Christian Stahl, Winzerhof Stahl, Franken, Germany back in the USA - Winemaker Dinner at the Schiller Residence in McLean, Northern Virginia

 

Pictures:  Christian Stahl, Winzerhof Stahl, Franken, Germany back in the USA - Winemaker Dinner at the Schiller Residence in McLean, Northern Virginia

The USA lifted its 18-month covid travel ban on November 8th, 2021. We can expect to see again European winemakers in Washington DC. One of the first, if not the first, was star winemaker and chef Christian L. Stahl from Franken, Winemaker of the Year 2018 (FAS, Stuart Pigott). He was accompanied by Chef Mirko from his fine dining team. 

Christian and Mirko flew over to the USA on November 9th and spent 2 days in Washington DC before moving on to New York City and Chicago 

 

On very short notice, Annette Schiller and I managed to arrange a winemaker dinner with Christian L. Stahl and his bone dry wines from Franken at our home in McLean on Wednesday November 10th.   

As it turned out, the RSVPs we got was double the number of seats available for this evening. As a result, we will have a second dinner coming Wednesday, with same wines and the same menu, however without Christian Stahl. He will be sitting in the plane back to Germany on that evening. Hopefully, we can arrange a video call with him. 

Photos are from: Christian Schiller, Christian Stahl and Marlene RedDoor.

 

Invitation

Dear wine friends,

We would like to invite you to an evening of dining and wining on Wednesday, November 10^th in McLean, VA.

Our friend, winemaker Christian Stahl from the Franken wine region in Germany, can’t wait to visit the US. A day after the US lifts the travel ban next week, he will hop on the plane to Washington DC and New York City.

We can’t wait to get back to organizing wine tastings and wine dinners.

In view of the current Covid-19 situation we decided to host a winemaker dinner with Christian Stahl at our home. To make sure that everyone feels comfortable and safe our guests are required to provide proof of being fully vaccinated.

Christian belongs to the generation of young winemakers in Germany who clearly want to renounce wine folklore, who clearly want to work with grape varieties true to their region, who clearly want to produce only upper premium quality wines. All his wines are bone-dry and excellent food wines. Christian Stahl is Winemaker of the Year 2018 (FAS, Stuart Pigott). 

Some of you may already have met Christian Stahl at a previous winemaker dinner (at BToo or Evo Bistro) or at the recent Zoom tasting of the German Wine Society (Washington DC Chapter).

Chef Kenneth Hughes will prepare a four-course meal matching the taste profile of the wines. Chef Ken learned the art of cooking in California at the Culinary School where Wolfgang Puck was one of his mentors. Some of you will remember his excellent cuisine when he was Executive Chef at Open Kitchen in Falls Church. Today he works as private chef in the Northern Virginia area. We were very lucky to be able to hire him on short notice.

Cost of the wine dinner is $ 45 per person (cash or check)

Seats are limited very limited (max 16 guests). Reservations are first come first serve.

We are very much looking forward to seeing you at our home in McLean.

 

Cheers

Annette 

Wine Tours - Wine Events - Wine Education

Annette Schiller

USA: +1 703 459 7513

DE: +49 -177 337 0281 

 

Chef Ken

 

Chef Kenneth Hughes prepared a four-course meal matching the taste profile of the wines. Chef Ken learned the art of cooking in California at the Culinary School where Wolfgang Puck was one of his mentors. Some of you will remember his excellent cuisine when he was Executive Chef at Open Kitchen in Falls Church. Today he works as private chef in the Northern Virginia area. We were very lucky to be able to hire him on short notice.

 

 

Picture: Christian Schiller and Chef Ken. See: A German Riesling Dinner at Open Kitchen in Washington DC, USA

 

Christian Stahl in Washington DC

 

Christian spent 2 days in Washington DC, including tastings at Cleveland Park Wine and Spirits and the Eastern, before travelling to New York City and Chicago.

 

 

 

Pictures: Christian Stahl Pouring and Sightseeing in Washington DC

 

Chef Ken with Chef Christian and Chef Mirko

 

Christian is not only a winemaker, but he is also actively involved in a gourmet restaurant at his winery that is open during the weekend. "I am a winemaker from Monday to Thursday and I am a chef from Friday to Saturday". Chef Mirko, who came with him to the USA this time, is the other half of the Winzerhof Stahl fine dining team.

Chef Ken of course was in the lead in the kitchen but when Christian and Mirko arrived, they helped quite a bit.

Pictures: Chef Ken, Chef Christian and Chef Mirko

Reception

 

The guests arrived a 7pm and were let in after Annette had checked their CDC card. All had been double vaccinated and almost all had been triple vaccinated.

Pictures: Reception with Stahl Spark

 

The Dinner

 

It was a very lively dinner. The food was excellent and paired very well with the wines of Christian Stahl. Towards the end, Chef Ken joined us as did the importer of the wines of Christian Stahl, Christopher Barta (Christopher Douglas Selection).

 

 

 

 

 

Pictures: The Dinner

The Food and the Wines

 

Chef Kenneth Hughes prepared a four-course meal matching the taste profile of the wines.

First

 

Artichokes, Autumn Mushrooms, Leeks

Silvaner 2020, Winzerhof Stahl (US$21.99)

Best of Silvaner 2020, Winzerhof Stahl (US$35.99)

 

Second

From the Sea: Crispy Seared Sea Scallops, Safron Risotto, Roasted Red Pepper

Pinot Blanc 2020, Winzerhof Stahl (US$21.99)

Müller-Thurgau Hasennest, 2020, Winzerhof Stahl (US$23.99) 

 

Third

From the Farm: Oven Roasted Orgnaic Boneless Chicken Short Leg, Parsnip, Brussel Spouts, Ocal Onions, Greens

Scheurebe 2020, Winzerhof Stahl (21.99)

Best of Sauvignon-Blanc 2020, Winzerhof Stahl (US$35.99)

Fourth

Apple Strudel, Bourbon Vanilla Sauce

Sparkling, White 2020, Winzerhof Stahl (US$20.99)

Bye-bye

 

Thanks Christian, Mirko and Ken for an outstanding evening.

Pictures: Bye-bye

Christian L. Stahl in the US

Christian has been coming to the US since 2016. His first tasting in the US in January 2016 at Cleveland Park Fine Wines and Liquor Store. See: Welcome to the USA: Christian L. Stahl from Winzerhof Stahl in Franken, Germany

Pictures: Christian L. and Simone Stahl at Cleveland Park Fine Wines and Liquor Store in Washington DC, with Importer Chris Bartha, General Manager Anthony Quinn and Christian Schiller.

Later in the year, when Christian came for the second time, he was our guest of honor at our Riesling Party 2016, where he presented his wines. See: Annette and Christian Schiller’s Summer of Riesling 2016 in McLean, Virginia, with German Star Winemaker Christian L. Stahl, German Wine Journalist Joachim A.J. Kaiser and Virginia Star Winemaker Chris Pearmund

Pictures: Christian Stahl at Annette and Christian Schiller’s Summer of Riesling 2016 in McLean, Virginia

In January 2017 Annette organized a winemaker dinner with him at Evo Bistro in McLean, Virginia. See: Franken Wines, Virginia Oysters and French-Mediterranian Food: Winemaker Dinner with Christian L. Stahl from Winzerhof Stahl, Germany, and Chef Driss Zahidi at Evo Bistro in McLean, Virginia

Picture: Winemaker Dinner with Christian L. Stahl at Evo Bistro in McLean, VA

Before the dinner, Annette and Christian Schiller, had invited to a reception with Christian L. Stahl had their private home. We had Rappahanock oysters from Virginia and Stahl wine. They paired very well. See: Franken Wines, Virginia Oysters and French-Mediterranian Food: Winemaker Dinner with Christian L. Stahl from Winzerhof Stahl, Germany, and Chef Driss Zahidi at Evo Bistro in McLean, Virginia

Pictures: Oysters and Stahl Wines

Later in the year, we visited Christian L. Stahl at the Winzerhof Stahl in Franken and experienced first hand that Christian is not only a gifted winemaker but also a Highly talented chef. Those who came on the Germany-East Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2017 will definitely remember the out-of-this-world lunch Christian cooked for us at Winzerhof Stahl. See: Lunch with Christian L. Stahl, Winzerhof Stahl, Franken: Not only a Gifted Winemaker but also a Gifted Chef - Germany-East Tour 2017 by ombiasy WineTours

Pictures: Lunch at Winzerhof Stahl, with Chef Christian L. Stahl. See: Lunch with Christian L. Stahl, Winzerhof Stahl, Franken: Not only a Gifted Winemaker but also a Gifted Chef - Germany-East Tour 2017 by ombiasy

I had met Christian some time ago in Germany at the top Restaurant SchauMahl in Frankfurt/ Germany, were he came for a winemaker dinner.

Pictures: Christian Schiller and Annette Schiller with Christian Stahl in Frankfurt. See: The Bistronomics Cuisine of Chef Christoph Kubenz and the Wines of Winemaker Christian Stahl at Restaurant schauMahl in Frankfurt, Germany

 

 

Picture: Annette and Christian Schiller’s Summer of Riesling 2016 in McLean, Virginia, with German Star Winemaker Christian L. Stahl, German Wine Journalist Joachim A.J. Kaiser and Virginia Star Winemaker Chris Pearmund

schiller-wine - Related Postings

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

The German Wine Society (Washington DC Chapter) Presented: 2019 German Vintage Tasting with Phil Bernstein of MacArthur Beverages, Washington DC, USA

Wine Harvest 2021 in Germany (Derek Vinnicombe)

Welcome to the USA: Christian L. Stahl from Winzerhof Stahl in Franken, Germany

Annette and Christian Schiller’s Summer of Riesling 2016 in McLean, Virginia, with German Star Winemaker Christian L. Stahl, German Wine Journalist Joachim A.J. Kaiser and Virginia Star Winemaker Chris Pearmund

The Bistronomics Cuisine of Chef Christoph Kubenz and the Wines of Winemaker Christian Stahl at Restaurant schauMahl in Frankfurt, Germany  

Franken Wines, Virginia Oysters and French-Mediterranian Food: Winemaker Dinner with Christian L. Stahl from Winzerhof Stahl, Germany, and Chef Driss Zahidi at Evo Bistro in McLean, Virginia

 

Lunch with Christian L. Stahl, Winzerhof Stahl, Franken: Not only a Gifted Winemaker but also a Gifted Chef - Germany-East Tour 2017 by ombiasy WineTours 

 

A German Riesling Dinner at Open Kitchen in Washington DC, USA

Two German Wine Estates on "Worlds Best Vineyards" List 2021, Germany

Pictures: Weingut Schloss Johannisberg and Ernst Loosen, Weingut Dr. Loosen

The World's Best Vineyards 2021 were announced at Schloss Johannisberg in Germany's Rheingau region. Two German wine estates made it onto the global list: Schloss Johannisberg itself and Weingut Dr. Loosen in the Mosel region.

Enthused customers are the most loyal

Steffen Schindler, this year’s partner from Wines of Germany commented ‘We’d like to thank the organisers and the masterminds behind these awards for raising awareness of wine tourism worldwide and in Germany, of course.  Wine tourism has become a very important economic pillar for many of our wine estates, and we know that the most loyal customers are those that have come to our estates and our wine regions in person.’

• Schloss Johannisberg, Rheingau region, Germany, (number 34)
• Weingut Dr. Loosen, Mosel region, Germany (number 46)

More information regarding the Top50 list: www.worldsbestvineyards.com

These are both outstandig producers and we have visited both of them on an ombiasy wine tour by Annette Schiller.

Weingut Dr. Loosen, Mosel 

Situated on Germany’s Mosel River among some of the world’s most treasured vineyards, the Dr. Loosen estate has been in the same family for more than 200 years.

When Ernst Loosen assumed ownership in 1988, he realized that, with ungrafted vines averaging 60 years old in some of Germany’s top-rated vineyards, he had the raw materials to create stunningly intense, world-class Rieslings.

To achieve this, Ernst immediately changed the estate’s vineyard practices to dramatically reduce crop size. He stopped all chemical fertilization, preferring only moderate use of organic fertilizers and soil amendments.

Pictures: Tasting at Weingut Dr. Loosen in Bernkastel-Kues, Mosel, with Ernie Loosen - Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling
He extended his commitment to sustainable practices beyond the vineyards and into the winery, implementing improvements in materials recycling, energy efficiency and water conservation.

At harvest, he insisted on fully mature fruit that had been very strictly selected. And he turned to gentler cellar practices that would allow the wine to develop its full potential with a minimum of technological meddling.

Today, Dr. Loosen wines are widely enjoyed around the globe and continue to receive awards and accolades from top reviewers.

Schloss Johannisberg

Wine making in the Schloss Johannisberg vineyards started long before the castle was build, during the reign of Charlemagne. The hill became known as Johannisberg (John's mountain) in the 1100s, when a Romanesque basilica in honor of John the Baptist was built on the hill. The Chateau that we see today was built in the 1700s by the Prince-Abbot of Fulda. In 1720 he planted Riesling vines, making it the oldest Riesling vineyard in the world.

See also:
Tour and Tasting at Schloss Johannisberg, Rheingau, with Christian Witte, Domaine Director – Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), Germany

Pictures: Domäne Schloss Johannisberg and the Managing Director Stefan Doktor. See: Robert Weil, Schloss Johannisberg, Schloss Vollrads, Kloster Eberbach: Visit of 4 Iconic Rheingau Riesling Producers (III. International Riesling Symposium), Germany

For many centuries the estate was owned by the Prince-Abbot of Fulda, but changed hands several times during the Napoleonic wars and subsequent secularization. In 1816, Austrian Emperor Francis II, gave the estate to his Foreign Minister, Prince von Metternich, as a thank you for his successful negotiations in the reorganization of Europe during the “Congress of Vienna”. The last resident of the Metternich family at Schloss Johannisberg, Tatjana Princess von Metternich was a patron of the arts in the Rheingau and beyond and revived the castle to its former glory after the destructions during World War II. After her death in 2006, the Oetker family (yes, that's the one that produces baking helpers and puddings) bought the estate.

Pictures: Cellar Tour at Schloss Johannisberg with Stefan Doktor

The vineyard Schloss Johannisberg is also a single vineyard designation (Einzellage) in its own right. Like the Steinberg, it is one of a handful historic German vineyards which do not have to display a village name on the label. Thus, the vineyard designation on the label is Schloß Johannisberger. There are currently about 35 hectares of vineyard.

The Oetker family also owns the renowned Weingut G.H. von Mumm, also in Johannisberg. Weingut G.H. von Mumm is jointly managed with Weingut Schloss Johannisberg by Christian Witte and his team.

Weingut Schloss Johannisberg has been making wine for over 900 years. The winery is most noted for its claim to have "discovered" the Spätlese wine, late harvest wine. (This, however, is contested by the Hungarians; they claim that the late harvest was discovered in the Tokaji region.)

Long before printed labels were common practice, Schloss Johannisberg had its own system of distinguishing among its bottlings through the use of colored seals. Introduced by Fürst von Metternich in 1820 and in use to this day, the quality of a wine can be identified according to color.

Gelblack (yellow seal): QbA
Rotlack (red seal): Kabinett
Grünlack (green seal): Spätlese
Silberlack (silver seal): Großes Gewächs
Rosalack (pink seal): Auslese
Rosa-Goldlack (pink-gold seal): Beerenauslese
Goldlack (gold seal): Trockenbeerenauslese
Blaulack (blue seal): Eiswein

Pictures: In the Vineyard Schloss Johannisberg with Stefan Doktor

schiller-wine - Related Postings

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

The German Wine Society (Washington DC Chapter) Presented: 2019 German Vintage Tasting with Phil Bernstein of MacArthur Beverages, Washington DC, USA

Wine Harvest 2021 in Germany (Derek Vinnicombe)

Tasting at Weingut Dr. Loosen in Bernkastel-Kues, Mosel, with Ernie Loosen - Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling

Tasting and Vineyard Walk with Oliver Haag, Weingut Fritz Haag – Germany-North Tour 2017 by ombiasy WineTours

An Afternoon with Riesling Star Winemaker Helmut Doennhoff at Weingut Doennhoff in Oberhausen in the Nahe Valley, Germany  

Wine Dinner with Tour at Weingut Kruger-Rumpf in Münster-Sarmsheim, Nahe, with Georg Rumpf – Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Kruger-Rumpf, Münster-Sarmsheim, Nahe, with Stefan and Georg Rumpf - Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling

Robert Weil, Schloss Johannisberg, Schloss Vollrads, Kloster Eberbach: Visit of 4 Iconic Rheingau Riesling Producers (III. International Riesling Symposium), Germany