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 9
Saturday, May 23 is Day 09 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.
It is unbelievable but this is the last day of the tour with winery visits. We have an impressive program today. We visit one more winery in the Pfalz region followed by two winery visits in Rheinhessen.
The Pfalz is Germany's second largest wine region with 57,500 acres under vine and stretches for 60 miles from the the border with the Rheinhessen region south to the border with the Alsace. Production is 60% white wine and 40% red wine, predominantly Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir). 13,000 acres are planted with Riesling which makes the Pfalz the largest Riesling region world-wide. The Pfalz Rieslings are generally bone-dry and more powerful than the Riesling wines from the Mosel, Nahe or Rheingau regions.
Right after breakfast we visit Weingut Rings in Freinsheim, the northern part of the Pfalz. Brothers Steffen and Andreas Rings have been running the estate together since 2008. They farm 75 acres of vineyards that are planted in an even split between red and white grape varieties. Their Rieslings and Pinot Noirs acquired a national and international reputation as first class wines.
See: Tasting and Cellar Tour at Weingut Rings in Freinsheim, Pfalz, with Andreas Rings - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours
Here we say good by to the Pfalz and cross into Rheinhessen. In Flörsheim-Dalsheim, the southernmost corner of Rheinhessen, we visit Weingut Keller. Klaus Peter Keller is the undisputed number one among Germany's producers of dry Rieslings. His old-vine Cuvée G-Max is the world's most expensive dry Riesling with a price hovering around 2000$ per bottle. I quote Jancis Robinson:"If I had to choose one wine to show how great dry German Rieslings can be I would choose a Keller Riesling. Those wines are the German Montrachets."
After lunch we head north and meet the Rhein river again. Between Nierstein and Nackenheim is the "Rote Hang" (red slope), a spectacular geological formation - the steep drop of the Rheinhessen Plateau towards the Rhein river. Here red clay and sandstones emerge, which were created around 280 million years ago under subtropical conditions. In addition to this ideal soil, the south-south-east slope and the huge body of water create perfect conditions for the vines to thrive.
We visit the Weingut Sankt Antony in Nierstein where we will taste Rieslings from the Grand Cru sites of the Rote Hang as well as red wines from Blaufränkisch grapes, a rarity in Rheinhessen.
In the early evening we drive to Mainz where we will check in to the Hilton hotel in Mainz.
Our last dinner together will be at Weinhaus Ladendorf. Roland Ladendorf, owner of this wine bar is a dictionary when it comes to German wines. Of course we also will have some of his great wines.
See: Blind Tasting of Top Wines from Rheinhessen with Roland Ladendorf at Weinhaus Bluhm in Mainz – Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)
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)
Tasting and Cellar Tour at Weingut Rings in Freinsheim, Pfalz, with Andreas Rings - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours
Blind Tasting of Top Wines from Rheinhessen with Roland Ladendorf at Weinhaus Bluhm in Mainz – Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)