The Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours started in Lyon and ended in Avignon/ Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Most of us took the TGV from Avignon back to Paris, but not all. One couple, for example, rented a car and drove back to Paris by car. 

We spent the very last nigh at a 4-star boutique hotel in Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Hotel Hostellerie du Château des Fines Roches, but the 2 nights before at the Hôtel Mercure Pont d’Avignon in Avignon.

While on the last evening, we had a group gourmet wine-pairing dinner at Hotel Hostellerie du Château des Fines Roches, there were no group events on the 2 evenings we were in Avignon.

Avignon is 10 miles away from Chateauneuf-du-Pape. 

The tour included 2 events in Avignon: A guided tour of Pont Saint-Bénézet in Avignonand a guided tour of the Palace of the Popes. 

Guided Tour of Pont Saint-Bénézet in Avignon

This is the famous ruin of the so-called ‘Pont d’Avignon’, a wooden bridge across the Rhône river built between 1177 and 1185. It is beautiful to stand at the end of the half bridge in the middle of the Rhône river with a beautiful view towards the ancient city walls of Avignon and the turrets of the Palace of the Popes. 

Guided Tour of the Palace of the Popes

To pay a visit to the Palace of the Popes is the third “must” when travelling in the Southern Rhône region. The palace is one of the largest and most important medieval Gothic buildings in Europe. It is also of great importance for European and Christian history given the fact that between 1309 and 1377 the Roman Catholic Papacy resided in Avignon and the Popes took residence in the ‘Palace of the Popes’. 

Drinks at the Palace of the Popes

City Walk

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

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

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 with Alexandra Berthet-Rayne at Domaine André Berthet-Rayne in Cairanne, Southern Rhône - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Tasting the Wines of Château de Beaucastel at Domaine du Clos des Tourelles in Gigondas with Alexandre Fréguin, UK Best Sommelier 2018 - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Wine-pairing Dinner at Restaurant L’Oustalet, 1 Star Michelin, in Gigondas, with Owner-chef Laurent Deconinck and Alexandre Fréguin, UK Best Sommelier 2018 - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Visit and Tasting at Domaine des Pasquiers in Sablet, Southern Rhône, with Owner/ Winemaker Philippe Lambert in Sablet, Southern Rhône - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Tasting at Domaine la Bouïssière, Gigondas, Southern Rhône, with Josiane Faravel - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Lunch at Restaurant La Maison de Celou (Michelin Bib Gourmand) in Châteauneuf-de-Cadagne - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

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 

Arles: Roman History and van Gogh - 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

Tasting at Domaine de la Solitude in Châteauneuf-du Pape with Owner/ Winemaker Florent Lançon - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Vineyard and Cellar Tour at Vignobles Alain Jaume, Domaine Grand Veneur, with Hélène Jaume in Courthézon, Châteauneuf-du-Pape - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Wine-pairing Lunch at La Table d’Alain Jaume with Hélène Jaume at Domaine Grand Veneur in Courthézon, Châteauneuf-du-Pape - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

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

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

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

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

In a highly entertaining and educational tasting, Austrian wine importer/ broker Klaus Wittauer of KWSelection led a tasting about "The Wines of Austria" at the American Wine Society/ John Marshall Chapter in Northern Virginia (President: Douglas Beakes). 

We had 10 wines - five whites, including a Sekt, and 5 reds - from all Austrian wine regions (except from Vienna).

Austria 2023 by Ombiasy Public Relations and Wine Tours 

Annette Schiller will visit several of the presented worldclass producers during her Austria 2023 by Ombiasy Public Relations and Wine Tours. Join us on this tour! See here for more information: Announcement: Austria 2023 by ombiasy WineTours - 12 Days: May 28 - June 08, 2023 

Annette Schiller: During this wine tour we discover an often overlooked European wine region and one of the world’s best kept secrets of ultra-premium wine production. We start the tour in Imperial Vienna and will discover that Vienna is not only the breathtakingly beautiful capital of Austria, but also a wine region that is famous for its “Heurige” and “Gemischter Satz” (field blend). We then travel to the easternmost wine region - the Burgenland - where more and more red wine is produced and where the late-ripening “Blaufränkisch” grape is king in some appellations. The southernmost wine region - Styria – is a mountain region. The vineyards in this magnificent, hilly landscape alternate with forests, idyllic orchards, and flower meadows. We finish the tour with a visit to the romantic Lower Austria wine region where we do an in-depth exploration of Austria’s most widespread variety “Grüner Veltliner”.

Your Passport to Austrian Wine

Fun
 

The Tasting

Klaus Presenting

The Wines

We finished the evening with a homemade Gugelhupf, which is a cake traditionally baked in a distinctive ring pan, popular in Austria but also in other parts of Central Europe, including southern Germany and Alsace. In late Medieval Austria, a Gugelhupf was served at major community events such as weddings, and was decorated with flowers, leaves, candles, and seasonal fruits. 

Thanks Vengie for making this delicious Gugelhupf for the tasting. 

Good Night

schiller-wine: Related Postings 

Announcement: Exciting ombiasy Wine Tours in 2023

This was a tasting only event at one of Germany's leading wine estates, Weingut Bürklin-Wolf in Wachenheim. We were seated at one of the tables on the terrasse, where Ricardo Korner, Manager of the Tasting Facilities, led us through the portfolio of Weingut Bürklin-Wolf. 

During the tasting, we were joined by owner Bettina Bürklin-von Guradze. 

Weingut Bürklin-Wolf

Weingut Bürklin-Wolf was founded in 1597, but it wasn’t until the end of the 19th century that it
reached its present size and worldwide fame at the hand of the privy councilor Dr. Albert Bürklin. 

With 212 acres of vineyards Bürklin-Wolf numbers among the largest and most renowned estates of Germany. It is a treasure trove of top-rated vineyard sites (9 Grand Cru and 6 Premier Cru sites in Wachenheim, Ruppertsberg, Forst, Deidesheim) in the unique landscape of the Mittelhaardt – and it is here where they produce top-quality Riesling in harmony with nature. 

The Estate has always been considered to be a pioneer and trailblazer for change in German viticulture. 

In 1990, Bettina, Dr. Albert Bürklin’s eldest daughter, who studied oenology, took over the estate from her parents, together with her husband Christian von Guradze. Their decision to classify the vineyards sites consulting century old classification maps and adopting the Burgundian tradition of vineyard classification (which is the new German wine law today since January 2020), as well as their decision to convert to biodynamic production methods was a revolutionary move in Germany. 

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

Tasting

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

Guided Tour of Château du Haut-Kœnigsburg in 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 at Restaurant La Veille Forge (Bib Gourmand Michelin) in Kaysersberg, Alsace, with Chef Laurine Gutleben and Restaurant Manager/ Husband Antoine Bauer, both Owners - 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

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

Touring Riquewihr/ Alsace - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 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

Wine-pairing Dinner with Owner/ Chef 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 in Wihr-au-Val/Alsace at the 1-star Michelin Restaurant La Nouvelle Auberge, with Chef Bernard Leray, Directeur de Salle Martine Leray and Sommelière Charlotte Leray - 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 

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

Lunch at Restaurant 1832 at the Hambacher Schloss in Neustadt an der Weinstrasse, Pfalz - 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, Pfalz - 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 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

If you would ask the participants of the Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France which one was the most memorable event of the tour, my guess is that the tour, tasting and lunch at Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande would come out on top.

First,  Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, 2ième Grand Cru Classé, Appellation Pauillac, is one of the most prestigious Bordeaux estates.

Second, our host was Nicolas Glumineau, the Managing Director. On that day he gave us 2/3 of his precious time. After an introduction, he showed us the new winemaking facilities. He were lucky and could olbserve the reception of the 2022 fruit. We then spent an hour doing a tasting in the tasting room with a beatiful view at the surrounding estates, including Latour and Palmer. We then moved to the historic building for a gourmet lunch at Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande with more Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande vintages and Champagne of Louis Roeserer, the owner of Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande. 

I have already reported about the tour and the tasting. 

See:

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

A second posting covers the gourmet wine-pairing luncheon.

Here are a few photos from the tour and tasting.

Chateau Pichon Longueville Tour and Tasting

Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande as well as Château Pichon Longueville Baron across the street share the same history until the division in 1850. The history can be traced back to the late 16-hundreds when Pierre des Mesures de Rauzan acquired a section planted with vines in the Latour seigneurie. His daughter married Jacques de Pichon Longueville. Their son Baron Joseph de Pichon Longueville died in 1850. He had five children, three daughters and two sons. In his will, he divided the vineyards equally between his children, hence he gave two-fifths of the estate to his sons and three-fifths to his daughters. One of the daughters, Virginie, had married Comte Henri de Lalande. It was Virginie Comtesse de Lalande who gave her name to the girl’s portion of the Pichon estate. Only three families owned the estate since its existence, the current one being the Champagne Louis Roederer family who bought the property in 2007.

In 2011 the family appointed Nicolas Glumineau as Managing Director. 

The 225 acres of vineyards are gravel over a layer of sandstone and limestone. A big chunk of the vineyards is on the other side of the road next to the Pichon Baron estate stretching south bordering the Léoville estates in Saint-Julien and touching the Lynch-Bages vineyards to the north The filet piece is the gentle slope that leads to the Gironde estuary next to the Château neighboring the 1 st growth Latour property. 

Nicolas Glumineau started to convert step by step to biodynamic farming in 2014. Pichon Lalande became 100% biodynamic in 2021. The elegance of the wines in combination with the beautiful, graceful Château, which is one of the most stunning ones in the Médoc make this estate very special.

Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande - Prices in US$

2016: 221

2009: 270

2006: 175

2003: 217 

Pictures: Nicolas Glumineau of Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande and Christian Schiller Tasting 16 Vintages with 24 Bordeaux Lovers in Washington DC. See: Massive (16 Vintages) Tasting of Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande with MD/ Winemaker Nicolas Glumineau and Panos Kakaviatos in Washington DC, USA 

Wine-pairing Lunch at Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, 2ième Grand Cru Classé, Appellation Pauillac, with Nicolas Glumineau, Managing Director 

Walking over to the Château

Champagne

Lunch

Bye-bye Nicolas

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

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Château Coutet, Premier Grand Cru Classé, Appellation Sauternes, with Technical Director Laurier Girardot - Bordeaux Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Lunch at Restaurant L’Entrecœur in Preignac, Sauternes - Bordeaux Tour 2022 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

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

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

What we did for Dinner: 5 Nights in Bordeaux City - Wine More Time Wine Bar, Restaurant L‘Estacade, Restaurant La Terrasse Saint Pierre, Château Bouscaut, Grand Cru Classé de Graves - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

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

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

At La Baraque à Huîtres in L’ Herbe: Visit of an Oyster Farmer at the Bassin d'Arcachon - Bordeaux Tour 2022 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, 2ième Grand Cru Classé, Appellation Saint-Estèphe - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Lunch at La Maison d’Estournel (following a Winery Tour and Vertical Tasting at Château Cos d’Estournel, Appellation Saint-Estèphe, 2ième Grand Cru Classé) - 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

Winery 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

Picture: Announcement: Winter Wine Weekend (February 23-26, 2023) at Madison Hotel in Harrisonburg, Virginia 

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

The American Wine Society and Madison Hotel (Harrisonburg, VA) presents: “Winter Wine Weekend". 

The package includes:

• 3-Night Stay at the Madison Hotel (February 23-26, 2023)
• 5 AWS Wine Tasting Workshops (You pick among 20 Wine Tasting Workshops),
• Welcome Reception
• Sparkling Wine Brunch
• Grand Tasting Workshop with numerous wineries, food, live music & wine crafts

DATES: February 23-26,2023

LOCATION: Hotel Madison Conference Center, 710 S. Main Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22801

COST:

• $702 single attendee: Click here for Single Attendee Room
• $977 double attendees ~ Deluxe room Click here for Double Attendee Room
• Prepayment required. See attachment for discount details.

OPTIONAL EVENTS & ACTIVITIES: Tours offered by local vineyards on Sunday, time to explore Harrisonburg and the surrounding Shenandoah Valley

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

THURSDAY, February 23, 2023

4:00 pm: Hotel room check-in; Winter Wine Weekend registration begins

7:00 pm: Welcome Reception

FRIDAY, February 24, 2023

8:30 am - 9:45 am: Wine Tasting Session #1

10:00 am - 12:00 pm: Sparkling Wine Brunch and Plenary Session

12:00 pm - 2:00 pm: Break

2:00 pm - 3:15 pm: Wine Tasting Session #2

3:15 pm - 4:30 pm: Wine Tasting Session #3

4:30 pm - 7:00 pm: Break

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm: Signature wine-pairing dinner (optional, extra cost)

SATURDAY, February 25, 2023

9:30 am - 10:45 am: Wine Tasting Session #4

11:00 am - 5:00 pm: Grand Shenandoah Wine Tasting & Horve D'oeuvres

2:00 pm - 3:15 pm: Wine Tasting Session #5

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm: Break

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm: Signature wine-pairing dinner (optional, extra cost)

SUNDAY, February 26, 2023

On own vineyard tours; departure

SAMPLE OF WINE TASTING SESSIONS TO BE OFFERED

You be the Judge by John Sporing

Port 101 by Walt Rachelle

Côtes du Rhône by Jerry Fisher

Wine Jeopardy by Al Guber

Wine & Chocolate Pairings by Bill Stefan

Beaujolais and Understanding Terroir by Dave Barber

Tasting East Coast Fine Wines by Grant Crandall

Stretching Beyond Classics by Hal Bell

Cabernet Franc Around the World by Marlene Reddoor

Abbey Wines by Annette Schiller

Plus 10 others

schiller-wine: Related Postings 

Announcement: Exciting ombiasy Wine Tours in 2023

The Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours ended at Hôstellerie du Château des Fines Roches in Châteauneuf du Pape, as the previous tours have done. 

We spent our last dinner and night at Hôstellerie du Château des Fines Roches in Châteauneuf du Pape. Chef Hugo Loridan-Fombonnet prepared a very special wine-pairing menu for us matched with wines of the Rhône Valley. 

This was a special evening in a very special place and a fitting finale to our tour through the Rhône Valley.

Hostellerie du Château des Fines Roches

Hostellerie du Château des Fines Roches in Châteauneuf du Pape is a 4 star exquisite castle hotel. Approaching the hotel takes your breath away. The medieval and Provencal fantasy style castle was built in the 19th century. It sits high on a hill overlooking the Châteauneuf du Pape vineyards, with gorgeous views to the town of Châteauneuf du Pape and as far as to the Luberon.

Hostellerie du Château des Fines Roches was built in the late 1800s by Auguste Constantin. In 1936, Louis Mousset bought the castle including 45 hectares of vineyards and made the property the centre of his extensive wine business and his family home. After the death of Louis Mousset his assets were divided among his three children, Jacques, Guy and Catherine.

The château remains in joint ownership of the Mousset family.

Since a decade or so it has been used as a 4 star Hotel with Restaurant. Since 2021, it is under the direction of Denis Duchêne, along with Sébastien Gutierrez and Chef Hugo Lorridan, his two associates.

Pictures: Dinner and Overnight-stay at 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

Wine-pairing Dinner at Hôstellerie du Château des Fines Roches in Châteauneuf du Pape in 2022

Bye-bye

After a good sleep, we all had breakfast together and then went to the train station in Avignon. Most of us went to Paris. Some went to Lyon. Annette and I went to Frankfurt.

Winemaking: Château des Fines Roches and Many Other Mousset Family Wines

Today there are three branches of the Mousset family in Châteauneuf-du-Pape who can thank their common grandfather, Louis Mousset, for their status as major landowner and winemaker in Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

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

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

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 with Alexandra Berthet-Rayne at Domaine André Berthet-Rayne in Cairanne, Southern Rhône - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Tasting the Wines of Château de Beaucastel at Domaine du Clos des Tourelles in Gigondas with Alexandre Fréguin, UK Best Sommelier 2018 - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Wine-pairing Dinner at Restaurant L’Oustalet, 1 Star Michelin, in Gigondas, with Owner-chef Laurent Deconinck and Alexandre Fréguin, UK Best Sommelier 2018 - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Visit and Tasting at Domaine des Pasquiers in Sablet, Southern Rhône, with Owner/ Winemaker Philippe Lambert in Sablet, Southern Rhône - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Tasting at Domaine la Bouïssière, Gigondas, Southern Rhône, with Josiane Faravel - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Lunch at Restaurant La Maison de Celou (Michelin Bib Gourmand) in Châteauneuf-de-Cadagne - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

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 

Arles: Roman History and van Gogh - 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

Tasting at Domaine de la Solitude in Châteauneuf-du Pape with Owner/ Winemaker Florent Lançon - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Vineyard and Cellar Tour at Vignobles Alain Jaume, Domaine Grand Veneur, with Hélène Jaume in Courthézon, Châteauneuf-du-Pape - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Wine-pairing Lunch at La Table d’Alain Jaume with Hélène Jaume at Domaine Grand Veneur in Courthézon, Châteauneuf-du-Pape - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

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

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

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

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

Wine-Pairing Lunch with Chef/Owner Swen and Sommeliere/Owner Sybille Bultmann at Restaurant Atable im Amtshaus (bib gourmand Michelin / 16 points Gault Millau) in Freinsheim, Pfalz

The Amtshaus sits in a great location in the old town of Freinsheim, surrounded by the city wall. The inner courtyard with its idyllic terrace leads to the chic restaurant, which has a white cross vault supported by columns. Ambitious, seasonally inspired cuisine made from top-notch ingredients is served. 

The owners, Swen and Sybille Bultmann are well known in the German culinary and wine scene. Swen is a top chef and I would not be surprised to see one Michelin star at the door in the future. Sybille is one of Germany’s highly decorated sommelièrs. 

Atable im Amtshaus in Freinsheim

We experienced a four course menu matched by wines chosen by Sybille.

We cordially invite you to take a seat with us and enjoy. 

Perfectly matured wines from Germany and France accompany our fine, seasonal produce cuisine.

Terrace in the inner courtyard. 

Menu with wine accompaniment, large wine list, French-inspired cuisine with regional products.

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

Guided Tour of Château du Haut-Kœnigsburg in 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 at Restaurant La Veille Forge (Bib Gourmand Michelin) in Kaysersberg, Alsace, with Chef Laurine Gutleben and Restaurant Manager/ Husband Antoine Bauer, both Owners - 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

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

Touring Riquewihr/ Alsace - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 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

Wine-pairing Dinner with Owner/ Chef 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 in Wihr-au-Val/Alsace at the 1-star Michelin Restaurant La Nouvelle Auberge, with Chef Bernard Leray, Directeur de Salle Martine Leray and Sommelière Charlotte Leray - 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 

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

Lunch at Restaurant 1832 at the Hambacher Schloss in Neustadt an der Weinstrasse, Pfalz - 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, Pfalz - 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 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

I am re-issuing the James Suckling/ Stuart Pigott list of "Top 100 Wines of Germany 2022" coupled with pictures from recent Germany tours by ombiasy WineTours, run by Annette Schiller.

In 2023, there will by 2 Germany tours by ombiasy WineTours, one from Berlin to Frankfurt covering Sachsen, Saale Unstrut, Franken and Württemberg, with a heavy focus on culture and history, and one beginning and ending in Mainz covering Rheinhessen, Rheingau, Nahe, Mittelrhein and Mosel, with a heavy focus on the big names of wine-making in Germany, which you find in the list below.

See:

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

Announcement: The Wine, Concert, and History Tour - Germany-East 2023 by ombiasy WineTours - Monday, June 19 - Thursday, June 29, 2023

Top 100 Wines of Germany 2022 by James Suckling/ Stuart Pigott

At first these new substantial dry wines looked pretty radical, but as the 1990s progressed the trend away from light-bodied wines with obvious unfermented grape sweetness toward serious dry wines took hold in Germany. Together with the achievements of winemakers like Kunstler, that laid the foundations for the German wines of the 21^st century.

This year’s Top 100 Germany showcases the fruits of this transformation and celebrates the way most high-end German white wines remain excellent value for money. The contrast to the often astronomical prices for the white wines of Burgundy could hardly be more extreme. In Germany, the Holle GG 2021 typically costs just under 40 euros, but there are a bunch of places around Planet Wine where it won’t cost you much more than that. Yet it is a world-class dry white!

Picture: Annette Schiller and Gunter Künstler at Weingut Künstler. See: 40th Anniversary of the Weinfreundeskreis Hochheim, Rheingau, Germany

The No. 2 wine, the intense yet delicate Dönnhoff Riesling Nahe Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle Spätlese 2021, proves that Germany’s shift of emphasis from sweet to dry doesn’t mean the nation’s leading winemakers have all dropped the style of frankly off-dry but very elegant rieslings for which the nation has long been famous.

“We are very lucky that climate change has made it possible to produce impressive dry wines every year,” winemaker Cornelius Donnhoff observed, “but by carefully selecting the right grapes we can also still make exciting traditional style riesling Spatlese.”

The 2021 vintage that dominates this year’s Top 100 Germany was much cooler than the preceding three vintages, leading to generally higher natural acidity levels in the grapes. That made 2021 very well suited to producing off-dry riesling Spatlese and the lighter riesling Kabinett category. Scan down the list to find a slew of examples of them.

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

Following our first stop on the Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours (July 1 to 10, 2022) at Weingut Wagner-Stempel in Siefersheim, in the far northwestern corner of the Rheinhessen wine region, we visited another Riesling Gi

Yes, the perfect dry Keller Riesling Rheinhessen Brünnenhäuschen Abts E GG 2021 has a higher rating – a perfect 100 – than this year’s Nos. 1 and 2, but we ranked it as our No. 25 German wine because you’d have to pay almost 10 times the price of our German Wine of the Year for a bottle.

In position 3 is another new classic German dry riesling, the Wittmann Riesling Rheinhessen Morstein GG 2021, made by Philipp Wittmann. This rich and elegant giant is an example of how the star of the Rheinhessen region has climbed higher and higher since the last turn of the century.

Many wine lovers and somms still imagine that all good German rieslings grow on steep slopes with slate soil, like the vineyards of the Mosel Valley. However, the Morstein site looks much more like Burgundy. With its shallow clay soil over limestone bedrock, the Morstein is also geologically closer to Burgundy than the Mosel. The textural complexity of this wine and its enormously layered finish could well remind you of Burgundy. Today, German wine defies simplistic definitions.

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

A much less well known example of how Rheinhessen became the dream factory of dry German wines takes position No. 4, the flamboyant and expressive Thörle Riesling Rheinhessen Hölle Trocken 2021. In recent years, the dry rieslings from brothers Johannes and Christoph Thorle stood in the shadows of their amazing spatburgunder reds, but 2021 gave their dry rieslings a stunning brilliance.

Picture: The Wines of Up and Coming Winzerhof Thoerle, Rheinhessen

Late-released wines occupy the next two places. At No. 5, the Schlossgut Diel Riesling Nahe Burgberg GG 2020 has almost ideal balance with a super-long, wet-stone finish. That makes it a stunning example of how this vintage wasn’t only about fruity charm and immediate drinking appeal. It is the most impressive achievement to date of winemaker Caroline Diel.

Picture: Visiting Armin and Caroline Diel and their Schlossgut Diel in Burg Layen in Germany

The Heymann-Löwenstein Riesling Mosel Uhlen Roth Lay GG 2020, at No. 6, is the work of another woman winemaker, Sarah Lowenstein. With its incredible spice aromas and enormous concentration her wine is atypical for the Mosel, thanks to this unique terraced terroir situated just outside the town of Winningen that it magnificently expresses.

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

Eva Fricke, originally from Bremen and Oldenberg in beer-drinking northern Germany, was one of the first outsiders to establish her own winery in the Rheingau back in 2006. The Eva Fricke Riesling Rheingau Schlossberg 2021, at No. 7, has incredible floral delicacy and crystalline purity. With this much energy it should age for decades.

Picture: Christian Schiller and Eva Fricke, Weingut Eva Fricke, Rheingau in New York City

The Emrich-Schönleber Riesling Nahe Halenberg GG 2021 at No. 8 is a staggeringly mineral dry riesling which proves that concentrated and compact wines were possible in 2021 if vineyard management was spot on and the producer waited for the fine weather at the end of October and in early November.

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

 

The Schäfer-Fröhlich Riesling Nahe Felseneck GG 2021 at No. 9 is a radically flinty expression of the Nahe region from a vineyard site that was unknown until winemaker Tim Frohlich started crafting powerful and driving masterpieces from it. Still very youthful, the flint and grapefruit character will become more refined with further aging.

Picture: Christian Schiller and Tim Fröhlich in Wiesbaden

And the No. 10 Gut Hermannsberg Riesling Nahe Kupfergrube GG Reserve 2017 was matured in this winery’s historic cellar for five years before release. Extreme late releases of this kind are a new trend in Germany and this shows why that makes sense for dry rieslings from the very top sites. Enormously structured, but deep rather than domineering, it is packed with smoky minerality.

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

Scan down the list and you will find a bunch of very different wines to these, including a handful of stunning spatburgunder reds that can take on the best in the world. Here prices are generally higher than for German whites, but the word is that prices for the best whites will move up next year. We recommend you grab the opportunity for bargains while it is still there.

– Stuart Pigott, Senior Editor

Top 100 Wines of Germany 2022 by James Suckling/ Stuart Pigott

100Krone Spätburgunder Rheingau Juwel 2015

schiller-wine: Related Postings 

Announcement: Exciting ombiasy Wine Tours in 2023

Château Gruaud-Larose in the Saint Julien appelation is one of fifteen Deuxièmes Crus (Second Growths) in 1855 classification. We toured the winery and enjoyed a seated tasting.

Château Gruaud-Larose

The era of Château Gruaud-Larose began in 1757 when three members of the Gruaud family, a knight (Joseph Stanislas Gruaud), a priest, and a judge, owned the estate with 260 acres of vineyards. They bottled the wines at two different estates: Chevalier de Gruaud, which was produced by the priest and Abbe Gruaud produced by the judge. 

The judge died in 1778 and his son-in-law, Joseph Sebastion La Rose, became his heir. From then on the estate was referred to as Château Gruaud-Larose. After the pastor’s death, the estate was split into two separate entities, known as Guaud-Larose Sarget and Gruaud-Larose Faure. 

In 1917, the Sarget portion was bought by the Cordier Family, wealthy négociants in Bordeaux. In 1934 Désiré Cordier bought the Faure portion. The Cordiers were able to recreate the original Guraud-Larose estate which became their flagship. 

In 1997, Château Guraud-Larose was purchased by another important Bordeaux négociant family headed by Jacques Merlaut, who put together a portfolio of properties under the Taillan wine trading
group. The Taillan Group, a family business in which Jacques Merlaut’s granddaughter Claire Villars-Lurton has taken on a significant role, now owns several estates in the Bordeaux region. Enologist Georges Pauli continues to run the Château Gruaud-Larose with great success. 

Today, the estate has 200 acres under vine planted with the traditional Left Bank varieties Cabernet Sauvignon 61%, Merlot 29%, Cabernet Franc 7%, and Petit Verdot 3% . The vineyard is unique as the estate has one of the largest vineyards in all of Bordeaux with most of its vines in one single block. I quote from the château’s website: “Since the vintage 2019, we have been implementing the measures necessary for the conversion to organic farming. We also use biodynamic tools and practices: use of herbal teas from different plants as alternatives to fight against certain parasites and diseases.”

Wine-searcher Prices in US$ 

2020: 096

2015: 129

2010: 201

2009: 183

2006: 126

Tasting

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

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Château Coutet, Premier Grand Cru Classé, Appellation Sauternes, with Technical Director Laurier Girardot - Bordeaux Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Lunch at Restaurant L’Entrecœur in Preignac, Sauternes - Bordeaux Tour 2022 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

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

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

What we did for Dinner: 5 Nights in Bordeaux City - Wine More Time Wine Bar, Restaurant L‘Estacade, Restaurant La Terrasse Saint Pierre, Château Bouscaut, Grand Cru Classé de Graves - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

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

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

At La Baraque à Huîtres in L’ Herbe: Visit of an Oyster Farmer at the Bassin d'Arcachon - Bordeaux Tour 2022 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, 2ième Grand Cru Classé, Appellation Saint-Estèphe - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Lunch at La Maison d’Estournel (following a Winery Tour and Vertical Tasting at Château Cos d’Estournel, Appellation Saint-Estèphe, 2ième Grand Cru Classé) - 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

Winery 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 Seated 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

On the last 3 days of the Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, the focus of the tour was on the world-famous Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

The night of Monday to Tuesday, we stayed in Avignon and the night of Tuesday to Wednesday, we stayed in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. 

Winery Visits

We visited the following wineries. I have already written about these visits:

Tasting at Domaine de la Solitude in Châteauneuf-du Pape with Owner/ Winemaker Florent Lançon - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Vineyard and Cellar Tour at Vignobles Alain Jaume, Domaine Grand Veneur, with Hélène Jaume in Courthézon, Châteauneuf-du-Pape - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Wine-pairing Lunch at La Table d’Alain Jaume with Hélène Jaume at Domaine Grand Veneur in Courthézon, Châteauneuf-du-Pape - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

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

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

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

Summer Palace of the Popes

In addition, we enjoyed a sightseeing of the ruins of the Summer Palace of the Popes. 

We drove up to the Pope’s summer palace that gave the village and vineyard appellation its name. Today we can only see the ruins of the medieval castle which sits at the top of the village and dominates the landscape to the south. It was built in 1320. The Popes of Avignon built their summer palace here to get away from busy Avignon. Only two walls and the foundation remain of the château. The walls are facing the village, and you see them from afar. They are still high and imposing, giving a good impression how it must have been centuries ago. 

Lunch at La Mule du Pape

We had lunch 

at La Mule the Pape, right in the center of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and 

at Domaine Grand Veneur/ Maison Jaume with Hélène Jaume. See: Wine-pairing Lunch at La Table d’Alain Jaume with Hélène Jaume at Domaine Grand Veneur in Courthézon, Châteauneuf-du-Pape - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France 

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

In the 13th century, during their stay in Avignon, the Popes – especially Pope John XXII - built a papal summer castle in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. They found out that the area had exceptional soils, and they established vineyards on the slopes surrounding the summer palace. 

I found a nice article in the Los Angeles Time: “Popes throughout history have liked their juice, and when the papal sea moved to Avignon in the 13th century, that juice was Châteauneuf-du-Pape ("the pope's new castle") made from grapes grown nearby in the Southern Rhône. The castle is a ruin now, the papal court long gone back to Rome, but the wines that bear the pope's coat of arms emblazoned on the bottles are still produced more or less according to the long-standing recipe. Not every winemaker uses all 13 of the grapes in the prescribed blend, though.” 

The wines grow on a soil that is a mixture of large quartz stones (galets roulés) and sandy red clay. The large sun-warmed galets roulés reflect the sunlight and diffuse a gentle, provençal heat that helps the grapes to mature and their juice to concentrate. A very strong southern wind - the Mistral - whips up through the Rhône valley from the Mediterranean Sea and creates a welcome cooling effect, since the region can be pretty hot and dry. 

With more than 8,000 acres under vine, Châteauneuf-du-Pape is the largest appellation in the Rhône. It was the first wine region in France to gain AOC (today AOP) status in 1923.

Lunch at La Mule du Pape

Tour of the Ruins of the Summer Palace of the Popes

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

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

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 with Alexandra Berthet-Rayne at Domaine André Berthet-Rayne in Cairanne, Southern Rhône - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Tasting the Wines of Château de Beaucastel at Domaine du Clos des Tourelles in Gigondas with Alexandre Fréguin, UK Best Sommelier 2018 - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Wine-pairing Dinner at Restaurant L’Oustalet, 1 Star Michelin, in Gigondas, with Owner-chef Laurent Deconinck and Alexandre Fréguin, UK Best Sommelier 2018 - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Visit and Tasting at Domaine des Pasquiers in Sablet, Southern Rhône, with Owner/ Winemaker Philippe Lambert in Sablet, Southern Rhône - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Tasting at Domaine la Bouïssière, Gigondas, Southern Rhône, with Josiane Faravel - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Lunch at Restaurant La Maison de Celou (Michelin Bib Gourmand) in Châteauneuf-de-Cadagne - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

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 

Arles: Roman History and van Gogh - 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

Tasting at Domaine de la Solitude in Châteauneuf-du Pape with Owner/ Winemaker Florent Lançon - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Vineyard and Cellar Tour at Vignobles Alain Jaume, Domaine Grand Veneur, with Hélène Jaume in Courthézon, Châteauneuf-du-Pape - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Wine-pairing Lunch at La Table d’Alain Jaume with Hélène Jaume at Domaine Grand Veneur in Courthézon, Châteauneuf-du-Pape - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

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

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

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

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

The stop at Weingut Gaul was our last visit of a winemaker on the tour. It was a lovely tasting in the courtyard of Weingut Gaul with Anne and Matthias Gaul.

Weingut Gaul 

Owner and winemaker Matthias Gaul is the fourth generation at the helm of this wine estate. He farms 85 acres of vineyards in the northern tip of the Pfalz region close to the border with the Rheinhessen wine region. The plantings in his vineyards are equally divided between white and red grapes. His focus is on Burgundy grapes. They find ideal conditions in the limestone marl vineyards. Matthias looks ahead in a visionary way, plants vines at 300 meters above sea level, plants a vineyard with a narrow spacing between the rows following the Burgundy model, and lets lavender bloom in Asselheim. The somewhat cooler climate due to the higher altitude vineyards gives the wines lively minerality and beautiful fruit. Matthias says: “We spend a lot of time tending to our vines. That means consistent manual work. Only by being close to nature can we understand the plant and its soil.”

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

Guided Tour of Château du Haut-Kœnigsburg in 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 at Restaurant La Veille Forge (Bib Gourmand Michelin) in Kaysersberg, Alsace, with Chef Laurine Gutleben and Restaurant Manager/ Husband Antoine Bauer, both Owners - 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

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

Touring Riquewihr/ Alsace - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 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

Wine-pairing Dinner with Owner/ Chef 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 in Wihr-au-Val/Alsace at the 1-star Michelin Restaurant La Nouvelle Auberge, with Chef Bernard Leray, Directeur de Salle Martine Leray and Sommelière Charlotte Leray - 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 

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

Lunch at Restaurant 1832 at the Hambacher Schloss in Neustadt an der Weinstrasse, Pfalz - 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, Pfalz - 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 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

Wine-Pairing Lunch with Chef/Owner Swen and Sommeliere/Owner Sybille Bultmann at Restaurant Atable im Amtshaus (bib gourmand Michelin / 16 points Gault Millau)in Freinsheim, Pfalz - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours  

Tasting with Anne and Matthias Gaul at Weingut Matthias Gaul in Grünstadt-Asselheim, Pfalz - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Château Lynch-Bages is a 5ième Grand Cru Classé in Pauillac. We toured the new winemaking facilities and the old vat house that has been converted to a museum showing historic winemaking equipment of the Médoc. The visit ended with a tasting of 2 wines in the tasting room, a Chateau Lynch Bages and a Château Les Ormes-de-Pez.

Château Lynch-Bages

The history of the estate goes back to the mid 18-hundreds and reflects the interesting history of English and French rule in Aquitaine. The original owners, the Lynch family from Ireland, could trace back their roots to an ancestor who was a companion of William the Conqueror. Without an heir, in 1824 the estate was sold and was in the hands of two other families before Jean-Charles Cazes acquired the property in 1934.

Since then, the Cazes family has invested heavily and started an in-depth modernisation in the 1980s. 

75% of the 250 acres of vineyards are planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, the rest with Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. Detailed attention is given to the vineyard management. I quote Château Lynch-Bages: “The structuring of the vineyards has undergone remarkable improvements since 2006 with the use of satellite technology combined with surveys on soil quality. It has allowed us to establish a precise mapping and re-structuring of vine parcels in order to preserve, enhance, and develop the specific nature of each terroir.” 

Today the château is owned and managed by Jean-Michel Cazes. Lynch Bages’ old vat house has been converted to a museum showing historic winemaking equipment of the Médoc.

Lynch Bages produces 3 wines.

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

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

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

Château Les Ormes-de-Pez

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

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

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

Chateau Lynch Bages, AOC Pauillac, wine-searcher prices in US$

2019: 227

2015: 192

2005: 290 

Arriving

Cellar Tour

Museum

Tasting

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

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Château Coutet, Premier Grand Cru Classé, Appellation Sauternes, with Technical Director Laurier Girardot - Bordeaux Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Lunch at Restaurant L’Entrecœur in Preignac, Sauternes - Bordeaux Tour 2022 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

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

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

What we did for Dinner: 5 Nights in Bordeaux City - Wine More Time Wine Bar, Restaurant L‘Estacade, Restaurant La Terrasse Saint Pierre, Château Bouscaut, Grand Cru Classé de Graves - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

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

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

At La Baraque à Huîtres in L’ Herbe: Visit of an Oyster Farmer at the Bassin d'Arcachon - Bordeaux Tour 2022 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, 2ième Grand Cru Classé, Appellation Saint-Estèphe - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Lunch at La Maison d’Estournel (following a Winery Tour and Vertical Tasting at Château Cos d’Estournel, Appellation Saint-Estèphe, 2ième Grand Cru Classé) - 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

Winery 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 Seated 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 - 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

The Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux (UGCB) toured the USA, including a stop in Washington DC on January 24.

Founded in 1973, the Union is an affiliation of the finest Bordeaux producers from all of the major appellations, which means more than 90 châteaux, winemakers and/or owners were be on site to pour over 100 wines at what will be Washington DC'sNew York City’s biggest Bordeaux tasting event of 2023.

Bordeaux Producers at the UGCB USA Tour 2023 in Washington DC

Haut - Médoc

• Château Beaumont
• Château de Cantemerle
• Château Citran
• Château Coufran
• Château La Lagune
• Château de Lamarque
• Château La Tour Carnet

Listrac - Médoc

• Château Clarke
• Château Fourcas Dupré
• Château Fourcas Hosten

Margaux

• Château Brane - Cantenac
• Château Cantenac Brown
• Château Dauzac
• Château Desmirail
• Château Giscours
• Château Kirwan
• Château Lascombes
• Château Marquis de Terme
• Château Prieuré - Lichine
• Château du Tertre

Moulis - en - Médoc

• Château Maucaillou
• Château Poujeaux

Pauillac

• Chateau Batailley
• Château Clerc Milon
• Château d’ Armailhac
• Château Duhart - Milon
• Château Lynch - Bages
• Château Lynch - Moussas
• Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

Pessac - Léognan

• Château Bouscaut
• Château Carbonnieux
• Domaine de Chevalier
• Château de Fieuzal
• Château Larrivet Haut - Brion
• Château La Louvière
• Château Malartic - Lagravière
• Château Olivier
• Château Pape Clément
• Château Smith Haut Lafitte

Pomerol

• Château Beauregard
• Château Le Bon Pasteur
• Château La Cabanne
• Château Clinet
• Château Gazin
• Château La Pointe
• Château Rouget

Saint - Emilion Grand Cru

• Château Balestard La Tonnelle
• Château Beau - Séjour Bécot
• Château Canon - La - Gaffelière
• Château Cap de Mourlin
• Château La Couspaude
• Château Dassault
• Château La Dominique
• Clos Fourtet
• Château Franc Mayne
• Château Larcis Ducasse
• Château Larmande
• Château Pavie Macquin
• Château Soutard
• Château La Tour Figeac
• Château TrotteVieille
• Château Valandraud
• Château Villemaurine

Saint - Estèphe

• Château Lafon - Rochet
• Château Ormes De Pez
• Château de Pez
• Château Phélan Ségur

Saint - Julien

• Château Beychevelle
• Château Branaire - Ducru
• Château Gloria
• Château Gruaud Larose
• Château Lagrange
• Château Langoa Barton
• Château Léoville Barton
• Château Léoville Poyferré
• Château Saint - Pierre
• Château Talbot

Sauternes

• Château Bastor - Lamontagne
• Château Guiraud
• Clos Haut - Peyraguey
• Château Lafaurie - Peyraguey

Bordeaux 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Annette Schiller regularly conducts Bordeaux tours. See here for the most recent tour in the fall of 2022:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Château Coutet, Premier Grand Cru Classé, Appellation Sauternes, with Technical Director Laurier Girardot - Bordeaux Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Lunch at Restaurant L’Entrecœur in Preignac, Sauternes - Bordeaux Tour 2022 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

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

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

What we did for Dinner: 5 Nights in Bordeaux City - Wine More Time Wine Bar, Restaurant L‘Estacade, Restaurant La Terrasse Saint Pierre, Château Bouscaut, Grand Cru Classé de Graves - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

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

At La Baraque à Huîtres in L’ Herbe: Visit of an Oyster Farmer at the Bassin d'Arcachon - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

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

Lunch at La Maison d’Estournel (following a Winery Tour and Vertical Tasting at Château Cos d’Estournel, Appellation Saint-Estèphe, 2ième Grand Cru Classé) - 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

Winery 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

Winery Tour and Seated 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

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

Picture: Visit of a Small, Premium Sekt Producer: Sektkellerei Bardong in the Rheingau, Germany – Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), Germany 

Invitation by Doug Beakes

Annette Schiller, our local expert on French, German and Austrian wine who is also an expert on bubblies, will present different methods of making sparkling wine. Some of these are  Pét-nat, traditional, transfer, tank, asti and carbonation methods. She will cover some of these and others because this list is not exhaustive. So come on to Pearmund Cellars and enjoy the weightlessness of bubblies -- perhaps you will attain the Unbearable Lightness of Being as authored by Milan Kundera -- or maybe you'll just enjoy some bubbles.

Dear wine friends,

The tour ended in Mainz. We checked in at the Hotel Hilton in Mainz for our last night. At 8.00 pm we met in the lobby and walked to the Weinstube Schreiner not far from our hotel, where we had supper and wines. .

The following day, after breakfast at the Hotel Hilton, Andre took us on a walking sightseeing tour through Mainz. The city tour ended at the 1000 years old Cathedral of Mainz, where we had lunch.

Supper and Wines at Weinstube Schreiner in Mainz

This is one of the many traditional Weinstuben in Mainz, the local hang-outs for wine afficionados. It exists since 1842. The winelist shows local wines as well as a top notch selection of wines from other German wine regions as well as a few wines from other European wine regions.

Discover Mainz: A Walking Sightseeing Tour through Mainz

Guided by a true expert, we walked through historic Mainz. You literally walk on ruins from Roman times. Every time when renovating, building, etc, construction workers stumble on Roman artifacts buried under layers of past century buildings. Mainz is also the birthplace of Johannes Gutenberg, the man who gave the world the power to print and ultimately to develop our digital future.

Lunch at the Mainz Cathedral 

The city tour ended at the 1000 years old Cathedral of Mainz, where we had lunch.

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

Guided Tour of Château du Haut-Kœnigsburg in 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 at Restaurant La Veille Forge (Bib Gourmand Michelin) in Kaysersberg, Alsace, with Chef Laurine Gutleben and Restaurant Manager/ Husband Antoine Bauer, both Owners - 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

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

Touring Riquewihr/ Alsace - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 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

Wine-pairing Dinner with Owner/ Chef 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 in Wihr-au-Val/Alsace at the 1-star Michelin Restaurant La Nouvelle Auberge, with Chef Bernard Leray, Directeur de Salle Martine Leray and Sommelière Charlotte Leray - 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 

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

Lunch at Restaurant 1832 at the Hambacher Schloss in Neustadt an der Weinstrasse, Pfalz - 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, Pfalz - 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 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

Wine-Pairing Lunch with Chef/Owner Swen and Sommeliere/Owner Sybille Bultmann at Restaurant Atable im Amtshaus (bib gourmand Michelin / 16 points Gault Millau)in Freinsheim, Pfalz - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours  

Tasting with Anne and Matthias Gaul at Weingut Matthias Gaul in Grünstadt-Asselheim, Pfalz - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours

Château Kirwan is a 3ième Grand Cru Classé in Margaux. The visit of Château Kirwan comprised of a vineyard and cellar tour, followed by a light lunch at Château Kirwan.

Château Kirwan is managed and owned by the Schyler family since 1950. Today, the château is managed by Yann, Natalie and Sophie Schyler.

We have visited Château Kirwan on a number of tours. Also, Annette has organized a number of events with Sophie Schyler in the Washington DC area. 

Pictures: Sophie Schÿler, Owner, Château Kirwan, Appellation Margaux, Philippe Blanc, General Manager, Château Beychevelle, Appellation Saint-Julien and Annette Schiller, Owner, ombiasy PR and WineTours, for a Winemaker Dinner at the French Embassy, Le Café Descartes, in Washington DC, USA

Pictures: Sophie Schÿler of Château Kirwan, Annette Schiller of ombiasy PR and WineTours and Chef/ Owner  Driss Zahidi of Evo Bistro in McLean, Virginia, at Evo Bistro. See: 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

Château Kirwan, 3ième Grand Cru Classé, Appellation Margaux

Châteaux Kirwan exists since the late 17 th century. In 1710 Sir John Collingwood, a wine merchant, bought the property and established it as working vineyard. His daughter married an Irishman, Mark Kirwan and hence the name was born.

Thomas Jefferson, then Ambassador of the United States in France, visited the Bordeaux vineyards in May 1787. He was not only the future president of the United States, but the greatest emissary of Bordeaux wines. In his travel diary and his book Jefferson on Wine, he elevated Kirwan wine to a second classified growth, making it much more recognizable on the far shores of the Atlantic. 

After Mark Kirwans’s death the heirs sold the estate in 1827, in the midst of a severe economic crisis after the upheavals of the French Revolution and the First Empire. Camille Godard, a botanist and later the Mayor of Bordeaux, purchased the estate. His interest in the wines of Châteaux Kirwan was somewhat limited, and at the turn of the century it was sold at auction, and acquired by the négociant firm Schroder & Schyler. 

Since 1950 the Schyler family has invested heavily in the châteaux and the vineyards. The latest major investments were undertaken in 2016 when a state-of-the-art new vinification and barrel cellar was constructed. Today the château is managed by the next generation Yann, Natalie and Sophie Schyler.

Barry Bros & Rudd: Château Kirwan

Château Kirwan is a 3ème Cru Classé Margaux property that has hit form in the last decade after years of producing wine not meriting its Cru Classé status. Kirwan takes its name from its Irish proprietor who was, rather unfortunately, guillotined in 1792.

Since 1925 Kirwan has been owned by the négociant firm, Schröder and Schÿler. The property is located in the commune of Cantenac and consists of a beautiful 18th century château and 35 hectares of vineyards.

The wine is typically a blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Petit Verdot. The grapes are hand-harvested and then fermented in temperature-controlled, stainless-steel tanks. The wine is then matured in oak barriques (30-50% new) for 18 months. It is bottled after a light fining and filtration.

Michel Rolland has been consulting at Kirwan since the early 90s and the wines are now aromatically richer and have more grip and body, as well as displaying much more depth of fruit.

Arriving

In the Vineyard

In the Wine Cellar

Lunch

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

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Château Coutet, Premier Grand Cru Classé, Appellation Sauternes, with Technical Director Laurier Girardot - Bordeaux Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Lunch at Restaurant L’Entrecœur in Preignac, Sauternes - Bordeaux Tour 2022 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

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

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

What we did for Dinner: 5 Nights in Bordeaux City - Wine More Time Wine Bar, Restaurant L‘Estacade, Restaurant La Terrasse Saint Pierre, Château Bouscaut, Grand Cru Classé de Graves - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

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

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

At La Baraque à Huîtres in L’ Herbe: Visit of an Oyster Farmer at the Bassin d'Arcachon - Bordeaux Tour 2022 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, 2ième Grand Cru Classé, Appellation Saint-Estèphe - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

Lunch at La Maison d’Estournel (following a Winery Tour and Vertical Tasting at Château Cos d’Estournel, Appellation Saint-Estèphe, 2ième Grand Cru Classé) - 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

Winery 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 Seated 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 - 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

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