Late Night German Riesling Tasting with Riesling Gurus Paul Grieco and Stuart Pigott in Washington DC on the 2013 Riesling Road Trip, USA

Pictures: The 2013 Riesling Road Trip in Washington DC, USA, with the Wine Bar on Wheels

Between June 19 and June 27, 2013, German wine journalist Stuart Pigott went with a specially-designed "wine bar on wheels" on a Riesling Road Trip from the US West Coast to the US East Coast – from Los Angeles to New York City. For most of the trip, Stuart Pigott was accompanied by Paul Grieco from Hearth Restaurant and Terroir Wine Bars in NYC, except for the initial days (to Phoenix/Arizona), when Chris Miller, the Beverage Director at Spago in Beverly Hills, was with Stuart.

Kicking off at Spago in Los Angeles, the Riesling and Co mobile bar made stops in various culinary hot spots. At each location, Stuart and Paul hosted an intimate German wine tasting and seminar on the mobile bar. Attendees include prominent members of the wine trade, from sommeliers and beverage directors to retailers and wine media. The tour culminated in New York City for Wines of Germany’s annual Riesling and Co in Chelsea, with top winemakers in attendance to showcase the 2012 vintage.

Pictures: Stuart Pigott and Paul Grieco having a Beer before the Tasting

Stuart Pigott in his announcement: “The Riesling Road Trip is a coast to coast journey to promote German Riesling organized by Wines of Germany in New York Wine City commissioned by the German Wine Institute back in Mainz/Germany. Venice Beach is our official starting point and Manhattan the official finishing line around lunchtime June 27th. Yes, that is fast and I’ll be a little amazed if we make it on time, not least because one of our vehicles is a 20ft shipping container remodeled as a mobile tasting room.”

See more:
Best German Wines and Winemakers – Stuart Pigott’s Favorites (2012)

Paul Grieco and Stuart Pigott in Washington DC

The Riesling Road Trip hit Washington DC in the late evening of June 26. From 10:30 to 11:15pm, Paul and Stuart led a tasting of 5 German Rieslings in their small mobile wine bar in front of Oyamel in the Penn Quarter. Annette Schiller and I joined a small group of mostly sommeliers for the amazing tasting inside the mobile tasting truck.

Pictures: The Wine Bar on Wheels pulling up at Oyamel

Tasting 5 Rieslings

In tasting 5 wines, Paul and Stuart emphasized German Riesling’s enormous diversity from feather light to granite density and from bone dry to honey sweet. Stuart Pigott: “That’s something Chardonnay simply cannot match wherever it comes from.”

Pictures: The Wines

2011 Kuehling-Gillot, Riesling, Trocken, Rheinhessen

See more: 
The Wine Maker Couple H.O. Spanier and Carolin Spanier-Gillot, with Roland Gillot, Lead Wine Tasting of Kuehling-Gillot and Battenfeld-Spanier Wines at Weingut Kuehling-Gillot, Germany

2012 Pfeffingen, Riesling, Trocken, Pfalz

2011 Kruger-Rumpf, Muensterer Pittersberg, Riesling Trocken, Nahe

See more:
Visiting Georg Rumpf and his VDP Weingut Kruger-Rumpf in the Nahe Region, Germany 

2003 Dr. Loosen, Bernkasteler Lay, Riesling Kabinett, Mosel

See more:
Riesling, Pinot Noir and Indian Cuisine: A tête-à-tête Dinner with Winemaker Ernst Loosen, Weingut Dr. Loosen, at Rasika in Washington DC, USA

2006 S. A. Pruem, Wehlener Sonnenuhr, Auslese, Mosel

Dry and Fruity-sweet Rieslings

We tasted 3 dry and 2 fruity-sweet Rieslings. The latter two were prime examples for Germany’s low alcohol, fruity-sweet Rieslings from the Mosel that are so popular around the world. These are exceptional wines, skillfully made by first-class winemakers like Dr. Loosen, JJ Pruem, Egon Mueller, to name a few, essentially made by not letting the fermentation going its full course so that natural sugar remains in the wine. Alternatively, German winemakers are allowed to add sweet-reserve (sterilized grape juice) to increase the sweetness level in the wine, but today, this is mostly done, if at all, for fine tuning the residual sweetness. These fruity-sweet wines are the wines that are so popular among the fans of German wine in the world.

But today, wine loving Germans drink dry. There is no doubt about it. The large majority of the premium wines produced in Germany is dry. And the German (dry) grand cru Rieslings can compete with the best wines in the world. The word is getting around - slowly but surely - and more and more dry German Rieslings appear on the international market. “But while in Germany the demand for my fruity sweet wines is low, the Grosses Gewaechs wines are very high in demand. Here in the US, it is the other way around” says Ernst Loosen.

See more:
When Americans Drink German Wine - What They Choose
German Wine Basics: Sugar in the Grape - Alcohol and Sweetness in the Wine

Pictures: The Tasting

Riesling in the World and in Germany

Worldwide, there are about 34.000 hectares planted with Riesling. Germany – with 22.400 hectares – accounts for 2/3 of the total. The second largest Riesling producer is Australia, with 4500 hectares. But this is only about 1/10 of the total. Alsace follows with 3500 hectares. Austria, the US with Washington State and New York State as well as New Zealand make up the remainder. But overall Riesling is really a niche wine, accounting for only less than 1 percent of total wine production in the world - but a very special niche wine.

Pictures: The Tasting

German Wine Classification Systems

Although many people think that there is only one wine classification system in Germany – the classification system of the Law of 1971 – this is not correct. True, the classification system of the Law of 1971 with its pyramid of ripeness of the grapes at harvest (Qualitaetswein, Kabinett, Spaetlese, Auslese …) at the center is the standard classification system in Germany and the vast majority of winemakers in Germany use this approach. A large number of winemakers, however, have moved away from the standard, in particular the producers of premium and ultra-premium wines. Importantly, the powerful group of German elite winemakers – the VDP (Verband Deutscher Praedikatswein Produzenten) – has conceived its own classification system and is developing it further.

In sharp contrast with the standard classification system of the Law of 1971, the VDP classification system is based on the terroir principle. The pyramid of ripeness of the grapes at harvest has moved to the backburner in the VDP system. Indeed, for dry wines the pyramid of ripeness of the grapes at harvest has been completely eliminated in the VDP classification system.

Following Bourgogne, the classification system of the VDP comprises 4 quality layers:

• VDP.Grosse Lage (Grand Cru in Burgundy)
• VDP.Erste Lage (Premier Cru in Burgundy)
• VDP.Ortswein (Village level in Burgundy)
• VDP.Gutswein (Bourgogne régional in Burgundy)

See more:
Stepping up: From 3 … to 4 Quality Levels - The New Classification of the VDP, Germany
Approaches to Classifying German Wine: The Standard Approach (the Law of 1971), the VDP Approach and the Zero Classification Approach

Pictures: The Tasting

13 German Wine Regions

There are 13 German wine regions.

Five large regions - Rheinhessen 26000 hectares, Pfalz 23000 hectares, Baden 16000 hectares, Wuerttemberg 12000 hectares, Mosel 10000 hectares.

Three medium-size regions - Franken 6000 hectares, Nahe 4000 hectares, Rheingau 3000 hectares.

Five small regions - Saale Unstrut 700 hectares, Sachsen 500 hectares, Hessische Bergstrasse 500 hectares, Mittelrhein 500 hectares, Ahr 300 hectares.

Pictures: Paul Grieco at the Tasting

The German Wine Industry

Germany has 48.009 winemakers (Winzer) and a vineyard area of 102.000 hectares. Large wineries are rare to find, except for the wine co-operatives. In this concept, “winemaker” does not stand for making or even bottling wine, but stands for growing vines and producing grapes. In some areas of Germany, like Baden and Wuerttemberg, 80% of the so called winemakers deliver their grapes to a wine cooperative.

Pictures: Christian G.E. Schiller, Annette Schiller, wine tours by ombiasy, Paul Grieco and Stuart Pigott

See also:
Ombiasy Wine Tours: Wine and Culture Tour to Germany Coming up in August 2013

Almost 90% of the winemakers operate with less than 5 hectares of vineyard area. There are only about 6.000 wineries with more than 5 hectares of land. Excluding wine-cooperatives, there are only 10 wineries in Germany with more than 100 hectares of land.

Compared with an estimated vineyard area of 7.000.000 hectares in the world, Germany accounts for only a bit more than 1% of world production. The big 3 are Spain, France and Italy with a combined vineyard area of 3.000.000 hectares.

See more:
The Size and the Structure of the German Wine Industry

schiller-wine - Related Postings

Stepping up: From 3 … to 4 Quality Levels - The New Classification of the VDP, Germany

The Wine Maker Couple H.O. Spanier and Carolin Spanier-Gillot, with Roland Gillot, Lead Wine Tasting of Kuehling-Gillot and Battenfeld-Spanier Wines at Weingut Kuehling-Gillot, Germany

Visiting Weingut Josef Leitz in Ruedesheim – Johannes Leitz is Germany’s Winemaker of the Year, Gault Millau WeinGuide 2011

1.International Riesling Symposium

Impressions from the Riesling & Co World Tour 2010 in New York

When Americans Drink German Wine - What They Choose

Tasting with Wilhelm Weil the 2010 Weingut Weil Wines in Kiedrich, Germany

Visiting Armin and Caroline Diel and their Schlossgut Diel in Burg Layen in Germany

Phil Bernstein’s Third Annual German Riesling Tasting with the German Wine Society, Washington DC Chapter - Rieslings With a Touch of Sweetness

Visiting Georg Rumpf and his VDP Weingut Kruger-Rumpf in the Nahe Region, Germany

Riesling, Pinot Noir and Indian Cuisine: A tête-à-tête Dinner with Winemaker Ernst Loosen, Weingut Dr. Loosen, at Rasika in Washington DC, USA

Best German Wines and Winemakers – Stuart Pigott’s Favorites (2012)

Approaches to Classifying German Wine: The Standard Approach (the Law of 1971), the VDP Approach and the Zero Classification Approach

The Size and the Structure of the German Wine Industry

Ombiasy Wine Tours: Wine and Culture Tour to Germany Coming up in August 2013

Rock ‘n’ Roll and Wine: Rolling Stones Live and Wine at Proof in Washington DC, USA

Picture: Rolling Stones Show 2013 in Washington DC

My wife Annette Schiller and I had seen the Rolling Stones in the Festhalle in Frankfurt am Main, Germany in the early 1970’s, when we were not yet married, not to talk about children and grandchildren. Now, 40 years or so later, with 4 children and 2 ½ grandchildren (the ½ due any day), we went back to the Stones to see them in the Verizon Center in Washington DC. We started the evening with a light dinner and Riesling at Proof, arguably the best wine bar in town, including a 1976 Riesling Spaetlese Trocken, and concluded the evening at Bistro Francais in Georgetown, one of the few places in DC where you can have a decent dinner at midnight.

Proof

Proof is in the Penn Quarter, i.e. in walking distance to the Verizon Center where the Rolling Stones played. I am always debating with myself, if Proof is a wine bar or a wine-centered restaurant. In any case, if you are looking for a more substantial fare along with a premium wine, check out Proof - known for its numerous small plates but also for its eclectic selection of creative modern cuisine. Its wine list is outstanding, containing over 40 by-the-glass selections and 1,000 different bottles, reaching up into the highest price and quality levels. Proof’s wine list is one of the best, if not the best in town. Proof also offers a bring-your-own wine option for a corkage fee of $35.

Pictures: Proof in Washington DC

Sommelier Joe Quinn

Joe Quinn is the Sommelier. Joe was a part of the opening waitstaff at Proof; in the summer of 2010 he became a sommelier at Proof and at sister restaurant Estadio.

Pictures: Annette Schiller, Ombiasy Wine Tours, Christian Schiller and Proof Sommelier Joe Quinn

See:
Ombiasy Wine Tours: Wine and Culture Tour to Germany Coming up in August 2013
Ombiasy Wine Tours: Bordeaux Trip Coming up in September 2013

Summer of Riesling at Proof

I had made an early reservation (5:30 pm). Proof participates in the “Summer of Riesling 2013” (Summer of Riesling 2013 and 31 Days of German Riesling 2013 in the United States) and had 3 Rieslings by the glass on the list: (1) Merkelbach, Uerziger Wuerzgarten, Spaetlese, (2) Doennhoff Riesling and Efeste Evergreen Vineyard Riesling. We chose the Doennhoff and the Efeste, both very nice, crisp, refreshing wines, with the Washington State Riesling being the driest wine.

We then had some light food – salumi and a salmon tartar - with our 1976 Riesling Spaetlese Trocken, Meddersheimer Paradiesgarten, Winzergenossenschaft Meddersheim.

Pictures: Light Dinner at Proof

Meddersheim is in the Nahe Valley. There are 5 wine producers, including the large co-operative, where I bought a case of this wine many years ago. The Paradiesgarten is a “Grosslage” combining different single vineyards. Don’t confuse it with “Grosse Lage” – the absolute top single vineyards in the VDP classification.

Picture: 1976 Riesling Spaetlese Trocken, Meddersheimer Paradiesgarten, Winzergenossenschaft Meddersheim.

The 1976 Riesling presented itself as a senior citizen that is still going very strong. Dark golden in the glass, intense notes of honeysuckle and vanilla on the nose, still good acidity, did stay too long in the mouth, but was very pleasant wine. And the history and memories!

Picture: C&A

Andrew Myers

Leaving Proof, we bumped into CityZen Sommelier Andy Myers. I had seen him a few weeks ago at the occasion of a tête-à-tête Dinner with Henri Lurton, Owner of Château Brane-Cantenac, a Deuxieme Grand Cru Classe en 1855 in Margaux, at CityZen. Andrew Myers is one of the great Rock ‘n’ Roll cum Wine Experts in town. Let me quote from an earlier posting: Andrew Myers' sommelier career began at The Inn at Little Washington in 1997. He later returned to Washington to manage the wait staff and the wine department of Restaurant Nora. Five years later, he joined the team at CityZen. At 40 plus now, Andrew Myers remains obsessed with metal. He plays the drums in a Heavy Metal Group and is covered in tattoos that would make most head bangers proud. But that obsession is rivaled by his passion for wine.

Picture: Andrew Meyers, Joe Quinn and Christian G.E. Schiller

See:
Tête-à-tête Dinner with Henri Lurton, Owner of Château Brane-Cantenac, a Deuxieme Grand Cru Classe en 1855 in Margaux, at CityZen in Washington DC, USA

The Rolling Stones Live

The Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones were formed in London in 1962. I got my first LP – Around and Around (released in 1964) – in 1965. The first line-up had Brian Jones (who died in 1969) on guitar and harmonica, Mick Jagger on lead vocals and harmonica, Keith Richards on guitar and backing vocals, Bill Wyman (who left in 1993) on bass and Charlie Watts on drums. Ronnie Wood (who had been with the Birds, the Jeff Beck Group and the Faces before) joined in 1975, replacing Mick Taylor (who had followed Jones).

Pictures: The Rolling Stones

50 & Counting Tour started in November 2012, preceded by two club gigs in Paris. The Washington DC show was the final show in the US. We paid US$ 941.72 for 2 tickets, including service and delivery fee.

Picture: Ticket

Washington DC Concert

It was a very memorable concert. Sold out. Most of the people, including Annette, were standing and dancing through out the 2 hours plus concert.

Picture: Before the Show

Brian Ives (Radio.com): “So, was it the last time the Rolling Stones will perform in the U.S.?

Watching the band at the last U.S. stop on their 50 & Counting Tour Monday night (June 24) at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C., there was no indication that they may pack it in. In fact, depending on your perspective (and your age) their two-hour show either defied or defined what is possible for a band whose members are all AARP age. Which is to say, they are still the best rock and roll band in the world on a good night. And Monday was certainly that: a very good night.
They opened with their 1965 hit “Get Off Of My Cloud”; the audience (of very mixed ages, by the way) responded by getting off of their seats, barely sitting down for the rest of the night. After that, there was a false start — proving that for all their slick professionalism, the Stones aren’t too over-rehearsed — and then “It’s Only Rock And Roll (But I Like It).”

Pictures: Rolling Stones Show 2013 in Washington DC

After that came “Paint It Black.” Charlie Watts, subdued as ever, pounded the drums — but it was all in the wrists. He remains one of the coolest but least attention-hungry drummers in rock and roll. “Gimme Shelter” followed, featuring the group’s powerful backing singer, Lisa Fischer (featured in the documentary Twenty Feet From Stardom, about support vocalists) sharing the spotlight with Mick Jagger. Earlier in the tour, Mary J. Blige and Lady Gaga took the iconic Merry Clayton vocal part in the song, but Fischer proved that she owns that song as much as anyone. She’s a reminder that you don’t have to be famous — or want to be — to be great. (The same goes for the band’s other backing singer, Bernard Fowler.) Meanwhile, the formidable guitar team of Keith Richards and Ron Wood demonstrated how they “weave” around each other, their distinct styles complementing the other’s: Richards’ stabbing at his instrument blending with Wood’s more fluid style.

After “Shelter,” Jagger welcomed the audience, noting that the band first came to Washington, D.C. in 1965, mentioning that back then, First Lady Ladybird Johnson used to come to see the band. “I don’t think President Obama is here tonight,” he said. “But I’m sure he’s listening in!”

Pictures: Rolling Stones Show 2013 in Washington DC

Jagger then got behind an electric piano for a relatively rare track, “Worried About You” from 1981′s Tattoo You. His falsetto might not be quite what it was three decades ago, but the song nonetheless was one of the highlights of a night that had many.

Each night on this tour the band takes an online poll to decide the “fan’s choice” song, and tonight’s winner was “Street Fighting Man.” (For those keeping score, it beat out “Rocks Off,” “Just My Imagination,” “You Got Me Rocking” and “Live With Me.”) That was followed by one of the band’s funkiest numbers, “Emotional Rescue,” and again, Mick’s falsetto did the job.

Pictures: Rolling Stones Show 2013 in Washington DC

The one-two punch of their new songs — “Doom And Gloom” and “One More Shot” — from last year’s compilation GRRR! were next. For the record, the new songs didn’t lead to a bathroom/beer line exodus, which is often the case at concerts by veteran acts (and has been the case with the Stones in the past). Both songs showed that they still have some new contributions to make to their unbelievable songbook.

“Honky Tonk Woman” followed, and then Jagger introduced the band before leaving the stage, giving the mic up to Richards, who joked, as he always does, “It’s good to be here — it’s good to be anywhere!” (Actually, given the chemicals that he’s ingested over the decades, he’s probably not joking.) After an emotional “You Got The Silver,” Richards rocked through “Before They Make Me Run,” a song that features one of his loveliest lyrics: “See my taillights fading/There’s not a dry eye in the house.”

Pictures: Rolling Stones Show 2013 in Washington DC

Most shows on this tour have featured big-name celebrity guests — Carrie Underwood, John Mayer, Gwen Stefani, Katy Perry, Taylor Swift. They’ve been fun, but they also seem a bit forced. The one guest fans seem to appreciate the most is the one who could probably walk down the street without being recognized: former guitarist Mick Taylor. As he has done for most of the tour, he joined the band for “Midnight Rambler,” an epic guitar throwdown that also saw Jagger blasting through his harmonica going toe to toe with his former bandmate. It’s enough to make Stones fans wonder why he ever quit the band in the first place.

On “Miss You,” longtime touring bassist Daryl Jones plunked a deep groove on the song, bringing it a bit further into disco territory. A sweet moment during the song came when Jagger seemed like he was looking for something and Richards grabbed his shoulder and handed him his harmonica, mid-song.

Pictures: Rolling Stones Show 2013 in Washington DC

A few of their biggest hits followed: “Start Me Up,” “Tumbling Dice,” and “Brown Sugar,” the last of which featured longtime sax player Bobby Keys replicating his original part on the song. As a drum loop from “Sympathy For The Devil” played, the band returned to the stage for the encore. Longtime touring pianist Chuck Leavell took the lead, giving the song a more gospel sound, before Jagger brought it back to sinister territory by hitting the stage armed with a feathered boa cloak and those six famous words: “Please allow me to introduce myself.”

They were joined by the Washington Chorus for “You Can’t Always Get What You Want,” giving it the presentation it has always deserved (they select a different local choir at every stop on the tour for that song). And then, arguably their two most iconic hits: “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” and “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,” joined once again by Mick Taylor.

Pictures: Rolling Stones Show 2013 in Washington DC

Could it actually have been the proverbial last time? With Mick and Keith turning 70 later this year (Charlie is already there), it seems like a possibility.

After the show, fans gathered at the arena’s garage exit, watching the band’s black SUV convoy leave the building. As their taillights, in fact, faded down the street, most were no doubt hoping that that wouldn’t be band’s last goodbye. But if it was, they went out on top.”

Pictures: Rolling Stones Show 2013 in Washington DC - the End

Here is the full set list:

Get Off of my Cloud - It's Only Rock'n'Roll - Paint it Black - Gimme Shelter - Worried About You - Street Fighting Man (request winner) - Emotional Rescue - Doom and Gloom - One More Shot - Honky Tonk Woman - You got the Silver - Before they Make me Run - Midnight Rambler - Miss You - Start Me Up - Tumbling Dice - Brown Sugar - Sympathy for the Devil - Encore: You Can't Always Get What You Want - Jumping Jack Flash - Satisfaction

In Washington DC after the Show 

We got back to Proof at 11:15 pm or so. The restaurant had closed already, but there were some people at the bar. Proof, like most other restaurants are closing at 11:00 pm or even earlier. Your best bet in situations like this are: Café Milano in Georgetown, Old Ebitt Grill next to the White House or Bistro Francais in Georgetown (in order of my preference).

You can eat at Café Milano until around 2:00 pm; it varies a bit throughout the week; Old Ebitt Grill is open until 2:00 and serves Happy Hour Oysters after 11:00 pm (Old Ebitt Grill reminds me a lot of La Coupole in Paris, which is open until 4:00 pm); Bistro Francaise is open every night until 3:00 pm.

We opted for Bistro Francais.

Night Comment on Facebook

Annette Schiller: Just got home after the really great Stones concert: what a beautiful evening: a full moon, perfect weather, great wines and food at Proof and the fantastic rhythm of Mick Jagger, Ron Woods, Keith Richards and Charlie Watts. Sometimes it has its advantages to get older.

Picture: Rolling Stones Show 2013 in Washington DC - the End

schiller-wine: Related Postings  

Summer of Riesling 2013 and 31 Days of German Riesling 2013 in the United States

German Spaetlese Wines Can Come in Different Versions. I Have Counted Five.

The Karthäuserhof in the Mosel Valley: An Eventful History – From Grenoble in France to New York City in the US

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

The Wines of Franz Kuenstler from Hochheim, Rheingau, Germany

Ombiasy Wine Tours: Wine and Culture Tour to Germany Coming up in August 2013

Ombiasy Wine Tours: Bordeaux Trip Coming up in September 2013

BerlinGutsrieslingCup 2013 – Rating Entry-level Rieslings from Germany

Pictures: Martin Zwick and Christian G.E. Schiller in Wiesbaden and Brandenburger Tor, Berlin

The BerlinGutsrieslingCup 2013 took place in May 1013 in Berlin, Germany, orchestrated by Martin Zwick. 30 wines were included in the tasting. They were blind-tasted by a group of sommeliers, wine writers and wine retailers. Winemaker Andi Schneider from the Nahe Valley attended as special guest.

“Gutsriesling” is a combination of Gutswein (Estate Wine) and Riesling: Rated were wines that fulfilled the two criteria – being a Gutswein and a Riesling (from Germany).

This was the second BerlinGutsrieslingCup. See here for last year’s results:
Berlin Gutsriesling Cup 2012, Germany

Gutswein

What is a Gutswein – Estate Wine? Gutswein is a term introduced and used by the members of the VDP association, Germany’s elite winemakers. A Gutswein is an entry level wine of a VDP member.

In sharp contrast with the standard classification system of the Law of 1971, the VDP classification system is based on the terroir principle. The pyramid of ripeness of the grapes at harvest (which dominates the standard German wine classification of 1971) has moved to the backburner in the VDP system. Instead, following Bourgogne, the terroir principle has taken center stage. And here, the VDP has moved from a 3 tiers quality ladder to a 4 tiers quality ladder in its recent modifications, effective with the 2012 harvest. The VDP has added an additional layer to its classification system, which consists now of the following 4 layers. (In brackets, the equivalent quality classes in the classification system of the Bourgogne):

• VDP.Grosse Lage (Grand Cru in Burgundy)
• VDP.Erste Lage (Premier Cru in Burgundy)
• VDP.Ortswein (Village level in Burgundy)
• VDP.Gutswein (Bourgogne régional in Burgundy)

Note that for some legal reasons, the VDP has started to use the terms Grosse Lage, Erste Lage, Ortswein and Gutswein with the pre-fix VDP.

For more background information, see:
Stepping up: From 3 … to 4 Quality Levels - The New Classification of the VDP, Germany

Riesling

Worldwide, there are about 34.000 hectares planted with Riesling. Germany – with 22.400 hectares – accounts for 2/3 of the total. The second largest Riesling producer is Australia, with 4500 hectares. But this is only about 1/10 of the total. Alsace follows with 3500 hectares. Austria, the US with Washington State and New York State as well as New Zealand make up the remainder. But overall Riesling is really a niche wine, accounting for only less than 1 percent of total wine production in the world - but a very special niche wine.

Martin Zwick and his Berlin Cups

Martin Zwick was initially known for organizing the BerlinRieslingCup every year. While the BerlinGutsrieslingCup reviews and rates entry-level Rieslings of VDP Estates, the BerlinRieslingCup is about Germany’s ultra-premium dry grand cru (Grosses Gewaechs) Rieslings. It typically takes place in the second half of September, following the release of the Grosses Gewaechs wines of the previous year.

This year, Martin Zwick also organized for the first time (in June) a BerlinKabinettCup: A ranking of off-dry, light Rieslings that carry the Kabinett predicate. I will post about it on schiller-wine.

See more:
Germany’s Ultra Premium Dry Riesling Wines – The Berlin Riesling Cup 2012
Germany’s Top Wines – The Berlin Riesling Cup 2011 Ranking

2013 Gutsriesling Ranking

1. A.J. Adam
2. Keller "Edition Pinard de Picard"
3. Bürklin-Wolf
4. Keller
5. Geltz-Zilliken
6. Scultetus-Brüssel
7. Julian Haart
8. Wittmann
9. Knewitz
10. Fritz Haag
11. Schäfer-Fröhlich
12. Karl Schaefer feinherb
13. Dönnhoff
14. Andi Schneider
15. Emrich-Schönleber
16. Bassermann-Jordan
17. Battenfeld-Spanier

Picture: H.O. Spanier and Christian G.E. Schiller in Bodenheim

See more:
The Wine Maker Couple H.O. Spanier and Carolin Spanier-Gillot, with Roland Gillot, Lead Wine Tasting of Kuehling-Gillot and Battenfeld-Spanier Wines at Weingut Kuehling-Gillot, Germany

18. Krebs
19. Seehof
20. Fürst
21. Christmann
22. Thörle

Picture: Christian G.E. Schiller with Johannes and Christoph Thoerle, Weingut Thoerle in Saulheim.

For more on Winzerhof Thoerle see: Surprising the World with their Pinot Noir: Johannes and Christoph Thoerle, Winzerhof Thoerle, Rheinhessen, Germany

23. Kühling-Gillot
24. Van Volxem
25. ***
26. Rebholz
27. Karl Schaefer trocken
28. Breuer Sauvage
29. Schloss Johannisberg
30. von Winning

schiller-wine - Related Postings

Stepping up: From 3 … to 4 Quality Levels - The New Classification of the VDP, Germany

Germany’s Top Wines – The Berlin Riesling Cup 2011 Ranking

Germany’s Ultra Premium Dry Riesling Wines – The Berlin Riesling Cup 2012

Berlin Gutsriesling Cup 2012, Germany 

The Wine Maker Couple H.O. Spanier and Carolin Spanier-Gillot, with Roland Gillot, Lead Wine Tasting of Kuehling-Gillot and Battenfeld-Spanier Wines at Weingut Kuehling-Gillot, Germany

Visiting Weingut Josef Leitz in Ruedesheim – Johannes Leitz is Germany’s Winemaker of the Year, Gault Millau WeinGuide 2011

Surprising the World with their Pinot Noir: Johannes and Christoph Thoerle, Winzerhof Thoerle, Rheinhessen, Germany

1.International Riesling Symposium

Impressions from the Riesling & Co World Tour 2010 in New York

When Americans Drink German Wine - What They Choose

Visiting Wilhelm Weil at his Weingut Robert Weil in Kiedrich, Germany

Tasting with Wilhelm Weil the 2010 Weingut Weil Wines in Kiedrich, Germany

Visiting Armin and Caroline Diel and their Schlossgut Diel in Burg Layen in Germany

Phil Bernstein’s Third Annual German Riesling Tasting with the German Wine Society, Washington DC Chapter - Rieslings With a Touch of Sweetness

Visiting Georg Rumpf and his VDP Weingut Kruger-Rumpf in the Nahe Region, Germany