Joe Del Balzo (Country Vintners and AIWF) had arranged a winemaker dinner with 3 German wine producers – Dr. Fischer, Fitz-Ritter and G.A. Schneider - at the L2 Lounge in Washington Dc’s Georgetown area. In addition, the wines of Biohof Pratsch (Austria) were presented. AIWF Member Price: $60.00 Guest Price: $70.00
The American Institute of Wine and Food (AIWF)
The American Institute of Wine and Food is a non-profit organization founded by Julia Child, Robert Mondavi and others in 1981 to advance the understanding, appreciation and quality of what we eat and drink in the USA. Membership is open to all, professionals and amateurs.
A couple of months ago, I enjoyed very much the crab cake competition, organized by the Washington DC Chapter of AIWF: Wine and Crab Cakes: Amy Brandwein from Casa Nonna and Chris Clime from PassionFish win the 6th Annual Crab Cake Competition in Washington DC, USA
The L2 Lounge
The L2 Lounge is an exclusive upscale lounge that caters to DC socialites who have been willing to pay the price for an annual membership of $1500. Recently, the L2 have been loosening the entrance restrictions (non-members can get in for a cover on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays) and hosting events like ours.
This is an amazing place. The designers did a fantastic job mixing slick, modern furnishings in a Manhattan-esque loft setting complete with exposed brick walls. The L2 Lounge is located on Cady’s Alley in Georgetown.
The Winemakers
The 3 German winemakers who presented their wines at the dinner belong to the group of wine producers in Germany who have a strong export orientation. The mother of Johann Fitz, current owner of Weingut Fitz-Ritter is American and member of the Board of the German Wine Society (USA). Karin Fischer from Dr. Fischer told me that she is exporting 80% percent of her production to the US. No wonder that she is not listed in the Gault Millau wine guide, although she produces very fine wines and is a member of the VDP, the German association of elite winemaker. Fitz Ritter and G.A. Schneider are 2 Grapes Gault Millau wine estates; the former is also a member of the VDP.
Weingut Dr. Fischer (Saar), Owner Karin Fischer, Germany
Owner Karin Fischer presented the Dr. Fischer wine. Following the death of her husband Hans-Henning in 1999, Karin manages the estate with her daughters. Family documents show that the Fischer family was involved in viticulture as far back as 1758. Since the construction of the Bocksteinhof in Ockfen in 1952, the Dr. Fischer wines have been vinified there. The estate is well-known for its Ockfener Bockstein wines, and in 1964 the former Lintz estate in the nearby village of Wawern was purchased; property dating back to 1043, which was formally owned by the cathedral seminary of Trier before secularization in 1796.
Being at a higher altitude than in the Mosel valley, the cooler microclimate and long vegetation period with harvesting into November, allows for Riesling to show its full potential, without high alcohol.
Weingut Fitz-Ritter (Pfalz) Estate Manager Achim Eberle, Germany
The Spa (english for Bad) town of Durkheim, embedded into the foothills of the Palatinate forest, marks the heart of the fertile Middle Haardt region of the Pfalz. The area is especially favored by a warm micro-climate in the broad Rhine valley, protected from cold winds by the bordering Pfalz hillside forests. Countless almond trees can thus flourish between the vineyards, their delicate pink blossom heralding the end of the winter. The Fitz-Ritter family estate dates back to 1785 and is today owned and managed by the 9th generation in succession, Johann Fitz. The Fitz-Ritter estate was a founding member of the Verband Deutscher Pradikatsweingueter (VDP).
Weingut Georg Albecht Schneider (Rheinhessen), Owner Uschi Mueller, Germany
The wines were presented by owner Uschi Mueller. Uschi is one of the three children of Albrecht Schneider, who has been at the helm of the Weingut Georg Albrecht Schneider for many decades. Albrecht Schneider is in the process of handing over to Uschi and her husband Steffen, who is a winemaker and who is also in the process of taking over the winery of his parents.
Albrecht Schneider's maxim has always been absolute devotion to his vineyards and wines, whilst marketing was considered less important. He had to take over the "reigns" at an early age in 1967 after his apprenticeship at the Langwerth von Simmern estate, and even in those early days, he realized that only healthy soils could allow the cultivation of fine wines, and began with inter-row crops while modernizing from horse to special light tractor. The estate has been owned by the Schneider family for 7 generations, and today at vintage time, three generations are at work. 15 hectares (37 acres) in Nierstein belong to the estate, over 40% of which are planted to Riesling. Red sandstone soils are predominant in the best sites that yield rich and spicy wines.
Biohof Pratsch, Consultant Jan Kux, Austria
The wines of Biohof Pratsch were presented by Jan Kux, who is a winemaker by training and who came on this tour to present the wines of Biohof Pratsch. Biohof Pratsch is a 13.5 hectare estate comprised of 13 single vineyards in the Niederosterreich region (Lower Austria), all maintained under organic certification for over 10 years by the Pratsch family, Wilhelm and Anneliese and their son, Stefan. Organic winegrowing to them is more than just the elimination of pesticides, fungicides and artificial fertilizers, but rather part of a larger, holistic philosophy of dedication to the land and the quality of the wines.
The Dinner
Kafe Leopold’s Executive Chef Joel Lucas prepared a wonderful dinner, which at the same time was innovative and focused traditional German cuisine.
Amuse Buche
Fitz Ritter Riesling Sekt, Extra Trocken, Pfalz, Germany, NV
Dr. Fischer Ockfener Bockstein, Riesling Kabinett, Germany, 2010
Squash Blossom Pappardelle, Bosc Pear, Stilton-Hazelnut Crumble
G.A. Schneider Niersteiner Hipping, Riesling Spatlese, Rheinhessen, Germany, 2010
Brazilian Tiger Fish, Red Curry, Grilled Baby Bok Choy, Lychee Caviar
Fitz Ritter Gewurztraminer, Pfalz, Spaetlese, Germany, 2010
Pork Belly, Red Romaine, Fava Bean Aioli, Tomato Jam
Biohof Pratsch Gruner Veltliner, Rotenpullen, Austria, 2010
Smoked Duck Breast, Hudson Valley Foie Gras Morels House Made Boursin Cheese
Biohof Pratsch Zweigelt, Niederosterreich, Austria 2009
Dessert – Red Cherry on Top
Coffee/tea
The Wines we had
Fitz-Ritter Riesling Extra Trocken Sekt NV $19.99
Fitz-Ritter was one of the earliest producers of Sekt in Germany. This quality Sekt, produced from 100% old-vine Riesling, was grown in the sunny microclimate of the Middle-Haardt region. See more about German Sekt:
Dr. Fischer Ockfener Bockstein, Riesling Kabinett, Germany, 2010
A classic low alcohol, sweet-style Mosel-Saar-Ruwer wine. A delicate fruit profile, mineral notes, elevated acidity and lower levels of residual sugar. This wine pairs perfectly with richer fowl, cream sauces, raw or cooked seafood dishes as well as a wide variety of cheeses. Karin Fischer: “My wines are very mineral and never too sweet”
G.A. Schneider Niersteiner Hipping, Riesling Spatlese, Rheinhessen, Germany, 2010
92 points Wine Spectator, March 31, 2012 "Interesting flavors of lemon curd, white pepper and red peach emerge in this lithe spatlese, with candied herb notes and a luscious finish of mint, cream and spice. Drink now through 2038."
Fitz Ritter Gewurztraminer, Pfalz, Spaetlese, Germany, 2010
This is a sweeter Gewürztraminer which has become one of Fitz-Ritter’s best selling wines in the US. "Mid-gold in color, this has a pronounced classic Gewürztraminer nose of lychee, rose petals, spice and ripe stone fruit with notes of earthy minerality. Sweet and richly textured, round mouthfeel with moderately intense flavors similar to nose with an added note of stem ginger and smoky spice on the finish."
Biohof Pratsch Gruner Veltliner, Rotenpullen, Austria, 2010
100% Certified Organic Gruner Veltliner. On the nose, this wine is fruit forward with a touch of apple, peach and apricot with a slight spice. Fresh and tangy, fine spices, white pepper and round body.
Biohof Pratsch Zweigelt, Neiderosterreich, Austria 2009
Dark red color with violet hues. Dark red fruit aroma with black currant, spices, and cherry. Raspberry, cherry, spices and black pepper on the palate with well integrated acidity. It is recommended that you drink this certified organic wine within five years of vintage.
schiller-wine - Related Postings
German Spaetlese Wines Can Come in Different Versions. I Have Counted Five.
Phil Bernstein’s Third Annual German Riesling Tasting with the German Wine Society, Washington DC Chapter - Rieslings With a Touch of Sweetness
Visiting Weingut Josef Leitz in Ruedesheim – Johannes Leitz is Germany’s Winemaker of the Year, Gault Millau WeinGuide 2011
When Americans Drink German Wine - What They Choose
German Wine Basics: Sugar in the Grape - Alcohol and Sweetness in the Wine
JJ Pruem Goes Supermarket: Meeting Katharina Pruem and Tasting the Incredible JJ Pruem Wines at Wegmans
The Wines of the Roter Hang (Red Slope) in Nierstein, Rheinhessen, Germany
Visit: Weingut Georg Albrecht Schneider in Nierstein, Rheinhessen, Germany - for Upcoming German Wine Society Tasting in Washington DC, USA
Wine and Crab Cakes: Amy Brandwein from Casa Nonna and Chris Clime from PassionFish win the 6th Annual Crab Cake Competition in Washington DC, USA
Distinguished American Wine Blogger Lindsay Morriss from New England Interns at Weingut Georg Albrecht Schneider in Rheinhessen
An Evening with Lindsay Morriss: The Wines of Weingut Georg Albrecht Schneider and her Ideas on How to Raise the Profile of German Wines in the USA
Hallo Christian,
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for sending on the blog reporting on Fitz-Ritter’s participation at the AIWF event in DC!
Achim Eberle had reported to us at it was very nicely done.
Perhaps you will be able to stop by at Fitz-Ritter while you are in Germany!
Greetings aus der Pfalz!
Alice Fitz
Hallo Christian,
ReplyDeletevery good. The report is fantastic with all the pictures.
Perhaps you find the time for a short trip to the Saar Valley.
You are very welcome.
Cheers
Karin
Mit freundlichen Grüßen
Karin Fischer
Weingut Dr. Fischer
Bocksteinhof
54441 Ockfen / Saar