Friday, September 30, 2016

Vineyard Walk in Meursault with Karoline Knoth - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Picture: Vineyard Walk in Meursault with Karoline Knoth

During the Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours, we spent 2 days in Meursault. Our stop in Meursault included a most entertaining and informative vineyard walk through the wonderful vineyards of Meursault with Karoline Knoth.

Karoline has a Diploma in European Ethnology and History from the University of Würzburg and lives in Meursault with her husband who is from Meursault. She knows the town and landscape like the back of her hands. She did intensive research on the history of winemaking in Meursault and published a book (Allons en vendage) on wine making in Meursault during the 1930s. She was a perfect guide to give us intimate insights into a Burgundian wine village.

See:
Allons en vendage– Karoline Knoth, Maurice Collin and Meursault, Bourgogne

Pictures: Karoline Knoth with her Book "Allons en vendage" and Annette Schiller in Geisenheim, Rheingau

Meursault

The vineyard area totals 394 hectares. There are no Grand Cru vineyards within Meursault, but several highly regarded Premier Cru vineyards. With almost 100 percent, the production of white Meursault dominates. The style of white Meursault typically has a clear oak influence, which have led to descriptions such as "buttery" to be applied to powerful examples of Meursault wines.

Pictures: Vineyard walk in Meursault with Karoline Knoth

There are several climats in Meursault classified as Premier Cru vineyards (97 hectares). They consist of two groups, one to the north of the village Meursault, bordering on Volnay, and a larger group to the south of the village, in the direction of Puligny-Montrachet and Blagny.

Berry Bros and Rudd: There are more top producers here than in any other commune of the Côte d’Or, and its wines are typically rich and savoury with nutty, honeyed hints and buttery, vanilla spice from the oak. Even though considerably larger than its southerly neighbours Chassagne and Puligny, Meursault contains no Grands Crus. However its three best Premiers Crus produce some of the region’s greatest whites.

Total Wine: The opulent white wines of Meursault are favorites of Chardonnay fans. Meursault, which lies towards the southern end of Burgundy’s larger Cote de Beaune region, has 19 designated Premier Cru vineyards that reliably produce some of the world’s best white wines. They are made in an elegant style with flavors and body from oak aging perfectly integrated, balancing rich texture with bright acidity. Meursault’s classic flavors of apple, nuts and butter are intensified by careful aging.

Postings: Burgundy (and Champagne) 2016 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: From Lyon to Reims - Wine, Food, Culture and History (Published and Forthcoming Postings)

Burgundy (and Champagne) 2016 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: From Lyon to Reims - Wine, Food, Culture and History

Dinner at a Bouchon - Chez Paul - in Lyon: Schiller’s Favorite Bouchons in Lyon, France

Introduction to the Burgundy Wine Region at Antic Wine in Lyon with Flying Sommelier Georges Dos Santos - Burgundy (and Champagne) 2016 Tour by ombiasy WineTours

Lunch at L’Auberge du Pont de Collonges, Paul Bocuse’s Iconic Restaurant in Collonges­ au­ Mont­ d’Or, France - Burgundy (and Champagne) 2016 Tour by ombiasy WineTours

In the Most Prestigious AOC in the Mâconnais: Pouilly-Fuissé, France

Vineyard Walk, Cellar Walk and Tasting at Domaine Ferret in Fuissé, Poully­ Fuissé, Mâconnais, with Winemaker Audrey Braccini - Burgundy (and Champagne) 2016 Tour by ombiasy WineTours

Visit and Tasting at Domaine Georges Descombes in Vermont, Villié­-Morgon, Beaujolais - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Lunch at Restaurant Le Mercurey in Mercurey - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

At Domaine Theulot­-Juillot in Mercurey, Côte Chalonnaise, with Nathalie Theulot - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Tour of Château de Rully and Tasting of Domaine du Château de Rully Wines, with Count Raoul de Ternay - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Michel Prunier & Fille in Auxey­ Duresses, Côte de Beaune - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Where Robert Parker likes to Eat: Lunch at La Crémaillère in Auxey-Duresses - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Vineyard walk in Meursault with Karoline Knoth

Maison Olivier Leflaive in Puligny­ Montrachet, Côte de Beaune: Vineyard Walk and Cellar Tour with Olivier and Patrick Leflaive along with Sommelier Charles Devarennes

Wine Pairing Lunch at Restaurant La Table d’Olivier Leflaive in Puligny­ Montrachet

Visit of the Hospice de Beaune

Lunch at Brasserie le Carnot in Beaune

Tour of the Ancient Cellars and Tasting at Maison Joseph Drouhin in Beaune, Côte de Beaune

Schiller’s Favorite Wine Bars in Beaune, Bourgogne

An American in Burgundy: Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Dublère in Savigny ­lès­ Beaune with Owner/ Winemaker Blair Pethel

Charcuterie and Cheese Paired with 12 Burgundy Wines at La Maison de Maurice in Beaune with Maurice Marle

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Faiveley in Nuits-­Saint­-George, Côte de Nuits

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Jean­-Jacques Confuron in Prémeaux­-Prissey Côte de Nuits with Louis Meunier

Lunch at Restaurant La Cabotte in Nuits-­Saint-­George

Visit and Tasting at Domaine Thibault Liger­-Belair in Nuits­-Saint­-George with Thibault Liger-­Belair

Visit of Château du Clos de Vougeot

Where the Most Expensive Red Wines Come from: Vineyard Walk, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Anne Gros in Vosne­-Romanée, Côte de Nuits

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Guillon & Fils in Gevrey­-Chambertin, Côte de Nuits, with Jean-Michel Guillon

An Institution: Lunch at Restaurant Chez Guy in Gevrey­-Chambertin

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Armelle et Bernhard Rion in Vosne­-Romanée, Côte de Nuits, with Alice Rion

Tour at the Fontenay Abbey (Bernard de Clairveau), Montbard

Wine Pairing Lunch, Cellar Visit, Vineyard Tour and Tasting at Domaine Jean­ Marc Brocard in Préhy, Chablis

Schiller’s Favorite Wine Bars and other Wine Venues in Chablis, France

Champagne – An Introduction, France

French Champagne Houses and German Roots 

Visit and Tasting at the Grower Champagne House Champagne Jean Josselin in Gyé­ sur ­Seine, Champagne, with Jean Pierre Josselin, his Wife and Sharona Tsubota

Cellar Visit and Tasting at the Champagner House AR Lenoble in Epernay, Champagne, with Export Manager Christian Holthausen

Cellar Visit and Tasting at the Champagner House Taittinger in Reims, Champagne

Lunch at Brasserie Flo in Reims 

Thursday, September 29, 2016

Germany’s Grosses Gewächs GG Wines Released (2015 White and 2014 Red) - Notes from the Pre-release Tasting in Wiesbaden, Germany

Picture: Stuart Pigott and Jancis Robinson at the GG Pre-release Tasting in Wiesbaden, Germany

Germany’s VDP.Grosse Gewächs – Grand Cru - vintage 2015 white wines and vintage 2014 red wines were released on September 1, 2016. These are the ultra-premium dry wines from the very best vineyard sites made by some of the best producers in Germany.

At this annual occasion, a number of presentations by the VDP – the association of German elite winemakers - take place in Germany, including one in Berlin during the first days of September.

Pictures: Christian Schiller at the GG Pre-release Tasting in Wiesbaden, Germany

GG Pre-release Tasting in Wiesbaden

One presentation that clearly stands out is the pre-release tasting for a group of about 120 wine journalists, bloggers, sommeliers, retailers, importers, etc from all over the world, but mainly from Germany, in the Old Kurhaus in the stately German spa town of Wiesbaden, which is 45 minutes drive from Frankfurt. It is a seated, very well organized tasting where you have the chance to go through the VDP Grosses Gewächs wines during 2 1/2 days.

Pictures: GG Pre-release Tasting in Wiesbaden, Germany

The invitations for this event are highly sought after. This year, I was happy to get again invited by the VDP to participate in the event. Others I saw at the event were US wine importer Rudi Wiest, Gault Millau WeinGuide Deutschland editor Joel B. Payne, winemaker, blogger and internet-TV star Dirk Würtz and Riesling guru and wine journalist Stuart Pigott, Master of Wine Caro Maurer from Germany, US Importer Justin Christoph from New York, Switzerland-based wine critic Yves Beck and Anne Krebiehl, MW, from London.

See here for last years' tastings:
Germany’s Grosses Gewächs GG Wines Released (2014 White and 2013 Red) - Notes from the Pre-release Tasting in Wiesbaden, Germany
Germany’s 2013 Grosses Gewaechs – Grand Cru - Wines Released. Notes from the Pre-release Tasting in August 2014 in Wiesbaden, Germany
Germany’s 2012 VDP.Grosses Gewaechs – Grand Cru - Wines Released. Notes from the Pre-release Tasting in Wiesbaden, Germany
Germany’s 2011 VDP Grosses Gewaechs – Grand Cru - Wines Released. Notes from the Pre-release Tasting in Wiesbaden, Germany

Grosses Gewächs (GG)/  Grand Cru

What is a VDP.Grosses Gewächs? There is still a bit of confusion out there, as (1) Grosses Gewächs (GG) is a term that was created by the VDP only a few years ago and (2) the VDP has established a new classification for German wines that differs radically from the German standard classification (and is still in the process of refining and implementing it). The latest revisions were those that came into effect with the vintage 2012.

Picture: Benjamin Schiller Pouring for Armin Diel

Grosses Gewächs Wines and the New German Wine Classification

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 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 VDP producers.

In a nutshell, the VDP is moving to a classification system that resembles very much the classification system in the Bourgogne. The classification of the VDP puts the terroir principle at the center of its classification approach.

With the latest modifications of 2012, the absolutely finest vineyards are called Grosse Lage (for the 2011 vintage still called Erste Lage) and dry wines from these super top vineyards are called Grosses Gewächs. Grosses Gewächs wines are the finest dry wines from Germany’s finest vineyards.

To qualify for the Grosses Gewächs label, a number of criteria need to be respected. (i) The fruit has to come from a Grosse Lage vineyard. (ii) At harvest, the grapes need to be at least at Spätlese level in terms of the sugar content. (iii) Only certain – typical - grape varieties are allowed, including Riesling and Spätburgunder. Riesling is the only varietal allowed for Grosse Lage wines in the Mosel, Nahe, and Mittelrhein, but grapes like Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir), Lemberger, Fruehburgunder, Weissburgunder (Pinot Blanc), Grauburgunder (Pinot Gris), Gewuerztraminer, and Silvaner are included in other regions. (iv) Further restrictions apply: there are yield restrictions; only hand picking of grapes is permitted and harvest must be late in the autumn.

See also:
Steffen Christmann (Weingut A. Christmann) and Wilhelm Weil (Weingut Robert Weil) Presented the New Wine Classification of the VDP, Germany

The VDP

The VDP is the world’s oldest association of wine estates in the world. In fact, it is the only one of its kind worldwide. No other country has a national organization of the top wine makers of the entire country.

Throughout the past century, the quality-driven goals and strict standards of the VDP have played no small part in shaping the viticultural and winemaking practices in Germany. With their stringent statutes and their establishment of a German vineyard classification, the 200 members of the VDP have served as role models and justifiably can be viewed as the vanguard of the nation’s producers of top-quality wines.

Picture: Alexia Putze (VDP), the Head of the Organization Team, and Armin Diel

What did we have in the Glass in Wiesbaden?

This is what we had in the glass in Wiesbaden: White VDP.Grosses Gewächs wines from 2015 and red VDP.Grosses Gewächs wines mostly from 2014, but some also from earlier vintages. Typically, the red GGs are released a year later than the white GGs, i.e. most of the red wines were vintage 2014.

The tasting covered all winegrowing regions in Germany and it did not cover just Riesling. Grosses Gewächs status has been approved for Silvaner, Weissburgunder (Pinot Blanc), Grauburgunder (Pinot Gris), Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir), and Lemberger, plus even a Chardonnay was included this year. But the majority of the wines were, of course, Riesling wines, and each region’s wines are grouped together for comparison.

Not all potential GG wines were presented in Wiesbaden, because (1) a number of wines did not pass the internal review of the VDP and thus will never be released as GG and (2) increasingly, winemakers are holding their wines back to release them later. For example, the 2015 Kirchenstück of Dr. Bürklin-Wolf will only be released in March 2017, to give it more time to develop. Juliusspital decided to present its white GGs not after 12 months, but after 24 months aging. Peter Jakob Kühn did not show any wines. And so on.

Schiller’s Favorites

In the following, I list, region by region, my favorite GGs poured at the GG pre-release tasting in Wiesbaden in late August 2016. This is followed by the recommendations of Schnutentunker, a popular German blogger and by the recommendations of Jancis Robinson as far as white non-Riesling GGs are concerned.

Ahr

The Ahr valley north of the 50 °latitude is unquestionable the northernmost region for producing top Pinot-Noirs. The secret lies in an ideal micro-climate found in the narrow canyons along the river with their very special geological conditions, and south-facing slopes. Wine making along the tiny Ahr River goes back to Roman times.

The Ahr region showed only red wines: 1 Frühburgunder GG and 10 Spätburgunder GGs.

Schiller’s Favorites: Meyer-Näkel (Sonnenberg, Pfarrwingert, Kräuterberg), J.J. Adeneuer (Sonnenberg, Rosenthal, Gäskammer)

There is a red wine revolution going on in Germany and the world increasingly takes note of it. Of course, given its location, the red wines of Germany tend to be not like the fruity red wines we know from warmer countries, but lean and more elegant, with a lot of finesse. 30 years ago, the share of red wine in total German wine output was not more than 10 percent; in the international wine scene, people would not talk about German red wine. But this is changing. Germany now produces red wines that can compete with the best of the world; the share of red wines in terms of production has increased to about 35 percent now in Germany and increasingly the international market takes note of what is happening in Germany.

Today, Germany is the third biggest producer of Pinot Noir (called Spätburgunder in Germany), after France and the US, with more planted than Australia and New Zealand combined.

Picture: Guiseppe Lauria, Weinwisser, at the GG Pre-release Tasting in Wiesbaden, Germany

Baden

Baden is the most southerly German wine-growing area in Germany's southwestern corner. On the other side of the Rhine Valley is Alsace. Baden is known for its pinot wines – red, grey and white.

The Spätburgunder is the most widely grown variety in Baden, but Baden showed also a number of GGs from other grape varieties.

Baden showed the largest number of Spätburgunder GGs, with those of Weingut Bernhard Huber (Bienenberg, Schlossberg, Sommerhalde) standing out, but those of Weingut Salwey (Kirchberg, Henkenberg) and Weingut Dr. Heger (Schlossberg, Vorderer Winklerberg) also showing very well. Weingut Franz Keller also impressed with the Eichberg and Kirchberg GGs.

Baden also showed 9 Grauer Burgunder (Pinot Gris) GGs and 10 Weisser Burgunder (Pinot Blanc) GGs.

In addition, Baden showed 8 Chardonnay GGs (Top: Bernhard Huber) and 3 Riesling GGs.

Picture: US Importer Justin Christoph at the GG Pre-release Tasting in Wiesbaden, Germany

Franken

Franken is known for its crisp, crystal clear wines from their signature grape Silvaner. Indeed, it was the only region to show Silvaner GGs, excellent wines, but hard to find outside of Germany.

Schiller’s Favorites: Staatlicher Hofkeller Würzburg (Stein), Horst Sauer (Am Lumpen 1655), Bickel-Stumpf (Mönchshof), Hans Wirsching (Kronsberg, Julius-Echter-Berg), Schmitt’s Kinder (Pfülben), Am Stein, Ludwig Knoll (Stein).

Franken also showed 18 Riesling and 2 Weisser Burgunder (Pinot Blanc) GGs.

Schiller’s Franken Riesling Favorites: Staatlicher Hofkeller Würzburg (Pfülben, Stein), Rudolf Fürst (Centgrafenberg), Am Stein, Ludwig Knoll (Stein), Hans Wirsching (Julius-Echter-Berg, Kronsberg), Horst Sauer (Am Lumpen 1655), Schmitt’s Kinder (Pfülben).

3 of the 6 Spätburgunder GGs which Franken showed came from Franken’s red wine star Weingut Rudolf Fürst: Schlossberg, Centgrafenberg and Hundsrück.

Picture: Nico Rechenberg, Dirk Würtz, Weingut Balthasar Ress, Marcus Hofschuster, Wein-Plus, Armin Diel, Schlossgut Diel, Paul Truszkowski, Wine in Black, and Felix Bodman at the GG Pre-release Tasting in Wiesbaden, Germany

Hessische Bergstrasse

Hessische Bergstrasse presented one GG: Centgericht of Hessische Staatsweingüter Kloster Eberbach

Mittelrhein

Beginning just below Bonn and extending about 100 km south along the banks of the Rhine, the Mittelrhein is a beautiful region of steep, terraced vineyards and some of the wine world's most splendid scenery, medieval castles and ruins clinging to rocky peaks, sites of ancient legends where Siegfried, Hagen and the Loreley seem to spring to life. Nearly three quarters of the vineyards are planted with Riesling. The Middle-Rhine valley is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Mittelrhein showed 5 Riesling GGs. Both the Engelstein of Matthias Müller and the Im Hahn of Toni Jost were excellent.

Mosel

Traditionally, the Mosel is not a region well known for its ultra-premium dry white wines. Instead, the fruity sweet Kabinett, Spätlese and Auslese wines as well as the noble sweet BA, TBA and Eiswein wines are sought after all over the world by the lovers of fruity and noble sweet wines. But things are changing and the Mosel showed an impressive list of Riesling GGs.

In particular, I liked the GGs of Clemens Busch (Marienburg, Marienburg Rothenpfad, Marienburg Fahrlay, Marienburg Falkenlay), Dr. Loosen (Treppchen, Prälat, Würzgarten, Sonnenuhr, Himmelreich, Domprobst), Schloss Lieser (Himmelreich, Niederberg Helden, Fritz Haag (Juffer, Juffer-Sonnenuhr), van Volxem (Goldberg, Volz, Scharzhofberg), Forstmeister Geltz-Zilliken (Rausch), Peter Lauer (Kupp. Schonfels, Saarfeilser), Nik Weis – St. Urbans-Hof (Bockstein, Saarfeilser), Maximin Grünhaus – von Schubert (Abtsberg, Herrenberg).

In total, the Mosel showed 50 GGs, up from 40 GGs last year, again all Riesling – no other grape variety.

Picture: US Importer Rudi Wiest at the GG Pre-release Tasting in Wiesbaden, Germany

Nahe

Like the Mosel, the Nahe showed only Riesling GGs – a total of 27 wines, up from 22 last year. My favorites were Kruger-Rumpf (Burgberg, Dautenpflänzer, Im Pitterberg), Diel (Pittermännchen, Goldloch, Burgberg), Schäfer-Fröhlich (Felsenberg, Felseneck, Stromberg, Frühlingsplätzchen, Halenberg) and Dönnhoff (Dellchen, Hermannshöhle, Brücke, Felsenberg “Felsentürmchen).

Pfalz

The Pfalz belongs to the group of regions that showed both white and red GGs. As for the white GGs, it showed Riesling and Weisser Burgunder GGs.

Among 60 Riesling GGs that the Pfalz showed, I saw the wines of Rings (Weilberg, Saumagen), Reichsrat von Buhl (Freundstück, Jesuitengarten, Pechstein, Ungeheuer, Kieselberg, Reiterpfad “Hofstück”, Reiterpfad “In der Hohl”, Geheimer Rat Dr. von Bassermann-Jordan (Jesuitengarten, Kirchenstück, Pechstein, Ungeheuer, Kalkofen, Grainhübel, Hohenmorgen), A. Christmann (Meerspinne im Mandelgarten, Idig, Langenmorgen, Reiterpfad “Hofstück”) and Ökonomierat Rebholz (Im Sonnenschein, “Ganz Horn” im Sonnenschein, Kastanienbusch) in the lead.

Turning to the Weisser Burgunder, the Pfalz showed 11 GGs. I liked the Langenmorgen of Geheimer Rat Dr. von Bassermann-Jordan and Im Sonnenschein and Mandelberg of Ökonomierat Rebholz best.

Picture: Joel B. Payne and Carsten Henn, Gault Millau Weinguide Deutschland

Rheingau

The Rheingau is the region that is closest to my heart. My wife Annette and I discovered the world of wines with the wines of Rheingau, while we lived in Mainz for 10 years. The Rheingau also showed 7 Spätburgunder GGs, but was one of the dominating forces in terms of the Riesling GGs.

Schiller’s Rheingau Riesling GG Favorites: Joachim Flick (Nonnberg, Hölle Kantelborn, Königin Victoriaberg), Künstler (Hölle, Kirchenstück, Weiss Erd, Berg Rottland, Berg Schlossberg), Domdechant Werner (Kirchenstück, Domdechaney), Hessische Staatsweingüter Kloster Eberbach (Domdechaney, Marcobrunn, Baikenkopf, Berg Schlossberg), Robert Weil (Gräfenberg), Toni Jost-Hahnenhof (Walkenberg), Diefenhardt (Langenberg), Jakob Jung (Hohenrain, Siegelsberg), Achim Ritter und Edler von Oetinger (Hohenrain, Marcobrunn, Siegelsberg), Barth (Wisselbrunnen, Schönhell), Hans Lang – Urban Kaufmann (Wisselbrunnen), Balthasar Ress (Wisselbrunnen, Nussbrunnen), Josef Spreitzer (Wisselbrunnen, St. Nikolaus, Rosengarten), Georg Müller Stiftung (Nussbrunnen), Prinz (Jungfer, Schönhell), Peter Jakob Kühn (St. Nikolaus, Doosberg), F.B. Schönleber (St. Nikolaus, Jesuitengarten), August Eser (Doosberg), Fritz Allendorf (Hasensprung, Jesuitengarten, Berg Roseneck), Domäne Schloss Johannisberg (Schloss Johannisberger), August Kesseler (Berg Roseneck, Berg Schlossberg), Leitz (Berg Roseneck, Berg Rottland, Berg Schlossberg, Berg Kaisersteinfels).

The Rheingau showed 7 Spätburgunder GGs, all excellent: Künstler (Reichestal, Höllenberg), Diefenhardt (Schlenzberg), Hans Lang – Urban Kaufmann (Hassel), Hessische Staatsweingüter Kloster Eberbach (Berg Schlossberg, Höllenberg), Fritz Allendorf (Höllenberg).

Picture: Jürgen Fendt, Sommelier, Bareiss

Rheinhessen

Rheinhessen showed 34 Riesling GGs, the same number as last year, and 10 Spätburgunder GGs.

Kühling-Gillot (Rothenberg “Wurzelecht”, Pettenthal, Ölberg, Hipping) Gunderloch (Rothenberg, Pettenthal, Hipping), Keller (Hubacker), Wittmann (Aulerde, Kirchspiel, Brunnenhäuschen, Morstein) and Battenfeld Spanier (Zellerweg Am Schwarzen Herrgott, Frauenberg, Kirchenstück) and Schätzel (Ölberg, Hipping) were my favorites.

Saale Unstrut

The tiny wine region in the former GDR – Saale Unstrut - showed 5 GGs, by Pawis and Lützkendorf: 2 Rieslings, 1 Traminer and 2 Weisser Burgunders, all excellent.

Sachsen

The other tiny region in the former GDR – Sachsen - present 2 GGs, a Weisser Burgunder GG and a Spätburgunder GG, both by Schloss Proschwitz – Prinz zur Lippe, both top.

Württemberg

Wine from Württemberg is mainly red wine. The main production area is along the Neckar river between Stuttgart and Heilbronn and, more wine is consumed here than anywhere else in Germany - actually twice as much as in the rest of Germany. The German poet Friedrich von Schiller wrote already several centuries ago: “A Württemberger without wine--is that a real Württemberger?”

Wines from Baden and Württemberg are hard to find in the US. This is partly explained by the production structure, which is dominated by co-operatives. Much of the wine sector in Baden and Württemberg is in the hands of local co-operatives. These co-operatives are known for producing top class wines. But they tend to be less aggressive in terms of penetrating new markets. Stuart Pigott, the German wine writer, believes that Württemberg is the area with the largest potential for quality growth in Germany.

Württemberg showed 15 Riesling GGs.

Schiller’s Favorites: Weingut des Grafen Neipperg (Ruthe, Schlossberg), Wachstetter (Höhenberg “Glaukös”), Ernst Dautel (Steingrüben), Herzog von Württemberg (Brotwasser).

In addition, in terms of white wines, Württemberg showed 4 Weisser Burgunder GGs and 2 Grauer Burgunder GGs.

Turning to red GGs, Württemberg showed 12 Spätburgunder GGs.

Schiller’s Favorites: Graf Neipperg (Schlossberg), Ernst Dautel (Schupen, Forstberg), Schnaitmann (Lämmler).

Finally, all of the Lemberger GGs were from Württemberg, with the wines of von Graf Neipperg (Ruthe, Schlossberg), Ernst Dautel (Michaelsberg), Herzog von Württemberg (Mönchberg) and Schnaitmann (Lämmler) standing out.

Schnutentunker’s Favorites

Here are the favorites of Felix Bodmann, Schnutentunker, a popular German Blogger.

Picture: Felix Bodmann, Schnutentunker, at the GG Pre-release Tasting in Wiesbaden, Germany

Achim Ritter und Edler von Oetinger Siegelsberg
Achim Ritter und Edler von Oetinger Hohenrain
Clemens Busch Marienburg „Fahrlay“
Clemens Busch Marienburg „Falkenlay“
Emrich-Schönleber Halenberg
Forstmeister Geltz-Zilliken Rausch
Fritz Allendorf Berg Roseneck
Geh. Rat Dr. von Bassermann-Jordan Ungeheuer
Heymann-Löwenstein Kirchberg
Heymann-Löwenstein Stolzenberg
Heymann-Löwenstein Röttgen
Heymann-Löwenstein Uhlen „Blaufüßer Lay“
Heymann-Löwenstein Uhlen „Laubach“
Horst Sauer Am Lumpen 1655
Jakob Jung Siegelsberg
Joachim Flick Königin Victoriaberg
Johannishof Berg Rottland
Maximin Grünhaus – von Schubert Herrenberg
Ökonomierat Rebholz Kastanienbusch
Peter Lauer Kupp
Peter Lauer Schonfels
Peter Lauer Saarfeilser
Reinhold Haart Grafenberg
Reinhold Haart Ohligsberg
Robert Weil Gräfenberg
Schäfer-Fröhlich Halenberg
Schloss Lieser Niederberg Helden
Schlossgut Diel Pittermännchen
St. Urbans-Hof Saarfeilser
St. Urbans-Hof Bockstein
von Othegraven Altenberg
von Othegraven Bockstein
Wagner-Stempel Heerkretz
Wagner-Stempel Höllberg
Wittmann Brunnenhäuschen
Zehnthof Luckert Maustal

Jancis Robinson: German non-Riesling Whites to Look for

Here are the favorites of Jancis Robinson of the Financial Times as far as non-Riesling white GGs are concerned.

Picture: Jancis Robinson at the GG Pre-release Tasting in Wiesbaden, Germany (Photo: Deutsches Weininstitut)

• Bürgerspital, Stein Silvaner 2015 Franken
• Bürgerspital, Stein-Harfe Silvaner 2015 Franken
• Ludwig Knoll, Stein Silvaner 2015 Franken
• Rudolf May, Langenberg Himmelspfad Silvaner 2015 Franken
• Horst Sauer, Am Lumpen 1655 Silvaner 2015 Franken
• Weltner, Küchenmeister Hoheleite Silvaner 2015 Franken
• Zehntof Luckert, Maustal Silvaner 2015 Franken
• Bercher, Feuerberg Haslen Weisser Burgunder 2015 Baden
• Bercher, Feuerberg Haslen Grauer Burgunder 2015 Baden
• Dr Heger, Schlossberg Grauer Burgunder 2015 Baden
• Stadt Lahr, Chardonnay 2015 Baden
• Stigler, Winklerberg Pagode Grauer Burgunder 2014 Baden
• Stigler, Winklerberg Pagode Chardonnay 2015 Baden
• Alexander Laible’s Chara dry Grauburgunder 2014

Stuart Pigott's Favorites

Stuart Pigott wrote a long article about the Wiesbaden tasting in the FAS of September 4, 2016, in German. Below, I tried to summarize his recommendations.

Picture: Stuart Pigott at the GG Pre-release Tasting in Wiesbaden, Germany

RIESLING

Nahe

At the top of my list are the 4 GGs of Dönnhoff (Felsentürmchen, Dellchen, Brücke, Herrmannshöhle)
The 3 Riesling-GGs of Schlossgut Diel
The 6 Riesling-GGs of Weingut Schäfer-Fröhlich
The Halenberg GG of Emrich-Schönleber
The Steinberg GG of Gut Herrmannsberg

Mosel

The Riesling-GGs of Heymann-Löwenstein
The Riesling-GGs of Dr. Loosen, with Prälat being the best
Peter Lauer
Van Volxem

Pfalz

Dr. von Bassermann-Jordan
Aacham-Magin

Rheingau

The Berg Schlossberg GG of August Kesseler
The Riesling-GG of Schloss Johannisberg
The 3 Riesling GGs of Achim von Öetinger
Fred Prinz

Rheinhessen

The 4 Riesling-GGs of Wittmann
The Heerkretz GG of Wagner-Stempel
A full paragraph on Schätzel and his low-alcohol GGs

WEISSBURGUNDER (Pino Blanc)

The Im Sonnenschein GG of Ökonomierat Rebholz
The Mandelberg GG of Bergdolt
The Mandelberg GG of Dr. Wehrheim

SILVANER

The Mönchshof GG of Bickel-Stumpf
The Rothlauf GG of Rudolf May

schiller-wine - Related Postings

Heads up for the 2017 Tours - to Germany and France - by ombiasy WineTours

Germany-North Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential German Riesling and the Northernmost Pinot Noirours

Germany-East Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Art, Culture and History

Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting with Philipp Wittmann and Eva Clüsserath-Wittmann at Weingut Wittmann in Westhofen – Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)

Tour and Tasting at Weingut A. Christmann in Gimmeldingen, Pfalz, with Steffen Christmann – Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), Germany

The Dry and Ultra-premium Dry GG and GG Reserve Rieslings of Weingut Dr. Loosen – Ernie Loosen in Washington DC

Wine Tasting at Weingut Dr. Loosen in Bernkastel-Kues, Mosel – Germany-North by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Weingut Maximin Grünhaus Joins VDP, the Association of Germany’s Elite Winemakers

Wine Tasting and Cellar Tour at Weingut Dönnhoff with Christina Dönnhoff – Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)

Kiedrich: Visit of the Basilica of Saint Valentine and of Weingut Robert Weil - Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

The Focus on Dry German Riesling – Daniel Hubbard Presents the German DSWE Portfolio to the German Wine Society (Washington DC Chapter)

Tasting at Weingut Balthasar Ress, Hattenheim, Rheingau, with Stefan Ress, Germany

Wine Tasting at Weingut Kühling-Gillot in Bodenheim: Kühling-Gillot and Battenfeld-Spanier Wines – Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Leitz in Rüdesheim, with Johannes Leitz – Germany-North Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Tasting at Weingut Ökonomierat Rebholz in Siebeldingen, Pfalz – Germany-South by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Steffen Christmann (Weingut A. Christmann) and Wilhelm Weil (Weingut Robert Weil) Presented the New Wine Classification of the VDP, Germany

VDP.Rheingau Rhine River Boat Trip with Pre-release Presentation of the 2015 Grosses Gewächs (GG) Wines, Germany

Tour and Wine Tasting with Lunch, with Mark Barth at Wein- und Sektgut Barth in Hattenheim, Rheingau – Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Kloster Eberbach in the Rheingau: Tour and Wine Tasting - Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

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

Kiedrich: Visit of the Basilica of Saint Valentine and of Weingut Robert Weil - Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

A Combination of Extraordinary Wine and Art: Peter Winter's Georg Mueller Stiftung Estate in Germany

Tour and Tasting at Weingut Baron Knyphausen in Erbach, Rheingau - Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Cellar Tour, Tasting and Dinner at Wein- und Sektgut F.B. Schönleber in Östrich-Winkel, Rheingau, with Ralph and Bernd Schönleber - Germany-North Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours schiller-wine: Related Postings



Friday, September 23, 2016

How Does the Negociant System in Bordeaux Work? Tour and Tasting at Millésima - Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2016, France

Picture: Touring Millésima in Bordeaux City

Led by Annette Schiller, the Bordeaux Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours took place from September 6 to 15, 2016. The group comprised 14 wine lovers from the United States and Switzerland, including Annette and Christian Schiller. I already provided an overview of the tour. See the list of postings at the end of the article. This posting focuses on our first event: Visit and Tasting at Millésima.

See: Bordeaux Wine Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2016, France

Following a welcome coffee and introduction to the Bordeaux wine region at Hotel La Tour Intendance in the afternoon of September 6, 2016, we took a short bus ride to our first event: Tour and Tasting at Millésima in Bordeaux City. At the storage facility of Millésima at the outskirts of Bordeaux City, where over two million bottles of top Bordeaux wines are stored and waiting to be shipped, we were introduced to the system how the top producers of premium Bordeaux wines sell their wine to their customers all over the world and had our first tasting, a wine and cheese pairing.

Manuela Picot was our host.

Picture: At Millésima in Bordeaux City

Place de Bordeaux and En Primeur

The way the top producers of Bordeaux sell their wines to their customers all around the world differs strikingly from the way their colleagues in other countries or even in Bordeaux do.

Wine maker Doug Fabbioli from Fabbioli Cellars in Virginia, for example, sells the wine he produces during the course of the year to the consumers who show up at his winery and by the wine directly from him. Wine maker Ernst Loosen from Dr. Loosen in the Mosel Valley in Germany, whose wines are available all over the world, works, I assume, with wholesalers in Germany as well as with importers from all over the world, who buy the wine from him during the course of the year. The wines of both Doug Fabbioli and Ernst Loosen are sold after the wines have been bottled and are ready to be consumed.

Picture: The Quai de Chartons (Painting at Millesima in Bordeaux City)

The way the system works for the premium Bordeaux wines is different. And it is unique in the world. The wines are sold well before they are bottled (en primeur system) and the wines are sold and distributed to the world through negociants (Place de Bordeaux).

Buying Bordeaux wines en primeur is like buying commodity futures, with cash laid down now for later delivery of something that does not yet exist as a finished product. The futures reach the consumer through a series of phases.

Today, there are 400 négociants on the Place de Bordeaux, and most labels are purchased by an average of 40. Each chateau works with a different number of negociants. Some properties work with 5 different negociants, others work with over 100.

I provided an overview of the system here: Bordeaux - En Primeur, Negociants, Courtiers, the Quai de Chartons and the Place de Bordeaux – A Short Introduction. Go there for more information.


Pictures: At Millésima in Bordeaux City

Wine and Cheese Tasting

Following the tour through the vast storage rooms we sat down for a wine tasting paired with cheese. We tasted 4 entirely different wines: white, red right bank, red left bank and sweet.

Pictures: Tasting at Millésima in Bordeaux City

Fugue de Nenin 2004, Pomerol, paired with Gouda


Fleur Peyrabon 2006 Pauillac Cru Bourgeois, paired with Sheep Cheese


Chateau Olivier 2012 Graves Pessac Leognan, Grand Cru Classe, paired with Chevre


Chateau de Liot 1997 Sauternes, paired with Roquefort


Postings on the Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2016, France (Posted and Forthcoming)

Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2016, France

Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

Bordeaux Wine Tour 2013 by ombiasy

Bordeaux Wines and their Classifications: The Basics

Bordeaux - En Primeur, Negociants, Courtiers, the Quai de Chartons and the Place de Bordeaux – A Short Introduction

Tour and Tasting at Millésima (Wine Merchant) in Bordeaux City

Tour and Tasting at Domaine de Chevalier, Graves

Dinner with a View: At Restaurant L’Estacade in Bordeaux City

Schiller's Favorite Wine Bars in Bordeaux City, France

Schiller's Favorite Seafood Places in Bordeaux City, France

Saint Emilion Wines and their Classification, Bordeaux, France

Schiller’s Favorite Wine Bars in St. Emilion, France

The Wine Empire of the von Neipperg Family in France, Bulgaria and Germany 

Tour and Tasting at Château Canon La Gaffelière, Saint-Emilion, Premier Grand Cru Classé

Tour and Wine Lunch at Château Beauséjour, Puisseguin Saint-Emilion, with Owner and Winemaker Gérard Dupuy

Tour and Tasting at Château de Figeac, Saint-Emilion, Premier Grand Cru Classé

Tour and Tasting at Château Beauregard, Pomerol

Tour at Château Le Bon Pasteur, Pomerol, with Dany Rolland

Wine Lunch at Château Le Bon Pasteur, Pomerol, with Dany Rolland

Tasting were it all Started: At the "Garage" of Jean-Luc Thunevin, Owner and Winermaker of Château Valandraud, Premier Grand Cru Classé since 2012

Tour and Tasting at Château de Fargues, Sauternes, with Prince Eudes d’Orléans

Wine Pairing Lunch at the 1-star Michelin Restaurant Claude Darozze, with Marie-Hélène Lévêque, Owner of Châteaux Chantegrive

Tour of Château de Chantegrive, Appellation Grave

Tour and Tasting at Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte, Pessac-Léognan, Grand Cru Classé.

Wine Pairing Lunch at the 2-star Michelin Restaurant La Grande Vigne (at Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte)

Tour of the new Musee du Vin in Bordeaux City

Seafood lunch at Pinasse Cafe in Cap Ferret

Tour of the Earl Ostrea Chanca Oyster Farm and Oyster Tasting in Grand-Piquey, with Oyster Farmer Ralph Doerfler

The 5 Premiers Grands Crus Chateaux en 1855 of Bordeaux, France

What is a Bordeaux Cru Bourgeois? France

Tourt and tasting at Château Palmer, Margaux, 3ième Grand Cru Classé

Tour and Tasting at Château Pichon-Longueville-Baron, Pauillac, 2ième Grand Cru Classé

Wine Lunch at Château Pichon-Longueville-Baron, Pauillac, 2ième Grand Cru Classé

Tour and Tasting at Château Lafon-Rochet, Saint-Estèphe, 4ième Grand Cru Classé, with Owner Michel Tesseron

At the Invitation of Owner Michel Tesseron: Private Dinner at Château Lafon-Rochet, Saint-Estèphe, 4ième Grand Cru Classé

Tour and Tasting at Château Sociando Mallet, Appellation Haut-Médoc

How a Barrel is Made: Visit of the Cooperage Berger & Fils in Vertheuil

Lunch were the Locals eat: At Le Peyrat in Saint-Estèphe in Saint Estephe

Tour and Tasting at Château Léoville Poyferré, Saint-Julien, 2ième Grand Cru Classé, with Anne Cuvelier

Tour and Tasting at Château Margaux, Appellation Margaux, 1ière Grand Cru Classé

Tour and Tasting at Château Kirwan, Appellation Margaux, 3ième Grand Cru Classé, with Owner Nathalie Schyler

Picnic Lunch at Château Kirwan, Appellation Margaux, 3ième Grand Cru Classé, with Owner Nathalie Schyler

Tour and Wine Dinner at Château Haut-Bailly, Graves, Appellation Pessac-Léognan, Grand Cru Classé, with Daina Paulin