join us.  

 

Annette Schiller and Ombiasy Public Relations and Wine Tours will be in the Rhône Valley/ Provence from June 20 to June 29. Join us. There is still one room available on the tour. See: Announcement: 3 Ombiasy Wine Tours in 2022 - Rhône Valley Tour: June 20 - June 29, Germany South - Alsace: July 01 - July 10, Bordeaux: September 20 - September 29 

Domaine Grand Veneur/ Maison Alain Jaume

 
Hélène Jaume: In the 14th century, during their stay in Avignon, the popes built a papal castle in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Impressed by the area's exceptional “terroir” (the soil and its growing conditions), they planted vineyards around the castle on terraces covered with smooth rounded pebbles.

Picture: Hélène Jaume with her 2 Brothers and Father

Established in the northern part of Châteauneuf du Pape, the Jaume family has been dedicated to the art of wine growing since 1826.

This venerable profession is our legacy, but above all it is our passion, requiring discipline, perseverance and a respect for nature and the challenges she presents us with. Every vintage is different from the last and we must skillfully adapt our growing techniques to the ever-changing behaviour of the vines, the grapes and the terroir.

Our aim, as skilled wine growers, is to produce, carefully and lovingly, wines that are intense, rich and complex and that reflect and embody the wonderful terroir of the southern Rhône Valley.

Our labels are stamped "Alain Jaume", with humility but also with a certain pride, as our name represents the guarantee of our constant commitment to your satisfaction.

 

Pictures: Hélène Jaume Domaine Grand Veneur/ Maison Jaume in Châteauneuf du Pape and Christian and Annette Schiller. See: Spotlight on Domaine Grand Veneur and Alan Jaume, with Helene Jaume: Tasting at Chain Bridge Cellars in McLean, Virginia, USA (2018)

The Jaume family first planted vines, under the label Grand Veneur, in 1826. Five generations later, in 1979, Alain Jaume took over, now with the help of his two sons, Sébastien and Christophe, and daughter Helene.

 

Pictures: At Domaine Grand Veneur in Châteauneuf du Pape. See: The Rhône Valley seen through Christian Schiller's Camera - Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

The Jaume family holds five brands. The acquisition of Domaine de la Grangette Saint Joseph in 2015 took the total area owned by Alain Jaume to over 200 hectares:

Domaine Grand Veneur in Châteauneuf du Pape 
Domaine du Clos de Sixte in Lirac
Chateau Mazane Vacqueyras
Domaine de la Grangette Saint Joseph at Jonquières in the Vaucluse (Côte du Rhône Appellation)
Alain Jaume (Négociant)

Invitation

Please join us Thursday, May 5th at 6:00pm as Chef Jacques and team welcome Hélène Jaume of Domaine Grand Veneur and Maison Alain Jaume in the Rhône Valley. Established in the northern part of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, in the commune of Orange, the Jaume family has been dedicated to the art of wine growing since 1826. Founded by Mathieu Jaume, the Domaine is now run by the 5th and 6th generations of Jaumes: Alain Jaume and his children Christophe, Sébastien, and Hélène.

Pictures: Chef Jacques E. Haeringer and Christian Schiller at L'Auberge Chez François

Having proudly offered this producer’s wines for many years, we are excited to have Hélène here to present a tasting flight of her award-winning wines. Following this fantastic tasting will be a culinary delight wine pairing menu from Chef Jacques and his kitchen team and two additional delectable wine pairings!

Please join us for an evening of fabulous French wine and cuisine offered on our covered garden terrace under our 40ft x 50ft Grande Tente, complete with cooling fans, café bistro lighting, and pastoral views of our six acres, two on-site gardens, koi pond, and blooming flowers. Merci beaucoup and see you there!

Event Price: $175.00 (excludes tax and gratuity), for a total of $224.00 per person.

Dinner

Seasonal Canapes

Greeter:Alain Jaume, Côtes du Rhône Rosé “Bellissime”, 2020

Pre-dinner Tasting Flight:

• Domaine Grand Veneur, Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc “La Fontaine”, 2020
• Alain Jaume, Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge “Vieux Terron”, 2019
• Domaine Grand Veneur, Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge “Les Origines”, 2019

Corbeille de Pain (Bread Basket)
Multi Grain & Sourdough Breads, Local Butter

Mousseline of Wild Salmon, Sorrel, Smoked Trout Caviar
Alain Jaume, Vacqueyras “Grand Garrigue”, 2019

Julius Meinl Coffee & Selection of Harney & Sons Fine Teas

Impressions from the Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, Franc

Pictures: The Rhône Valley seen through Christian Schiller's Camera - Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

schiller-wine: Related Postings

Announcement: Ombiasy WineTours in 2022 Summer and Fall 

Announcement: 3 Ombiasy Wine Tours in 2022 - Rhône Valley Tour: June 20 - June 29, Germany South - Alsace: July 01 - July 10, Bordeaux: September 20 - September 29 

The Rhône Valley seen through Christian Schiller's Camera - Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Spotlight on Domaine Grand Veneur and Alan Jaume, with Helene Jaume: Tasting at Chain Bridge

4 Days in the Southern Rhône Valley/ Provence - Planning Trip for the Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France, June 20 - June 29, 2022

Picture: Stuart Pigott, Wilhelm Weil (Weingut Robert Weil) and Gesine Roll (Weingut Weedenborn) with Annette and Christian Schiller (ombiasy WineTours) at Gut Hermannsberg in the Nahe Region.  See also: Tour and Tasting at Weingut Gut Hermannsberg in Niederhausen, Nahe – Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015) 

For several decades, the annual Gault&Millau WeinGuide Deutschland used to be a leading wine guide in Germany. Following the release of the 2019 guide

Germany's 20 Top (5/5) Winemakers - The Gault Millau WeinGuide Deutschland 2019

Gault&Millau moved to a different format and began to issue regional wine guides. Currently, there are 5 regional wine guides available:

Mosel, Sachsen, Saale Unstrut, 2021

Franken, Nahe, Ahr, 2021

Pfalz, 2021

Reinhessen, Rheingau, Mittelrhein, 2021

Baden, Württemberg, 2021

In additon, Gault&Millau issued a coffee table book entitled "Die Besten Weine Deutschlands"/ "The Best Wines of Germany". The book contains 150 winemaker recommendations, including a top 10 list.

Here is the Gault&Millau: Top 10 German Winemakers (2022) list with pictures from recent visits of Annette Schiller and me on ombiasy wine tours.

Gault and Millau: Top 10 German Winemakers (2022)

Weingut Aldinger/ Württemberg

Weingut Dönnhoff/ Nahe

Weingut Rudolf Fürst/ Franken

Weingut Bernhard Huber/ Baden

Weingut Klaus Peter Keller/ Rheinhessen

Weingut Egon Müller/ Mosel

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

 

Weingut J.J. Prüm/ Mosel

Picture: Annette Schiller and Manfred Prüm

Picture: Christian Schiller with Katharina Pruem at Wegmans in Virginia. See also: JJ Pruem Goes Supermarket: Meeting Katharina Pruem and Tasting the Incredible JJ Pruem Wines at Wegmans

Pictures: Tasting at the Legendary Weingut J.J. Prüm with Amei Prüm– Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2016

Sekthaus Raumland/ Rheinhessen

Weingut Ökonomierat Rebholz/ Pfalz

Weingut Robert Weil/ Rheingau

schiller-wine: Related Postings

Announcement: Ombiasy WineTours in 2022 Summer and Fall 

Announcement: 3 Ombiasy Wine Tours in 2022 - Rhône Valley Tour: June 20 - June 29, Germany South - Alsace: July 01 - July 10, Bordeaux: September 20 - September 29 

German Wine Society Capital Chapter Membership Meeting 2022: Carl Willner Re-elected President and Christian Schiller Re-elected Vice-president, USA/ Germany Washington DC Downtown, USA/ Germany

Christian Stahl, Winzerhof Stahl, Franken, Germany back in the USA - Winemaker Dinner at the Schiller Residence in McLean, Northern Virginia

The Wines of Germany: Presentation by Annette Schiller at the German Embassy in Washington DC/ Consular Conference December 2021

All Sorts of Sparklers: How do the Bubbles get into that Bottle - Presentation by Annette Schiller, ombiasy WineTours, at the 2021 American Wine Society National Conference in Atlantic City

Weingut Leo Hillinger is a leading Austrian wine producer. Charismatic Founder/ Owner Leo Hillinger was in town (Northern Virginia) for a couple of days before travelling to New York City and back to Europe for ProWein in Düsseldorf. 

I was able to catch him at a winemaker dinner in Herndon at Euro Bistro and a pre-dinner tasting at the Wine Cabinet in Reston. 

I visited Leo Hillinger at Weingut Leo Hillinger a few years ago. 

Picture: Christian Schiller, Leo Hillinger and Hillinger Winemaker Edgar Butler in Jois, Austria. See: Visiting Leo Hillinger, Michael Hoeffken and Edgar Brutler at the Leo Hillinger Winery in Jois, Austria

Annette Schiller (ombiasy WineTours) plans an Austria tour for next year and a visit of Weingut Hillinger is a "must". Leo already agreed to a winery visit. In preparation, Annette presented "The Wines of Austria" at the 2021 American Wine Society National Conference in Atlantic City. See: The Wines of Austria - Presentation by Annette Schiller, ombiasy WineTours, at the 2021 American Wine Society National Conference in Atlantic City

Weingut Leo Hillinger, one of the Largest Organic Wine Producers in Austria

Weingut Leo Hillinger is one of the largest organic wine producers in Austria based in the Burgenland region. Leo is an entrepreneur with excellence in viticulture. He runs the winery with commitment and passion and has won several prestigious awards for his work. Their high-quality wines are exported to more than 30 countries around the world. He did his apprenticeship in California and Europe before buying 12 hectares of vineyards and opening his winery in 2004, followed by his Wineshops and Bars. He even has a long business relationship with Constantia Glen in South Africa. Currently, Weingut Leo Hillinger is one of the top wineries of the country and cultivates more than a hundred hectares of vineyards in organic farming around Lake Neusiedl.

No Compromise in Quality

Quality is the foremost objective here and is carried out by organic practices in the vineyards and during the expansion of wines. The grapes are allowed to be on the vines for as long as possible so that they can ripe adequately and show the qualities in the wines. Their wines are fresh and sparkling with a natural fruity taste and aroma. The main grape varietals they grow in their farms include Welschriesling, Grüner Veltliner, Chardonnay, Weißburgunder, Sauvignon Blanc, Gelber Muskateller, Zweigelt, St. Laurent, Blaufränkisch, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Syrah. The best grapes are handpicked to make their famous red, white, rose, sparkling, and dessert wines. The winery has ‘More Than Wine’ as a slogan, and it perfectly shoes their commitment and philosophy towards winemaking.

Pre-Dinner Tasting with Leo Hillinger at The Wine Cabinet in Reston

The dinner was preceeded by a tasting with Leo at the Wine Cabinet in Reston.  Leo came directly from the nearby Dulles Airport, after an 8 hours flight from Vienna.

Pictures: Winemaker Dinner and Pre-dinner Tasting with Leo Hillinger, Weingut Leo Hillinger, in Northern Virginia, USA/ Austria 

Winemaker Dinner with Leo Hillinger at Euro Bistro in Herndon 

The dinner was just around the corner at Euro Bistro, owned by acclaimed Austrian Chef Raimund Stieger. The dinner was sold-out and a big success.  

Pictures: Winemaker Dinner and Pre-dinner Tasting with Leo Hillinger, Weingut Leo Hillinger, in Northern Virginia, USA/ Austria 

Menu 

Gruss aus der Küche (greeting from the kitchen) 

Liptauer - delicious Austrian bread with a paprika-spice garlic cheese spread 

Pinot Gris 2020 Burgenland and Zweigelt classic 2019 

Small “Wiener Schnitzel” with warm potato salad and micro greens 

One of the best-known dishes of Austrian cuisine.Thinned, breaded, and pan-fried pork cutlet serve with a dollop of lingonberry jam, lemon wedge over a warm potato salad and micro greens 

Pinot Blanc Leithaberg DAC 2018 and Pinot Noir 2018 Burgenland/Leithaberg 

Beef Wellington and Asparagus with Bearnaise sauce 

Traditional Wellington - beef tenderloin and duxelles (a finely chopped mushroom mixture) wrapped in puff pastry served with béarnaise sauce potato, asparagus and green beans with almonds 

Leo Hillinger Hill 1 2015 

Raspberries and Strawberries with Secco Sabayon 

A light custard, whipped with Secco served over fresh raspberries and strawberries 

Hillinger Secco 

$95/Person all inclusive 

Visiting Leo Hillinger, Michael Hoeffken and Edgar Brutler at the Leo Hillinger Winery in Jois, Austria 

I visited Weingut Leo Hillinger in 2011. This is a reprint of my posting at the time.

Pictures: Christian G.E. Schiller with Leo Hillinger, Michael Hoeffken and Edgar Brutler at the Leo Hillinger Winery in Jois, Austria

The wines of Leo Hillinger from Austria are known all over the world. The main public face of Weingut Leo Hillinger for consumers in the US and Asia, along with Leo Hillinger of course, is Michael Hoeffken, Sommelier, Assistant Winemaker and Sales Person at Weingut Leo Hillinger.

I was in Austria this summer, including in Hofturn in Burgenland, by car just 30 minutes away from Jois, where Weingut Leo Hillinger is located. When Michael heart about this, he invited me over and we spent a couple of hours together at the winery. We were joined by Edgar Brutler, the winemaker and also by Leo Hillinger.

Pictures: Christian G.E. Schiller with Michael Hoeffken and US Importer Klaus Wittauer in Washington DC and with Michael Hoeffken in Vienna, Austria

I had met Michael Hoeffken the first time in Vienna, Austria and then later in Washington DC, where we tasted some Leo Hillinger red wines.

Weingut Leo Hillinger in Burgenland

Weingut Leo Hillinger is in Jois in the Neusiedlersee area in Burgenland. Burgenland is one of Austria’s 4 wine regions – Lower Austria, Styria, Burgenland and Vienna. For many years it was a bit on the margin, although it has a long wine growing tradition. Burgenland belonged to Hungary until 1921 when it was annexed to Austria post WWI. It is a melting pot of Magyar, Slavic and Austrian cultures. Many of the towns have two names, one Croatian or Hungarian and the other name Austrian. The vineyard area of Burgenland totals 14.000 hectares and comprises 4 areas: (1) Neusiedlersee: At the edges of the vast and shallow Lake Neusiedl, a variety of grapes are grown on 9.100 hectares of vineyards, including world-famous noble sweet wines. (2) Neusiedlersee-Hügelland: At the foot of the Leithagebirge and west of Lake Neusiedl, a variety of grapes are grown on 4.150 hectares of vineyards, including the renowned Ruster Ausbruch. (3) Mittelburgenland: On 2.100 hectares of vineyards, one red grape variety plays the leading role: Blaufränkisch and 4 towns are the wine-growing area´s main producers: Deutschkreutz, Horitschon, Lutzmannsburg and Neckenmarkt. (4) Südburgenland: One of Austria´s smallest wine-growing areas, where excellent terroir wines are produced from 500 hectares of vineyards, which are situated mainly on the Eisenberg, with Blaufraenkisch being the typical red wine.

Picture: The Wine Regions of Austria

Leo Hillinger took over from his father in 1990. At the time, the Weingut was tiny with only one hectare of vineyard area. Under Leo’s stewardship the winery has seen a phenomenal growth. Today, the vineyard area totals 46 hectares, of which 26 hectares are in Jois in the Neusiedlersee region, and another 20 hectares in and around Rust in Neusiedlersee-Huegellland. 60% of the area is planted with red varieties - Blaufränkisch, Zweigelt, St. Laurent, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah - and the remaining 40% are planted with the white varieties - Welschriesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. In addition, grapes are sourced from contract growers with another 70 hectares of vineyards. Weingut Leo Hillinger is one of the top names in Austria. It ranks among Austria's largest producers of premium wines. More than 50% of the production is exported.

The Winery in Jois

The winery in Jois is an impressive super-modern building in the middle of the vineyards. Michael explained that the new production site with an associated tasting and seminar center was constructed in 2004 for 6 million Euros. The sensitive location in the midst of the Jois vineyards required special attention.

The major part of the L-shaped production building was cut deeply into the slope, subsequently covered with soil and as far as possible replanted with grapes; 24.000 cubic meters of soil had to be moved and re-moved during the course of construction.

Pictures: Leo Hillinger Winery in Jois, Austria

The visible part with the cubic tasting lounge seems to hover upon slim V-shaped pillars over the ground. The large window opens to the vineyards and the Leithagebirge mountain range; at night it presents a recognizable landmark beacon that can be seen from far away.

Eight northern-facing, pyramidal roof windows allow for natural light to illuminate the subterranean production hall, which ranks among the most modern in Europe. The newly planted accessible roof terrace offers wonderful views of Lake Neusiedl.

Tasting in the Cellar with Michael Hoeffken and Edgar Brutler

Michael and Edgar took me to the cellar and showed me around. We did some barrel tasting there.

Pictures: Christian G.E. Schiller Tasting in the Cellar with Michael Hoeffken and Edgar Brutler

Edgar explained that the cellar technique equipment ranks among the most modern in Europe. The computerized cellar secures hygienic and safe production measures which meet highest quality standards. Fermentation of the selected grape material takes place in computer-controlled stainless steel tanks. These fermentation vessels used in the Hillinger winery are jacketed tanks allowing cool fermentation and maturation of the wine due to refrigerating coils between the two walls – a fact which plays an important role in white wine production. Furthermore the stainless steel tanks guarantee a production according to highest hygienic guide lines as well as a controlled fermentation due to exact temperature regulation. Especially fresh fruity wines like Welschriesling, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and light red wines are vinificated in stainless steel tanks.

The barrique-barrels of the Hillinger Winery are exclusively made of French oak. With regard to white wine, barrique barrels are predominantly used for fermentation while with red wines only maturation takes place in barriques. Typically, the barriques are only used twice at Weingut Leo Hillinger.

In the Vineyards of Jois

After the cellar tasting we went outside to see a bit of the vineyards that are in Jois. We had a wonderful view of Lake Neusiedl.

Above all, Michael said, the warm and sunny climate in Burgenland is decisive for the wine quality. The near Lake Neusiedl accounts for rising temperatures in summer which lead to higher sugar gradations and full-bodied wines. The soils on which the grapes ripen are an additional criterion. They decisively influence the character of the wines. The light, dry loess and black earth soils are responsible for powerful compact wines.

With regard to vineyard management, Weingut Leo Hillinger favors integrated plant protection, green manure and biological fertilization of the vines. Fertilization measures are applied with an eye on biological balance while organic fertilizers are used only in a supportive manner.

Traditional harvesting as practiced at the Hillinger Winery, Michael said, signifies picking grapes by hand. Harvesters and contractual vintners pick the grapes into small boxes and deliver them directly to the production site of our winery where the cellar master conducts a final quality control.

Pictures: Christian G.E. Schiller Tasting in the Vineyards of Jois with Michael Hoeffken and Edgar Brutler, with Lake Neusiedl

In the Tasting Room

We finished up in the tasting room and the conference center. Leo Hillinger joined us there.

The large window opens to the vineyards and the Leithagebirge mountain range.

Pictures: In the Tasting Room

Inside, glass walls grant visitors insight into the various working spheres of the wine-grower. A bridge allows a view into the barrique cellar below while linking the tasting lounge to the multi-functional seminar room behind. The entire floor space of the object comprises 1850 square meter.

Picture: Edgar Brutler and Michael Hoeffken in the Seminar Room

“When the grape is excellent, then one has much less to do in the cellar. From years of experience and much-experimenting, I know that the fruit needs to be perfect and bottled without alteration.” Leo said and he continued: “I do not want an interchangeable fashionable wine, rather I want to produce a truly Austrian, if not Burgenlandian top-quality wine.”


Pictures: Christian G.E. Schiller with Leo Hillinger and Edgar Brutler in the Tasting Room

Leo finished by saying: “Making wine is for me a source of happiness. It combines hobby with vocation. I cannot imagine anything more beautiful.”

Picture: The Wines of Leo Hillinger

schiller-wine: Related Postings

Announcement: Ombiasy WineTours in 2022 Summer and Fall 

Announcement: 3 Ombiasy Wine Tours in 2022 - Rhône Valley Tour: June 20 - June 29, Germany South - Alsace: July 01 - July 10, Bordeaux: September 20 - September 29 

Christian Schiller`s SCHILLER-WINE Blog on Corking Wines` Top 101 Wine Writers of 2020 List

In the Glass: 2007 Leo Hillinger HillSide Unfiltered With Weingut Hillinger's Michael Hoeffken

Welcome to America: Franz and Christine Netzl Estate, Carnuntum, Austria

Lunch with Silvia Prieler, Weingut Prieler, Schuetzen am Gebirge, Austria

Austria’s Best Wines and Winemakers - Falstaff WeinGuide 2010

Producing Wines in Austria and Hungary - Franz and Franz Reinhard Weninger

With the WienWein Winemakers in Vienna in the Heurigen Drinking Gemischter Satz Wine

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

Tasting Leo Hillinger Red Wines with Leo Hillinger’s Assistant Winemaker Michael Hoeffken and US Importer Klaus Wittauer

Visit: Gerhard Wohlmuth sen. and his Weingut Wohlmuth in Austria

Visiting Leo Hillinger, Michael Hoeffken and Edgar Brutler at the Leo Hillinger Winery in Jois, Austria

The Wines of Austria - Presentation by Annette Schiller, ombiasy WineTours, at the 2021 American Wine Society National Conference in Atlantic City