Announcement: Wines from the Loire Valley - Tasting at the NoLoCo (Northern Loudoun County) Chapter of the American Wine Society on April 14, 2024, led by Annette Schiller

Announcement

Jennifer Crafts, NoLoCo Chapter Chair: Annette Schiller will present on the topic of Wines from the Loire Valley. As a leader of wine tours through the various wine regions of France, she is an expert on these wines. She and Christian will host at their house in McLean. Attendance will be capped at 22. If needed, I will keep a waitlist.

Annette Schiller - Loire Valley

Annette Schiller: The Loire belongs to France's Crown Jewels. For centuries, French kings have spent their summers on the banks of the lovely Loire River and drank the wonderful wines that grow in the region. Still today their magnificent Châteaux and the fantastic wines are attractions for every visitor.

The Loire Valley is a vast wine region stretching for about 600 miles from the Atlantic Ocean to the Auvergne mountains. There are five main, distinctively different wine regions, each with its own characteristic grapes, appellations, and wine style. 

The Loire Valley wine region is a complex region: there is no varietal or style to associate with, which makes it difficult to clearly put a mark on the region. That's why this incredibly beautiful region is so very interesting to discover and to explore. The Loire Valley wines also provide the best value in terms of drinking pleasure / price. 

Christian and I travelled to the Loire Valley in February to tie last strings for the upcoming wine tour to the Loire in June. We were smitten with the quality of the wines across the board.

LOIRE VALLEY: Sunday, June 09 - Thursday June 20, 2024 

 

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

See: Announcement: Loire Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours (Sunday, June 09 - Thursday June 20, 2024) 

  

   

 

Postings on Schiller-wine Related to the Upcoming 2024 Loire Trip by ombiasy WineTours

 

This is the 15th in a series of postings on Schiller-wine related to the 2024 Loire Valley Trip by ombiasy WineTours in June.

 

A Journey Through The Loire Valley - Seminar at the 2023 American Wine Society National Conference in St. Louis/ Missouri/ USA led by Annette Schiller

Plateau des Fruits de Mer and a Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Sur Lie at Historic Brasserie Cigale in Nantes, Loire Valley, France (February 2024)

 

Announcement: Loire Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours (Sunday, June 09 - Thursday June 20, 2024)

 

Salons des Vins - all with a Focus on Natural, Organic, Biodynamic and Low-intervention Producers in the Loire Valley and elsewhere in France and Europe - in February in Angers and Samour, Loire Valley, France (February 2024)

 

Dinner at the Kitchen Counter of Les Petits Prés, Angers, Loire Valley, France, with Star Chef Samuel Albert (February 2024)

 

Announcement: "The Wines of the Loire Valley" presented by Annette Schiller at the American Wine Society/ Northern Virginia Chapter on March 8, 2024

 

Visiting Natural Wine Producer Liv Vincendeau - Domäne Vincendeau in Rochefort sur Loire/ Anjou (February 2024) 

 

Menu Dégustation at La Dariole (Bib Gourmand Michelin) in Orléans with Chef Nicolas Hervé and Domaine Pellé, Menetou-Salon, Pinot Noir (February 2024)

 

Dinner at L' Alchemiste in Saumur at Michelin-star Level with Chef François Deplagne (February 2024)

 

Moon - Monks - Michelin: Overnight stay and 1-star Michelin Dinner at the Abbaye Royale de Fontevraud, with Chef Thibaut Ruggeri (February 2024)

 

Fine de Claire, #3 Oysters from Cancale, the Oyster Capital of Brittany, and a 2022 Domaine Henry Pellé, Menetou-Salon, Saugnon-Blanc in Tours, Loire Valley, France (February 2024)

 

At Château de Pray, a Loire Château from the 12th Century and a Michelin Star: Overnight Stay and High-end Dinner in an Historic Setting (February 2024)

 

A Journey through the Loire Valley - Tasting at the American Wine Society (Northern Virginia Chapter), led by Annette Schiller (March 2024)

 

Château de Chambord - Not only a Famous Loire Palace, but also an AOC Cheverny Wine Producer

 

Meeting Jean-Marie Bourgeois and Jean-Christoph Bourgeois of Domaine Henri Bourgeois at their Domaine in Chavignol/ Sancerre, Loire Valley, France 

 

Dinner at Au P'tit Goûter - a Friendly Little Bistro right in the Middle of Chavignol, Sancerre, Loire Valley - with Front-of-the-house Jérémy, Chef Jérôme Germain and Tuscany (February 2024)

 

Announcement: A Journey through the Loire Valley - Tasting at the Washington Wine and Cheese Seminar, Washington DC, led by Annette Schiller, Tuesday, March 26 at 7.45 pm

 

A Journey through the Vineyards of the Loire Valley - Tasting at the Washington Wine and Cheese Seminar, led by Annette Schiller (March 2024)

 

Christian Stahl, Winzerhof Stahl, Franken, Germany: Star Winemaker for some Time, now also a Michelin-starred Chef (March 2024)

When the 2024 Michelin Stars in Germany for the best chefs of the country were announced, something spectacular happened that I have not yet seen before. One of the say 400 German star winemakers became one of Germany`s 340 Michelin-starred chefs: Christian Stahl, Winzerhof Stahl in Franken, Germany, Winemaker of the Year 2018 (FAS, Stuart Pigott), also earned his first Michelin star as a chef in his fine dining restaurant of the Winzerhof Stahl.   

At his most recent visit to Washington DC at our house, Christian said at the dinner: "I am a winemaker from Monday to Thursday and I am a chef from Friday to Saturday".

While Christian is a trained winemaker with an university degree, he never had any formal training as chef. 

Christian Stahl studied winemaking and graduated from the Geisenheim University in 2005. In 2007, jointly with his wife, he took over the winery of his parents and expanded it to 45 hectares compared with 2 hectares in 1984. In parallel to focussing on the winery, Christian pushed ahead with moving the traditional wine-tavern of the winery towards a fine-dining restaurant, with Christian heading the team in the kitchen, culminating this month in receiving his first Michelin star. 

I met Christian for the first time in Frankfurt/ Offenbach at restaurant "Schaumahl", where he presented his wines at a winemaker dinner. This was in 2012.

4 years later, in 2016, Christian started to get a foot into the US market with his wines and he came regularly to the USA with a focus on Washington DC and New York City. His first tasting in the US was in January 2016 at Cleveland Park Fine Wines and Liquor Store. Until Covid hit and then again at the end of 2021, Christian was a frequent guest in the Washington DC area, marketing his wines. 

In fact, in November 2021, Christian came with his co-chef Mirko Schweiger, and we organised a dinner at our home in McLean, Washington DC, with the 2 German chefs Christian and Mirko, as well as Chef Ken from Virginia.

In 2017, 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.

Michelin Guide 2024

Der Kommentar des Guide Michelin 2024: „Wein oder Essen? Im Restaurant des Winzerhofs Stahl steht beides im Fokus, und zwar in Form eines modernen 9-Gänge-Überraschungsmenüs samt perfekt abgestimmter Begleitung aus neun Weinen des eigenen Weinguts. Das Interieur ist ein charmanter Mix aus minimalistischem Design und Altbau-Elementen wie freigelegten Holzbalken und offener Steinwand. Dazu herrscht in dem kleinen Gastraum eine angenehm intime Atmosphäre. Das ist nicht zuletzt Inhaber Christian Stahl zu verdanken, der persönlich am Gast ist - man spürt förmlich seine Leidenschaft fürs Kochen und den Wein! Der Patron und sein eingespieltes Küchenteam, das er zusammen mit Mirko Schweiger leitet, servieren die Speisen selbst.“

Christian L. Stahl in Washington DC/ USA

2016

Christian has been coming to the US since 2016. His first tasting in the US was 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.

 

2016

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
 

2017

 
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

Pictures: Winemaker Dinner with Christian L. Stahl from Winzerhof Stahl, Germany, and Chef Driss Zahidi at Evo Bistro in McLean, Virginia
 

2017

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 at Schiller's Residence

 

2018  

 

Annette Schiller, ombiasy WineTours, organized a winemaker dinner with Christian at the trendy BToo restaurant on 14th Street NW.

 

40 German wine lovers had a great time with the excellent wines of Christian Stahl and the super food of Chef Dieter Samyn. 

 

See: Winemaker Dinner with Christian L. Stahl, Winzerhof Stahl, Franken, Germany, and Chef Dieter Samyn at BToo in Washington DC, USA 

 

Pictures: Winemaker Dinner with Christian L. Stahl and hef Dieter Samyn at BToo in Washington DC, USA

2021

 

The last time, I saw Christian in the Washington DC area was in 2021. The USA lifted its 18-month covid travel ban on November 8th, 2021. 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 had a second dinner a few days later, with same wines and the same menu, however without Christian Stahl. He was sitting in the plane back to Germany on that evening. 

See: Christian Stahl, Winzerhof Stahl, Franken, Germany back in the USA - Winemaker Dinner at the Schiller Residence in McLean, Northern Virginia (2021) 

 

Pictures: Winemaker Dinner with Christian L. Stahl, Chef and Winekaer, at the Schiller Residence in McLean, Northern Virginia (2021)  

 

With Christian L Stahl In Germany

 

2012
 

We met Christian for the first time in 2012 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

 

2017

In 2017, 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 

schiller-wine - Related Postings

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 

Winemaker Dinner with Christian L. Stahl, Winzerhof Stahl, Franken, Germany, and Chef Dieter Samyn at BToo in Washington DC, USA (2018)

Christian Stahl, Winzerhof Stahl, Franken, Germany back in the USA - Winemaker Dinner at the Schiller Residence in McLean, Northern Virginia (2021)