At the IV. International Riesling Symposium (2022) at Eberbach Abbey - Annette Schiller (in person) and Christian Schiller (online), Rheingau, Germany

On May 9 and 10, 2022, Riesling experts from around the world - top winemakers, representatives from the trade and restaurant sector, and journalists – gathered at Kloster Eberbach in the Rheingau to celebrate, discuss and taste the arguably most noble white grape in the world - Riesling.

Participation is by invitation only. Unfortunately, this year, I was unable to travel to Germany to attend the International Riesling Symposium for a number of reasons. However, thanks to modern technology, I was able to attend the conference online, sitting in my home in Washington DC. Annette had the privilege of attending the conference in-person. 

I am combining in this posting pictures taken by Annette Schiller in Germany and by Christian Schiller in his home in Washington DC 

The International Riesling Symposium in the Rheingau is part of the so-called Riesling Coalition, encompassing 3 major Rieslings events in Germany (International Riesling Symposium), in the US (Riesling Rendezvous) and in Australia (Riesling Downunder). In principle, following this year’s International Riesling Symposium in the Rheingau, the Riesling Coalition caravan will travel to Australia next year for the 2023 Riesling Downunder, followed by the Riesling Rendezvous in the US in 2024 and the next International Riesling Symposium in the Rheingau in 2025.

In the recent past, however, this schedule was thrown a bit out of line because of covid and also because of a reorganization at the Riesling Rendezvous in the US. While initially, the Riesling Rendezvous took place in Washington State with Chateau Ste. Michelle in the driver seat, the last Riesling Rendezvous took place in the Finger Lakes Region in Upstate New York. 

For previous events, in which I participated and wrote about, see: 

At the IV. Internenational Riesling Symposium at Eberbach Abbey in the Rheingau, Germany: Annette Schiller (in person) and Christian Schiller (online)

For the 2017 Riesling Symposium in the Rheingau, see:The III. International Riesling Symposium (2017) in the Rheingau, Germany

For the 2016 Riesling Rendezvous in Seattle, see: 5. Riesling Rendezvous in Seattle, Washington State: Overview

For the 2014 International Riesling Symposium in Germany, see: The 2nd International Riesling Symposium in the Rheingau, Germany

For the 2013 Riesling Rendezvous, see: The World of Riesling in Seattle - Fourth Riesling Rendezvous in Washington State, USA

For the 2011 International Riesling Symposium in Germany, see: 1. International Riesling Symposium

 

Announcement

 

The next International Riesling Symposium (IRS) will be held on 9-10 May 2022 at Kloster Eberbach and the Hochschule Geisenheim University campus. Its central theme will be “Riesling on the Global Market in an Age of Changing Climates and Market Conditions.” The dual focal points of climate and market change are intended to shine the spotlight upon the most urgent variables facing Riesling today.
 

The VDP.Rheingau will proudly host the next edition of this internationally renowned gathering together with its established partners Kloster Eberbach, Buero Medienagenten and the Sommelier Union Deutschland. It is also grateful for the generous support to be provided by Hochschule Geisenheim University and Hawesko Holding AG.

 
In a first for this event, Hawesko Holding will help Geisenheim students — the best and brightest of Germany’s wine future — attend the symposium virtually via a live feed. Given that the IRS is only held every three years, it is a rare chance for the students to take part in the two days of Riesling-centered lectures, discussions and once-in-a-lifetime tastings.

 
The event will see esteemed Riesling producers from across Germany joined by a high-carat pool of international trade journalists, sommeliers and retailers looking to exchange perspectives and experiences about their favorite topic: Riesling. This involvement of the industry’s next generation is a groundbreaking innovation that speaks to the continued presence and future of Riesling in both on and off premise sales.

 

Pictures: At the IV. International Riesling Symposium (2022) at Eberbach Abbey - Annette Schiller (in person) and Christian Schiller (online), Rheingau, Germany

Riesling in the World

There are about 47000 hectares planted with Riesling worldwide. Germany – with 22500 hectares – accounts for about half of the total. The second and third largest Riesling producer are the US (mainly Washington State and Finger Lakes Region) with 4800 hectares and Australia with 4100 hectares. But this is only about 1/10 of the total. Alsace follows with 3500 hectares. Alsace, Ukraine and Austria follow with 3500 hectares, 2700 hectares and 1900 hectares, respectively.

Overall, Riesling is really a niche wine, accounting for less than 1 percent of total wine production in the world - but a very special niche wine.

At the IV. International Riesling Symposium at Eberbach Abbey in the Rheingau, Germany: Annette Schiller (in person) and Christian Schiller (online)  

Monday, May 9, 2022 (Day 1)

9.30 Welcome! Coffee, Fingerfood

10.00 Greetings!
Wilhelm Weil, Thorsten Hermelink, Hawesko, and Prof. Dr. H. R. Schultz

10.30 Speech and Tasting

* Riesling Production in a changing climate – changes in our “Riesling World“ considering aspects of global warming over the past 40 years
Prof. Dr. Hans Reiner Schultz, Hochschule Geisenheim University [combined with a thematic tasting]

13.30 - 15:00 Lunch

15:00 Speech and Tasting

* Riesling Production in a Warm Climate – Viticultural and Oenological Advantages, Drawbacks, and Challenges
Prof. Dr. Markus Keller und Prof. James F. Harbertson, Washington State University [combined with a thematic tasting]

* Understanding New World Riesling
|Stuart Pigott, Journalist and Scriptwriter [Tasting]

18:00 - 19.30 Kloster Eberbach and Steinberg vineyard [guided tours] 

 

Pictures: In the Steinberg Vineyard

19.30 - 23.00 #RIESLINGFOOD + Wine Bar

Impressions of Day 1

Annette Schiller (in person) - Impressions of Day 1:  

International Riesling Symposium in Kloster Eberbach. Great seminars and tastings today. So interesting to look deep into the subject how global warming during the last forty years has effected Riesling production. Kloster Eberbach itself is a gem: a thousand year old abbey founded by Cistercians and a winemaking estate ever since. Such a peaceful environment and the Steinberg vineyard is a “Clos“ completely surrounded by a wall just like some famous vineyards in Burgundy. Gorgeous spring weather! 

 Christian Schiller (online) - Impressions of Day 1:

Pictures:  Christian Schiller (online) - Impressions of Day 1 

Annette Schiller (in person) - Impressions of Day 2: 

Another interesting day. The topics centered around the marketing of Rieslings. There were two incredible tastings. Each tasting comprised 25 Riesling of Große Lage (Grand Cru) quality of German, Austrian, and Alsatian wines. All wines were ecologically made and most of them certified. It looks like that in view of climate change and environmental consciousness the ecological approach has become mainstream for the production of top wines. The oldest vintage in the tasting was a 1963 Riesling from Schloss Johannisberg. All wines were phenomenal in their own right and demonstrated the individuality of the Riesling grape. My personal conclusion: Riesling is truly the queen of the white grapes. Top Rieslings are a steal compared to other grape varieties. 

Christian Schiller (online) - Impressions of Day 2

Pictures: Christian Schiller (online) - Impressions of Day 2

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