The Geheimer Rat von Bassermann Jordan Estate was established in the 1700s by Andreas Jordan, who had immigrated to the Pfalz from the Savoy region. When he died in 1848, his bequest was split three ways – an event known as the Jordansche Teilung (Teilung means “division” or “sharing” in German) – giving rise to Deidesheim’s three biggest wineries, which thenceforth developed independently of each other and still exist today. Today, they bear the names Geheimer Rat Dr. von Bassermann-Jordan, Reichsrat von Buhl and von Winningen (Dr. Deinhard). They are now all owned by wife of the late Achim Niederberger (who died last year).
We visited one of them, Weingut Geheimer Rat Dr. von Bassermann-Jordan. Gunther Hauck is the Managing Director and Ulrich Mell the winemaker. Gunter Hauck took us around on a tour of the estate and lead a fantastic winetasting.
Wine-Growing Pioneers
Gunther Hauck: The story of the Bassermann-Jordan winery is the story of a family dynasty which, together with others, established and greatly influenced quality-based viticulture in Germany for almost 300 years. Each generation produced great personalities who used their intelligence, expertise and flair as well as their financial and political influence to safeguard and improve the reputation of the winery and the outstanding wines produced in the Palatinate area of Germany – until they ended up among the top echelon of the wine world.
As respected politicians they have contact with the most influential personalities of their times and contribute greatly to the improvement of the legal and regulatory framework concerning viticulture. As patrons of the arts, they donate valuable objects to a variety of museums and render outstanding services to preserve the cultural heritage of the Palatinate region. As scientists, they work on improving wine-growing methods and write the definitive book on the history of viticulture. As experts in viticulture, they neither spare costs nor efforts to consistently develop their skills, their knowledge and the quality of their estate.
Andreas Jordan founded the Geheimer Rat Dr. von Bassermann Jordan estate in 1718. In his footsteps came a long series of respected men: Ludwig Andreas Jordan (1811-1883), Representative of the Frankfurt Parliament and the Federal Parliament; Dr. Ludwig Bassermann-Jordan (1869 - 1914), who greatly influenced the first German wine regulations and who co-founded the Association of Natural Wine Producers (later VDP); Dr. Friedrich von Bassermann-Jordan (1872 - 1959) author of one of the most fundamental works on the history of wine; finally Dr. Ludwig von Bassermann-Jordan (1924-1995), who secured a firm position at the pinnacle of the international wine market for the Bassermann-Jordan wines.
Wine Cellars
Gunther Haug: These days, the historical wine cellars in Deidesheim stand first and foremost for the traditional aging of wines in wooden casks. The precious liquid matures gently in century-old sandstone vaults. This is where we produce our sparkling wines using the traditional bottle fermentation.
In addition, our state-of-the-art vinification facility provides us with the option of producing wines at the highest technical level; this type of installation is primarily used for the modern, fruit-driven wine production. As a rule, we believe in gentle and natural fermentation without artificial additives.
Vineyards
Gunter Haug: The name Bassermann-Jordan has always stood for excellent locations. Our winegrowing sites in Forst, Deidesheim and Ruppertsberg cover 49 hectares and include more than 20 different single vineyards. One third are top rated vineyards such as Hohenmorgen, Kirchenstück and Jesuitengarten.
With a passion for research and entrepreneurial energy, with a quest for innovation and concern for the preservation of our cultural heritage, we have, for centuries, worked on cultivating methods that increase the quality of our wines. In doing so, we have always given absolute priority to the careful handling of the grapes and focused on selection involving painstaking manual work. The result is individual wines full of character.
This does not mean that we are going to stop working on ways to improve our wines. We have, for example, a great interest in organic methods of cultivation and we believe in preventative pest management through the use of natural products and still more manual work. This leads to a flora and fauna that boasts biodiversity and supports our efforts to produce sustainable wines that are in tune with Mother Nature. In addition, we are investing money to carry out research into further cultivating methods that are geared towards climate protection.
Style of Wine
Gunther Haug: Due to the different wine making methods we employ, we are able to produce a broad range of wines that are rich in nuance and style. On the one hand, our palette includes terroir-based, sustainable wines with mineral characteristics, which can be stored in the traditional way employed by our winery; on the other hand, we offer delicately fruity, vibrant and highly aromatic wines, which are modern and expressive.
Our historical labels classify our range in their own specific way: The coat-of-arms label (1925) stands for all wines with residual sugar content ranging from restrained and spicy to highly concentrated, elegant and sweet. We use the Probus label (1905) for the dry Riesling wines. The 1811 label, one of the oldest wine labels in Germany, embellishes our burgundy bottles.
The Wines we Tasted
2011 von Bassermann-Jordan Pithium Rot (Cabernet Sauvignon, made in clay amphora)
2012 von Bassermann-Jordan Pithium (Gelber Muskateller and Gewürztraminer, made in clay amphora)
2013 von Bassermann-Jordan Riesling trocken
2014 von Bassermann-Jordan Ruppertsberg Riesling trocken
2013 von Bassermann-Jordan Forster Ungeheuer Z Riesling trocken
2013 von Bassermann-Jordan Auf der Mauer Riesling trocken
2013 von Bassermann-Jordan Hohenmorgen GG Riesling trocken
2013 von Bassermann-Jordan Jesuitengarten GG Riesling trocken
2013 von Bassermann-Jordan Forster Jesuitengarten Riesling Spätlese
2013 von Bassermann-Jordan Forster Ungeheuer Riesling Auslese
2013 von Bassermann-Jordan Goldmuskateller Auslese
In the USA: Meggalan Wine Imports
In the USA, Weingut Geheimer Rat Dr. von Bassermann-Jordan is imported by Maggalan Wine Imports. Here is how they introduce the estate to their clients and their portfolio of Weingut Geheimer Rat Dr. von Bassermann-Jordan wines: Located in the village of Deidesheim, the Bassermann-Jordan estate is one Germany’s blue-chip estates. The history of the Bassermann-Jordan winery is the story of a family dynasty which, together with others, established and greatly influenced quality-based viticulture in Germany for almost 300 years. Each generation produced great personalities who used their intelligence, expertise and flair as well as their financial and political influence to safeguard and improve the reputation of the winery and the outstanding wines produced in the Pfalz area of Germany. Today, Bassermann-Jordan stands among the top echelon of the world’s wine estates. Even the famous German writer and wine lover, Goethe, was a customer of the estate in the early 19th century.
Riesling Trocken
From vineyards above the Rhein River valley comes this wonderful dry Riesling at an affordable price! Flowers on the nose. Bright apples and pears on the palate with well-balanced acidity. Refreshing and very food friendly.
Riesling Feinherb
This wine is an example of what wonderfully balanced half-dry Riesling should be. Orchard fruits of apple and pear combine with citrus on the palate. The taste at the front and mid-palate is fruity, but the finish is dry without a hint of sweetness.
Paradiesgarten Riesling Kabinett
This wine is a cornucopia of orchard fruits; ripe apples, apricot, peach and pear provide an intense fruit rush to the front of the palate, while the well integrated acidity allows the wine to finish cleanly, leaving the palate devoid of a sweet aftertaste.
Pechstein Riesling Grosses Gewächs
The Pechstein is a Grosses Gewächs or Grand Cru Riesling, which is a model for quality classification that represents the pinnacle of the best German wines. Herbal aromas of apricot skin, pine nuts and lemon oil. The intense peach pit flavor and bright saline character are nicely paired. The finish is noteworthy with its density and pungent spiciness and length.
Hohenmorgen Riesling Grosses Gewächs
The Hohenmorgen is a Grosses Gewächs or Grand Cru Riesling, which is a model for quality classification that represents the pinnacle of the best German wines. Pungent scents of mint, sage and white pepper lead to a palate featuring luscious sweet corn and citrus along with hints of gooseberry and a slightly sweet and sour persistent finish
Jesuitengarten Riesling Grosses Gewächs
The Jesuitengarten is a Grosses Gewächs or Grand Cru Riesling, which is a model for quality classification that represents the pinnacle of the best German wines. Bright aromas of white peach, honeysuckle and nutmeg. The pure, tropical fruit flavors and velvety texture are nicely complemented by refreshing acidity. Rich, succulent and long on the aftertaste, this Riesling has the makings of a thoroughbred.
Goldmuskateller Eiswein
Sage flower, parsnip, acacia and lemon oil on the nose. Apricot jam and honey on the palate, creamy texture with great acidity for a mouthwatering finish.
Bye-bye
Thank you very much Gunther for a wonderful event.
schiller-wine: Related Postings
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