Annette and I enjoyed a great wine dinner with the worldclass wines of Louis Jadot and the outstanding food of Chef Jacques Haeringer at L’Auberge Chez François, Virginia. Thibaut Marquis from Louis Jadot presented the wines.

We will visit Maison Louis Jadot in Beaune on the 2023 Bourgogne Tour by Ombiasy Public Relations and Wine Tours

See here for the dates: ombiasy WineTours: Wine Tour Schedule 2023 - Austria, Germany/East, Burgundy/ Champagne, Germany/ North 

Invitation

Please join us for an exquisite event at L’Auberge Chez François as we are delighted to host an evening of guiding tastings and wine dinner experience highlighting the finest highly sought-after Burgundy wines of Maison Louis Jadot. We welcome very special guest, Thibaut Marquis, Export Director for Maison Louis Jadot,  to guide us through the rich history of the winery and featured wines.

Maison Louis Jadot is one of the most trusted and revered wine houses in Burgundy’s Côte d’Or. Frédéric Barnier, Jadot’s esteemed winemaker, and his team balance tradition and technology, focusing on the purest expression of each wine’s terroir. These principles of vinification take the lightest possible hand in winemaking, and produce the essence of fine Burgundy. Founded in 1859, the house now owns 528 acres of vineyards, including 280 acres of the Cote d’Or’s most prestigious Premier and Grand Cru plots.

The Jadot tasting will be followed by Chef Jacques and Team’s delectable dinner experience expertly paired with two additional outstanding wines from the Louis Jadot portfolio.

A fantastic evening not to be missed! Merci beaucoup and see you there!

Louis Jadot

Domaine Ferret is owned by Maison Louis Jadot. Maison Louis Jadot was founded by Louis Henry Denis Jadot in 1859 and is a family wine company that produces and markets Burgundy wine. It operates both its own vineyards and also buys grapes from many growers. It controls 270 hectares of vineyards in Burgundy (including Beaujolais Crus) and produces only AOC wines.

In 1985 Maison Louis Jadot - excluding the vineyards, which remained the property of the Jadot and Gagey families - was sold to the family of Rudy Kopf, who also own Kobrand, Jadot’s US importer.

In 1997, Maison Louis Jadot ventured outside of the Beaune region for the first time, purchasing the substantial holdings of Chateau des Jacques in the Beaujolais, one of the most important estates of the Moulin-à-Vent appelation.

Today, Maison Louis Jadot controls 225 hectares of vineyards in Burgundy, of which 119 hectares lie in the Côte d'Or: Domaine des Héritiers Louis Jadot, Domaine Louis Jadot, Domaine Gagey and Domaine du Duc de Magenta.

The Domaine des Héritiers Louis Jadot has long belonged to the Jadot family. Domaine Louis Jadot grew in 1985 with the purchase of Domaine Clair Daü. Domaine Gagey has belonged to André Gagey's family for generations. The Domaine du Duc de Magenta belongs to an established Burgundian family that has given Maison Louis Jadot the right to vinify and sell the wines from its vineyards of Chassagne Montrachet Premier Cru Morgeot Clos de la Chapelle and Puligny Montrachet Premier Cru Clos de la Garenne. Maison Louis Jadot is settled in Beaujolais since 1996: the Château des Jacques property includes 80 hectares of Moulin à Vent, Morgon, Fleurie and Chénas. In 2008, Maison Louis Jadot bought Domaine Ferret, which is located in the heart of the Pouilly Fuissé appellation.

Kobrand and the Kopf Family

Kobrand is owned by the 3 daughters of the firm's founder, Rudolph C. Kopf. Kopf was born in the Queens in New York City and graduated from the University of Columbia's Business School in 1927. All his youth, he lived under prohibition. Prohibition was repealed by President Franklin Roosevelt, when he took office in 1933. It was in that year that Kopf started a wine and spirits department at New York's famed Macy's department store. Under his guidance, it became known as one of the best shops in the country and Kopf established himself as an industry force.

In 1944, at the age of 38, he struck out on his own and formed his own wine and spirits marketing company, which he called the Kobrand Corporation. Although light on money, Kopf was well connected, having established relationships in the wine and spirits business around the world.

Kopf's big break came in 1945 when he lined up his first major wine brand to represent, Maison Louis Jadot, which was established in France in 1859. With the Jadot business in hand, Kopf's next notable achievement was landing a spirits brand: Beefeater Gin. A third key brand acquisition in another important category, champagne, took place shortly after the Beefeater deal, when Kopf secured the marketing rights to Taittinger Champagne.

In 1985, Kobrand bought Maison Louis Jadot. Only a few months after the Jadot deal was completed, Kopf died at age 80 and his three daughters shared in the ownership of Kobrand. Also in 1985 Kobrand acquired its first stake in a California company, Napa Valley's Sequoia Grove Vineyards. A year later, Kobrand turned its attention to Northern California, forming a joint venture with Taittinger called Domaine Carneros. Kobrand added further to its California interests in 1987 when it reached a marketing agreement with Cakebread Cellars.

The year 1987 also marked the end of the relationship with Beefeater Gin. In the late 1980s and early 1990s Kobrand added a host of brands, making the firm a major marketer of Italian wines. These labels included Sassicala, Ornellaia, Terriccio, Spalletti, and Chiehe Chiarlo.

Kobrand continues to be a family company, owned by the founders three daughters.

First Course

Chef’s Seasonal Canapés
Domaine Ferret, Pouilly-Fuissé 2020, Maconnais

Pre-Dinner Tasting Flight

· Louis Jadot, Chassagne-Montrachet 2020, Côte de Beaune
· Louis Jadot, Pommard 2019, Côte de Beaune
· Louis Jadot, Nuits-Saint-Georges 2019, Côte de Nuits

Corbeille de Pain (Bread Course)

Basket Multi Grain & Sourdough Breads, Local Butter

Third Course

Nantucket Bay Scallops and Shitake Mushroom Gratin
Domaine Gagey, Bouzeron 2020, Côte Chalonnaise

Fourth Course
Salade de Maison, Housemade Vinaigrette

Meyer Lemon-Infused Sorbet

Fifth Course

Medallions of Veal Tenderloin, Wilted Garden Spinach, Seasonal Vegetables, Sauce Soubise
Château des Jacques, Moulin-à-Vent 2018, Beaujolais

Dessert Course

Pinot Noir and Chardonnay Poached Local Pear Tart
Julius Meinl Coffee, Selection of Harney & Sons Fine Teas

The Wines

Domaine Ferret, Pouilly-Fuissé, 2020, Maconnais US$51

Louis Jadot, Chassagne-Montrachet, 2020, Côte de Beaune, US$90

Louis Jadot, Pommard, 2019,  Côte de Beaune, US$78

Louis Jadot, Nuits-Saint-Georges, 2019, 2020, Côte de Nuits, US$69

Domaine Gagey, Bouzeron, 2020, US$33

Château des Jacques, Moulin-à-Vent, 2018, US$29

schiller-wine: Related Postings 

ombiasy WineTours: Wine Tour Schedule 2023 - Austria, Germany/East, Burgundy/ Champagne, Germany/ North

Dinner at a Historic (Second Empire) Café-Brasserie in Lyon: Grand Café des Négociants - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France 

Maison Guigal in Ampuis, Côte Rôtie, Northern Rhône: Cellar Tour, Tasting and Vineyard Tour - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Visit and Tasting at Domaine de Boisseyt in Chavany, Northern Rhône - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Tour and Tasting at Château Haut-Bailly, Graves, Appellation Pessac-Léognan, Grand Cru Classé, with Cellar Master Jean Christoph - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

How Does the Negociant System in Bordeaux Work? Tour and Tasting at Millésima - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Clos Puy Arnaud with Owner Thierry Valette, Appellation Côtes de Castillon - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Cellar Tour and Tasting with Daniel Wagner at Weingut Wagner-Stempel (VDP) in Siefersheim, Rheinhessen - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Tasting with Helmut Dönnhoff and Sascha Johannes Schömel at Weingut Dönnhoff (VDP) in Oberhausen, Nahe - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Weingut Jülg (VDP): Lunch in the Wine Tavern with Karin and Werner Jülg and Tasting in the Vineyard with Johannes Jülg - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

2022 Annual Riesling Party at the Schiller Residence in McLean, Virginia, USA 

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

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

Today we explored the Kaiserstuhl region. It is a very special place in the German wine regions landscape. We visited 3 producers: Weingut Dr. Bercher, Weingut Höfflin and Weingut Dr. Heger, before moving on to Alsace.

After, spending the morning at Weingut Dr. Bercher

Cellar Tour and Tasting with Martin Bercher at Weingut Bercher (VDP) in Burkheim, Kaiserstuhl, Baden - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

we visited Weingut Höfflin.

Matthias Höfflin belongs to the pioneers of organic viticulture. His winery of 30 acres benefits from sun-drenched sites around the almost untouched Schambachtal in the eastern Kaiserstuhl region.

US-American Kaylie Magestro was our host. 

Matthias Höfflin joined us at various occasions during the visit, which comprised of a vineyard walk, a seated tasting and a tour of the wine cellar. 

Given the winemaking philosophy of Matthias Höfflin, we spent a large part of the visit in the vineyard.

Vineyard Walk

Kaiserstuhl Region

Importer Schatzi Wines: The Kaiserstuhl (named for its resemblance to an emperor’s throne) is a compact zone of some 10,000 acres of vines planted around the stump of an extinct volcano. It rises above the Rhine river valley, just east of Alsace. Geologically speaking, it is a rare place indeed. Volcanoes formed here during the late Tertiary period, at the end of a long succession of eruptions, starting in the Cretaceous. Heavily eroded volcanic vents mark the landscape and the rocks that remain are of the Miocene, dating 16 to 19 million years before the present. These volcanic rocks are of alkali-carbonate structure and contain elements of magnesium iron silicate, which can be found here as the gem peridot, a crystalline material that weathers slowly and provides good drainage.

Tasting

Interview with Matthias Höfflin

Matthias Höfflin belongs to the pioneers of organic viticulture. His winery of 30 acres benefits from sun-drenched sites around the almost untouched Schambachtal in the eastern Kaiserstuhl region. 

To give you an idea about this philosophy of winemaking, I quote an interview with Matthias Höfflin: 

Q: What time do you go to the vines in the morning? 

A: In winter, when the vines are dormant, late. In spring and summer I often go very early in the morning to experience the awakening of nature and in the vineyard. 

Q: What can you see or smell as you roam the mountain? 

A: A vineyard is something living. The plants communicate with each other, the soil contains a lot of life. The interplay between soil, soil animals, green plants, vines and ultimately also the people who work in the vineyard must be in harmony. This is terroir for me. You can see it, but above all you can smell and feel it. Every vineyard has its own smell. 

Q: What does it mean in concrete terms when you say: Good wine is made in the vineyard? 

A: The metabolic products of the soil animals in the organic vineyard are the staple food of the vines. The richer and more diverse the microorganisms in the vineyard are, the more valuable is the food that reaches the roots of the vine. They form the complexity, the minerality and the depth of the wine as a basic requirement for a long-lasting wine. An example: If I have created too fine a soil structure through frequent use of machines, the result is thin, low-extract and flat-tasting wines that have no potential for storage. We rely on well-rooted, living soil with a high humus content. This gives substance and shelf life. 

Q: You only use the natural yeasts from the vineyard, no other tools or additives. What's the hard part about it? 

A: Everything has to be right: the nutrition of the vines, the diverse soil life, the timely work in the vineyard. The elements for success are known. The trick is to put them together correctly with finesse and expertise. No two years are the same, that's what's exciting. And that's where the morning hours in the vines help me. 

Q: So if you do everything right in the mountain, you don't have to clean up in the cellar anymore? 

A: Yes it is. 

Q: Organic wine has literally been on everyone's radar for years now, hasn't it? What do you think, how important is organic wine for your customers?

A: We left the infancy stage of organic and biodynamic winemaking behind us. In addition to today's high quality, there is a gut feeling that the purchase of a product made in this way will harm the environment and us humans as little as possible. Taste is one thing, well-being and inner quality are another.

Wine Cellar Tour

Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: All Postings (already posted and forthcoming)

Summary: Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

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

Cellar Tour and Tasting with Daniel Wagner at Weingut Wagner-Stempel (VDP) in Siefersheim, Rheinhessen - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Tasting with Helmut Dönnhoff and Sascha Johannes Schömel at Weingut Dönnhoff (VDP) in Oberhausen, Nahe - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

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

Dinner in a Typical Old Town Mainz Wine Tavern: At Weinhaus Bluhm and at Weinhaus Schreiner - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Schiller’s Favorite Wine Taverns in Mainz, Germany

Cellar Tour and Tasting in the Courtyard with Owner/ Winemaker Gesine Roll at Weingut Weedenborn Weedenborn in Monzenheim, Rheinhessen - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Weingut Jülg (VDP): Lunch in the Wine Tavern with Karin and Werner Jülg and Tasting in the Vineyard with Johannes Jülg - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting with Sven Nieger at Weingut Sven Nieger in Baden-Baden-Varnholt, Ortenau - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Lunch at Waldgasthaus Scherrhof - Deep in the Black Forest, Local Badenser Cuisine at its Best - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Vineyard Tour and Tasting with Owner/ Winemaker Robert Schätzle at Weingut Schloss Neuweier (VDP) in Baden-Baden-Neuweier, Baden - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Cellar Tour and Tasting with Martin Bercher at Weingut Bercher (VDP) in Burkheim, Kaiserstuhl, Baden - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting with Matthias Höfflin and Kaylie Magestro at Weingut Höfflin in Bötzingen, Kaiserstuhl, Baden - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Cellar Tour and Tasting in the Courtyard with Joachim Heger and Winemaker Markus Mleinek at Weingut Dr. Heger (VDP) in Ihringen, Kaiserstuhl, Baden - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

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

The World Class Wines of Alsace

In the world class white wine region Alsace

Cellar Tour with Pierre Gassmann and Tasting at Domaine Rolly-Gassmann in Rorschwihr, Alsace - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 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

Tasting at Domaine Zind-Humbrecht in Turckheim, Alsace - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Dinner with Chef Laurine Gutleben and Restaurant Manager/ Husband Antoine Bauer, both Owners, at Michelin-rated Restaurant La Veille Forge in Kaysersberg, Alsace - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Vineyard Tour and Tasting with Jean Pierre Dirler at Domaine Dirler-Cadé in Bergholtz, Alsace - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Tasting at Domaine Dirler-Cadé with Jean Pierre Dirler and Ludevine Dirler-Cadé - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours

Cellar Tour and Tasting with Frédéric Hugel at Domaine Hugel & Fils in Riquewhir, Alsace - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Tour and Tasting at Hugel in Riquewhir, Alsace, with Jean Frédéric Hugel - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting with Owners Catherine Faller and Eddy Leiber-Faller at Domaine Weinbach in Kaysersberg, Alsace - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Visiting Colette Faller at Domaine Weinbach in Kaysersberg in Alsace

Dinner with Chef de Cuisine Jean-Michel Eblin at 1-star Michelin Restaurant Le Maximilien in Zellenberg, Alsace - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours
 
Cellar Tour and Tasting with Adrien Schoenheitz at Vins Schoenheitz in Wihr-au-Val, Alsace - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Lunch at Restaurant 1-star Michelin Restaurant La Nouvelle Auberge in Wihr-au-Val, Alsace - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Tasting with Rémy Gresser at Domaine Rémy Gresser in Andlau, Alsace - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours 

Tasting at Domaine Rémy Gresser in Andlau, with Rémy Gresser - Alsace Tour 2019 with the Weinfreundeskreis Hochheim, France

Vineyard Tour and Tasting with Hans Rebholz, Weingut Ökonomierat Rebholz (VDP), Pfalz - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours 

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

Lunch at Restaurant 1832 at the Hambacher Schloss - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Tasting in the Courtyard and Cellar Tour with Frank John at Weingut Frank John in Neustadt an der Weinstraße - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Cellar Tour and Tasting with Andreas Rings at Weingut Rings (VDP) in Freinsheim, Pfalz - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours 

Tasting and Cellar Tour at Weingut Rings in Freinsheim, Pfalz, with Andreas Rings - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours

Tasting with Bettina Bürklin-von Guradze and Riccardo Korner at Weingut Dr. Bürklin-Wolf (VDP) in Wachenheim, Pfalz - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours 

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

Selfie: Annette and Christian Schiller with Joel Peterson, Owner / Winemaker, Once & Future Wines and Founder of Ravenswood Winery, at the American Wine Society National Conference 2022 in Bellevue/ Seattle, Washington State

Annette Schiller, President of ombiasy WineTours and member of the American Wine Society, led 2 wine tastings at the 2022 National Conference of the American Wine Society: "The End of the Grosslage in Germany" and "Towards the Freedom to Make the Right Wine" 

In addition, togather with Kirk Wille of Loosen Bros. USA, Annette and Christian Schiller poured a selection of German wines at the Showcase of Wines event during the second evening. 

The American Wine Society 2022 National Conference took place in Bellevue/ Seattle, Washington State between October 27, 2022 and October 29, 2022. 

Annette and I met a lot of people at the American Wine Society 2022 National Conference and I took a substantial number of selfies during these exciting days. The posting brings all the selfies togather in one posting.

Postings on Schiller-Wine

This is the fourth in a series of postings related to the 2022 National Conference of the American Wine Society in Bellevue/ Seattle, Washington State:

The American Wine Society National Conference 2022 in Bellevue/ Seattle, Washington State - Seen through Christian Schiller`s Camera Lens

The End of the "Grosslage" in Germany - Seminar about the new German Wine Law of 2022 at the 2022 American Wine Society National Conference in Bellevue/ Seattle, Washington State, led by Annette Schiller

Towards the Freedom to Make the Right Wine - Seminar at the 2022 American Wine Society National Conference in Bellevue/ Seattle, Washington State, led by Annette Schiller

Selfies - Annette and Christian Schiller at the 2022 American Wine Society National Conference in Bellevue/ Seattle, Washington State

German Wines at the American Wine Society: Tasting Premium German Wines from the Loosen Bros. USA Portfolio at the Showcase of Wines of the 2022 American Wine Society National Conference in Bellevue/ Seattle, Washington State, with Loosen Bros. USA General Manager Kirk Wille and Annette and Christian Schiller

Oysters and Washington State Wine: Back at Elliot Oyster House and at The Tasting Room in Seattle, Washington State, 2022

Meeting Gilles Nicault, Winemaker, Long Shadows, Washington State, at the National Conference of the American Wine Society (2022) and at Long Shadows (2011)

Selfies - 2022 American Wine Society National Conference in Bellevue/ Seattle, Washington State

Annette and Christian Schiller at Dulles International Airport on the Way to Seattle

Annette Schiller and Marj Wallmann, Wine Procurment and Logistics, 2022 National Conference Committee

Annette and Christian Schiller and Gilles Nicault, Director of Winemaking, Long Shadows Vintners, and Ms. Nicault

Christian Schiller with John Sporing, Interim Executive Director, Angela Crandall, AWS NoVa Chapter President, Grant Crandall, President, Atlantic Seaboard Wine Association

Annette and Christian Schiller with William Stefan, Incoming President, AWS

Annette and Christian Schiller with Deborah Parker Wong, Global Wine Editor, The Tasting Panel & The SOMM Journal 

Annette and Christian Schiller with John Hames, Conference Program, 2022 National Conference Committee, AWS

Annette and Christian Schiller

Annette and Christian Schiller with Kirk Wille, Vice-President, Loosen Bros. USA

Annette Schiller's Presentations at the American Wine Society National Conference 2021 in Atlantic City, New Jersey

Annette Schiller`s 3 Presentations at the American Wine Society National Conference 2021 in Atlantic City, New Jersey: Sparkling Wines, Austria, Bordeaux

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

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

Good Value Bordeaux Wines: Discover the Petits Châteaux - Presentation by Annette Schiller, ombiasy WineTours, at the  2021 American Wine Society National Conference in Atlantic City 

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 

ombiasy WineTours: Wine Tour Schedule 2023 - Austria, Germany/East, Burgundy/ Champagne, Germany/ North

Cellar Tour and Tasting with Daniel Wagner at Weingut Wagner-Stempel (VDP) in Siefersheim, Rheinhessen - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours 

Dinner at a Historic (Second Empire) Café-Brasserie in Lyon: Grand Café des Négociants - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

2022 Annual Riesling Party at the Schiller Residence in McLean, Virginia, USA 

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

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

Wine Dinner with Legendary Chef Roberto Donna and the Wines of Amastuola in Puglia/ Italy at Roberto's Ristorante Italiano in Vienna/ Virginia, 2022 

Tour and Tasting at Château Haut-Bailly, Graves, Appellation Pessac-Léognan, Grand Cru Classé, with Cellar Master Jean Christoph - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Following a

Winery Tour and Tasting at Château Dassault with the Managing Director, Grand Cru Classé, Appellation Saint-Émilion - Bordeaux Tour 2022 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 Bozzo was in the kitchen.

Before lunch, Dany and Benoit gave us a tour of the estate.

Welcome

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.

Vineyard and Cellar Tour

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).

Apéritif 

King prawn rolled in bacon
Pieces of Serrano
Toaste of smoled salmon
Toast of foie gras
King prawn rolled in bacon

Mariflor Argentine Mendoza Sauvignon Blanc 2019 (US$19)

From there, we moved to the lunch table.

Ravioli of Langoustines with Chanterelles

Le Blanc de Fontenil (US$21)

Veal Medaillon and its cream of Morels

Château Fontenil 2010 (US$33)

Cheese Selection

Château Le Bon Pasteur (US$153)

Tanzania Dark Chocolate Mousse with Raspberries

Val de Flores 2012 (US$89)

Yacochuya 2013 (US$78)

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.

Coffee with Cannelés

Group Photos

Chef Frédéric Bozzo

The lunch was pepared by Chef Frédéric Bozzo.

Bordeaux Tour 2022 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 

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

What is a Bordeaux Cru Bourgeois? France

Tour and Tasting at Château Haut-Bailly, Graves, Appellation Pessac-Léognan, Grand Cru Classé - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

How Does the Negociant System in Bordeaux Work? Tour and Tasting at Millésima - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

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

Dinner with a View: At Restaurant L’Estacade in Bordeaux City - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, 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 La Conseillante, Appellation Pomerol - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

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

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Clos Puy Arnaud with Owner Thierry Valette, Appellation Côtes de Castillon - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Lunch at Restaurant L’Atelier de Candale in Saint-Laurent-des-Combes - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Tour and Cellar Tasting at Tertre-Rôtebœuf with Owner/ Winemaker François Mitjavile, Appellation Saint-Emilion - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Saint Emilion Wines and their Classification, Bordeaux, France

Saint-Émilion: Tour of Saint-Émilion and Dinner at Restaurant Le Bouchon on the main Square - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Vineyard Tour in a Golf Cart and Tasting at Château Beau-Séjour Bécot, Premier Grand Cru Classé, Appellation Saint-Émilion - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Winery Tour and Tasting at Château Dassault with the Managing Director, Grand Cru Classé, Appellation Saint-Émilion - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France 

Gourmet wine-pairing Lunch at Château Le Bon Pasteur, Pomerol, with Dany Rolland - Bordeaux Tour 2022 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

Tour and Tasting at Couvent des Jacobins, Grand Cru Classé, Appellation Saint-Émilion - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

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Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour, Lecture and Tasting at Château Reynier with Owner/ Winemaker Marc Lurton, Appellation Entre-Deux-Mers - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

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

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Château Coutet, Premier Grand Cru Classé, Appellation Sauternes, with the General Manager - Bordeaux Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Winery Tour and Tasting at Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte, Grand Cru Classé Appellation Pessac-Léognan - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

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

Lunch at Restaurant Le Bord d’Eau in Fronsac - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Winery Tour and Tasting at Château de la Rivière, Appellation Canon-Fronsac - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Lunch at Pinasse Café, Cap Ferret, Bassin d'Arcachon - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Lunch at Pinasse Café, Cap Ferret/ Bassin d'Arcachon - Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2019, France

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

L’Herbe: Visit of an Oyster Farmer - Bordeaux Tour 2017 by ombiasy WineTours, France

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 2019, France

Winery Tour and Vertical Tasting at Château Cos d’Estournel, Appellation Saint-Estèphe, 2ième Grand Cru Classé, Appellation Saint-Estèphe - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

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

Lunch  at La Maison d’Estournel in Saint-Éstèphe - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Tour and Tasting at Château Phélan-Ségur in Saint-Éstèphe, with Winemaker Fabrice Bacquey - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Tour, Tasting and Lunch at Château Phélan-Ségur, with General Manager Véronique Dausse and Winemaker Fabrice Bacquey - Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2019, France

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How a Barrel is Made: Visit of the Cooperage Berger & Fils in Vertheuil - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Winery Tour and Tasting at Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, 2ième Grand Cru Classé, Appellation Pauillac, with Nicolas Glumineau, Managing Director - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Wine-pairing Lunch at Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, 2ième Grand Cru Classé, Appellation Pauillac, with Nicolas Glumineau, Managing Director - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Massive (16 Vintages) Tasting of Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande with MD/ Winemaker Nicolas Glumineau and Panos Kakaviatos in Washington DC, USA

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

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Sophie Schÿler, Owner of Château Kirwan, 3ième Grand Cru Classé, Margaux, for a Wine Pairing Luncheon at Evo Bistro in McLean, with the Wines of RdV and Clemens Busch, USA/ France/ Germany

Dinner in the Private Quarters of the Château Bouscaut, Grand Cru Classé de Graves, Appellation Pessac-Léognan, with Owner Sophie Lurton Cogombles and Winemaker/ Owner/ Husband Laurent Cogombles

Vinography - Picture this: the young Robert M. Parker, Jr. has been selling his newsletter, The Wine Advocate for four years with some success. His notion of applying a numeric score to wines is a novel one, and he hasn’t exactly hit the big time. As per usual, he makes the pilgrimage to Bordeaux in the spring for the marathon of tastings, and by the end of the year he is a bit of a lone loud voice in the crowd, proclaiming the triumph of the vintage amidst more than a little doubt. Within a relatively short period of time he is proven right, and two things are now etched in the stone of the wine world’s collective consciousness: Robert Parker is the most powerful, feared, respected, and reviled critic in the world, and the 1982 Bordeaux is legendary. 

Bordeaux 1982 - Wine-Searcher

Vintage quality: Legendary

Current condition: Ready to drink 

The 1982 vintage for Bordeaux was and still is considered one of the great vintages. The growing season was idyllic with both budburst and flowering occurring under perfect conditions. The balmy, dry weather continued throughout the summer with July seeing some particularly hot days while August brought cooler ones just before a glorious Indian summer took place in September elevating the vintage. The heat spike late in the day served to ripen Merlot perfectly and a touch of rain led to the perfect conditions for Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. The resulting harvest was not only of sublime quality but was also hugely generous. 

The wines were stunning with rich, ripe fruit and the opulence, tannin and complexity needed for serious long-term aging. It is also worth noting that had modern wine-making techniques been available at that time, the vintage is likely to have been even starrier. 

 On the Right Bank, the wines of Pomerol and Saint-Émilion were superb, with Pétrus enjoying a particularly legendary year. The general consensus is that the wines of Pomerol tended to have a slight edge over the wines of Saint-Émilion, with Château Lafleur producing a stunning turn. However, Saint-Émilion's Cheval Blanc was also brilliant and has acquired a legendary status all to itself. 

On the Left Bank, the appellations of Pauillac, Saint-Julien and Médoc also produced exceptional wines, especially from Châteaux Pichon Lalande, Mouton Rothschild and Latour. 

However, some of the Left Bank appellations were less successful with both the appellations of Margaux and Pessac-Léognan stumbling, although Château Margaux still produced some fantastic wines. 

Overall, the 1982 Bordeaux vintage was extraordinary and is universally considered a legendary year. The best wines should still be drinking superbly now although that window will be coming to a close. The top examples are likely to still carry premium pricing. 

Bordeaux 1982 - 7 Flights

 

Second Flight

 

Château Pavie Decesse

Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé (prior to 2022)

93/100

US$ 143 

2020 - US$ 130

 

Château Pavie

Saint-Émilion Premier Grand Cru Classé B (Now Premier Grand Cru Classe A - Classified as Premier Grand Cru Classe B from 1954 to 2012)

97/100

US$ 312

2020 - US$ 322

 

Third Flight

 

Domaine de Chevalier

Cru Classe de Graves in 1959

97/100

US$ 203

2020 - US$ 69

Fourth Flight

Château Les Ormes de Pez

St. Estephe

92/100

US$ 113 

2020 US$ 37

Château Meynes

St. Estephe

90/100

US$ 201

2020 US$ 30

 

Château Calon Segur

St. Estephe, Troisieme Grand Cru Classe in 1855

94/100

US$ 303

2020 US$ 125

 

Fifth Flight 

 

Château Lalande-Borie

St. Julien

From the 2019 vintage Château Lalande-Borie has been re-labeled as Petit Ducru and becoming Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou third wine

91/100

US$ 81

2020 US$ 33

 

Château Beychevelle

St. Julien

Quatrieme Grand Cru Classe in 1855

97/100

US$ 283

2020 US$ 102

 

Château Leoville Barton

St. Julien

Deuxieme Grand Cru Classe in 1855

95/100

US$ 364

2020 US$ 94

 

Sixth Flight 

 

Château Branaire

St. Julien

Quatrieme Grand Cru Classe in 1855. Now named Chateau Branaire-Ducru

95/100

US$ 218

2020 US$ 45

 

Château Ducru Beaucaillou

St. Julien

Deuxieme Grand Cru Classe in 1855

97/100

US$ 509

2020 - US$ 231

 

Seventh Flight

 

Château Talbot

St. Julien

Quatrieme Grand Cru Classe in 1855.

94/100

US$ 314

2020 US$ 90

 

Château Gruaud-Larose

St. Julien

Deuxieme Grand Cru Classe in 1855

94/100

US$ 573

2020 US$ 102

 

Château Leoville Las Cases

St. Julien

Deuxieme Grand Cru Classe in 1855

98/100

US$ 715

2020 - US$ 277

 

Sauternes 1983

Tasting

schiller-wine: Related Postings 

ombiasy WineTours: Wine Tour Schedule 2023 - Austria, Germany/East, Burgundy/ Champagne, Germany/ North

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

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

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We had lunch at Maison Chabran - La Grande Table. This restaurant has been a French institution for decades. Since 1977, the restaurant had been Michelin-starred, until 2000 even with 2 stars. In the Michelin Guide 2023, they withdrew the star. 

Until recently, Maison Chabran was run and owned by Michel Chabran. A few years ago, he started to step back and to hand over to his son Louis Chabran. Chef Louis Chabran is now fully in charge. As it often happens during such father-to-son transfers, the Michelin Guide withdraws the star or stars.

We started lunch in the beautiful garden area with a glass of Champagne and an Amuse Gueule. We then moved to the dining room for lunch with regional wines. One of the highlights was the impressive cheese tray at the end the lunch.

Louis was in the kitchen, Ms. Chabran in charge of the service and Michel Chabran meet us when we left the restaurant. 

Maison Chabran/ Annette Schiller

This is a truly beautiful place. When you approach the restaurant you see a façade with different ochre hues that enhance the traditional pebbles of the Rhône river. You enter and you find an elegant dining room, decked out in sunshine colours, an open fireplace, a garden with many different flower and herb beds - that Michel loves to show you after a meal -, patios and a sumptuous wine cellar. And then there is the exquisite cuisine that draws on excellent products every season in the Dauphiné and Provençal traditions. 

Michel Chabran (in La Dophine.com):  « C’est sûr que ça ne fait jamais plaisir. La Maison Chabran était étoilée depuis 1977 [elle a même eu deux macarons jusqu’en l’an 2000, NDLR]. Mais c’est une chose à laquelle on s’attendait. Nous sommes à un vrai tournant, notamment pour La Grande tableà Pont-de-l’Isère. Mon père [Michel Chabran, NDLR] a annoncé, depuis deux ans, dans la presse et aux guides, qu’il se retirait des cuisines. On est en pleine période de passation donc ça me paraît logique : j’arrive et il faut que je fasse mes preuves, que je relève ce défi. Une étoile, il faut la mériter. »

Arriving

In the Garden

In the Dining Room

Cheese Tray

Dessert

Bye-bye

Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours (Issued and Forthcoming Postings)

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

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Tasting of Châteuneuf-du-Pape Wines at La Cave de Mathias with Mathias in Châteauneuf-du-Pape - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Wine-pairing Dinner and Overnight-stay at Hôstellerie du Château des Fines Roches in Châteauneuf du Pape - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 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

See here: Germany's 18 Top Winemakers (With 5/5 Stars) - Vinum WeinGuide Deutschland 2023

This posting is the first posting in a series of postings that provide more details on individual wine regions.

In the Ahr region, there is no producer in the 5/5 star group of the Vinum WeinGuide Deutschland/ Germany 2023 and one producer in the 4.5/5 star group. 

Annette Schiller, ombiasy WineTours, and I have met all the 5/5 winemakers at various occasions over the past years, often at their estate during a Germany wine tour by ombiasy WineTours, which is owned and run by Annette Schiller and based in Washington DC, USA.

Ahr

(London Wine Competition)

Located in the valley of the river Ahr (a tributary of the Rhine river), Ahr is one of the smallest of Germany’s 13 wine regions. It is located within the federal state of Rhineland-Palatinate and is the world’s northernmost wine region with red wine grape production. The region is known particularly for its Pinot Noir (known in Germany as Spatburgunder) wines, as well as its Portugieser and Riesling wines.

Compared to the Pinot Noir wines of Burgundy, Ahr’s red wines are much paler in color and have a much higher oak-dominated flavor. Until the 1980s, wines from Ahr were lighter in color (almost resembling a Rosé) and were sweeter.

While these Pinot Noir wines might not be as dark and rich-bodied as those from France, they are very much in demand within Germany. This is because Germany has a very limited production of red wine grapes such as Pinot Noir, and there is a high domestic demand for them, leaving little availability for export.

Ahr is unique among German wine regions for its red wine production. In fact, red grape varietals account for 86 percent of all wines produced in Ahr. The region’s unique micro-climate, which is warm and Mediterranean in nature, accounts for the ability of red wine grapes to thrive.

The history of winemaking in Ahr traces back to the ancient Roman period when the narrow Ahr river valley became a place to grow red wine grapes. Despite its northern location, the relatively warm micro-climate encouraged wine production.

Visiting Ahr Producers

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

Meyer-Näkel (4 Stars)

schiller-wine: Related Postings 

ombiasy WineTours: Wine Tour Schedule 2023 - Austria, Germany/East, Burgundy/ Champagne, Germany/ North

Dinner at a Historic (Second Empire) Café-Brasserie in Lyon: Grand Café des Négociants - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France 

Maison Guigal in Ampuis, Côte Rôtie, Northern Rhône: Cellar Tour, Tasting and Vineyard Tour - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Visit and Tasting at Domaine de Boisseyt in Chavany, Northern Rhône - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Tour and Tasting at Château Haut-Bailly, Graves, Appellation Pessac-Léognan, Grand Cru Classé, with Cellar Master Jean Christoph - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

How Does the Negociant System in Bordeaux Work? Tour and Tasting at Millésima - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Clos Puy Arnaud with Owner Thierry Valette, Appellation Côtes de Castillon - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Cellar Tour and Tasting with Daniel Wagner at Weingut Wagner-Stempel (VDP) in Siefersheim, Rheinhessen - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Tasting with Helmut Dönnhoff and Sascha Johannes Schömel at Weingut Dönnhoff (VDP) in Oberhausen, Nahe - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Weingut Jülg (VDP): Lunch in the Wine Tavern with Karin and Werner Jülg and Tasting in the Vineyard with Johannes Jülg - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

2022 Annual Riesling Party at the Schiller Residence in McLean, Virginia, USA 

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

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

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Weingut Dr. Heger is one of the young wineries by German standards. It was founded in 1935 by
Dr. Max Heger, a country doctor. Today the winery is in the hands of the third generation. 

Joachim Heger and his wife Silvia are in charge of 50 acres planted primarily with Pinot Noir and the white Burgundy grapes. The winery is in Ihringen. The town of Ihringen enjoys the highest average temperature in Germany. While some great Riesling and Silvaner get made here, it is really Pinot country. I quote Joachim Heger: “Pinot noir has a very long tradition in Baden. The first vines were planted in the year 884 by Emperor Karl III at Lake Constance.” 

After graduating from the oenological university in Geisenheim Joachim travelled the world to learn more about making Pinot Noir. Most influential for him were the trips to Burgundy. He said: “Burgundy opened a completely new perspective. We learned that all is about terroir, soil, and aspects. But also the importance of the grower’s absoluter commitment to manual work and the steady and deep look into these components.” His wines are rich, very well-structured, compact, but nevertheless elegant and subtle.

Long-time winemaker Markus Mleinek was our host. We did a cellar tour followed by a seated tasting in the courtyard of Weingut Dr. Heger. There, we were joined by Joachim Heger.

Weingut Dr. Heger wines are available in the USA through Schatzi Wines.

Weingut Dr. Heger

(Schatzi Wines)

“My passion for wine and what is connected to wine has not changed. Solely my imagination, to go from young, innovative winegrower to a classic, has grown.” — Joachim Heger

Just a few miles from the French border, in Germany’s southernmost region of Baden, Joachim Heger farms a pair of extraordinary volcanic grand crus (Grosses Gewächs): Ihringer Winklerberg and Achkarrer Schlossberg. The vineyards here are on steep, sun-soaked slopes, places of startling intensity. Joachim gives voice to this terroir through classic varieties, foremost the pinot family, riesling, and silvaner. In recent years, German pinot noir (Spätburgunder) has come into much sharper focus. There’s no getting around the work Joachim has done — over close to 40 vintages — to revolutionize the way we interpret this variety and its potential on these unique volcanic, loess, and limestone soils. The results are wines of unmistakable depth and deliciousness, age-worthy benchmarks for Baden and for Germany.

History

Joachim’s grandfather, Dr. Max Heger, was a country physician with the luck to live in the little wine paradise of Ihringen. His patients, primarily local wine growers, sparked his interest in making wine himself. The vineyards he acquired on the Achkarrer Schlossberg and Ihringer Winklerberg were, even then, widely acknowledged as the top sites of the Kaiserstuhl. In 1935, he founded the Dr. Heger estate. Fourteen years later, his son Wolfgang, known as Mimus, took over. It was he who brought the estate to the forefront of German winemaking — thanks to his world-class sites and dedication to quality at a time when this was not the rule for Baden’s wines. In 1981, Mimus handed the job of cellar master to his son, Joachim, who has brought great imagination, inquiry, and spirit to the role ever since.

In 1986, Joachim and his wife, Silvia, faced a fresh challenge. Joachim explains: “Wine prices in those days were very low. It was not possible to realize a profit from the steep slopes and small terraces. The techniques and winery equipment were outmoded. We had to act to carry out necessary investments and changes and to employ skilled staff.” In response, they founded a second estate, Weinhaus Heger.

Today, the Grosses Gewächs and Erste Lage wines are made under the Dr. Heger label, while Weinhaus Heger is larger and includes long-term partnerships with other growers, to give it a more flexible scope. Taken together, the Heger estates produce a remarkable spectrum of wines. As a Schatzi, Joachim has worked with us to find the best range to offer in the U.S.

Winemaker

Joachim was born in Ihringen in 1958. Growing up, wine played a decisive role in family life, and Mimus’s quality philosophy deeply influenced his son: “My father had a profound knowledge of winemaking, but also very good tasting skills.” Everything was in place for Joachim to assume the family profession — except Joachim himself. He intended “to become a country doctor, like my grandfather.” Though he started his enology studies at Geisenheim, his heart was still set on medicine. His wife, Silvia, was “the one person asking me: ‘Do you want to be the last in the family tradition?’ She encouraged me to think over the situation and finally find my vocation as a winegrower. Her dauntlessness and her down-to-earthness were a great motivation for me.” He returned to Ihringen, “and informed my grandma that I would become a winegrower and winemaker. I went back to Geisenheim to continue my studies with ambition.”

After graduation, Joachim gained hands-on experience at several estates. In addition to the crucial influence of his father, he was shaped by his friends, winemaking legends Helmut Dönnhoff and Wolf Salwey, and Herbert Krebs, head of the “Qualitätsweinprüfung” department at the State Research Station Freiburg.

Quite unusually for a winemaker of his generation, Joachim says travel and connections with peers from other regions have been key to his professional education. “A decisive role in my life as a winegrower has always been to be in a circle of close friends, all of them winegrowers. We have travelled to all important wine regions of the world. On these trips were Georg Breuer, Bernd Phillipi, Werner Näkel, Paul Fürst, Werner Knipser, Helmut Dönnhoff, Christoph Tyrell, Wilhelm Haag, just to name these. Those journeys were extremely fruitful and broadened the horizons of all of us. Helmut Dönnhoff said they were like school excursions. We were like pupils, insisting and curious. We tasted and exchanged our impressions and information with each other. We returned home with newer and deeper insights. It was most interesting for me to learn how different the international world of wine is from our Kaiserstuhl area.”

Most influential were the trips to Burgundy Joachim made with Franconian Spätburgunder pioneer Paul Fürst: “Burgundy opened a completely new perspective. We learned that all is about terroir, soil, and aspects. But also the importance of the growers’ absolute commitment to manual work and the steady and deep look into these components.” Joachim learned from the New World, too, with trips to the International Pinot Noir Celebration in Oregon, where he met, among others, Au Bon Climat’s Jim Clendenen, with whom Joachim enjoys “a great and inspiring friendship” to this day.

The Heger estates now bear the marks of this vast and sundry experience. Walking the vines with Joachim, you feel his passion for the land as he breaks down his terroir for you not just parcel by parcel but vine by vine. He is a gregarious, quick-witted, and intensely spirited guide. “My passion for wine and what is connected with wine has not changed,” Joachim muses. “Solely my imagination, to go from young, innovative winegrower to a classic, has grown.” Now Joachim and Silvia’s two grown daughters, Katharina and Rebecca, are both pursuing wine studies. “Every time I follow their engagement in wine and see how they form their views, I am happy,” says Joachim. “I am sure they will bring new elements and influence.”

Region

“Pinot noir has a very long tradition in Baden,” explains Joachim. “The first vines were planted in the year 884 by Emperor Karl III at Lake Constance. The production of high quality wines was interrupted and set back again and again in several wars during the last centuries. Yields were quite high and there were few outstanding wines.”

The Kaiserstuhl (named for its resemblance to an emperor’s throne) is a compact zone of some 4,000 hectares of vines planted around the stump of an extinct volcano. It rises above the Rhine river valley, just east of Alsace. Geologically speaking, it is a rare place indeed. Volcanoes formed here during the late Tertiary period, at the end of a long succession of eruptions, starting in the Cretaceous. Heavily eroded volcanic vents mark the landscape and the rocks that remain are of the Miocene, dating 16 to 19 million years before the present. These volcanic rocks are of alkali-carbonate structure and contain elements of magnesium iron silicate, which can be found here as the gem peridot, a crystalline material that weathers slowly and provides good drainage.

Adding to the uniqueness of the region, prior to volcanic activity, in the Jurassic sedimentary layers formed in the eastern part of the Kaiserstuhl that resulted in the creation of two distinct neighboring geological formations. On top of this diverse mother rock, at depths up to 40 meters [130 feet], are loess soils that were blown here after the last Ice Age from the northern Limestone Alps in modern-day Austria.

Climate-wise, the Kaiserstuhl is the warmest, driest place in Germany. Again, think Alsace. But here, almost bizarrely, among the vines, wild grape hyacinths sprawl and irises blossom. Figs, apricots, even orchids and wild cacti grow well, while rare butterflies and eastern green lizards thrive in abundance. It’s a magical place and Joachim knows how to let this speak through the wines. 

Tasting

Vineyards and farming

Many of Baden’s vineyards, hard on the French border, were destroyed in WWII. By necessity, the clonal material for replanting came from France. In the Wanne block of his Winklerberg vineyards, Joachim’s father planted a massal selection of Clos Vougeot vines in 1956. The Vorderer Winklerberg GG comes from a mix of Dijon clones, the precise composition a result of the Hegers’ own breeding and grafting work as well as genetics research at nearby University of Freiburg. While it’s recently become common to see growers focus on lower-yielding, higher-quality, terroir-adapted vine material, Joachim points out that “we’ve cared about the clones already for 20 years.”

Joachim’s focus has always been on maximizing the vitality of his vineyards. He works tirelessly in the challenging terrain, “experimenting all the time.” Since 2007, he has farmed all his vineyards without herbicides or pesticides, and — inspired by his good friend Clemens Busch — introduced cover crops. He tests innovative disease-resistant crossings and a range of organic fertilizers and treatments. His plot of old silvaner vines is horse plowed. “All these methods are essential tools for retaining and improving the fragile ecosystem of the vineyard,” he contends.

To focus on just three of Joachim’s holdings gives a sense of the great range of options he has to play with. The Winklerberg, called one of “the most privileged vineyards in Germany,” was subjected to deleterious enlargement under the 1971 German Wine Law. Fortunately, Joachim’s parcels are all within the original Winklerberg, with steep, sloped terraces, mostly southwestern exposures and shallow, weathered volcanic rock soils. The Schlossberg gives him a mostly south-facing amphitheater of steep banks of sparse volcanic and loess soils. The Tuniberg is a small, terraced hill that lies between the Black Forest and the Kaiserstuhl, its microclimate cooler and its soils tending to limestone and loess.

In the cellar

The Heger style ranges from fresh, snappy rosés done in stainless to profound old-vine silvaner spontaneously fermented and raised in neutral barrels, with full malolactic and very little SO2. For his flagship pinot noir, Joachim seeks clarity of site expression and freshness above all. The fruit is all de-stemmed and given a cold soak, à la Henri Jayer. The Erste Lage wines ferment in stainless, then are racked by way of gravity into a mix of new and neutral barrique. Grosses Gewächs bottlings ferment in 100% new, extra lightly toasted barrique, preparing the wines for a long life in the cellar yet making them hard to resist in their youth. In addition, Joachim also makes some Erste Lage weiss- and grauburgunder from both the Winklerberg and Schlossberg. These selections redefine the potential of pinot blanc and gris in this place and are among the most delicious, unique whites of Germany.

Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: All Postings (already posted and forthcoming)

Summary: Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

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

Cellar Tour and Tasting with Daniel Wagner at Weingut Wagner-Stempel (VDP) in Siefersheim, Rheinhessen - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Tasting with Helmut Dönnhoff and Sascha Johannes Schömel at Weingut Dönnhoff (VDP) in Oberhausen, Nahe - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

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

Dinner in a Typical Old Town Mainz Wine Tavern: At Weinhaus Bluhm and at Weinhaus Schreiner - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Schiller’s Favorite Wine Taverns in Mainz, Germany

Cellar Tour and Tasting in the Courtyard with Owner/ Winemaker Gesine Roll at Weingut Weedenborn Weedenborn in Monzenheim, Rheinhessen - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Weingut Jülg (VDP): Lunch in the Wine Tavern with Karin and Werner Jülg and Tasting in the Vineyard with Johannes Jülg - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting with Sven Nieger at Weingut Sven Nieger in Baden-Baden-Varnholt, Ortenau - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Lunch at Waldgasthaus Scherrhof - Deep in the Black Forest, Local Badenser Cuisine at its Best - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Vineyard Tour and Tasting with Owner/ Winemaker Robert Schätzle at Weingut Schloss Neuweier (VDP) in Baden-Baden-Neuweier, Baden - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Cellar Tour and Tasting with Martin Bercher at Weingut Bercher (VDP) in Burkheim, Kaiserstuhl, Baden - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting with Matthias Höfflin and Kaylie Magestro at Weingut Höfflin in Bötzingen, Kaiserstuhl, Baden - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Cellar Tour and Tasting in the Courtyard with Joachim Heger and Winemaker Markus Mleinek at Weingut Dr. Heger (VDP) in Ihringen, Kaiserstuhl, Baden - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

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

The World Class Wines of Alsace

In the world class white wine region Alsace

Cellar Tour with Pierre Gassmann and Tasting at Domaine Rolly-Gassmann in Rorschwihr, Alsace - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 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

Tasting at Domaine Zind-Humbrecht in Turckheim, Alsace - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Dinner with Chef Laurine Gutleben and Restaurant Manager/ Husband Antoine Bauer, both Owners, at Michelin-rated Restaurant La Veille Forge in Kaysersberg, Alsace - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Vineyard Tour and Tasting with Jean Pierre Dirler at Domaine Dirler-Cadé in Bergholtz, Alsace - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Tasting at Domaine Dirler-Cadé with Jean Pierre Dirler and Ludevine Dirler-Cadé - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours

Cellar Tour and Tasting with Frédéric Hugel at Domaine Hugel & Fils in Riquewhir, Alsace - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Tour and Tasting at Hugel in Riquewhir, Alsace, with Jean Frédéric Hugel - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting with Owners Catherine Faller and Eddy Leiber-Faller at Domaine Weinbach in Kaysersberg, Alsace - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Visiting Colette Faller at Domaine Weinbach in Kaysersberg in Alsace

Dinner with Chef de Cuisine Jean-Michel Eblin at 1-star Michelin Restaurant Le Maximilien in Zellenberg, Alsace - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours
 
Cellar Tour and Tasting with Adrien Schoenheitz at Vins Schoenheitz in Wihr-au-Val, Alsace - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Lunch at Restaurant 1-star Michelin Restaurant La Nouvelle Auberge in Wihr-au-Val, Alsace - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Tasting with Rémy Gresser at Domaine Rémy Gresser in Andlau, Alsace - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours 

Tasting at Domaine Rémy Gresser in Andlau, with Rémy Gresser - Alsace Tour 2019 with the Weinfreundeskreis Hochheim, France

Vineyard Tour and Tasting with Hans Rebholz, Weingut Ökonomierat Rebholz (VDP), Pfalz - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours 

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

Lunch at Restaurant 1832 at the Hambacher Schloss - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Tasting in the Courtyard and Cellar Tour with Frank John at Weingut Frank John in Neustadt an der Weinstraße - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Cellar Tour and Tasting with Andreas Rings at Weingut Rings (VDP) in Freinsheim, Pfalz - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours 

Tasting and Cellar Tour at Weingut Rings in Freinsheim, Pfalz, with Andreas Rings - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours

Tasting with Bettina Bürklin-von Guradze and Riccardo Korner at Weingut Dr. Bürklin-Wolf (VDP) in Wachenheim, Pfalz - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours 

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

German Wine Institute (DWI): Surprisingly and very early in the year, numerous winegrowers in the two north-eastern wine-growing regions of Saale-Unstrut and Saxony were able to crown the 2022 vintage with a successful ice wine vintage in the night of November 20th. 

We will visit the Saale-Unstrut and Saxony reagons in 2023 on the forthcoming Germany-East Tour by ombiasy WineTours. Join us! See:

ombiasy WineTours: Wine Tour Schedule 2023 - Austria, Germany/East, Burgundy/ Champagne, Germany/ North 

At minus seven to nine degrees Celsius, the conditions were perfect. The grape variety spectrum of the harvested icewine grapes ranged from Riesling and Traminer to Cabernet Blanc and Blauer Zweigelt. As the German Wine Institute (DWI) emphasizes, an early frost is very beneficial for ice wine production because the grapes are then still quite healthy.

Icewine poker involves risk

In the south-west of Germany, only comparatively few companies left grapes for ice wine production this year. In Rhineland-Palatinate there were only 31 producers who registered vineyards for the ice wine harvest, in 2021 there were still 152. Often the grapes were no longer in the state of health that is required for this noble sweet specialty.

In addition, due to climate change, there are fewer and fewer days a year on which ice wine harvesting is possible, which increases the risk for winegrowing companies. If the thermometer does not fall below seven degrees Celsius, there is a risk of total loss. In the 2019 vintage, for example, the Rhineland-Palatinate winegrowers had waited in vain for frost.

Noble sweet specialty in demand internationally

The secret of ice wines lies in the dense concentration of ingredients from grapes that are as healthy as possible. In the freezing temperatures, the water in the berries freezes and remains in the wine press. The juice then drips from the press as sweet as honey. Musts with such a high sugar content can only be fermented into wine with great difficulty by the yeasts. Accordingly, ice wines usually have a very high natural residual sugar content of well over 100 grams per liter, but in contrast to southern sweet wines they only have a relatively low alcohol content - often only around seven percent by volume.

The special thing about these fine wines is that this enormous residual sweetness, thanks to the fresh fruit acid, is not intrusive. As a rarity and specialty, German icewines also enjoy great international recognition.

Weingut Born/ Germany-East Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours

Among those lucky to be able to harvest icewine early in 2022 was Weingut Born. We visited Weingut Born on the Germany-East Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours:

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

Weingut Born is located in the northernmost tip of the Saale-Unstrut region in the Mansfeld lake area. The protective Harz mountains and the heat reflective surface of the water produce a fantastic microclimate. The colored sandstone soil with its layers of loess-loam serves as a heat reservoir.

Saale-Unstrut

The Saale-Unstrut wine region sits on 51st latitude and is Germany’s northernmost accredited wine region, located in the valleys of the Saale and Unstrut rivers, an area of the former German Democratic Republic (GDR). This is a historic wine producing region. Cistercian monks came from Burgundy and planted the first vines more than 1000 years ago. The oldest record of viticulture dates back to the year 998 during the reign of Emperor Otto III.

For more on Saale-Unstrut, see:

Schiller’s Favorite Winemakers in the Saale-Unstrut Region, Germany

Weingut Born

The viticultural history of the Born family goes back to the mid 19th century. In 1990 shortly after reunification private ownership became again possible and Günter Born founded one of the first privately owned wineries in this region.

Today the winery has 9 hectares of vineyards. Since September 1, 2017, Weingut Born has been owned and managed by Günter Born's daughter Elisabeth and her husband and co-winemaker Jochen Hinderer-Born.

Grape Varieties: White (70%) - Riesling, Weißburgunder, Gutedel, Kerner, Sauvignon Blanc, Red (30%) - Spätburgunder, Blauer Zweigelt, Portugieser.

Vineyard: 9 hectares of which 1 hectare Terrassenlage. Höhnstedter Kresiberg is best vineyard. 

Wine and Frost 

For more on Eiswein/ Icewine see:

2012 Eiswein in Germany, Icewine in Canada, and Cryo-Extraction Wines

schiller-wine: Related Postings 

ombiasy WineTours: Wine Tour Schedule 2023 - Austria, Germany/East, Burgundy/ Champagne, Germany/ North

Dinner at a Historic (Second Empire) Café-Brasserie in Lyon: Grand Café des Négociants - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France 

Maison Guigal in Ampuis, Côte Rôtie, Northern Rhône: Cellar Tour, Tasting and Vineyard Tour - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Visit and Tasting at Domaine de Boisseyt in Chavany, Northern Rhône - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Tour and Tasting at Château Haut-Bailly, Graves, Appellation Pessac-Léognan, Grand Cru Classé, with Cellar Master Jean Christoph - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

How Does the Negociant System in Bordeaux Work? Tour and Tasting at Millésima - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Clos Puy Arnaud with Owner Thierry Valette, Appellation Côtes de Castillon - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Cellar Tour and Tasting with Daniel Wagner at Weingut Wagner-Stempel (VDP) in Siefersheim, Rheinhessen - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Tasting with Helmut Dönnhoff and Sascha Johannes Schömel at Weingut Dönnhoff (VDP) in Oberhausen, Nahe - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Weingut Jülg (VDP): Lunch in the Wine Tavern with Karin and Werner Jülg and Tasting in the Vineyard with Johannes Jülg - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

2022 Annual Riesling Party at the Schiller Residence in McLean, Virginia, USA 

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

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

The Couvent des Jacobins, Grand Cru Classé, Appellation Saint-Émilion, is right in the middle of the old town of Saint-Émilion. Following an extensive lunch:

Gourmet Wine-pairing Lunch at Château Le Bon Pasteur, Pomerol, with Dany Rolland - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

we walked there from our hotel. This was the last event of the day and the last event in Saint Saint-Émilion. We toured the cellar and had a tasting of 3 wines.

Couvent des Jacobins

Nestled at the heart of the World Heritage city of Saint-Émilion, Couvent des Jacobins is among those places whose soul and identity linger in the memory of those who visit it. From the Middle Ages to today, from the Jacobin Friars to the Jean and Joinaud families, Couvent des Jacobins has spent almost 7 centuries celebrating winemaking, an exceptional terroir, and the great tradition of the Classified Growth wine estates of Saint-Émilion, a unique UNESCO World Heritage. » This fascinating estate shows us the history of winemaking in this Right Bank region. 

The monks started making wine in the 13-hundreds. During the French Revolution the property was nationalized but was later passed to private families. In 1902 the property was purchased by Jean Jean and is now in the hands of the fifth generation of the family. Today it is Xavier Jean and Rose-Noëlle Borde, direct descendents of Jean Jean, who manage the estate. 

The 26 acres of vineyards of Le Couvent des Jacobins are spread out in different areas of the Saint-Émilion appellation. One part is on the limestone plateau, other parts are on soils of clay-limestone, molasses closer to Fronsac, ferrous sand, and clay soils. 

The vineyards are planted with relatively old vines (45 yrs and older) of 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet-Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot. Thus the wines show a unique character. 

In 1969 the estate was awarded the Grand Cru Classé classification. In 2015 Denis Pomarède, who has been overseeing the production at Couvent des Jacobins for a long time, started the transition to organic winemaking. In September 2020 the estate received the organic certification by Ecocert. Given the age of the vines, the limited yields make for rather concentrated, structured, and powerful wines with an incredible ageing potential.

Couvent des Jacobins

(The Fermented Fruit)

The wine blogger "The Fermented Fruit" visited the estate at about the same time and issued an excellent report on his/ her blog, which I am re-releasing. 

Couvent des Jacobins has just celebrated their 120 year anniversary since the Jean family acquired the estate in 1902. As only one of two Grand Cru Classe located within the historic walls of Saint-Emilion, the estate boasts a longstanding history of producing estate wines, but Monks were the early vintners in this monastery, originally crafting more simple wines from the Merlot grapes they cultivated.

At that time, there were just two hectares of vineyards, having since expanded to a total of 10.5 hectares of vineyards located entirely within the historic city walls of Saint-Emilion. Of the 10.5 hectares, .5 are planted to Petit Verdot, one Cabernet Franc and the remaining 9 hectares Merlot, the variety most associated with Saint-Emilion. 

Today, the estate is in the good hands of fourth generation owner Xavier Jean, who considers himself more of a steward and caretaker rather than an owner.

The focus is to look after the estate for the next generation, charged with the task of balancing preserving its history while making the improvements necessary to stay relevant and increasingly important, conscious of the environment. For example, after an arduous four year long certification process, the winery is now fully certified organic as of the 2020 vintage.

I last visited the estate in 2018 and was impressed not just by the history and beauty of the property, but the quality of the wines and extensiveness of the cellars, with vintages dating back to 1947! Needless to say, I jumped at the opportunity to visit again and spend some time with the winemaker as he worked his magic in the cellar. 

Denis Pommarede, who has been Winemaker at Couvent des Jacobins for an impressive 26 years, is most at home in the cellar, embracing a hands-on approach to his winemaking. While discussing the nuances of fermenting lots in barrel vs tank, closely monitoring fermentation temperatures and being ready to adapt when necessary, and strictly doing manual pump-overs, he draws the analogy that he is more like a Chef who works in a kitchen, rather than a “business chef” who travels from restaurant to restaurant directing staff to execute their vision. 

Denis is not afraid to get his hands dirty. While discussing his reasoning for barrel fermenting specific lots versus fermenting in tank, a member of his team calls for his assistance, and Denis manages to fix an electrical issue causing a pump to fail with his bare hands in a matter of minutes.

He explains to me that while learning to make wine in Hungary, we didn’t have much to work with. “We worked with what we had”, he tells me, and I’m convinced he has learned a thing or two along the way. He also encourages his team to be open to making changes when necessary to achieve a higher-quality wine, which is his ultimate goal. I had the opportunity to ask him a few questions…

What are you working on today in the cellar?

We are working on the ecoulage, meaning the racking of the wines after the fermentation. We macerate the juice for 10-15 days after the fermentation, which can be up to 45 days. During this process we are separating the juice from the cap separating the wines by lot (for example, 4 lots of Merlot) while allowing the juice to undergo malolactic fermentation before moving the juice to barrels. 

You have been the Winemaker here for 26 years! What makes the wines of Couvent des Jacobins special?

The regularity and the quality of Couvent des Jacobins. When the winemaker remains for so long, the winemaker knows exactly vintage by vintage the terroir, type of soil, and quality of vines. I have also planted the new vines and understand the potential of the terroir and new vines. What makes our wines special is the quality of Couvent des Jacobins, resulting from a combination of the quality of the terroir and my experience here. 

From your vineyards at Couvent des Jacobin, is there a particular variety that you are most fond of?

The Merlot, because of the typicity for Merlot and it does so well in Saint-Emilion. Merlot is more fresh and fruity than Cabernet Sauvignon. But as the climate changes and the weather keeps getting warmer it can be difficult for Merlot, so we have to adapt our blends. It used to be Saint-Emilion wines were 90% Merlot, but now it is more like 70% as we adapt to rising temperate. Now we utilize Petit Verdot to contribute to the freshness and the acidity that we want for our wines. 

Many consumers fear that some Bordeaux producers are embracing a New World winemaking style. How would you describe your winemaking philosophy? 

We aren’t extracting a lot during the vilification. We just control the process and nature gives you the potential. We try to do our best job to achieve the quality of Couvent des Jacobins, and we work hard to preserve the potential of the of the berries as that is where the quality comes from, not from technology. If you have good maturity of the skins and good weather, you don’t have much to do, nature does it for you. Our goal is to preserve the potential of the vines, 80% of the work is done in the vineyards. 

What are your thoughts on the 2022 vintage?

Normally harvest begin around September 26th, but this year it began on September 6th which is quite early. We have had a dry growing season with a lot of sunshine, and the wines will benefit from good concentration and quality as a result.

Le Menut de Jacobins 2016: Roughly 15 to 20% of the production goes into the second label each year. Softer and considerably more open-knit than the grand vin, with beautiful strawberry and licorice flavors underscored by hints of forest floor. Finishes with good moderate length and supple tannins.

Couvent des Jacobins 2016: 5% PV, 11%CF, 86% Merlot. Fresh and pure on the nose with aromas of black cherry and pomegranate laced with mint and licorice and subtle hints of strawberry. Wonderfully fragrant. Builds on the palate with fine but intense structure, becoming spicy with mouthwatering acidity maintaining freshness and balance. Superb!

Calicem 2016: 100% Merlot from 60 year old vines. Pure and soft nose. Aromas of strawberry and cherry are underscored by subtle suggestions of roasted meat. On the palate, it’s structured but pillowy soft in texture, with finely grained tannins providing the framework while hints of toast and licorice linger on the lengthy finish. 

A visit and tour of these historic cellars is a must for anyone visiting Saint-Emilion, and now it’s easier than ever. Couvent des Jacobins was one of the first wineries to open their doors for tours and tasting post-pandemic, welcoming more than 800 visitors to their estate this year alone.

While most wineries in the region remain open only during the busy summer season, they have decided to stay open year-round, with the exception of a much-needed respite in January. And if you’re unable to visit, you’d be rewarded for asking your local wine merchant to bring in a case of their wine. It’s unlikely to be the last. xx

Bye-bye

Bordeaux Tour 2022 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 

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

What is a Bordeaux Cru Bourgeois? France

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

Dinner with a View: At Restaurant L’Estacade in Bordeaux City - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Schiller’s Favorite Wine Bars in Bordeaux City - An Update

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Lunch at Restaurant L’Atelier de Candale in Saint-Laurent-des-Combes - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Tour and Cellar Tasting at Tertre-Rôtebœuf with Owner/ Winemaker François Mitjavile, Appellation Saint-Emilion - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

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Vineyard Tour in a Golf Cart and Tasting at Château Beau-Séjour Bécot, Premier Grand Cru Classé, Appellation Saint-Émilion - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

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Gourmet Wine-pairing Lunch at Château Le Bon Pasteur, Pomerol, with Dany Rolland - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Couvent des Jacobins, Grand Cru Classé, Appellation Saint-Émilion - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

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

Saint Emilion Wines and their Classification, Bordeaux, France

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour, Lecture and Tasting at Château Reynier with Owner/ Winemaker Marc Lurton, Appellation Entre-Deux-Mers - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

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Lunch at Pinasse Café, Cap Ferret, Bassin d'Arcachon - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Lunch at Pinasse Café, Cap Ferret/ Bassin d'Arcachon - Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2019, France

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

L’Herbe: Visit of an Oyster Farmer - Bordeaux Tour 2017 by ombiasy WineTours, France

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Lunch  at La Maison d’Estournel in Saint-Éstèphe - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

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Massive (16 Vintages) Tasting of Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande with MD/ Winemaker Nicolas Glumineau and Panos Kakaviatos in Washington DC, USA

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

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Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Picnic-style Lunch at Château Kirwan, 3ième Grand Cru Classé, Appellation Margaux - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Lunch, Tasting and Tour at Château Kirwan, Appellation Margaux, 3ième Grand Cru Classé, with Owner Natalie Schyler - Bordeaux Tour 2017 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Sophie Schÿler, Owner of Château Kirwan, 3ième Grand Cru Classé, Margaux, for a Wine Pairing Luncheon at Evo Bistro in McLean, with the Wines of RdV and Clemens Busch, USA/ France/ Germany

Dinner in the Private Quarters of the Château Bouscaut, Grand Cru Classé de Graves, Appellation Pessac-Léognan, with Owner Sophie Lurton Cogombles and Winemaker/ Owner/ Husband Laurent Cogombles

The stop at Domaine Chaume-Arnaud with Owner/ Winemaker Valérie Chaume-Arnaud in Vinsobres was our first event in the Southern Rhône. It was a tasting only.

Domaine Chaume-Arnaud

Domaine Chaume-Arnaud is owned and run by Valérie and Philippe Chaume-Arnaud, a young and vibrant couple. Philippe looks after the vines while Valérie works the cellar. This is a traditional mixed farming estate. Olive trees, cereals, and tomatoes keep the vines company. 

Until 1956 there were more olive trees in the communes of Vinsobres and St-Maurice than vines until one night in February when a terrible frost killed all olive trees and the focus shifted to the vines. 

At Domaine Chaume-Arnaud farming was always done in harmony with nature, a herd of sheep was always in sight since they were an important component of the holistic management of fields, groves, and vineyards. Since 2003 the estate is farmed according to biodynamic principles. Since 2009 all products have been AB (Agriculture Biologique) and Demeter certified. I quote the Chaume-Arnaud family: ”Over the years, we have noticed that not only are our soils more lively, but our vines are more vigorous, and our wines have evolved towards a more harmonious balance”. 

Today they have 85 acres of vineyards situated in and around Vinsobres – which is one of the nine “Cru” of the Southern Rhône - and St-Maurice on a magnificent terroir of calcareous and stony soil with southern exposure facing Mont Ventoux. Yields are kept low, and harvesting is done solely by hand. Most of the vines are around 30 years old, some going up to 65 years for the Vinsobres cuvée. The red wines are made from Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Mourvèdre for the AOP; Caladoc, Syrah, merlot for the IGP. The whites are madse from Marsanne, Rousanne, and Viognier for the AOPs, and Chenin, Chasselas, and Vermentino for the IGP.

Olives

The Wines 

Vinsobres
2016: 60% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 15% Mourvedre, 10% Cinsault

Vinsobres La Cadène
2014: Equal shares of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre. 

Cotes du Rhone Village Saint Maurice
2015: 80% Grenache, 20% Carignan.

Cotes du Rhone Petit Coquet
2017: Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault.

Cotes du Rhone
2016 :Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault.

Cotes du Rhone Blanc La Cadène
2016: Marsanne, Viognier.

IGP Marselan
2016: 100% Marselan.

IGP Pontias
Syrah, Merlot, Marselan

Bye-bye

Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours (Issued and Forthcoming Postings)

Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

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

Dinner at a Historic (Second Empire) Café-Brasserie in Lyon: Grand Café des Négociants - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Maison Guigal in Ampuis, Côte Rôtie, Northern Rhône: Cellar Tour, Tasting and Vineyard Tour - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Lunch at Le Bistro de Serine in Ampuis, Northern Rhône - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Visit and Tasting at Domaine de Boisseyt in Chavany, Northern Rhône - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Wine-pairing Dinner at Hôtellerie Restaurant Beau Rivage in Condrieu, Northern Rhône - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Tasting at Vins Jean-Luc Colombo with Anne Colombo in Cornas, Northern Rhône - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Visit and Tasting at Domaine du Tunnel with Owner/ Winemaker Stéphane Robert in Saint-Peray, Northern Rhône - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France 

Lunch at Restaurant Le Quai (Michelin/ Bib Gourmand) in Tain-l’Hermitage, Northern Rhône - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 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 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

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Lunch at Maison Chabran - La Grand Table with Chef Louis Chabran and his Father Chef Michel Chabran in Pont d l’Isère, Northern Rhône - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Tasting at Domaine Chaume-Arnaud with Owner/ Winemaker Valérie Chaume-Arnaud in Vinsobres, Southern Rhône- Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France 

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Visit and Tasting at Domaine André Berthet-Rayne in Cairanne, Southern Rhône - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France 

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In Les Baux de Provence: Visit of the Olive Oil Mill Moulin Castelas and Overnight Stay and Dinner Hôtel Le Mas de l’Oulivier - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

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Arles: City Tour - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

At the Pont du Gard: Lunch at Restaurant Les Terrasses and Sightseeing at the Pont du Gard - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 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

Avignon: Guided Tour of Pont Saint-Bénézet, the so-called ‘Pont d’Avignon’, and the Palace of the Popes - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

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Tasting at Domaine de La Solitude in Châteauneuf-du-Pape - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

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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

The Vinum Weinguide Germany 2023 was released a few weeks ago, presenting Vinum's choice of Germany’s best 1 000 wine producers and reviewing more than 10 700 wines on 1118 pages.

5 out of 5 stars („world class“) were awarded to 18 estates. In addition, there are 31 estates with 4.5 stars, and 66 estates with 4 stars.

See here: Germany's 18 Top Winemakers (With 5/5 Stars) - Vinum WeinGuide Deutschland 2023

This posting is the second in a series of postings that provide more details on individual wine regions. 

Ahr: The Top Producers - Vinum WeinGuide Deutschland/ Germany 2023

Baden: The Top Producers - Vinum WeinGuide Deutschland/ Germany 2023

In Baden, 

there is 1 producer with 5 stars, there are 3 producers with 4.5 stars and 7 producers with 4 stars.

Annette Schiller, ombiasy WineTours, and I have visited 8 of the 11 producers over the past years during a Germany wine tour by ombiasy WineTours, which is owned and run by Annette Schiller and based in Washington DC, USA.

Most recently, in 2022, we visited Weingut Dr. Heger and Weingut Bercher on the Germany/ South and Alsace Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours. 

Baden

London Wine Competition

The historic region of Baden in southwestern Germany is the third-largest wine region in the country. It is also the longest wine region in Germany, stretching nearly 400 kilometers (250 miles) from the north of the country all the way to Lake Constance in the south. The Baden wine region is known particularly for its Pinot (including Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Blanc) wines. Wines from Baden are known to be full-bodied and higher in alcohol content than wines from other regions in Germany. 

Unlike other German wine regions, Riesling accounts for only a relatively small share (7.3%) of all wine production. Pinot Noir is the most popular (36.8%), followed by Pinot Gris (10.5%) and Pinot Blanc (7.3%). Baden is also almost the only German wine region where Gutedel (Chasselas) wines are produced, accounting for 97% of the nation’s total production. Overall, wine production is split nearly evenly between red (44%) and white (56%) wines. 

Geographically, Baden is located across the Rhine river from the French region of Alsace. Due to a climatic effect is known as the “Rhine rift,” Baden is actually one of Germany’s warmest locations, which is why warm weather grape varietals do better here than elsewhere in the country. The Baden wine region is protected, to a large degree, by the Black Forest and Vosges mountains on one side and the Rhine on the other. 

The best-known wine area of Baden is Kaiserstuhl, which has terraced vineyards and hills of volcanic origin, creating a very unique terroir. While Baden is part of the federal state of Baden-Württemberg, for purposes of German wine classification, Baden and Württemberg are separate wine regions.

Visiting Baden`s Top Producers 

Berhard Huber/ 5 Stars

Dr. Heger/ 4.5 Stars

c

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

Martin Wassmer/ 4.5 Stars

Pictures: Cellar Tour and Tasting with Martin Bercher at Weingut Bercher (VDP) in Burkheim, Kaiserstuhl, Baden - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours Today we explored 

 

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

Franz Keller/ 4 Stars

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)

Picture: Annette Schiller and Fritz Keller at Weingut Franz Keller, October 2019

Salwey/ 4 Stars

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

schiller-wine: Related Postings 

ombiasy WineTours: Wine Tour Schedule 2023 - Austria, Germany/East, Burgundy/ Champagne, Germany/ North

Dinner at a Historic (Second Empire) Café-Brasserie in Lyon: Grand Café des Négociants - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France 

Maison Guigal in Ampuis, Côte Rôtie, Northern Rhône: Cellar Tour, Tasting and Vineyard Tour - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Visit and Tasting at Domaine de Boisseyt in Chavany, Northern Rhône - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Tour and Tasting at Château Haut-Bailly, Graves, Appellation Pessac-Léognan, Grand Cru Classé, with Cellar Master Jean Christoph - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

How Does the Negociant System in Bordeaux Work? Tour and Tasting at Millésima - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Clos Puy Arnaud with Owner Thierry Valette, Appellation Côtes de Castillon - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Cellar Tour and Tasting with Daniel Wagner at Weingut Wagner-Stempel (VDP) in Siefersheim, Rheinhessen - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Tasting with Helmut Dönnhoff and Sascha Johannes Schömel at Weingut Dönnhoff (VDP) in Oberhausen, Nahe - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Weingut Jülg (VDP): Lunch in the Wine Tavern with Karin and Werner Jülg and Tasting in the Vineyard with Johannes Jülg - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

2022 Annual Riesling Party at the Schiller Residence in McLean, Virginia, USA 

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

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

The last time we visited Rolly Gassman was in 2018. Back then, the tasting had taken place in a small room on the ground floor of the home of the Gassmann family. We had seen the construction site of the new winemaking and tasting facilties. Now, 4 years later, the construction of the huge and most impressive new winemaking and tasting facilities had been finished.

Pierre Gassmann was our host. Understandibly, he did not have as much time for us as in 2018. Yves Beck was there, the famous wine critic from Switzerland, for an introductory tasting of the region`s wines. Still, Pierre showed us around and then left us in the good hands of a staff member for the tasting.

Tasting at Rolly Gassmann in 2018

Rolly Gassmann

The wines from Domaine Rolly Gassmann are the fruit of the meeting of light, earth and subsoil, expressed by the plant cycle of the vine, undoubtedly allowing the miraculous meeting of men and wine. This is how the humility engendered by respect for nature allowed the transmission of a family know-how which found its wine roots as early as 1611. From generation to generation, we have always been independent winegrowers and harvesters in the heart of Alsace in Rorschwihr.

The estate covers 51 hectares of vines, cared for and maintained by a team of 10 people. We make every effort in the systematic search for a balance between the biological activity of the subsoil and the growth of the vine in order to obtain the most subtle and complex grape possible. All the interventions and works are directly linked to the different cosmic rhythms (astral conjunctions, planetary oppositions for example) and by means of various preparations and plants such as nettle, chamomile, horsetail, valerian, bark oak, the dandelion flower … It is these homeopathic infusions and doses that give us the possibility of intervening in the most natural way possible against external aggressions while preserving the intrinsic qualities of the fruit which represents the relationship between the living world of nature and the influence of the universal environment. It is therefore all this conjunction of factors that makes it possible to find in the wine the expression of the identity of the terroir and the particularism of each vintage.

This is how we look for the physiological and phenological maturity of the grape with, if possible, the presence of Botrytis cinerea, especially for the Late Harvests and Sélections de Grains Nobles. All the plots are harvested manually and vinified separately. Fermentations are natural with local yeasts and last from 4 to 6 months depending on the type of terroir. Aging lasts for at least 11 months for all 40 wines produced annually.

We market around 20% of our production for export via a single importer per country in general who is looking for unique wines with a strong identity. The remaining 80% are marketed in France for Michelin-starred restaurants (10%), traditional catering (8%, wine merchants (8%) and the rest going to individuals, 45% of which are sold directly to the cellar. We do not supply any supermarkets or hypermarkets in France, but specialized chains and boutiques abroad through our importers.

Finally, our marketing policy is based above all on the maturity of our wines and their geological origin. The production year is high in casks and vats and we have more than 6 years in bottles which improve in our cellars. With aging, the aromas and acidity amplify and become more complex to create a perfect balance of wines that harmonize with the dishes. We have wines from the 1990,1994 and 1996 to 2019 vintages that are not yet on sale because they are too young. We offer for sale wines that are still closed and some that are starting to open with youthful aromas from 2018 to 1994 and others from these same vintages having reached, for some, a degree of maturity allowing them to be tasted and aged. Pair them with dishes without prejudging their significant aging capacity (from 20 to 50 years)

Tasting with Yves Beck

Tim Lembke of Cheap Wine Ratings: Rolly Gassmann - Amazing wines from Alsace

Tim Lembke of the Cheap Wine Ratings Blog and his wife participated in the Germany-South and Alsace Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours, which a visit of Domaine Rolly-Gassmann.

See: 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

He wrote about it on his blog:  Rolly Gassmann – Amazing wines from Alsace

Tim Lembke: It has been a few weeks since I’ve posted anything here, the reason being that I’ve been off traveling. Some of that travel has been for my day job, but some has been wine-related travel to Germany and Alsace, France. One of the producers I visited on that trip was Rolly Gassmann, in Rorschwihr, France, where we spent a couple hours tasting wines and talking with Pierre Gassmann, going through 39 of the wines they produce. Yes, 39 wines! They have a huge portfolio.

They produce some pinot noir, but most of their wines are whites like riesling, pinot blanc, muscat, pinot gris and gewurztraminer. And those whites were absolutely amazing. I would even say one of the wines, the Riesling de Rorschwihr, Selection de Grains Nobles, was hands down the best riesling I’ve ever tasted in my life. Although that one was 100 Euros per bottle, so a bit out of my price range. That said, they offer many other wines at very reasonable and affordable prices.

I found Pierre Gassmann to be an interesting producer as well. He applies biodynamic practices in his vineyards, although Rolly Gassmann isn’t certified as biodynamic. However, he is a founding member of Vignes Vivantes, an association of producers in Alsace who share knowledge of vineyard practices that preserve and strengthen the terroir.

Pierre Gassmann explained his biodynamic practices better than anyone I’ve heard before. The explanation of biodynamics often sounds like a blend of organic production, marketing and hocus pocus. But as Gassmann explained it, he’s trying to do things that make the vines strong, healthy and able to naturally defend themselves from pests and desaese.

In one of his buildings he had skids covered with herbs drying that he uses to make “teas” for the vines. He also explained the technique of placing a cow horn filled with manure in the vineyards. I’ve heard about this before and it’s one of the practices that makes biodynamics sound like superstition, but Gassmann explained that the intent of this technique is to attract certain fungi to the horn in order to keep them off the vines.

He also talked extensively about the soil types in his vineyards and explained that there are over 20 different soil types in the region. Gassmann chooses which vines to plant in which parts of his vineyards based on the soil type. And then uses his experience and knowledge of those soils to guide his vineyard practices as well as the wine production. He knows that grapes from different soil types will require different time to ferment — for example, grapes from a limestone soil type will require longer to ferment than grapes from a granite soil type.

Another part of Gassmann’s approach that was interesting is he doesn’t try to make each vintage of his wines the same. Rather, he works with what the vines give him and make the wine as he thinks will be best each vintage. So a riesling from the same plot may result in wine that is sweeter one year and drier wine the next year.

Across the board, his wines were great — ranging from really, really good to absolutely mind blowing!

In terms of the bargains to be found, there wasn’t a single riesling, sylvaner, auxerrois, pinot gris or gewurztraminer I didn’t like. And several of them were under $20.

I struggled with their pinot noir, although to be fair I don’t know if that was due to the pinot noir or if my palate wasn’t ready for them. We started those right after an extensive riesling tasting and I felt as though my palate never adjusted to the pinot noir.

If you’re ever traveling to Alsace I’d suggest arranging a visit to Rolly Gassmann — and stock up on their wines. They are in the process of building a new winery building, including a new tasting room.

They are imported to the US, so you may be able to find some of their wines here at boutique wine shops.

Tour with Pierre Gassmann

Tasting

Bye-bye

Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: All Postings (already posted and forthcoming)

Summary: Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

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

Cellar Tour and Tasting with Daniel Wagner at Weingut Wagner-Stempel (VDP) in Siefersheim, Rheinhessen - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Tasting with Helmut Dönnhoff and Sascha Johannes Schömel at Weingut Dönnhoff (VDP) in Oberhausen, Nahe - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

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

Dinner in a Typical Old Town Mainz Wine Tavern: At Weinhaus Bluhm and at Weinhaus Schreiner - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Schiller’s Favorite Wine Taverns in Mainz, Germany

Cellar Tour and Tasting in the Courtyard with Owner/ Winemaker Gesine Roll at Weingut Weedenborn Weedenborn in Monzenheim, Rheinhessen - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Weingut Jülg (VDP): Lunch in the Wine Tavern with Karin and Werner Jülg and Tasting in the Vineyard with Johannes Jülg - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting with Sven Nieger at Weingut Sven Nieger in Baden-Baden-Varnholt, Ortenau - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Lunch at Waldgasthaus Scherrhof - Deep in the Black Forest, Local Badenser Cuisine at its Best - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Vineyard Tour and Tasting with Owner/ Winemaker Robert Schätzle at Weingut Schloss Neuweier (VDP) in Baden-Baden-Neuweier, Baden - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Cellar Tour and Tasting with Martin Bercher at Weingut Bercher (VDP) in Burkheim, Kaiserstuhl, Baden - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting with Matthias Höfflin and Kaylie Magestro at Weingut Höfflin in Bötzingen, Kaiserstuhl, Baden - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Cellar Tour and Tasting in the Courtyard with Joachim Heger and Winemaker Markus Mleinek at Weingut Dr. Heger (VDP) in Ihringen, Kaiserstuhl, Baden - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

The World Class Wines of Alsace

In the world class white wine region Alsace

Cellar Tour with Pierre Gassmann and Tasting at Domaine Rolly-Gassmann in Rorschwihr, Alsace - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours 

Tasting at Domaine Zind-Humbrecht in Turckheim, Alsace - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Dinner with Chef Laurine Gutleben and Restaurant Manager/ Husband Antoine Bauer, both Owners, at Michelin-rated Restaurant La Veille Forge in Kaysersberg, Alsace - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Vineyard Tour and Tasting with Jean Pierre Dirler at Domaine Dirler-Cadé in Bergholtz, Alsace - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Tasting at Domaine Dirler-Cadé with Jean Pierre Dirler and Ludevine Dirler-Cadé - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours

Cellar Tour and Tasting with Frédéric Hugel at Domaine Hugel & Fils in Riquewhir, Alsace - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Tour and Tasting at Hugel in Riquewhir, Alsace, with Jean Frédéric Hugel - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting with Owners Catherine Faller and Eddy Leiber-Faller at Domaine Weinbach in Kaysersberg, Alsace - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Visiting Colette Faller at Domaine Weinbach in Kaysersberg in Alsace

Dinner with Chef de Cuisine Jean-Michel Eblin at 1-star Michelin Restaurant Le Maximilien in Zellenberg, Alsace - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours
 
Cellar Tour and Tasting with Adrien Schoenheitz at Vins Schoenheitz in Wihr-au-Val, Alsace - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Lunch at Restaurant 1-star Michelin Restaurant La Nouvelle Auberge in Wihr-au-Val, Alsace - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Tasting with Rémy Gresser at Domaine Rémy Gresser in Andlau, Alsace - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours 

Tasting at Domaine Rémy Gresser in Andlau, with Rémy Gresser - Alsace Tour 2019 with the Weinfreundeskreis Hochheim, France

Vineyard Tour and Tasting with Hans Rebholz, Weingut Ökonomierat Rebholz (VDP), Pfalz - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours 

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

Lunch at Restaurant 1832 at the Hambacher Schloss - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Tasting in the Courtyard and Cellar Tour with Frank John at Weingut Frank John in Neustadt an der Weinstraße - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Cellar Tour and Tasting with Andreas Rings at Weingut Rings (VDP) in Freinsheim, Pfalz - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours 

Tasting and Cellar Tour at Weingut Rings in Freinsheim, Pfalz, with Andreas Rings - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours

Tasting with Bettina Bürklin-von Guradze and Riccardo Korner at Weingut Dr. Bürklin-Wolf (VDP) in Wachenheim, Pfalz - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours 

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

 

In addition, togather with Kirk Wille of Loosen Bros. USA, Annette and Christian Schiller poured a selection of German wines at the Showcase of Wines event during the second evening. 

The American Wine Society 2022 National Conference took place in Bellevue/ Seattle, Washington State between October 27, 2022 and October 29, 2022. 

This posting focuses on "German Wines at the Showcae of Wines" event: 

German Wines at the American Wine Society: Pouring Premium German Wines from the Loosen Bros. USA Portfolio at the Showcase of Wines of the 2022 American Wine Society National Conference in Bellevue/ Seattle, Washington State, with Loosen Bros. USA General Manager Kirk Wille and Annette and Christian Schiller

Postings on Schiller-Wine

This is the fifth in a series of postings related to the 2022 National Conference of the American Wine Society in Bellevue/ Seattle, Washington State:

The American Wine Society National Conference 2022 in Bellevue/ Seattle, Washington State - Seen through Christian Schiller`s Camera Lens

The End of the "Grosslage" in Germany - Seminar about the new German Wine Law of 2022 at the 2022 American Wine Society National Conference in Bellevue/ Seattle, Washington State, led by Annette Schiller

Towards the Freedom to Make the Right Wine - Seminar at the 2022 American Wine Society National Conference in Bellevue/ Seattle, Washington State, led by Annette Schiller

Selfies - Annette and Christian Schiller at the 2022 American Wine Society National Conference in Bellevue/ Seattle, Washington State

German Wines at the American Wine Society: Pouring Premium German Wines from the Loosen Bros. USA Portfolio at the Showcase of Wines of the 2022 American Wine Society National Conference in Bellevue/ Seattle, Washington State, with Loosen Bros. USA General Manager Kirk Wille and Annette and Christian Schiller

Oysters and Washington State Wine: Back at Elliot Oyster House and at The Tasting Room in Seattle, Washington State, 2022

Meeting Gilles Nicault, Winemaker, Long Shadows, Washington State, at the National Conference of the American Wine Society (2022) and at Long Shadows (2011)

Table 17: VDP - German Wines Sponsored by Loosen Bros. USA 

Annette and I had a table at the Showcase of Wines where we poured German premium wines. The wines were sponsored by Loosen Bros. USA. Kirk Will, the General Manager of Loosne Bros. USA brought 6 wines to the tasting.

Other Tables: Mainly Washington State but also Others

The other tables were from all over the world, with a dozen or so winemakers from Woodinville, Washington State, covering the tables in the center of the hall.

Annette Schiller's Presentations at the American Wine Society National Conference 2021 in Atlantic City, New Jersey

Annette Schiller`s 3 Presentations at the American Wine Society National Conference 2021 in Atlantic City, New Jersey: Sparkling Wines, Austria, Bordeaux

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

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

Good Value Bordeaux Wines: Discover the Petits Châteaux - Presentation by Annette Schiller, ombiasy WineTours, at the  2021 American Wine Society National Conference in Atlantic City 

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 

ombiasy WineTours: Wine Tour Schedule 2023 - Austria, Germany/East, Burgundy/ Champagne, Germany/ North

Cellar Tour and Tasting with Daniel Wagner at Weingut Wagner-Stempel (VDP) in Siefersheim, Rheinhessen - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours 

Dinner at a Historic (Second Empire) Café-Brasserie in Lyon: Grand Café des Négociants - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

2022 Annual Riesling Party at the Schiller Residence in McLean, Virginia, USA 

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

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

Wine Dinner with Legendary Chef Roberto Donna and the Wines of Amastuola in Puglia/ Italy at Roberto's Ristorante Italiano in Vienna/ Virginia, 2022 

Tour and Tasting at Château Haut-Bailly, Graves, Appellation Pessac-Léognan, Grand Cru Classé, with Cellar Master Jean Christoph - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Led by Annette Schiller, the Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours took place from September 20 - Thursday, September 29, 2022. The group comprised 12 wine lovers including Annette and Christian Schiller.

We spent 3 days and 3 nights in Saint-Émilion. 

During the day we visited Right Bank wineries. 

Tour and Tasting at Château La Conseillante, Appellation Pomerol - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Clos Puy Arnaud with Owner Thierry Valette, Appellation Côtes de Castillon - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Lunch at Restaurant L’Atelier de Candale in Saint-Laurent-des-Combes - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Tour and Cellar Tasting at Tertre-Rôtebœuf with Owner/ Winemaker François Mitjavile, Appellation Saint-Emilion - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Saint Emilion Wines and their Classification, Bordeaux, France

Vineyard Tour in a Golf Cart and Tasting at Château Beau-Séjour Bécot, Premier Grand Cru Classé, Appellation Saint-Émilion - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Winery Tour and Tasting at Château Dassault with the Managing Director, Grand Cru Classé, Appellation Saint-Émilion - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France 

Gourmet Wine-pairing Lunch at Château Le Bon Pasteur, Pomerol, with Dany Rolland - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Couvent des Jacobins, Grand Cru Classé, Appellation Saint-Émilion - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

During the evening we enjoyed the medieval village of Saint-Émilion.

See also: 

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

Saint-Émilion

(Wine Searcher) 

There have vineyards around Saint-Émilion since Roman times, and today the Saint-Émilion wine appellation is one of the most prolific in the Bordeaux region, generating more than 250,000hl of wine each vintage. It is also responsible for some of the most prestigious, long-lived and expensive wines in the world.

Wines such as Cheval Blanc, Ausone, Figeac, Pavie sell for hundreds of dollars per bottle, are all situated in and around Saint-Émilion. Only red wine qualifies for the appellation; a little dry white wine is made within the appellation borders, but it must be labeled as Bordeaux Blanc. (© Wine-Searcher)

Saint-Émilion Town

The town lies just a few miles north of the Dordogne, in the final stages of the river's journey from the hills of the Massif Central to the Gironde estuary. It is renowned as much for its beautiful buildings and scenery as for its wine. Its steep, narrow, cobbled streets, overlooked by its Romanesque church and the iconic 13th-century Tour du Roy tower are a reminder of the town's long history.

Grape Varieties

Unlike the wines of the Médoc (which focus heavily on Cabernet Sauvignon), Saint-Émilion wines are predominantly made from Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The other traditional Bordeaux varieties (Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere, Petit Verdot and Malbec) are permitted for use here, but are rarely used to any significant extent.

This is not so much a question of taste and style as one of terroir; the clay and chalk rich soils around Saint-Émilion are generally cooler than those on the Médoc peninsula, and are less capable of ripening Cabernet Sauvignon reliably. Merlot makes up around two thirds of vines planted around Saint-Émilion, and continues to increase in popularity because of the softer, more approachable wine styles it produces.

There are two notable exceptions to this: Château Cheval Blanc, where Cabernet Franc occupies 58 percent of the vineyard area, and Château Figeac, where Merlot, Cabernet Franc and (more unusually) Cabernet Sauvignon enjoy equal representation in both vineyard and wine.

On the whole, the prevalence of Merlot in Saint-Émilion means that its wines are approachable at an earlier age than their more astringent, tannin-rich cousins from the Médoc. This is a key factor in their appeal and popularity in markets all around the world, and particularly in the United States.

Vineyard Soils

Geologically speaking, Saint-Émilion can be divided into three main vineyard areas. The most significant is the limestone plateau on which Saint-Émilion town is located, and the slopes around it. Most of the very top vineyards and châteaux are located here, within a mile of the town (Cheval Blanc and Figeac again provide two notable exceptions to the rule).

Immediately south of the limestone plateau is the alluvial, sandy plain which slopes gently down to the banks of the Dordogne. Few wines of any note are produced here, and none of the Grand Cru Classe properties are located here.

In the northwestern corner of the Saint-Émilion area is an ancient alluvial terrace, formed by glacial activity at the very beginning of the Quaternary period roughly 2 million years ago. This boasts the same free-draining 'gunzian' gravels as are found in the best properties of the Graves and Médoc. The two most famous châteaux here (Cheval Blanc and Figeac) are consequently able to grow and ripen both Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon.

This terrace – known as the Graves de Saint-Émilion – continues westwards into neighboring Pomerol. It underpins the vineyards of such revered estates as Le Pin and Petrus. 

Badon Botique Hotel

We stayed at the Badon Boutique Hotel, which is right in the center of the medieval village of Saint-Émilion.

Badon Botique Hotel: You enter a world soulfully rooted in the wine world, in a family spirit: a smiling team and a personalized welcome, constant support, international hospitality and a lasting relationship with customers. You will also find a different approach to tourism, where luxury is enjoying time and moment on a 4star hotel!

Badon Boutique Hotel belongs to Saint-Émilion Star-Winemaker Jean-Luc Thunevin and his wife Murielle Andraud.

See: Tasting were it all Started: At the "Garage" of Jean-Luc Thunevin, Owner and Winermaker of Château Valandraud, Premier Grand Cru Classé since 2012 - Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2016, France

Afternoon/ Evening Tour of Saint-Émilion

An English speaking guide led us on a walking sightseeing tour through the romantic, spectacular medieval town of Saint-Emilion perched on the edge of a limestone plateau. We visited the underground monuments and the unique monolith church hewn into the rock the town rests on. Saint-Emilion is a UNESCO world heritage site!

Dinner

On the first evevening we had a lovely al fresco dinner on the central market place, soaking in the spectacular architectural heritage and breathtaking atmosphere of illuminated Saint-Emilion.

Bordeaux Tour 2022 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 

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

What is a Bordeaux Cru Bourgeois? France

Tour and Tasting at Château Haut-Bailly, Graves, Appellation Pessac-Léognan, Grand Cru Classé - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

How Does the Negociant System in Bordeaux Work? Tour and Tasting at Millésima - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

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

Dinner with a View: At Restaurant L’Estacade in Bordeaux City - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, 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 La Conseillante, Appellation Pomerol - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

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

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Clos Puy Arnaud with Owner Thierry Valette, Appellation Côtes de Castillon - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Lunch at Restaurant L’Atelier de Candale in Saint-Laurent-des-Combes - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Tour and Cellar Tasting at Tertre-Rôtebœuf with Owner/ Winemaker François Mitjavile, Appellation Saint-Emilion - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Saint Emilion Wines and their Classification, Bordeaux, France

Vineyard Tour in a Golf Cart and Tasting at Château Beau-Séjour Bécot, Premier Grand Cru Classé, Appellation Saint-Émilion - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Winery Tour and Tasting at Château Dassault with the Managing Director, Grand Cru Classé, Appellation Saint-Émilion - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France 

Gourmet Wine-pairing Lunch at Château Le Bon Pasteur, Pomerol, with Dany Rolland - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Couvent des Jacobins, Grand Cru Classé, Appellation Saint-Émilion - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

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

Saint Emilion Wines and their Classification, Bordeaux, France

3 Days and Nights in the Spectacular Medieval Town of Saint-Émilion - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour, Lecture and Tasting at Château Reynier with Owner/ Winemaker Marc Lurton, Appellation Entre-Deux-Mers - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

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

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Château Coutet, Premier Grand Cru Classé, Appellation Sauternes, with the General Manager - Bordeaux Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Winery Tour and Tasting at Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte, Grand Cru Classé Appellation Pessac-Léognan - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

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

Lunch at Restaurant Le Bord d’Eau in Fronsac - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Winery Tour and Tasting at Château de la Rivière, Appellation Canon-Fronsac - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Lunch at Pinasse Café, Cap Ferret, Bassin d'Arcachon - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Lunch at Pinasse Café, Cap Ferret/ Bassin d'Arcachon - Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2019, France

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

L’Herbe: Visit of an Oyster Farmer - Bordeaux Tour 2017 by ombiasy WineTours, France

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 2019, France

Winery Tour and Vertical Tasting at Château Cos d’Estournel, Appellation Saint-Estèphe, 2ième Grand Cru Classé, Appellation Saint-Estèphe - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

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

Lunch  at La Maison d’Estournel in Saint-Éstèphe - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Tour and Tasting at Château Phélan-Ségur in Saint-Éstèphe, with Winemaker Fabrice Bacquey - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Tour, Tasting and Lunch at Château Phélan-Ségur, with General Manager Véronique Dausse and Winemaker Fabrice Bacquey - Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2019, France

Tour and Tasting at Château Ferrière, 3ième Grand Cru Classé, Appellation Margaux - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

How a Barrel is Made: Visit of the Cooperage Berger & Fils in Vertheuil - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Winery Tour and Tasting at Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, 2ième Grand Cru Classé, Appellation Pauillac, with Nicolas Glumineau, Managing Director - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Wine-pairing Lunch at Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, 2ième Grand Cru Classé, Appellation Pauillac, with Nicolas Glumineau, Managing Director - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Massive (16 Vintages) Tasting of Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande with MD/ Winemaker Nicolas Glumineau and Panos Kakaviatos in Washington DC, USA

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

Winery Tour and Tasting at Château Gruaud-Larose, 2ième Grand Cru Classé, Appellation Saint-Julien - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Winery Tour and Tasting at Château Lynch-Bages, 5ième Grand Cru Classé, Appellation Pauillac - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Picnic-style Lunch at Château Kirwan, 3ième Grand Cru Classé, Appellation Margaux - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Lunch, Tasting and Tour at Château Kirwan, Appellation Margaux, 3ième Grand Cru Classé, with Owner Natalie Schyler - Bordeaux Tour 2017 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Sophie Schÿler, Owner of Château Kirwan, 3ième Grand Cru Classé, Margaux, for a Wine Pairing Luncheon at Evo Bistro in McLean, with the Wines of RdV and Clemens Busch, USA/ France/ Germany

Dinner in the Private Quarters of the Château Bouscaut, Grand Cru Classé de Graves, Appellation Pessac-Léognan, with Owner Sophie Lurton Cogombles and Winemaker/ Owner/ Husband Laurent Cogombles

Press Release of the German Wine Institute (DWI)

According to the German Wine Institute (DWI), the latest estimates are around nine million hectolitres nationwide. This would correspond to an additional two percent compared to the ten-year average and six percent compared to the previous year.

According to the DWI, the higher yields were mainly due to the rainfall in September. It allowed the ripe grapes to plump up once again after the extremely dry summer. However, it also created a challenge for the winegrowers and often required additional selection work in the vineyards.

In the thirteen German winegrowing regions, the estimated yields varied greatly depending on the distribution of precipitation, the range of grape varieties and the soil conditions. The Saale-Unstrut region, in particular, was more than satisfied with a significant increase in yields of 23 percent compared to the long-term average. But wine producers in the Ahr and Baden regions are also very grateful for an expected yield that is 13 percent above the average in each case. In most other regions, volume increases are forecast in the low single digits.

Slightly below-average yields are estimated for the Mosel (-7 percent) and Rheinhessen (-2 percent) due to challenging weather conditions.

The September precipitation also meant that the sugar content in the grapes of later-ripening varieties, such as Riesling, remained moderate despite the very sunny summer. Consequently, the young wines are leaner than in previous hot years, but still highly aromatic and with harmonious fruit acidity levels. This aligns them perfectly with the general trend of consumers. The qualities of the other white wine varieties were also highly praised, especially the Pinots (Weißburgunder, Grauburgunder) and Silvaner.

Among the winners of the 2022 vintage in Germany are the red wines, because the red grapes benefited most from the sunniest summer since weather records began. Consumers can look forward to very colour-intensive and fruit-driven red wines with soft tannins.

Some winegrowers will crown their harvest with raisined grapes for the preparation of noble sweet Beerenauslese and Trockenbeerenauslese wines. More about these precious wines can be found here.

Forecast of the German wine must harvest in 2022 (as of 24.10.2022)

Source: DWV-Estimation, DeStatis 

schiller-wine: Related Postings 

ombiasy WineTours: Wine Tour Schedule 2023 - Austria, Germany/East, Burgundy/ Champagne, Germany/ North

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Domaine Berthet-Rayne

At Domaine André Berthet-Rayne, the passion for winemaking has been passed down for five generations.

The story began in 1880, when the great-grandfather owned several plots of land from which he farmed 6 hectares of vineyards, several olive groves.

Paul Berthet-Rayne, the father of André, subsequently grew this winemaking tradition. Through his work, the domaine’s vineyard and production grew substantially.

Today, André, his wife Marina and their daughter and son-in-law Alexandra and Axel, continue the work carried out with passion by their ancestors.

The Domaine has 75 acres under vine in the commune of Cairanne; some vineyards are planted with very old vines, some of which are a century old. Here you find a mixture of the different grape varieties found in the Rhône Valley. The terroir contains clayey, calcareous soils with a stony surface that enables good drainage. 

Alexandra Berthet-Rayne was our host. We started the visit with a vineyard tour, followed by a tour of the winemaking facilities. The visit ended with a seated tasting in the wine cellar.

Vineyard Tour

Cairanne

The commune of Cairanne on the left bank of the Rhône produces many of the best wines made in the vast Côtes-du-Rhône-Villages area. Situated atop a range of low hills, with perfect exposure, looking east over the plain between the Aigues and Ouvèze rivers, the elevation ensures slightly cooler temperatures than on the Plan de Dieu, (as the plain below is known), where the summer heat is usually extreme. 

Cairanne is one of the nine “Cru” of the Southern Rhône classification. 

Cellar Tour 

Tasting in the Cellar

Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours (Issued and Forthcoming Postings)

Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

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

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Lunch at Le Bistro de Serine in Ampuis, Northern Rhône - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Visit and Tasting at Domaine de Boisseyt in Chavany, Northern Rhône - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

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Tasting at Vins Jean-Luc Colombo with Anne Colombo in Cornas, Northern Rhône - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Visit and Tasting at Domaine du Tunnel with Owner/ Winemaker Stéphane Robert in Saint-Peray, Northern Rhône - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France 

Lunch at Restaurant Le Quai (Michelin/ Bib Gourmand) in Tain-l’Hermitage, Northern Rhône - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 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 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Tasting and Cellar Tour with Owner/ Winemaker David Reynaud at Domaine Les Bruyères in Beaumont-Monteux, Northern Rhône - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Lunch at Maison Chabran - La Grand Table with Chef Louis Chabran and his Father Chef Michel Chabran in Pont d l’Isère, Northern Rhône - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

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Vineyard Tour, Cellar Visit and Tasting at Domaine André Berthet-Rayne in Cairanne, Southern Rhône - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France 

Tasting of the Wines of Château de Beaucastel at Domaine du Clos des Tourelles in Gigondas - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Wine-pairing Dinner at Restaurant L’Oustalet (1* Michelin guide) in Gigondas, with Chef Laurent Deconinck - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

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Arles: City Tour - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

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The Vinum Weinguide Germany 2023 was released a few weeks ago, presenting Vinum's choice of Germany’s best 1 000 wine producers and reviewing more than 10 700 wines on 1118 pages.

5 out of 5 stars („world class“) were awarded to 18 estates. In addition, there are 31 estates with 4.5 stars, and 66 estates with 4 stars.

See here: Germany's 18 Top Winemakers (With 5/5 Stars) - Vinum WeinGuide Deutschland 2023

This posting is the third in a series of postings that provide more details on individual wine regions. 

Ahr: The Top Winemakers - Vinum WeinGuide Deutschland/ Germany 2023

Baden: The Top Winemakers - Vinum WeinGuide Deutschland/ Germany 2023

In the Franken region, there is 1 producer in the 5/5 star group of the Vinum WeinGuide Deutschland/ Germany 2023, 1 producer in the 4.5/5 star group and there are 7 producers in the 4/5 star group.  

Annette Schiller, ombiasy WineTours, and I have met both 5 and 4.5 star producers and several of the 4 star winemakers at various occasions over the past years, often at their estate during a Germany wine tour by ombiasy WineTours, which is owned and run by Annette Schiller and based in Washington DC, USA.

Franken

(London Wine Competition)

Franconia, located in the north west of the German federal state of Bavaria, is one of the 13 German wine-growing regions. It is the only official wine region in Bavaria and is mostly located around the capital Würzburg along the Main River in Lower Franconia.

Winemaking in Franconia dates back nearly 1,000 years, and there is a record of the great emperor Charlemagne mentioning the wines of Franconia. This wine region, which extends from Bamberg to Aschaffenburg, is known for its relatively mild climate. Officially, the climate is continental with a Mediterranean influence. Winters can be cold, so most grapes are grown along the hills of the River Main, where they can be protected.

The most popular grape varietals in Franconia include Müller-Thurgau (27.7%), Silvaner (23.1%), Bacchus (11.9%), Domina (5.5%) and Riesling (5.3%). Of these grape varietals, Domina is the only red grape varietal. Franconian wines can differ greatly in how long they can be kept. The most basic wines, designed to be consumed within a year or two, are known as Kabinett. However, some of the full-bodied, dry Spatlesen (“late harvest”) wines can mature up to 10 years.

There are several unique characteristics of Franconia wines that may be unfamiliar even to European wine drinkers. One is the term “Franconia dry,” which is a classification unique to the wines of Franconia, which have a lower sugar level than traditional trocken (“dry”) wines. Another is the unique bottle shape known as Bocksbeutel (rounded and then flattened), which is also unique to the best wines of Franconia.

Given the long history of winemaking in Franconia, it’s perhaps no surprise that wine plays an important role in popular culture. In addition to the traditional Oktoberfest, for example, Franconia celebrates a Weinfest, where participants drink wine instead of beer.

Visiting Franken Producers

Rudolf Fürst/ 5 Stars

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

Luckert – Zehnthof/ 4.5 Stars

Pictures: 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

Bürgerspital zum Heiligen Geist/ 4 Stars

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

Schmitt`s Kinder/ 4 Stars

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

Am Stein/ 4 Stars

Pictures: 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

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ombiasy WineTours: Wine Tour Schedule 2023 - Austria, Germany/East, Burgundy/ Champagne, Germany/ North

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2022 Annual Riesling Party at the Schiller Residence in McLean, Virginia, USA 

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

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

This was something for the history buffs among us. The castle represents 900 years of German/ Alsatian/ French history: Guided Tour of the Château du Haut-Kœnigsburg.

The castle was built in the first half of the 12th century as a Hohenstaufen imperial castle by Duke Friedrich, father of the German king Friedrich Barbarossa, and was first mentioned in 1147 as Castrum Estufin. The castle is a contemporary witness of several centuries of inner-European disputes and rivalries between feudal lords, kings and emperors. The towns and trade routes in this part of the Upper Rhine Rift could be controlled from the castle. Among other things, a bricked-up window arcade and a lion relief have been preserved from the Staufer period. 

From 1192 the name Kinzburg (Königsburg) was used. In 1462 the castle was destroyed. The Habsburgs then gave the castle complex to the von Tierstein family. Around 1500, the Tiersteiners rebuilt the castle and adapted it to the advances in artillery. The Koenigsburg is said to withstand even heavy artillery fire. From then on, Haut-Kœnigsbourg flourished until 1633.
In 1633, during the Thirty Years' War, in which Catholic forces fought Protestants, the Imperial Castle was besieged by Protestant Swedish forces. After a 52-day siege, the castle was burned down and looted by the Swedish troops. After that it remained unused for almost 200 years and the ruins were overgrown by the forest. During this period, various romantic poets and artists were inspired by the castle. 

In 1862, the castle ruins were listed as a historic monument and, three years later, were acquired by the nearby town of Sélestat. The city administration is ensuring that part of the ruins are structurally secured and is considering restoring the castle. However, the city was unable to fund the planned restoration. 

After the war between France and Germany, Alsace became part of the newly founded German Empire in 1871. In 1899, the city of Sélestat donated the still majestic ruins to German emperor Kaiser Wilhelm II, who commissioned extensive restoration work. The aim was to restore the castle as faithfully as possible to the state it was in before it was destroyed in the Thirty Years' War. The work lasted from 1900 to 1908. 

On May 13, 1908, the restored Hochkönigsburg was inaugurated in the presence of the Emperor. In a lavish re-enactment ceremony, a historical squad entered the castle under the pouring rain. After World War I, the French state confiscated the castle under the 1919 Treaty of Versailles. Since 1993, the castle has been classified as a historic monument by the French Ministry of Culture. In 2007, ownership was transferred to the Bas-Rhin department. Today it is one of the most famous tourist attractions in the region.

Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: All Postings (already posted and forthcoming)

Summary: Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

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

Cellar Tour and Tasting with Daniel Wagner at Weingut Wagner-Stempel (VDP) in Siefersheim, Rheinhessen - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Tasting with Helmut Dönnhoff and Sascha Johannes Schömel at Weingut Dönnhoff (VDP) in Oberhausen, Nahe - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

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

Dinner in a Typical Old Town Mainz Wine Tavern: At Weinhaus Bluhm and at Weinhaus Schreiner - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Schiller’s Favorite Wine Taverns in Mainz, Germany

Cellar Tour and Tasting in the Courtyard with Owner/ Winemaker Gesine Roll at Weingut Weedenborn Weedenborn in Monzenheim, Rheinhessen - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Weingut Jülg (VDP): Lunch in the Wine Tavern with Karin and Werner Jülg and Tasting in the Vineyard with Johannes Jülg - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting with Sven Nieger at Weingut Sven Nieger in Baden-Baden-Varnholt, Ortenau - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Lunch at Waldgasthaus Scherrhof - Deep in the Black Forest, Local Badenser Cuisine at its Best - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Vineyard Tour and Tasting with Owner/ Winemaker Robert Schätzle at Weingut Schloss Neuweier (VDP) in Baden-Baden-Neuweier, Baden - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Cellar Tour and Tasting with Martin Bercher at Weingut Bercher (VDP) in Burkheim, Kaiserstuhl, Baden - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting with Matthias Höfflin and Kaylie Magestro at Weingut Höfflin in Bötzingen, Kaiserstuhl, Baden - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Cellar Tour and Tasting in the Courtyard with Joachim Heger and Winemaker Markus Mleinek at Weingut Dr. Heger (VDP) in Ihringen, Kaiserstuhl, Baden - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

The World Class Wines of Alsace

In the world class white wine region Alsace 

Tour of the Newly Constructed Winery with Pierre Gassmann and Tasting (with Wine Journalist Yves Beck) at Domaine Rolly-Gassmann in Rorschwihr, Alsace - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours 

Tasting at Domaine Zind-Humbrecht in Turckheim, Alsace - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Guided Tour of Château du Haut-Kœnigsburg in Alsace - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Dinner with Chef Laurine Gutleben and Restaurant Manager/ Husband Antoine Bauer, both Owners, at Michelin-rated Restaurant La Veille Forge in Kaysersberg, Alsace - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Vineyard Tour and Tasting with Jean Pierre Dirler at Domaine Dirler-Cadé in Bergholtz, Alsace - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Tasting at Domaine Dirler-Cadé with Jean Pierre Dirler and Ludevine Dirler-Cadé - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours

Cellar Tour and Tasting with Frédéric Hugel at Domaine Hugel & Fils in Riquewhir, Alsace - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Tour and Tasting at Hugel in Riquewhir, Alsace, with Jean Frédéric Hugel - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting with Owners Catherine Faller and Eddy Leiber-Faller at Domaine Weinbach in Kaysersberg, Alsace - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Visiting Colette Faller at Domaine Weinbach in Kaysersberg in Alsace

Dinner with Chef de Cuisine Jean-Michel Eblin at 1-star Michelin Restaurant Le Maximilien in Zellenberg, Alsace - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours
 
Cellar Tour and Tasting with Adrien Schoenheitz at Vins Schoenheitz in Wihr-au-Val, Alsace - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Lunch at Restaurant 1-star Michelin Restaurant La Nouvelle Auberge in Wihr-au-Val, Alsace - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Tasting with Rémy Gresser at Domaine Rémy Gresser in Andlau, Alsace - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours 

Tasting at Domaine Rémy Gresser in Andlau, with Rémy Gresser - Alsace Tour 2019 with the Weinfreundeskreis Hochheim, France

Vineyard Tour and Tasting with Hans Rebholz, Weingut Ökonomierat Rebholz (VDP), Pfalz - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours 

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

Lunch at Restaurant 1832 at the Hambacher Schloss - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Tasting in the Courtyard and Cellar Tour with Frank John at Weingut Frank John in Neustadt an der Weinstraße - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Cellar Tour and Tasting with Andreas Rings at Weingut Rings (VDP) in Freinsheim, Pfalz - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours 

Tasting and Cellar Tour at Weingut Rings in Freinsheim, Pfalz, with Andreas Rings - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours

Tasting with Bettina Bürklin-von Guradze and Riccardo Korner at Weingut Dr. Bürklin-Wolf (VDP) in Wachenheim, Pfalz - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours 

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