schiller-wine: 2025

Wednesday, December 31, 2025

Best German Winemakers: Feinschmecker Awards 2026

Pictures: Winemaker Dinner at Restaurant Medici in Frankfurt, Germany, with the #worldclass Pinot Noirs of Sebastian Fuerst, Weingut Rudolf Fuerst, Franken, Germany and the High-end Food of Chefs/ Owners Stamatios and Christos Simiakos (October 2025)

Germany's leading gourmet magazine "Feinschmecker" just published its annual list of Germany's best 500 wine producers ("Die 500 besten Weingüter in Deutschland 2026"). xxxxxxxxx producers received the perfect score of 5/5 F's.

In addition, the Feinschmecker named a Winemaker of the Year, a Discovery of the Year, a Collection of the Year and 10 Rising Stars of the Year.

Here are the Feinschmecker Awards 2026:

Winemaker of the Year: Sebastian Fuerst (Franken)

Zum Winzer des Jahres kürte der Feinschmecker Sebastian Fürst aus Franken. „Kaum irgendwo sonst im Land werden so konstant so gute Spätburgunder erzeugt. Auch die aktuelle Kollektion zeigt, wie feinfühlig und souverän Sebastian Fürst das Erbe seines Vaters Paul in die Zukunft führt, auch mit Blick auf naturschonenden Wein. 2023 und 2022 sind große Weine, die im Werden begriffen sind“, begründet die Jury ihre Wahl.

Pictures: Paul Fürst, Annette Schiller, Sebastian Fürst and Christian Schiller at Weingut Rudolf Fürst. See: Tasting and Tour with the Pinot Noir Legend Paul Fürst, Weingut Rudolf Fürst in Bürgstadt, Franken – Germany-East Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Pictures: Winemaker Dinner with Sebastian Fürst, Weingut Fürst, Franken, at Schaumahl, Offenbach/ Frankfurt, 16 Points Gault Millau, Germany

Pictures: Dinner with Sebastian Fürst and Julian Huber. See: Winemaker Dinner with Chef/ King of Spices Ingo Holland and Sebastian Fürst (Weingut Rudolf Fürst, Franken), Julian Huber (Weingut Bernhard Huber, Baden) and Jérôme Legras (Champagne Legras & Haas)

Pictures: Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting (from Barrel and from Bottle) at Weingut Rudolf Fürst, Franken, with Sebastian Fürst - Germany-East Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Art, Culture, History - Berlin, Saale-Unstrut, Sachsen, Württemberg, Franken

Discovery of the Year: Hans-Christoph Stolleis (Pfalz)

Über die Auszeichnung Entdeckung des Jahres darf sich der 32-jährige Hans-Christoph Stolleis aus der Pfalz freuen, der die Jury mit einer starken, stimmigen Kollektion überzeugt hat. „Vom Easy-Drinking-Riesling bis zum pointierten Lagen-Charakter ist jeder der biozertifizierten Weine auf den Punkt“, so die Expertenmeinung.

Collection of the Year: Weingut Geheimrat J. Wegeler (Rheingau)

Zur Kollektion des Jahres haben die Feinschmecker-Jurorinnen und -Juroren die Weingüter Geheimrat J. Wegeler aus dem Rheingau auserkoren. Sie besteht ausschließlich aus Riesling und hat die Jury mit stilistischer Klarheit, handwerklicher Präzision und Klasse beeindruckt.

Pictures: Cellar Visit and Tasting at Weingut Wegeler in Oestrich-Winkel, Rheingau - Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling

10 Rising Stars of the Year

Weingut Eva Fricke, Rheingau

Pictures: Tasting at Weingut Eva Fricke in Eltville, Rheingau, with Eva Fricke - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Griesel & Compagnie, Hessische Bergstraße

Pictures: Ultra-premium Sekt: Cellar Tour and Tasting at Griesel&Compagnie, Sekthaus Streit, Bensheim, with Winemaker Rachele Crosara - Germany-South and Alsace 2018 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: Baden, Alsace, Pfalz and Rheinhessen

Weingut Toni Jost, Mittelrhein

Picture: Peter and Cecilia Jost, Weingut Toni Jost, Bacharach, Mittelrhein. See: Wine Tasting at Weingut Toni Jost in Bacharach, Mittelrhein, with Cecilia Jost – Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours, Germany

Weingut Joh. Bapt. Schäfer, Nahe

Weingut Schwedhelm, Pfalz

Weingut Gröhl, Rheinhessen

Weinbau Meyer, Franken

Weingut Leon Gold, Württemberg

Weingut Carlo Schmitt, Mosel

Weingut Andreas Dilger, Baden

schiller-wine: Related Postings

Announcement: Ombiasy Wine Tours, led by Annette Schiller, in 2026 - Tuscany, German Classic, Trentino/ Alto Adige

Overview: Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours led by Annette Schiller - Facebook Day-by-day Postings

Overview: Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by Ombiasy Public Relations and Wine Tours led by Annette Schiller - Facebook Day-by-day Postings

Summary: Loire 2024 - Châteaux and Wine - by ombiasy WineTours, led by Annette Schiller

Summary: Germany "From Berlin to Frankfurt" 2023 (Saale Unstrut, Sachsen, Franken, Württemberg) by ombiasy WineTours

Summary: From Lyon to Paris - Total Immersion in Burgundy and Champagne 2023 by ombiasy WineTours (July 02 - 13, 2023)

Summary: Austria 2023 by ombiasy WineTours - 12 Days: May 28 - June 08, 2023

Christian Schiller`s SCHILLER-WINE Blog on Corking Wines` Top 101 Wine Writers of 2020 List

The 2025 American Wine Society National Conference in Chantilly/ Virginia/ USA, with Annette and Christian Schiller: Seen Through Christian Schiller's Camera Lens

2022 Annual Riesling Party at the Schiller Residence in McLean, Virginia, USA

Massive Tasting of Bordeaux 1982 - the Vintage that made Robert Parker a Star, USA/ France

Kékfrankos - Blaufränkisch - Lemberger: A Grape’s Immigration Story From Central Europe To The US West Coast - Seminar at the 2023 American Wine Society National Conference in St. Louis/ Missouri/ USA led by Annette Schiller

The New German Wine Law of 2021 - Tasting at the German Wine Society (Washington DC Chapter), presented by Annette Schiller

schiller-wine Blog of Christian Schiller Top Washington DC Alcohol Blog (December, 2024)

2024 Annual Meeting of the Weinfreundeskreis Hochheim, a 45 Years Old Wine Brotherhood in the Famous Wine Village Hochheim, Rheingau, Germany, with Annette Schiller, Founding Member, and Christian Schiller

Masterclass - The Wines of Germany: Presentation by Annette Schiller at the German Embassy in Washington DC/ Consular Conference March 2024

The New German Wine Law of 2021 - Shifting from the Sugar Level at Harvest to the Wine's Geographic Origin

Dinner at JAN in Munich, Germany, with Jan Hartwig, one of the ten German 3-star Michelin Chefs (September 2024)

Hans Rebholz, Weingut Oekonomierat Rebholz, Pfalz, Presenting his Wines at the German Embassy in Washington DC, USA (January 2025)

2025 Rieslingfeier Gala Dinner in New York City, Sky Loft, 32nd Floor of 50 Hudson Yard, with 15 #worldclass Winemakers from Germany + Austria and Estimated 300 Wines, many 20, 30, 40 Years old, many Larger Format and almost all Ultra-premium

German Wine Society (Capital Chapter) Membership Meeting 2025: Carl Willner Re-elected President and Christian Schiller Re-elected Vice-president, USA/ Germany

Christian Schiller: Re-elected to the Board of the "Weinfeder", the Association of German Wine Journalists (January 2025)

Annette and Christian Schiller Awarded German Wine Society Silver Medallion for their Superior Knowledge of German Wine (USA, Washington DC, December 12, 2025)

Visit of Château de Chambord: "An Epitome of what Human Art can Produce" said Charles V. (Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire of German Nations) - Loire Valley 2026 by ombiasy WineTours

With a Large Cheese Cart and Soufflé Flambé au Cognac: 5-course Menu Inspiration - Leisurely Sunday Lunch at Restaurant La Croix Blanche on the Banks of the Loire between Amboise and Blois, with Owner/ Chef Jean-François Beauduin (Bib Gourmand Michelin) - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

Tuesday, December 30, 2025

Extensive Cellar Tour and Extensive Tasting at Domaine Alphonse Mellot in Sancerre, with Alphonse Mellot - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

The Loire Tour 2025 by ombiasy WineTours took place from Sunday, October 5 to Thursday, October 16, 2025. The tour started in Nantes and ended in Sancerre, with a bus transfer and lunch in Paris. There were 9 of us including Annette and myself.

Today we continued to explore Sancerre proper.

Almost all of the appellations of Sancerre lie on the left bank of the Loire, opposite Pouilly-Fumé, in the eastern-most part of the Loire Valley. Sancerre is well regarded for and primarily associated with Sauvignon Blanc, making wines of great purity and elegance. Pinot Noir is also grown, accounting for around 20% of the region's production. A rosé style from Pinot noir is also produced.

The focus of Sancerre winemakers is usually to express the pure fruit flavors of Sauvignon Blanc and the natural terroir of the region. Here we find the famous Silex soils: Silex is a type of sedimentary soil that is rich with flint. In fact, silex is the English word for flint. Silex is basically a harder limestone soil and can have an almost metallic look. Sancerre wines tend to have very little interaction with oak, instead spending most of their fermentation and aging period in large stainless steel fermentation tanks. However, since the late 20th century some producers have begun experimenting with some degree of oak fermentation or aging.

At Domaine Alphonse Mellot, were received by Alphonse Mellot jun.. He took us on an extensive cellar tour, followed by a sensational tasting. Arguably, the tasting with Alphonse Mellot jun. was one of the best, if not the best, of the whole tour.

Domaine Alphonse Mellot is represented in the USA by Elite Wines.

Loire 2025 by ombiasy WineTours led by Annette Schiller

Annette Schiller in her announcement: What comes to your mind when you hear ‘Loire Valley’? Of course images of glorious Châteaux pop up in your mind. Yes that is true and we will visit some iconic château and dig deep into France’s history. However, during this wine tour we also discover a magnificent, but often overlooked French wine region and one of the most exciting best kept secrets of excellent, high quality wines at very reasonable prices. The Loire Valley wine region is a vast area and consists of several distinct wine regions, each with its own characteristic grapes, appellations, and wine style. We take you on a journey from the Atlantic Ocean to the Auvergne mountains to explore this unique region. We learn to appreciate “Sancerre”, "Pouilly-Fumé", “Vouvray", “Chinon”, as well as many other not so familiar appellations.

Domaine Alphonse Mellot in Sancerre

The Domaine Alphonse Mellot was founded in 1513. Alphonse Mellot sen. is the 18th generation of the vintner family in Sancerre. He took over the domaine La Moussière in 1970 and was the driving force in the transformation of the family winery towards the focus on top quality. With conversion to biodynamic viticulture he went much further than other domains in the region at that time. The domaine is certified biodynamic since 1999.

Today the 19th generation -Alphonse Mellot jun.- runs the domain. The winery sits in the middle of the town of Sancerre and occupies a maze of medieval cellars right under the town center, some date from the 15th century. The vineyard area is about 140 acres with a single plot of 75 acres of “La Moussière”, considered the best in Sancerre, solely owned by Mellot. “La Moussière” sits on a large block of Kimmeridgian soil whereas “La Demoiselle” sits on silex soils. There are also 33 acres of Pinot Noir and more vineyards (Chardonnay and Pinot Noir) on the IGP Côtes de la Charité.

Domaine Alphonse Mellot is an iconic producer in Sancerre and that was recognized by the King of France, Louis XIV. long before our times. He named César Mellot as his personal wine advisor in 1698.

With Alphonse Mellot jun. in Washington DC

At the:

La Paulée by Elite Wines at Restaurant 2941 in Northern Virginia: Celebrating 20 Years of Elite Wines with 40 Producers and 4 Chefs, Washington DC, USA

I was sitting next to Alphonse Mellot jun. (see below). It was here that we started to plan our spectacular visit of Domaine Alphonse Mellot during 2024 Loire by ombiasy Wine Tours.

My Table - There were 8 of us at my table. François Villard, Domaine Villard, was sitting on my left and Alphonse Mellot Jr,, Domaine Mellot, was sitting on my right. Also at my table were Lucia Sutera, ColloSorbo, and Federica Grasso, Ca' Del Baio, as well as the wife of Chef Bart Vandaele.ccc

Alphonse Mellot/ Elite Wines

In 1513, the records of Sancerre mention the Mellot family.

The Mellot family, vinegrowers ad wine merchants, was again mentioned during the siege of the town. They pursued their patient labours and continued to gain recognition because César Mellot was appointed as Wine Advisor to Louis XIV in 1698.

At the beginning of the XIX century, Alphonse Mellot founded a tavern in Sancerre where one could savour the local wines and so began the flourishing trade that was to continue.

In 1881, he was granted a licence to ship his wine throughout France and all over the world. This marked the beginning of a pacific conquest which has been pursued and developed by the family business from father to son ever since, with the eldest son continuing to bear the name of the founder Alphonse.

Today, this century old winemaking tradition is perpetuated by Alphonse Mellot Jr, the 19th to bear the name.

Appellation: Sancerre
Owner: Alphonse Mellot
Winemaker: Alphonse Mellot - 19 Generations
Varieties Grown: Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir
Hectares/Age of Vines: About 60 hectares, up to 60 years old with an average of 25 years old.
Altitude/Soil: Between 200–400 meters above sea level. Kimmeridgian Limestone, flint.
Farming Methods: Organic (FR-BIO-01) and biodynamic (monitored by ECOCERT France SAS) wine. BIODYVIN certified. Manually harvested into 25-kg crates. Severe table sorting and gentle pressing.

Arriving