Wednesday, June 5, 2019

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Visit and Tasting at Weingut Joachim Flick in Hochheim, Rheingau - Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling

Pictures: At the Königin Victoriaberg Monument with Reiner Flick and Reiner Flick Pouring Königin Victoriaberg Riesling at a Reception in Berlin in Honor of Prince Charles Shortly after our Visit

We began our Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling with a visit of Weingut Joachim Flick in the easternmost wine village of the Rheingau region, the famous village of Hochheim am Main, the “Gate to the Rheingau”. In the 17th century Britain used the term “Hock” for Hochheim wines and later described all Rheingau wines as “Hock”. At that time, the wines of Hochheim were much more famous than Mosel wines and were more expensive than some of the finest Bordeaux.

Owner and winemaker Reiner Flick, along with his dog Horst, was our host.

We started with a cellar tour and then sat down for a tasting. At the end of the visit and on the way to lunch, Reiner Flick showed us his vineyards, including the famous Hochheimer Königin Victoriaberg.

Pictures: Welcome

Reiner Flick at the Weinbörse

We had already met Reiner Flick at the Weinbörse in Mainz the day before and tasted his wines there.

See: Attending the 2019 VDP.Weinbörse - Vintage 2018 - in Mainz - Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling

Picture: Weingut Kaufmann (Rheingau) and Weingut Flick (Rheingau), Urban Kaufmann and Reiner Flick, with Annette Schiller at the 2019 Weinbörse. See: Attending the 2019 VDP.Weinbörse - Vintage 2018 - in Mainz - Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling

Hochheim in the Rheingau

Weingut Joachim Flick is in Hochheim (Wicker) in the Rheingau region. Hochheim is at the eastern edge of the Rheingau, well known around the world for its Riesling wines. Moving from Hochheim to the west, the fairly flat, dimpled landscape evolves into progressively steep slopes. It is a quietly beautiful region, rich in tradition.

 
Pictures: Hochheim in the Rheingau

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 in Hochheim to take back to his estate in Virginia.

Even though it belongs to the Rheingau, Hochheim is actually situated along the Main River. Its vineyards have amongst the best exposure and climate in all of the Rheingau. Hochheim is just 30 Minutes away by S-Bahn from Frankfurt am Main central railway station. Coming from Frankfurt, you arrive in vineyards and it is a beautiful walk up through the vineyards to the village.

Weingut Joachim Flick

Weingut Joachim Flick is owned and run by Reiner Flick. The vineyard area totals 20 hectares with Riesling accounting for 85%. Annual output is 12.000 cases. Weingut Joachim Flick has been a member of the VDP since 1999.

Pictures: Weingut Joachim Flick - Strassenmühle in Wicker

Strassenmühle in Wicker

In 1997 Reiner Flick purchased a 700 year-old mill with a turbulent history – the Strassenmühle – and moved the winery to this location.

Reiner Flick: Just a stone’s throw away from the pulsating metropolis Frankfurt, one will come upon our wine estate in the Strassenmühle in Wicker, the gate to the Rheingau.

With its 700-year history and unparalleled ambience, the Strassenmühle is a good place for wine of exceptional origin. This is the residence of the wine estate Joachim Flick.

From modest beginnings a grand wine estate has evolved. Built by the Count of Eppstein, the Strassenmühle was first mentioned by Gottfried V as part of a donation on 13 August 1318. From the 16th century until secularization, the ownership belonged to the landgraves of Hesse. That is why the two lions have decorated our gate until today. The lion as a symbol for courage and strength - and as a symbol for our wines.

Pictures: In the Cellar

It is a long history. Since the year 1650 we have been winemakers in the little village Wicker. Nine generations ago, Johann Pillippo Flick was the first. Joachim Flick turned the viticulture into a full time venture. In 1992 Reiner Flick took over the wine estate and expanded it to its present size.

Today we cultivate mainly Riesling and Pinot Noir in a vineyard acreage of close to 20 hectars - from Wicker over Hochheim until Lorch. Pinot Gris and Blanc, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc are delightful additions, should you not be in the mood for Riesling.

If the vineyard is the nursery of the wine, then the fermentation and the type of development are important for its maturing and shaping of character. We build new wooden barrels from our native Taunus oak in traditional craftsmanship. We lay great emphasis on regionality.

Excellent Vineyard Portfolio

The vineyard portfolio of Weingut Joachim Flick is outstanding and includes the 2 monopolistic sites, Wickerer Nonnberg and Hochheimer Königin Victoriaberg.

The Nonnberg - an eventful history and superb wines of the present.

According to a charter dating from 13 January 1281, the convents Retters in the Taunus and Tiefenthal in the Rheingau exchanged property, which documents the vineyard Nonnenberg (nuns’ hill) in Wicker for the first time. In 1791 the Nonnenberg is referred to as a vineyard with the size of 5 acres in best site and taxed by the city court with 3,500 guilders. Because of financial difficulties, the nuns’ ownership was transferred to the Dome chapter of Mainz.

Since 2004, Weingut Flick owns the vineyard. The extremely calcareous soil of this classified site produces great wines with superb minerality and long life potential.

The Victoriaberg - The British Queen Victoria and her love for Riesling wine.

In 1845, Queen Victoria and her husband Prince Albert visited Hochheim and were led by our city fathers to "the most beautiful and best vineyard" of the district for a wine tasting. In 1850, Georg Michael Papstmann, the owner of the vineyard at that time, was granted the permission by the British Crown to call the vineyard "Königin Victoriaberg".

Until today the Riesling of the Victoriaberg has been served at many events of the British Royal Family, most recently when Queen Elisabeth II visited Germany along with Prince William and his wife Kate.

Since 2010, Weingut Flick leases the entire Koenigin Victoriaberg in Hochheim.

Pictures: In the Victoriaberg Vineyard

Tasting

We tasted the wines in the modern tasting room of Weingut Flick, with Reiner Flick.

Pictures: Tasting with Reiner Flick

The Wines Reiner Flick Poured

Reiner Flick poured 10 wines.


2018 Weingut Flick Riesling Classic
2018 Weingut Flick F. Vini et Vita Riesling Trocken


2018 Weingut Flick Wicker Riesling Trocken
2018 Weingut Flick Lorch Riesling Trocken


2018 Weingut Flick Königin Victoria Berg Riesling Trocken
2018 Weingut Flick Nonnberg Riesling Trocken


2017 Weingut Flick Nonnberg Vier Morgen Riesling GG
2008 Weingut Flick Nonnberg Riesling R


2017 Weingut Flick Königin Victoria Berg Riesling Kabinett
2015 Weingut Flick Königin Victoria Berg Riesling Spätlese


Reiner Flick and his Dog Horst

Reiner's dog was with us during the whole visit.

Pictures: Horst

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