Germany’s Grosses Gewächs (GG) wines are released on September 1. These are the ultra-premium dry wines from the very best vineyard sites made by some of the best producers in Germany.
As a rule, the white wines are released in the year following the harvest, the red wines are released after an additional 12 months of aging.
Many events throughout Germany take place in the weeks and months following the release of the new GGs. In addition, there is a highly exclusive tasting for a selected group of about 120 importers, journalists, bloggers, sommeliers and other multipliers on the Monday and Tuesday before September 1 in Wiesbaden. You meet there the who-is-who of German wine. I regularly participated in this tasting during the past years and reported about it on my blog schiller-wine.
Pre-release Presentation of the 2015 GGs from the Rheingau on the Rhine River
German producers take advantage of the high-caliber group gathering in Wiesbaden for the Pre-release Tasting and organize side events. For 4 years in a row, the VDP producers of the Rheingau have organized a special event on the Saturday before the Wiesbaden tastings and presented their new GG releases to their guests. All winemakers introduce their wines personally. The more formal part is then supplemented by a party-style get-together with the winemakers and more tasting. 3 years ago, this was a speed-boat event on the Rhine River including tasting. 2 years ago, the VDP.Rheingau flew their guests with helicopters over the Rheingau, from Hochheim to Assmannshausen, followed by a party at Weingut Robert Weil (Wilhelm Weil is the President of the VDP.Rheingau). 1 year ago, we went into the terroir; this was a most interesting conference-type tasting were we learned a lot about the different terroirs of the Rheingau from its producers. Again, the tasting was followed by an after-party at Weingut Robert Weil.
See:
The Rheingau and its Terroirs: Tasting with Rheingau’s Elite Winemakers, Germany
Extraordinary Views of the Rheingau Vineyards - A Spectecular Helicopter Flight over the Rheingau with Rheingau Winemakers, Germany
This year, we took a boat trip from Hochheim to Assmannshausen and tasted the wines as we passed the vineyards. The trip back from Assmannshausen was a party with more tasting, good food and other activities. For example, for a while I played cards with August Kesseler of Weingut August Kesseler, Wine Journalist Oliver Bock (FAZ) and Ralph Schönleber, Wein- und Sektgut Schönleber. We left Wiesbaden at 3 pm and came back at midnight.
Grosses Gewächs (GG)
What is a VDP.Grosses Gewächs? There is still a bit of confusion out there, as (1) Grosses Gewaechs (GG) is a term that was created by the VDP only a few years ago and (2) the VDP has established a new classification for German wines that differs radically from the German standard classification (and is still in the process of refining and implementing it). The latest revisions were those that came into effect with the vintage 2012.
GGs and the New German Wine Classification
Although many people think that there is only one wine classification system in Germany – the classification system of the Law of 1971 – this is not correct. True, the classification system of the Law of 1971 is the standard classification system in Germany and the vast majority of winemakers in Germany use this approach. A large number of winemakers, however, have moved away from the standard, in particular the VDP producers.
In a nutshell, the VDP is moving to a classification system that resembles very much the classification system in the Bourgogne. The classification of the VDP puts the terroir principle at the center of its classification approach.
With the latest modifications of 2012, the absolutely finest vineyards are called Grosse Lage (for the 2011 vintage still called Erste Lage) and dry wines from these super top vineyards are called Grosses Gewächs. Grosses Gewächs wines are the finest dry wines from Germany’s finest vineyards.
See:
Steffen Christmann (Weingut A. Christmann) and Wilhelm Weil (Weingut Robert Weil) Presented the New Wine Classification of the VDP, Germany
The Rheingau
It is remarkable: For its entire length of nearly 560 miles, the Rhine flows north with one exception – a 28-mile stretch where the river changes its course. Here, it flows to the west, thereby enabling both the river and the vineyards facing it to bask in the warmth of the sun all day long. This is the Rheingau, one of the medium-size German wine regions. It is a quietly beautiful region, rich in tradition. Queen Victoria's enthusiasm for Hochheim's wines contributed to their popularity in England, where they, and ultimately, Rhine wines in general, were referred to as Hock.
The third President of the USA - and notable bon viveur - Thomas Jefferson visited the Rheingau in 1788 and wrote that the wine of the "Abbaye of Johnsberg is the best made on the Rhine without comparison … That of the year 1775 is the best." He also referred to the Rheingau’s Riesling as the "small and delicate Rhysslin which grows only from Hochheim to Rudesheim". Impressed by the quality of the Rheingau Riesling wines, he bought 100 grapevines to take back to his estate in Virginia.
Although the Rheingau is one of Germany’s smaller wine-growing regions, its 3,100 ha (7,660 acres) of vineyards are vastly diverse in their geological makeup. The soil varies from stony slate at the western part near the villages of Assmannshausen and Rüdesheim to loess, sand and marl in the lower central villages of Geisenheim, Johannisberg, Winkel, Oestrich and Hattenheim. Soil reverts to stony phyllite in the higher central and eastern villages of Hallgarten, Kiedrich and Hochheim. Generally, wines from the lower slopes where the soil is heavier—sandy loam and loess—produce fuller wines, while at the higher slopes where it is more stony and slatey, the wines reflect more minerality, elegance and concentration.
The Rheingau enjoys a distinctly continental climate with cold winters and warm, but not hot, summers. The Rheingau is dominated by Riesling, accounting for 4/5 of the vineyard area. Pinot Noir accounts for 1/10 and is concentrated around Assmannshausen.
Vintage 2015
VDP: Der Jahrgang 2015 gilt als Jahrgang, in dem das Ernteguts perfekt reifen konnte – bei gleichzeitigem Erhalt von traumhaften Säuren und das trotz extremer Hitze und Trockenheit. Möglich gemacht hat das der Wassermangel. Er war das begrenzende Moment, wurde während der Vegetation auch mit gewisser Sorge betrachtet, doch im Nachhinein hätte es kaum idealer laufen können. Die Meinung vieler: Ein grandioser Jahrgang.
Translation CS: 2015 is considered to be a vintage, which allowed the fruit to fully ripen - while preserving the dreamlike acids and this notwithstanding the extreme heat and drought. This was made possible by the lack of water, which was the limiting factor. There was concern during the summer about the dryness, but with hindsight it could hardly have gone better. The opinion of many: A magnificent vintage.
The Wines
The tasting was led by Jochen Becker-Köhn, Deputy-Managing Director of Weingut Robert Weil. He is highly knowledgeable in terms of the history of the Rheingau, he is witty and charming. It was a great pleasure to listen to him.
Welcome Sekt
2011 Hassel, Hattenheim Sekt Brut Wein- und Sektgut Barth
Riesling VDP.Grosse Lage
Winemaker/ owner Mark P. Barth presented the wine.
See also: Tour and Wine Tasting with Lunch, with Mark Barth at Wein- und Sektgut Barth in Hattenheim, Rheingau– Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)
2015 White Grosses Gewächs GG Wines
2015 Nonnenberg, Wicker, Weingut Joachim Flick
Riesling GG VDP.Grosse Lage
Winemaker/ owner Rainer Flick presented the wine.
See also: FairChoice Certified Wine in Germany: Weingut Joachim Flick in the Rheingau
2015 Hölle, Hochheim, Weingut Künstler
Riesling GG VDP.Grosse Lage
Winemaker/ owner Gunter Künstler presented the wine.
See also: Vineyard Walk, Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting at Weingut Künstler– Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)
2015 Königin Victoriaberg, Hochheim, Weingut Joachim Flick
Riesling GG VDP.Grosse Lage
Winemaker/ owner Rainer Flick presented the wine.
See also: FairChoice Certified Wine in Germany: Weingut Joachim Flick in the Rheingau
2015 Weiss Erd, Kostheim, Weingut Künstler
Riesling GG VDP.Grosse Lage
Winemaker/ owner Gunter Künstler presented the wine.
See also: Vineyard Walk, Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting at Weingut Künstler– Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)
2015 Baikenkopf, Rauenthal, Hessische Staatsweingüter Kloster Eberbach
Riesling GG VDP.Grosse Lage
Managing Director Dieter Greiner presented the wine.
See also: Kloster Eberbach in the Rheingau: Tour and Wine Tasting - Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)
2015 Langenbach, Martinsthal, Weingut Diefenhardt
Riesling GG VDP.Grosse Lage
Winemakers/ owners Peter and Julia Seyffardt (daughter) presented the wine.
2015 Gräfenberg, Kiedrich, Weingut Robert Weil
Riesling GG VDP.Grosse Lage
Winemaker/ owner (and VDP.Rheingau President) Wilhelm Weil presented the wine.
See also: Kiedrich: Visit of the Basilica of Saint Valentine and of Weingut Robert Weil - Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)
2015 Marcobrunn, Erbach, Hessische Staatsweingüter Kloster Eberbach
Riesling GG VDP.Grosse Lage
Managing Director Dieter Greiner presented the wine.
See also: Kloster Eberbach in the Rheingau: Tour and Wine Tasting - Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)
2015 Marcobrunn, Erbach, Weingut Achim von Oetinger
Riesling GG VDP.Grosse Lage
Winemaker/ owner Achim von Oetinger presented the wine.
See also: Tour and Tasting at Weingut von Oetinger, Rheingau, with Achim von Oetinger– Germany-North 2016 by ombiasy WineTours
2015 Hohenrain, Erbach, Weingut Achim von Oetinger
Riesling GG VDP.Grosse Lage
Winemaker/ owner Achim von Oetinger presented the wine.
See also: Tour and Tasting at Weingut von Oetinger, Rheingau, with Achim von Oetinger– Germany-North 2016 by ombiasy WineTours
2015 Hohenrain, Erbach, Weingut Jakob Jung
Riesling GG VDP.Grosse Lage
Winemaker/ owner Alex Jung presented the wine.
See also: Impromptu Winetasting with Alexander Jung, Weingut Jakob Jung, Erbach, Rheingau, Germany
2015 Siegelsberg, Erbach, Weingut Jakob Jung
Riesling GG VDP.Grosse Lage
Winemaker/ owner Alex Jung presented the wine.
See also: Impromptu Winetasting with Alexander Jung, Weingut Jakob Jung, Erbach, Rheingau, Germany
2015 Wisselbrunnen, Hattenheim, Wein- und Sektgut Barth
Riesling GG VDP.Grosse Lage
Winemaker/ owner Mark P. Barth presented the wine.
See also: Tour and Wine Tasting with Lunch, with Mark Barth at Wein- und Sektgut Barth in Hattenheim, Rheingau– Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)
2015 Wisselbrunnen, Hattenheim, Weingut Josef Spreitzer
Riesling GG VDP.Grosse Lage
Winemaker/ owner Bernd Spreitzer presented the wine with his wife.
See also: Tour and Tasting at Weingut Spreitzer in Oestrich, Rheingau, with Bernd Spreitzer – Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)
2015 Nussbrunnen, Hattenheim, Weingut Balthasar Ress
Riesling GG VDP.Grosse Lage
Winemaker Dirk Würtz presented the wine.
See also: At Weingut Balthasar Ress in Hattenheim, Rheingau, during the 2015 Harvest with Winemaker Dirk Würtz, Germany
2015 Schönhell, Hallgarten, Wein- und Sektgut Barth
Riesling GG VDP.Grosse Lage
Winemaker/ owner Mark P. Barth presented the wine.
See also: Tour and Wine Tasting with Lunch, with Mark Barth at Wein- und Sektgut Barth in Hattenheim, Rheingau– Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)
2015 Schönhell, Hallgarten, Weingut Prinz
Riesling GG VDP.Grosse Lage
Winemaker/ owner Fred Prinz presented the wine.
2015 Jungfer, Hallgarten, Weingut Prinz
Riesling GG VDP.Grosse Lage
Winemaker/ owner Fred Prinz presented the wine.
2014 Doosberg, Oestrich, Weingut Peter Jakob Kühn
Riesling GG VDP.Grosse Lage
Winemaker of the Year (Gault Millau)/ owner Peter Jakob Kühn presented the wine.
See also: One of the Bio-dynamic Stars in Germany: Weingut Peter Jakob Kühn in Östrich, Winkel– Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)
2015 Rosengarten, Oestrich, Weingut Josef Spreitzer
Riesling GG VDP.Grosse Lage
Winemaker/ owner Bernd Spreitzer presented the wine with his wife.
See also: Tour and Tasting at Weingut Spreitzer in Oestrich, Rheingau, with Bernd Spreitzer – Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)
2015 St. Nikolaus, Mittelheim, Weingut FB Schönleber
Riesling GG VDP.Grosse Lage
Winemaker/ owner Bernd Schönleber presented the wine.
See also: Cellar Tour, Tasting and Dinner at Wein- und Sektgut F.B. Schönleber in Östrich-Winkel, Rheingau, with Ralph and Bernd Schönleber - Germany-North Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours
2014 St. Nikolaus, Mittelheim, Weingut Peter Jakob Kühn
Riesling GG VDP.Grosse Lage
Winemaker of the Year (Gault Millau)/ owner Peter Jakob Kühn presented the wine.
See also: One of the Bio-dynamic Stars in Germany: Weingut Peter Jakob Kühn in Östrich, Winkel– Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)
2015 Schlossberg, Schloss Vollrads
Riesling GG VDP.Grosse Lage
Deputy Managing Director/ vineyard manager Christine Müller presented the wine.
2015 Jesuitengarten, Winkel, Weingut J. Wegeler
Riesling GG VDP.Grosse Lage
2015 Jesuitengarten, Winkel, Weingut Allendorf
Riesling GG VDP.Grosse Lage
Winemaker/ (junior) owner Max Schönleber presented the wine.
See also: Lighting and the Flavor of Wine - With Winemaker Ulrich Allendorf in his Aroma Vineyard and Color Room at Weingut Allendorf in Oestrich Winkel, Rheingau, Germany
2015 Jesuitengarten, Winkel, Weingut FB Schönleber
Riesling GG VDP.Grosse Lage
Winemaker/ owner Bernd Schönleber presented the wine.
See also: Cellar Tour, Tasting and Dinner at Wein- und Sektgut F.B. Schönleber in Östrich-Winkel, Rheingau, with Ralph and Bernd Schönleber - Germany-North Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours
2015 Schloss Johannisberg, Silberlack, Weingut Schloss Johannisberg
Riesling GG VDP.Grosse Lage
Sales Director Stefan Doktor presented the wine.
See also: Tour and Tasting at Schloss Johannisberg, Rheingau, with Christian Witte, Domaine Director– Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), Germany
2015 Hölle, Johannisberg, Weingut Johannishof
Riesling GG VDP.Grosse Lage
Winemaker/ owner Johannes Eser presented the wine.
2015 Rothenberg, Geisenheim, Weingut J. Wegeler
Riesling GG VDP.Grosse Lage
2015 Berg Roseneck, Rüdesheim, Weingut Allendorf
Riesling GG VDP.Grosse Lage
Winemaker/ owner Ulrich Allendorf presented the wine.
See also: Lighting and the Flavor of Wine - With Winemaker Ulrich Allendorf in his Aroma Vineyard and Color Room at Weingut Allendorf in Oestrich Winkel, Rheingau, Germany
2015 Berg Roseneck, Rüdesheim, Weingut August Kesseler
Riesling GG VDP.Grosse Lage
Winemaker/ owner August Kesseler presented the wine.
See also: Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut August Kesseler in Assmanshausen, with Winemaker Simon Batarseh – Germany-North Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours
2015 Berg Roseneck, Rüdesheim, Weingut Leitz
Riesling GG VDP.Grosse Lage
See also: Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Leitz in Rüdesheim, with Johannes Leitz – Germany-North Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours
2015 Berg Rottland, Rüdesheim, Weingut Johannishof
Riesling GG VDP.Grosse Lage
Winemaker/ owner Johannes Eser presented the wine.
2015 Berg Rottland, Rüdesheim, Weingut G.H. von Mumm
Riesling GG VDP.Grosse Lage
Sales Director Stefan Doktor presented the wine.
2015 Berg Schlossberg, Rüdesheim, Weingut Balthasar Ress
Riesling GG VDP.Grosse Lage
Winemaker Dirk Würtz presented the wine.
See also: At Weingut Balthasar Ress in Hattenheim, Rheingau, during the 2015 Harvest with Winemaker Dirk Würtz, Germany
2015 Berg Schlossberg, Rüdesheim, Weingut August Kesseler
Riesling GG VDP.Grosse Lage
Winemaker/ owner August Kesseler presented the wine.
See also: Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut August Kesseler in Assmanshausen, with Winemaker Simon Batarseh – Germany-North Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours
2015 Berg Kaisersteinfels, Rüdesheim, Weingut Leitz
Riesling GG VDP.Grosse Lage
See also: Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Leitz in Rüdesheim, with Johannes Leitz – Germany-North Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours
2014 Red Grosses Gewächs GG Wines
2014 Schlenzenberg, Martinsthal, Weingut Diefenhardt
Spätburgunder GG VDP.Grosse Lage
Winemakers/ owners Peter and Julia Seyffardt (daughter) presented the wine.
2014 Höllenberg, Assmannshausen, Weingut Allendorf
Spätburgunder GG VDP.Grosse Lage
Winemaker/ owner Ulrich Allendorf presented the wine.
See also: Lighting and the Flavor of Wine - With Winemaker Ulrich Allendorf in his Aroma Vineyard and Color Room at Weingut Allendorf in Oestrich Winkel, Rheingau, Germany
2014 Höllenberg, Assmannshausen, Hessische Staatsweingüter Kloster Eberbach
Spätburgunder GG VDP.Grosse Lage
Managing Director Dieter Greiner presented the wine.
See also: Kloster Eberbach in the Rheingau: Tour and Wine Tasting - Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)
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Germany-North Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential German Riesling and the Northernmost Pinot Noir
The Rheingau and its Terroirs: Tasting with Rheingau’s Elite Winemakers, Germany
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Steffen Christmann (Weingut A. Christmann) and Wilhelm Weil (Weingut Robert Weil) Presented the New Wine Classification of the VDP, Germany
Tour and Wine Tasting with Lunch, with Mark Barth at Wein- und Sektgut Barth in Hattenheim, Rheingau– Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)
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See also: Kloster Eberbach in the Rheingau: Tour and Wine Tasting - Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)
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At Weingut Balthasar Ress in Hattenheim, Rheingau, during the 2015 Harvest with Winemaker Dirk Würtz, Germany
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Tour and Tasting at Weingut von Oetinger, Rheingau, with Achim von Oetinger– Germany-North 2016 by ombiasy WineTours
Vineyard Walk, Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting at Weingut Künstler– Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)
Kiedrich: Visit of the Basilica of Saint Valentine and of Weingut Robert Weil - Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)
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