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 8
Today is Friday, May 22 - Day 08 of the 2020 Germany South & Alsace Wine Tour organized by Ombiasy Public Relations and Wine Tours
Since the Pandemic forced me to cancel the tour I will go on the journey mentally and I will share this tour with you.
We will have a very busy day ahead of us with visits to three wineries and a very special wine pairing dinner.
Our first visit would be at Weingut Ökonomierat Rebholz in Siebeldingen. Focus here is on Riesling and the Burgundy grapes. The Rebholz were the pioneers to produce through fermented dry wines in the southern Pfalz region. Due to the purity of the wines they have an enormous ageing potential. Hansjörg Rebholz definitely belongs to the top five winemakers in all of Germany. Their famous vineyard sites are "Kastanienbusch" and "Im Sonnenschein".
See: Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Ökonomierat Rebholz in Siebeldingen, Pfalz, with Hansjörg and Valentin Rebholz and Sabine Wagner - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours
Our second visit this morning will be at Weingut Dr. Wehrheim in Birkweiler, just a stone throw from Siebeldingen. The Wehrheims also own parts of the "Kastanienbusch". We have the fantastic opportunity to do a back to back tasting of a Riesling "Kastanienbusch" from two exquisite producers - and both follow the guidelines of biodynamic viticulture which makes the wines even more comparable. Tasting these many wines makes us hungry and we will enjoy a nice lunch.
We now head north on the German wine trail to Wachenheim to visit Weingut Dr. Bürklin-Wolf, one of the historic, iconic wineries of Germany. With 212 acres under vine it numbers among the largest estates in Germany. It is a treasure trove of top-rated vineyards (9 Grand Crus, 6 Premier Crus). I quote Joel Payne: ".... given their sheer vineyard potential ....- this may well be the best and most consistent producer of great dry Riesling in the world". In the evening we are in for a very special treat. We will enjoy a wine pairing dinner at the Hofgut belonging to the winery with Steffen Brahner, the GM of Weingut Dr. Bürklin-Wolf.
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
I am sure that we will have a very good night sleep after this busy, exciting day at our hotel in Bad Dürkheim.
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)
Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Ökonomierat Rebholz in Siebeldingen, Pfalz, with Hansjörg and Valentin Rebholz and Sabine Wagner - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour 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