Arguably, the Riesling Gala at the Eberbach Abbey in the Rheingau is the greatest Riesling Party on earth.
The Rheingau Riesling Gala is a culinary and social event in which wine enthusiasts meet in the historic setting of the lay dormitory of Kloster Eberbach (the largest room of the Romanesque period north of the Alps) in order to celebrate the noblest of all grapes, the Riesling.
This year, more than 600 Riesling lovers came from all over the world (but mainly from Germany) to participate in the 28th Rheingau Riesling Gala.
The Riesling Gala is the grand finale and the highlight of the Glorious Rheingau Days, an annual celebration of the Rheingau Riesling, this year for the 31th times. Over 10 days or so, VDP members of the Rheingau present their wines at winemaker dinners and similar events at the Rheingau’s top restaurants or other interesting places.
All of the pictures in this posting are mine, with the exclusions of a few pictures, which I took from facebook pages.
28th Rheingau Riesling Gala
On Sunday, November 12, from 11 am to 6 pm, VDP producers of the Rheingau, their guest winemakers from other regions and their more than 600 guests enjoyed a 6 course dinner, each course prepared by a different top chef.
The wines served differed, depending on who was hosting you and who his or her guest winemaker was.
This year, my wife Annette and I were the guests of Wilhelm Weil, whose guest winemaker was Ernst Loosen from the Mosel. So, we enjoyed the superb wines of Weingut Robert Weil and Weingut Dr. Loosen. Please note that Robert Weil wines are part of the portfolio of Loosen Bros. USA, the US wine import company of Ernst and Thomas Loosen.
Remembering Restaurant Schweizer Stuben
This year, the selection of the chefs - Egbert Engelhardt, Johannn Lafer, Jörg Müller, Dieter Müller, Burkhard Schork, Hans Stefan Steinheuer - was very special as they were all in the kitchen crew of the Schweizer Stuben in the 1970s, when the Schweizer Stuben, along with the Tantris in Munich, the Ente vom Lehel in Wiesbaden, Schwarzer Adler in Oberbergen and the Schwarzwaldstuben in Baiersbronn, put German cooking on the map with the German Nouvelle Cuisine "Küchenwunder" and the "Trockenwelle".
Jörg Müller was the Schweizer Stuben Executive Chef from 1973-1981. Later, at Restaurant Jörg Müller/ Sylt, he cooked at the 1 star Michelin level.
His brother Dieter Müller was the Schweizer Stuben Executive Chef from 1981-1990. Later, he headed the Gourmet-Restaurant Dieter Müller (3 stars Michelin) and the Schlosshotel Lerbach Restaurant (3 stars Michelin).
Johannn Lafer was the Patisserie Chef in the early days of the Schweizer Stuben. Since then he has been cooking at his own restaurant, the Le Val d'Or, at 1 star and 2 stars Michelin level.
Hans Stefan Steinheuer was Sous-Chef from 1981-1983. He currently owns and runs Zur Alten Post in Bad Neuenahr (2 stars Michelin).
Burkhard Schork was a line cook in the early days of the Schweizer Stuben. Today, he owns and runs with his wife Regine the charming Restaurant Friedrich von Schiller in Bietingheim-Bissingen.
Egbert Engelhardt was a line cook in the early days of the Schweizer Stuben. He later run the Graues Haus (1 star Michelin) in the Rheingau.
Kloster Eberbach
It was in the year 1136, when thirteen monks first set foot into this remote Rheingau valley.
The monks were from France, coming from Clairveaux in Pinot to found a new monastery in the Rheingau valley through which the Kisselbach runs – and they brought grapevines with them.
The Monastery of Eberbach soon grew to be one of the biggest and most important cloisters in Germany, also thanks to its wine. The grape variety of Pinot Noir, imported from Pinot, became the first successful wine export from the Rheingau: the monks, being freed from toll charges along the Rhine, dominated the wine trade all the way down the river to Cologne, a very profitable business. In 1162, the Monastery even owned a magazine in Cologne which was privileged by Pope Alexander III.
Towards the end of the 15th century, rooms of the monastery like the Fraternei and the refectory for the lay priests were also turned into wine cellars – at this time, up to 150 priest monks and 600 lay priests lived in the monastery. The wars of the following centuries, however, damaged the monastery to a large extent, viticulture however continued to flourish. In 1730, the monks built a treasury for their most valuable growths – we know the date from a bill written by a carpenter from Eltville concerning the "Kabinett cellar." Until today, priceless wine treasures of centuries long since gone are stocked here.
With Secularisation, in 1803, monastery life ended in Eberbach, not so, however, viticulture: The tradition of wine growing was continued by the new owners of worldly origin, first by the Duke of Nassau, then from 1866 on by the Prussians and finally, since 1945, by the State of Hessen. Today, the Estate Monastery of Eberbach administers six Domains belonging to the State of Hessen, five of them situated in the Rheingau and one on the Hessische Bergstraße. With 200 hectares of vineyards, the Eberbach estate is the biggest wine growing company in Germany. The red wines from Eberbach, however, remain a trade mark in itself – the Pinot Noir is still grown here on 32 hectares.
In summer 2008, only several hundred of meters below the old monastery, the Steinbergkeller was opened, a state-of-the-art wine production site as only few in Europe exist. Each day, up to 7000 liters of grape juice can be processed, while the cellars stretch out on 5000 square kilometers and on several levels below the earth. They reach all the way below the Steinberg, the oldest vineyard site in Eberbach and its very first. The Steinberg vineyard is enclosed by a medieval wall of quarry stones, counting 3000 meters in length, which provides a special climate for the Riesling grapes growing on the slope – they say, the Steinberg was the favorite wine of the monks. The results of today's vinification can be tasted in the monastery's wine shop – or at one of the frequent wine tastings.
See also:
Kloster Eberbach in the Rheingau: Tour and Wine Tasting - Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)
The Rheingau
It is remarkable: For its entire length of nearly 560 miles, the Rhine flows north with one exception – a 28-mile stretch where the river changes its course. Here, it flows to the west, thereby enabling both the river and the vineyards facing it to bask in the warmth of the sun all day long. This is the Rheingau, one of the medium-size German wine regions. It is a quietly beautiful region, rich in tradition. Queen Victoria's enthusiasm for Hochheim's wines contributed to their popularity in England, where they, and ultimately, Rhine wines in general, were referred to as Hock.
The third President of the USA - and notable bon viveur - Thomas Jefferson visited the Rheingau in 1788 and wrote that the wine of the "Abbaye of Johnsberg is the best made on the Rhine without comparison … That of the year 1775 is the best." He also referred to the Rheingau’s Riesling as the "small and delicate Rhysslin which grows only from Hochheim to Rudesheim". Impressed by the quality of the Rheingau Riesling wines, he bought 100 grapevines to take back to his estate in Virginia.
The Rheingau enjoys a distinctly continental climate with cold winters and warm, but not hot, summers. The Rheingau is dominated by Riesling, accounting for 4/5 of the vineyard area. Wilhelm Weil, our host, produces only Riesling wines.
See also:
VDP.Rheingau Rhine River Boat Trip with Pre-release Presentation of the 2015 Grosses Gewächs (GG) Wines
The Rheingau and its Terroirs: Tasting with Rheingau’s Elite Winemakers, Germany
Extraordinary Views of the Rheingau Vineyards - A Spectecular Helicopter Flight over the Rheingau with Rheingau Winemakers, Germany
Reception
The event started with a reception, where Rheingau Charta Rieslings and finger food were served. This year, because of the weather, the reception took place inside, in the historic places of Kloster Eberbach, including the famous Cabinet Wine Cellar, which normally is not open to the public, the Eberbach Cloister and the Refectory, the dining room of the monks.
Reception: Cabinet Cellar
Reception: Cloister
Reception: Refectory (Dining Room of the Monks)
Reception: Lay Dormitory
Reception: Charta Rieslings and Finger Food
For the reception, we enjoyed delicious finger food and Charta Riesling.
Entry of the Winemakers in the Lay Dormitory
The lunch started with the entry of the winemakers (and the Rheingau Wine Queens).
Welcome Greetings by Wilhelm Weil, Weingut Robert Weil, President of the VDP Rheingau
Wilhelm Weil, Weingut Robert Weil and President of the VDP Rheingau, welcomed the guests, with the participating winemakers and the Rheingau Wine Queens.
The Tables
More than 600 Riesling lovers came from all over the world to participate in the 28th Riesling Gala at the historic Kloster Eberbach in the Rheingau in Germany. They sat at the tables of the following winemakers:
Weingut Allendorf/ Weingut Horst Sauer
Weingut Balthasar Ress/ Weingut Kühling-Gillot & Battenfeld Spanier
Weingut Robert Weil/ Weingut Dr. Loosen
Weingut Spreitzer/ Weingut Jung/ Weingut Diel
Weingut Urban Kaufmann/ Weingut Lubentiushof
Weingut Schloss Johannisberg/ Weingut G.H. von Mumm/ Weingut Bürklin-Wolf
Weingut Schloss Vollrads/ Weingut Weegmüller
Weingut Georg Müller Stiftung/ Weingut Heymann-Löwenstein
Weingut Diefenhardt/ Weingut Bürgerspital
Weingut Peter Jakob Kühn/ Weingut Am Stein
Hessische Staatsweingüter Kloster Eberbach/ Weingut Rings
Weingut Leitz/ Weingut Dönnhoff
Weingut Barth/ Weingut Forstmeister Geltz Zilliken
Weingut Johannishof/ Weingut Wöhrwag
Gala Luncheon
The Gala Luncheon was a 6-course luncheon over a period of 6 hours, i.e. every hour one course with 2 wines, from the winemakers of your table. After each course, you had a bit of time to walk around, talk with other guests and try the wines of other winemakers.
Annette and I sat at the table of Weingut Robert Weil/ Weingut Dr. Loosen, i.e. with Wilhelm Weil and Ernst Loosen.
Table Weingut Robert Weil/ Weingut Dr. Loosen
Starter
First Course
Getrüffeltes Geflügel-Gänseleberparfait im Baumkuchenmantel mit Apfelsalat und Rieslinggelee
Chef: Jörg Müller
Schweizer Stuben (2 stars Michelin, Nösse (2 stars Michelin), Restaurant Jörg Müller/ Sylt (1 star Michelin)
2004 Weingut Robert Weil Gräfenberg Riesling Spätlese VDP.Grosse Lage
1990 Weingut Dr. Loosen Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Sekt Brut
Table Weingut Leitz/ Weingut Dönnhoff
Josi Leitz and Cornelius Dönnhoff had 10 prominent winemakers from Germany and Austria as special guests had their table, who also showed their wines: Markus Schneider from Weingut Markus Schneider (Pfalz), Kilian Franzen from Weingut Franzen (Mosel), Philipp Wittmann from Weingut Wittmann (Rheinhessen), Jochen Dreissigacker from Weingut Dreissigacker (Rheinhessen), Friedrich Becker Jr. from Weingut Becker (Pfalz), Urban Stagard from Weingut Stagard (Austria), Matthias Knebel from Weingut Knebel (Mosel). In addition, Kevin Pike, Owner of Schatzi Wines, leading US Importer of German wines, including Weingut Leitz, was at the table.
Second Course
Curry-Zintronengrassuppe mit Jakobsmuschelspiess
Chef: Dieter Müller
Schweizer Stuben (2 stars Michelin), Gourmet-Restaurant Dieter Müller (3 stars Michelin), Schlosshotel Lerbach (3 stars Michelin)
2002 Weingut Robert Weil Riesling Spätlese VDP.Gutswein
1997 Weingut Dr. Loosen Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Spätlese VDP.Grosse Lage
Table Weingut Urban Kaufmann/ Weingut Lubentiushof
Table Weingut Balthasar Ress/ Weingut Kühling-Gillot & Battenfeld Spanier
Third Course
Gegrillter Hummer mit Lavendel, Pomelo und Fichten.Öl
Chef: Egbert Engelhardt
Graues Haus (1 star Michelin)
2014 Weingut Robert Weil Gräfenberg Riesling Trocken GG
2013 Weingut Dr. Loosen Lay Riesling Trocken GG
Table Weingut Allendorf/ Weingut Horst Sauer
Table Weingut Schloss Johannisberg/ Weingut G.H. von Mumm/ Weingut Bürklin-Wolf
Fourth Course
Perlhuhnbrust auf einer gerührten Polenta mit eingelegten Rosinen und Tomaten-Gemüsesugo
Chef: Burkhard Schork
Restaurant Friedrich von Schiller in Bietingheim-Bissingen
2012 Weingut Robert Weil Kiedricher Turmberg Trocken Magnum
2011 Weingut Dr. Loosen Himmelreich Graach Riesling Kabinett
Table Weingut Peter Jakob Kühn/ Weingut Am Stein
Table Weingut Barth/ Weingut Forstmeister Geltz Zilliken
Fifth Course
Spessart-Reh mit Nusskruste, Topfenknödel und Hagebutten-Preiselbeerconfit
Chef: Hans Stefan Steinheuer
Zur Alten Post in Bad Neuenahr (2 stars Michelin)
2009 Weingut Robert Weil Gräfenberg Riesling Trocken Erstes Gewächs Salmanazar
2012 Weingut Dr. Loosen Ürzig Riesling Trocken GG Reserve Doppelmagnum
Sixth Course
Mousse von der Rheingauer Quitte mit cremigem Maroneneis
Chef: Johann Lafer
Le Val d'Or (1 star Michelin, previously 2 stars)
2007 Weingut Robert Weil Gräfenberg Kiedrich Riesling Auslese
1998 Weingut Dr. Loosen Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Auslese
Table Weingut Spreitzer/ Weingut Jung/ Weingut Diel
Table Weingut Schloss Vollrads/ Weingut Weegmüller
Closing Ceremony
At the end of the luncheon, the chefs came to the stage again with their teams.
After-Party
The event ended with an after party, where one could taste all the wines that were poured during the luncheon … but also could go for a draft beer. I finsihed the 2017 Riesling Gala with a Curry Wurst.
Last Years' Riesling Galas
For last years' Riesling Gala, see here:
A Riesling Feast in an Historic Setting: Riesling Gala 2016 at Kloster Eberbach in the Rheingau, Germany
Riesling Gala 2015 at Kloster Eberbach in the Rheingau, Germany
Riesling Gala 2014 at Kloster Eberbach in the Rheingau, Germany
Rheingau Riesling Gala 2013 at Kloster Eberbach, Germany
schiller-wine - Related Postings
Heads up for the 2017 Tours - to Germany and France - by ombiasy WineTours
The 2017 American Wine Society National Conference in in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, USA: Seen Through Christian Schiller's Camera Lens
Weingut Georg Müller Stiftung in Hattenheim, Rheingau: Cellar Tour, Art Tour, Tasting and Vineyard Tour with Winemaker Tim Lilienström - Germany-North Tour 2017 by ombiasy WineTours
Kloster Eberbach in the Rheingau: Lunch, Tour of the Abbey, the Steinberg and the Steinbergkeller, with Tasting - Germany-North Tour 2017 by ombiasy WineTours
Schloss Vollrads in the Rheingau: Tour and Tasting - Germany-North Tour 2017 by ombiasy WineTours
Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Leitz in Rüdesheim, with Johannes Leitz – Germany-North Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours
Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Heymann-Löwenstein in Winningen, Mosel, with Reinhard Löwenstein - Germany-North Tour 2017 by ombiasy WineTours
Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Forstmeister Geltz-Zilliken with Hanno Zilliken - Germany-North Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours
Family-style Wine-pairing Lunch at Weingut Hans Lang - Kaufmann, with Owners/ Winemakers Urban Kaufmann and Eva Raps - Germany-North Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours
VDP.Rheingau Rhine River Boat Trip with Pre-release Presentation of the 2015 Grosses Gewächs (GG) Wines
The Rheingau and its Terroirs: Tasting with Rheingau’s Elite Winemakers, Germany
Extraordinary Views of the Rheingau Vineyards - A Spectecular Helicopter Flight over the Rheingau with Rheingau Winemakers, 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)
Lighting and the Flavor of Wine - With Winemaker Ulrich Allendorf in his Aroma Vineyard and Color Room at Weingut Allendorf in Oestrich Winkel, Rheingau, Germany
At Weingut Balthasar Ress in Hattenheim, Rheingau, during the 2015 Harvest with Winemaker Dirk Würtz, Germany
Tour and Tasting at Schloss Johannisberg, Rheingau, with Christian Witte, Domaine Director – Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), Germany
Tour and Tasting at Weingut von Oetinger, Rheingau, with Achim von Oetinger – Germany-North 2016 by ombiasy WineTours
Vinyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Horst Sauer in Eschendorf, Franken, with Horst Sauer – Germany-East Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours
Kiedrich: Visit of the Basilica of Saint Valentine and of Weingut Robert Weil - Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)
One of the Bio-dynamic Stars in Germany: Weingut Peter Jakob Kühn in Östrich, Winkel – Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)
Impromptu Winetasting with Alexander Jung, Weingut Jakob Jung, Erbach, Rheingau, Germany
Tour and Tasting at Weingut Spreitzer in Oestrich, Rheingau, with Bernd Spreitzer – Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)
Wine Tasting and Cellar Tour at Weingut Dönnhoff with Christina Dönnhoff – Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)
Tasting the Wines, President Obama was Served: Visit of Weingut Markus Schneider, Pfalz – Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)
Wine Tasting at Weingut Weegmüller with Stephanie and Gabriele Weegmüller – Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)
Ernst Loosen Presented his Wines at Weingut Dr. Loosen, Bernkastel-Kues, Mosel Valley, Germany
An Afternoon with Riesling Star Winemaker Helmut Doennhoff at Weingut Doennhoff in Oberhausen in the Nahe Valley, Germany
The World Meets at Weingut Weegmueller, Pfalz, Germany
No comments:
Post a Comment