The Germany/ South and Alsace Tour 2020 by ombiasy WineTours was fully booked but had to be cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic. Starting on May 15, Annette issued short posts on facebook briefly describing what we would have done on that day had the tour taken place, using pictures from previous tours.
I am re-posting these short daily accounts along with a general introduction to the tour here on my blog.
Germany/ South and Alsace Tour 2020 by ombiasy WineTours
Germany is so closely identified with Riesling (and yes, it is the largest producer of Riesling world-wide) that you may be surprised to learn that the country is also very strong regarding the Burgundy grapes. It is the third-largest producer of Pinot Noir (Spätburgunder), the largest producer of Pinot Blanc (Weissburgunder), and the second largest producer of Pinot Gris (Grauburgunder) in the world. Join us as we discover the southern German wine regions that produce bone dry, opulent Rieslings, outstanding Pinot Noirs and whites from Burgundy grapes. We will step across the Rhine River to compare the wines of the Eastern (German) and Western (French) Rhine valley and we will get a feel for the beautiful, quaint Alsace region with its incredible picturesque wine villages dotted with half-timbered century old buildings. Enjoy the Pfalz, the second largest German wine region by growing area and only topped by Rheinhessen, which it borders to the north. From there, the Pfalz stretches to the French border 53 miles to the south and borders Alsace. In this region French and German vineyards melt into one another and some wineries on the French side own vineyards in Germany and vice versa.
For detailed information on the tour schedule, please check: https://ombiasypr.com/index.php/wine-tours/germany-south/germany-south-alsace-itinerary
For pricing and registration, please go to: https://ombiasypr.com/index.php/wine-tours/germany-south/germany-south-alsace-registration
Germany/ South and Alsace Tour 2020 by ombiasy WineTours: Day 2
Since the Pandemic forced me to cancel the tour I will go on the journey mentally and I will share this tour with you. Sold-out: Alsace + Germany/South Tour by ombiasy WineTours
Today is Day 02 of the tour.
After a good night sleep at the Hilton Hotel in Mainz we head out to explore the southern part of the Rheinhessen region. Rheinhessen is with 65,000 acres under vine Germany's largest wine region. We travel through rolling hills covered with vineyards as far as the eye can see. Our first visit today will be Weingut Wittmann, a family estate since 1663 focusing on Riesling. Philipp Wittmann converted to biodynamic viticulture in 2004. His Rieslings grow on limestone and produce beautiful wines with tension, depth, and an incredible intensity.
After touring the cellars and a thorough tasting our stomachs start to growl and we continue south to Bissersheim to have lunch at Knipser's Halbstück, a wonderful restaurant part of Weingut Knipser. Of course, after lunch we visit the winery just five minutes down the road. Here we have the chance to taste Riesling and wines from the Burgundy grapes. The Grand Cru Pinot Noir (Spätburgunder) is phenomenal. Knipsers are also known for their non-traditional grape plantings such as Cabernet-Sauvignon and Merlot, and for producing cuvées in a "Bordeaux" style.cc Christian Schiller
schiller-wine: Related Postings
Announcement: Upcoming ombiasy Wine Tours 2020 - (1) Alsace and Germany South, (2) Rhône Valley, (3) Bordeaux and (4) Germany: Christmas Market, Wine, Concert Tour
Reminder: Rhône Valley Tour by ombiasy WineTours in June 2020
Annual Riesling Party at the Schiller Residence in Washington DC, USA (2019)
Tour and Tasting at Weingut Wittmann in Westhofen, Rheinhessen, with Philipp Wittmann - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours