For the nineth time, the Falstaff Trophies Deutschland were awarded. The wine/food/travel journal Falstaff has been around for a number of years, issued in Vienna, Austria, and reporting about wine, food and travel from an Austrian perspective, for Austria-based readers. Seven years ago, Falstaff expanded into the German wine and food scene and started to issue a German version of Falstaff in addition to the well established Austrian version. As part of its expansion, Falstaff has created the annual Falstaff Deutschland Wine Trophies, to be awarded to German wine personalities.
See: Best German Winemakers: Falstaff Wine Trophies 2019
Falstaff Newcomer of the Year: Moritz Haidle, Weingut Karl Haidle
Moritz Haidle, Weingut Karl Haidle, Württemberg, is Falstaff Newcomer of the Year.
Moritz Haidle, Weingut Karl Haidle, "is a dedicated organic farmer, and a passionate devotee of hip-hop culture. A talented graffiti artist, Moritz is no doubt a radical figure in the Swabian wine scene, uprooting the traditional image of the staid German winzer. His vibrant character and commitment to terroir translates in the pure, focused wines that are emerging from this deep, natural cellar."
Falstaff/ CS Translation: From early on in his life Moritz Haidle had to work in the vineyard at home, he says, but at that time preferred to spray graffiti and dream of working as a designer. It was not until he completed an internship with Paul Fürst that he understood the "fascination of wine". After studying in Australia, California, Burgundy and Baden, she studied in Geisenheim. And today? Haidle is surprising people with his uncompromising wines.
We have met and tasted his wines at various occasions. The last time, we met at the 2018 Christmas Party of the Weinfeder, the association of German wine journalists: Christmas Party 2018 of the Weinfeder - the Association of German-speaking Wine Journalists - in the Remstal in Württemberg, with the Wine Estates Jürgen Ellwanger, Bernhard Ellwanger, Doreas and Karl Haidle, Germany
A few months before that, we visited Maritz Haidle at his estate as part of the Germany East Tour 2018: Vineyard Walk, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Karl Haidle in Kernen-Stetten, Württemberg, with Moritz Haidle - Germany-East Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Art, Culture, History - Berlin, Saale-Unstrut, Sachsen, Württemberg, Franken
Schatzi-Wines/ Moritz Haidle, Weingut Karl Haidle
Moritz Haidle, Weingut Kalr Haidle, is represented in the USA by Schatzi-Wines:
Schatzi-Wines: Founded in 1949 by retired, world-class Gymnast Karl Haidle and now onto its third generation, Weingut Haidle has long been a pioneer and leader in fine-wine production in Württemburg.
Today, the young and energetic Moritz Haidle is in charge of the estate. He is a dedicated organic farmer, and a passionate devotee of hip-hop culture. A talented graffiti artist, Moritz is no doubt a radical figure in the Swabian wine scene, uprooting the traditional image of the staid German winzer. His vibrant character and commitment to terroir translates in the pure, focused wines that are emerging from this deep, natural cellar. Specializing in Riesling, Lemberger, and Spätburgunder, Moritz gives the unique slopes of Stetten a chance to speak with nuance and clarity.
Though one of Germany’s thirteen anbaugebiete, Württemberg still remains one of the country’s slightly obscure viticultural areas; Moritz refers to it as the “outsider” region. Before WWII, wine grapes in the Rems Valley were almost always sold off to the local co-op and the majority of wine production was consumed by locals. It was only over the course of the last twenty years that wines from the region became distributed around Germany and ultimately exported to the rest of the world.
Beginning in 1949, Karl Haidle founded his eponymous winery with a single hectare of vines and a vision to bottle his own wine. Sadly, Karl passed away at a young age leaving Mortiz’s father, Hans, to take the reins of the family business at only 23 years of age. It was under Hans’ patient, watchful eye that the winery we see today began to take shape. Hans expanded the holdings to a full 23 ha and dedicated himself to making wine of pinnacle quality, with a focus on Riesling—what is unique in a region more recognized for simple, juicy reds. He became a VdP member in the 90s.
The viticultural focus at the estate is summed up quite simply by Mortiz, “we want to work with nature to get long lasting vines with deep roots and naturally low yields.” The fruit is picked by hand and vinified in old, neutral vats some of which are 70+ years old. “I swear by the old barrels of my Grandfather,” Moritz says. The winery is arranged to move the wines via gravity, the whites undergo extended lees contact, nothing is ever fined and they are bottled with just a touch of sulfur.
Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours and Weinbörse 2019 in Mainz
We will see Moritz again at the 2019 Weinbörse in a few days.
The 2019 Weinbörse, the annual spring trade fair of the VDP, the association of about 200 elite wine producers in Germany, takes place on Sunday and Monday, April 28 and 29, 2019, in the Rheingoldhalle of Mainz. Worldwide, the Weinbörse is the only trade fair that focuses exclusively on fine German wines. The Weinbörse offers an unique opportunity (trade only) to taste the new releases of Germany's elite winemakers.
The Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours will start on April 29 with a full-day visit of the Weinbörse. See: Invitation: Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential German Riesling
schiller-wine: Related Postings
UPCOMING Tours/ Wine Dinners/ Tastings - Annette and Christian Schiller/ ombiasyPR & WineTours/ schiller-wine, Germany, France, USA (Issued: April 1, 2019)
Announcement: ombiasy WineTours in 2019 - Germany-North and Bordeaux
Ombiasy Wine Tours 2018: 3 x France and 3 x Germany - Ombiasy Newsletter December 2017
Best German Winemakers: Falstaff Wine Trophies 2019
Christmas Party 2018 of the Weinfeder - the Association of German-speaking Wine Journalists - in the Remstal in Württemberg, with the Wine Estates Jürgen Ellwanger, Bernhard Ellwanger, Doreas and Karl Haidle, Germany
Vineyard Walk, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Karl Haidle in Kernen-Stetten, Württemberg, with Moritz Haidle - Germany-East Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Art, Culture, History - Berlin, Saale-Unstrut, Sachsen, Württemberg, Franken
Invitation: Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential German Riesling
2017 VDP Trade Fair Weinbörse - Vintage 2016 - in Mainz: Schiller’s Report