Lunch at the 1 Star Michelin Restaurant Gutsschenke Schlosshotel Monrepos, with Chef Ben Benasr - Germany-East Tour 2017 by ombiasy WineTours

Picture: 1 Star Michelin Chef Ben Benasr Joining us after Lunch at Gutsschenke Schlosshotel Monrepos

Before the visit of Weingut Herzog von Württemberg, our last winery visit on the Germany-East Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2017, we had lunch at the Gutsschenke Schlosshotel Monrepos.

Michelin-starred Chef Ben Benasr joint us after the dinner for a talk.

House of Württemberg

The House of Württemberg is a German dynasty and a former Royal family. Today, the Württemberg family still owns the castles Monrepos, Altshausen and Friedrichshafen.

Winemaking at the House of Württemberg goes back to the 13th century. Their vineyard sites are in the most prestigious parcels in Württemberg and tasting the Herzog von Württemberg portfolio is a high-class journey through the best of the best that the Württemberg wine region has to offer. Owner is H.R.H. Carl Herzog von Württemberg and he makes sure that old tradition and modern knowledge go hand in hand to produce outstanding wines. In 1981 a new, modern winery was constructed in the park of the beautiful Castle Monrepos, the royal family of Württemberg’s lakeside weekend and hunting retreat.

Pictures: Lunch at Gutsschenke Schlosshotel Monrepos

Wine Region Württemberg

Baden-Württemberg is one of the 16 German states that make up Germany. Baden-Wuerttemberg is one of the growth centers of Germany due to its booming export industries. Mercedes-Benz and Porsche are prime examples. Baden-Württemberg comprises two wine growing areas, Baden and Württemberg.

Wine from Württemberg is mainly red wine. The main production area is along the Neckar River between Stuttgart and Heilbronn. There are also vineyards on Lake Constance that belong to Württemberg.

More wine is consumed here (per capita) than anywhere else in Germany - actually twice as much as in the rest of Germany. The German poet Friedrich von Schiller wrote already several centuries ago: “A Württemberger without wine--is that a real Württemberger?”

The Trollinger is the most popular variety, which is grown almost exclusively in Württemberg. It is a nice table wine that goes well with the local food. If you are looking for a premium wine, Lemberger (known as Blaufränkisch in Austria and Kékfrankos in its Hungarian homeland) is the grape variety to go for. The Lemberger made by Weingut Dautel and Weingut Wachstetter, which we had during the tour, can compete with the best red wines in the world.

With 11,000 hectares under vine, Württemberg is Germany's fourth largest wine region. Winemaking cooperatives are very common in Württemberg, number around 70, and are responsible for almost 75% of the region's production.

Wines from Württemberg are hard to find in the US. This is partly explained by the production structure, which is dominated by co-operatives. These co-operatives are known for producing top class wines. But they tend to be less aggressive in terms of penetrating new markets.

Pictures: Christian Schiller and Chef Ben Benasr

Chef Ben Benasr at Gutsschenke Schlosshotel Monrepos

In the park of Schloss Monrepos is also a hotel, Schlosshotel Monrepos, including the Michelin-starred restaurant Gutsschenke. Chef Ben Benasr an his team again were awarded a star in the Guide Michelin Deutschland 2018 and 16 points in the Gault Millau 2018 Deutschland. Before the visit of Weingut Herzog von Württemberg, we had lunch at the Gutsschenke.

Chef Ben Benasr was borne in Tunesia and got his formal training in Sousse/ Tunesia and at Restaurant Schloss Weitenburg in Germany. He interned and worked at a number of top restaurants, including Pierre Gagnaire/ Paris, Hotel de Crillon/ Paris and Joël Robuchon/ Monaco. Before taking over the Gutsschänke Monrepos, he was Chef de Cuisine at Landhaus Stricker/ Sylt (1 Michelin star and 18 Gault Millau points).

The Lunch (1 Star Michelin/ 16 Points Gault Millau)

The Menu