schiller-wine: Best German Wines and Winemakers – Eichelmann WeinGuide Deutschland 2016 Awards, Germany

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Best German Wines and Winemakers – Eichelmann WeinGuide Deutschland 2016 Awards, Germany

Picture: Ludwig Knoll - Weingut am Stein, Würzburg

The Eichelmann WeinGuide Deutschland 2016 – one of the 4 main wine guides in Germany (along with GaultMillau, Feinschmecker and the relatively new Falstaff) - was released in November 2015.

In the Eichelmann WeinGuide Deutschland 2016 Gerhard Eichelmann presents 865 winemakers and reviews 9750 wines. For the rating of the winemakers, he employs a system that awards a winery up to five stars, where 5 stars indicate “world class, top international producers”. There are about 2 dozens of German winemakers in this group and I will post separately about the new list. The wines are assessed using a 50-100 point scale rating system.

Additionally, in each issue of the Eichelmann WeinGuide Deutschland a (1) Rising Star of the Year as well as the producers of the best collections of (2) red wines, (3) white wines and (4) noble-sweet wines are named. Further, Gerhard Eichelmann presents a “Classic of the Year” Wine and an Honorary Award for Lifetime Achievement.

Best White Wine Collection: Ludwig Knoll - Weingut Am Stein Würzburg

Franken
30 hectares
30% Silvaner, 20% Riesling

Gerhard Eichelmann: Ludwig Knoll creates expressive, pure wines with a relatively low alcohol: Modern wines. In terms of quality, the level of quality of the entry level wines is high, the 2014 Grosses Gewächs GG wines from the Stettener Stein Grosse Lage belong to the best of what the vintage has to offer in Germany. Grand Collection, congratulations to Ludwig Knoll and his team.

See:
Visit and Tasting at Weingut Am Stein Ludwig Knoll in Würzburg, Franken - Germany-East Wine and Art Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Pictures: Weingut Am Stein Ludwig Knoll

Best Red Wine Collection: Weingut Konrad Schlör Wertheim-Reicholzheim

Baden
6 hectares
Spätburgunder 22%, Schwarzriesling 20%, Müller-Thurgau 17%

Eichelmann: Weingut Schlör is in Reicholzheim, where it produces in the First Grosse Lage fascinating red wines from Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, which are among the great red wines of the vintage 2013 in Germany, wines that score with finesse, purity and elegance.

Best Noble-sweet Collection: Weingut Glaser-Himmelstoß Nordheim Franken

14 hectares
Silvaner 26%, Müller-Thurgau 25%, Riesling 10%

Eichelmann: For two decades, Wolfgang Glaser belongs with its wines to the top in Germany. His fascinatingly pure noble-sweet wines always played a major role in his portfolio. In 2014 Wolfgang Glaser’s noble-sweet wines cover the whole range, up to fascinating TBAs from Scheurebe and Rieslaner.

Rising Star of the Year: Weingut Bischel Appenheim

Rheinhessen
18 hectares
Riesling 20%, Spätburgunder 17%, Weissburgunder 15%, Grauburgunder 15%

Eichelmann: Christian and Matthias Runkle are the shooting stars of the last decade. They managed in just ten years to establish themselves at the top. The portfolio is clearly structured, the entry level impressive and the top Rieslings from Hundertgulden, Scharlachberg und St. Laurenzikapelle clearly show the differences in the terroir. Also Pinot Blanc and Chardonnay, Silvaner and Pinot Noir are always excellent.

Klassiker des Jahres/ Classic of the Year: Riesling Auslese*** Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Weingut Markus Molitor Bernkastel-Wehlen

In addition to the 4 Wineries of the Year, Gerhard Eichelmann presents a Classic of the Year to be added to the "Mondo Classic Library", a list of the German Grand Cru wines from a grand vineyard. This year, Gerhard Eichelmann’s choice is the Riesling Auslese*** Zeltinger Sonnenuhr of Weingut Markus Molitor in Bernkastel-Wehlen

Picture: Markus Molitor and Eike Kaspari, Weingut Markus Molitor

Honorary Award for Lifetime Achievement: Ernst Dautel Bönnigheim (Württemberg)

Only for the second time was the Prize for Lifetime Achievement awarded, to Ernst Dautel.

Eichelmann: With a lot of persistence has Ernst Dautel pushed his ideas about wine. He has experimented a lot and always progressed. He has done pioneering work, for Bönnigheim, for Württemberg, for Germany. Since the mid-eighties he makes his wines in barrique, even Kerner and Riesling. In 1988, Ernst Dautel planted Chardonnay; in 1990, he produced his first Cuvée. The experimentation has paid off. He has established his winery in the top league of German wine. He has helped advance Württemberg wine and German Wine.

See:
Weingut Dautel in Wuerttemberg – A Profile, Germany
Germany-East Wine and Art Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)