schiller-wine: Lake Constance

Showing posts with label Lake Constance. Show all posts

Friday, June 22, 2018

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Staatsweingut Meersburg in Meersburg, Baden, Lake Constance (Bodensee) - Germany-South and Alsace 2018 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: Baden, Alsace, Pfalz and Rheinhessen

Picture: At Staatsweingut Meersburg in Meersburg, Baden, Lake Constance (Bodensee)

We toured the ancient cellar and and had a tasting of the Staatsweingut Meersburg wines. Hanna Neuser of EcoCert and Consultant at Staatsweingut Meersburg was our host.

Picture: Lake Constance (Bodensee)

Staatsweingut Meersburg

Staatsweingut Meersburg is located in the small town of Meersburg just above the port of Meersburg on Lake Constance in the Baden wine-growing region in Germany.

Staastweingut Meersburg basically never changed ownership: it has always been in the hands of the rulers of Baden.

Wine production in Meersburg has been first documented in 1210. This year also marks the establishment of the Staatsweingut Meersburg. However in those days it was the winery of the Prince-Bishop of Constance who reigned over Baden. For 600 years the winery stayed in he hands of the Prince-Bishops.

A Prince-Bishop is a bishop who is a territorial Prince of the Church on account of one or more secular principalities, usually pre-existent titles of nobility held concurrently with their inherent clerical office. Thus the principality ruled politically by a prince-bishop could be wholly or largely overlap with his diocesan jurisdiction, but not necessarily.

Pictures: At Staatsweingut Meersburg

In 1802 Napoleon secularized all church properties and ownership changed to the Markgraf von Baden who was the ruling King of Baden in those days.

The Grand Duchy of Baden remained a sovereign country until it joined the German Empire in 1871. After the revolution of 1918, and the abolishment of the monarchy in Germany, Baden became part of the Weimar Republic as the Republic of Baden. The Republic of Baden as the successor of the Grand Duchy of Baden took over the winery (but it did not take over Schloss Salem, which became the private property of the Markgraf of Baden).

After 1945 Baden and Württemberg were merged to the Republic of Baden-Württemberg, which is the current owner of the Staatsweingut Meersburg.

The so-called Reithof complex today houses the sales office, the cellars and the estate administration. Also available on site is a restaurant and wine bar with a view of the lake and the Alps.

The beautiful wine cellar of the Staatsweingut Meersburg was built in 1720, when the Prince-Bishop of Stauffenberg (1658-1740) owned the castle. The white wines and blanc de noirs are slowly fermented at cool temeperatures, in order to retain their natural light, fruity character. The red wines are amtured in large oak barrels or in French barriques.

Pictures: Cellar Tour at Staatsweingut Meersburg

The vineyard area totals 62 hectares with holdings in the following sites: Bengel, Chorherrnhalde, Lerchenberg, Jungfernstieg and Rieschen (Meersburg – monopole holding), Olgaberg – highest vineyard in Germany at 520 metres above sea level (Hohentwiel), as well as Ritterhalde (Gailingen). The area is planted with Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Riesling, Müller-Thurgau, Traminer and Regent.

Pictures: Tasting

Dinner at Restaurant Bürgerbräu (Chef Simon Metzler) in Überlingen

The day ended with dinner at Restaurant Bürgerbräu - recommended by the Guide Michelin - in Überlingen. Chef Simon Metzler and his wife Katja run the place in the third generation. Chef Simon Metzler started his career with Chef Stefan Marquard, was the tour chef of the Rock Band "Die Toten Hosen" and worked for a number of years in Berlin, before returning home to Überlingen and taking over the family business.

We took one "final drink for the road" at Überlingen's in-place Zum Galgen.

Pictures: At Restaurant Bürgerbräu (Chef Simon Metzler) and Zum Galgen in Überlingen

schiller-wine: Germany-South and Alsace 2018 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: Baden, Alsace, Pfalz and Rheinhessen - All Postings (Published and Forthcoming)

The Sun-Kissed South: Germany’s Pinot Noir, the Other Whites, the Culinary Regions - Germany-South and Alsace 2018 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: Baden, Alsace, Pfalz and Rheinhessen

Sekt: Cellar Tour and Tasting at Griesel&Compagnie, Sekthaus Streit, Bensheim, with Winemaker Rachele Crosara - Germany-South and Alsace 2018 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: Baden, Alsace, Pfalz and Rheinhessen

Lunch at 1 Michelin Star Restaurant Landhaus Feckl in Ehningen, with Chef Franz Feckl and Host Manuela Feckl - Germany-South and Alsace 2018 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: Baden, Alsace, Pfalz and Rheinhessen

The Evolving Structure of the Wine Industry in Germany – The Case of the Lake Constance Region

Schloss Salem at Lake Constance in Germany: A Museum, a School and a Wine Estate

Visit of Schloss Salem, Kirche Birnau and Weingut Markgraf von Baden - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Staatsweingut Meersburg in Meersburg, Bodensee

Cellar Tour and Massive Tasting at Weingut Ziereisen in Efringen, Markgräfler Land, Baden, with Hanspeter and Edeltraud Ziereisen

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Martin Waßmer in Bad Krozingen, Markgräfler Land, Baden

Dinner at Restaurant Schwarzer Adler, 1 Star Michelin, Oberbergen, Kaiserstuhl, Baden - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Hunn in Gottenheim, Tuniberg, Baden, with Kilian and Martina Hunn

The World Class Wines of Alsace

In the world class white wine region Alsace

Tour and Tasting at Domaines Schlumberger in Guebwiller, Alsace - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Rieflé in Pfaffenheim, Alsace, with Paul Rieflé

Cellar Tour and Massive Tasting at Domaine Rolly-Gassmann in Rorschwihr, Alsace, with Pierre Gassmann

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Pfister in Dahlenheim, Alsace, with Melanie Pfister

Dinner at 2 Michelin Star Restaurant Auberge du Cheval Blanc, Alsace

Wine Tasting at Weingut Friedrich Becker – Germany-South Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

Vineyard Tour and Massive Tasting at Weingut Siener in Birkweiler, Pfalz, with Owner/ Winemaker Peter Siener

Schiller's Favorite (Wine-) Restaurants in Deidesheim in the Pfalz, Germany

Dinner Tasting at the Vinothek/ Wine Tavern of Weingut Bürklin-Wolf, with the Managing Director of Weingut Bürklin-Wolf, Steffen Brahner

Extensive Vineyard Tour and Tasting at Weingut Reichsrat von Buhl in Deidesheim, Pfalz, with General Manager Richard Grosche

Tasting and Cellar Tour at Weingut Battenfeld-Spanier/ Kühling-Gillot in Hohen-Sülzen, Rheinhessen, with Carolin Spanier

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Wagner-Stempel in Siefersheim, Rheinhessen, with Oliver Müller and Cathrin Wagner

Cellar Tour, Tasting and Lunch at Weingut Schloss Westerhaus in Ingelheim, Rheinhessen, with the Owners Countess and Count von Schönburg-Glauchau and Technical Director Toni Frank

Tasting at Weingut Knewitz in Appenheim, Rheinhessen

Schiller’s Favorite Wine Taverns in Mainz, Germany

Thursday, December 7, 2017

Schiller's Favorite Wine Taverns in Meersburg, Lake Constance, Baden, Germany

Picture: Annette Schiller at Weinhaus C. Hanser in Meersburg, Lake Constance, with a Cuvée Annette. Annette von Droste-Hülshof, poet and composer, died in Meersburg and lived the last 7 years of her live at the Neues Schloss

Meersburg (in English, "sea castle"), which is built on a steep vineyard right by the lake, is a most charming town on the shores of Lake Constance.

Lake Constance

Lake Constance - in German: Bodensee - is shared by Germany, Switzerland and Austria. The largest City on the lake is Constance - in German: Konstanz. On the Swiss side is the Canton of Thurgau, where the grape variety Müller Thurgau comes from, created by Hermann Müller in 1882. The Austrian part does not have much wine, if any; the wine regions of Austria are on the other side of the country, in the east.

Picture: Lake Constance in the South of Germany, with Swiss Mountains

See also: The Evolving Structure of the Wine Industry in Germany – The Case of the Lake Constance Region

Meersburg: Upper Town and Lower Town/ Altes Schloss and Neues Schloss

Meersburg with its medieval streets and half-timbered buildings is a split-level town: The lakeside Lower Town is home to the boat and ferry landings, a lakefront promenade, hotels, restaurants, bars, and sporting activities; and the Upper Town is a hillside cluster of historic buildings, museums, galleries, cafés, shops, and vineyards. Both sections of town have remnants of medieval walls (including two ancient gates), and you can go back and forth between the two by stairway or road.

Meersburg has two castles to visit, conveniently side-by-side, both in the Upper Town.

Pictures: Meersburg

The stony Altes Schloss — or simply Burg Meersburg — with its corner round towers and stair-stepped gabled central tower (added in the 16th century) is considered the oldest surviving castle in Germany. Parts of it do date back to AD 630 and its foundation by Dagobert I, last of the great Frankish Merovingian kings. Most of it, however, only dates back as far as the 12th century (still pretty old), and from the 13th century on it served as a seat for the Prince-Bishops of Konstanz.

By the 18th century, the powerful Prince-Bishops of Konstanz wanted something a bit newer, fresher, and more baroquey than the drafty old Burg, so they set about building themselves a Neues Schloss next to the old one in 1710–50, designed by Franz Anton Bagnato and finished off in grand style with a staircase based upon plans by German baroque architect extraordinaire, Balthasar Neumann.

A Prince-Bishop is a bishop who is a territorial Prince of the Church on account of one or more secular principalities, usually pre-existent titles of nobility held concurrently with their inherent clerical office. Thus the principality ruled politically by a prince-bishop could be wholly or largely overlap with his diocesan jurisdiction, but not necessarily.

Though the bishopric was dissolved in 1803 (after which their palace was used variously as a girls' school, prison, sailor's school, high school, institute for deaf-mutes, and barracks for French troops after World War II), the Schloss continues to reign above the town in all its white-frosted pink glory.

Restored to its baroque splendor—most evident in the Festsaal (ballroom) with its frescoed ceiling and the Schlosskappel chapel — the Neues Schloss now contains a museum dedicated to the era of the Prince-Bishops and several oddball collections of decorative arts and natural history as part of its State Gallery museum.

A few rooms have been preserved in their 19th century state to honor the residence of German poet Annette von Droste-Hülshoff, who lived out her final years in this, the house of her brother-in-law, in the 1840s.

Staatsweingut Meersburg (Baden)

The Staatsweingut Meersburg is located in Meersburg at Lake Constance and owned by the State Baden-Württemberg.

It was owned by the church for a short period of time. From its construction in the 1750s until the bishopric was dissolved in 1803 it was the seat of the Prince-Bishop of Constance. In 1802, it passed – along with the Salem Abbey - into the hands of the Margrave von Baden during Napoleon’s secularization.

Baden came into existence in the 12th century as the Margraviate of Baden. It became the much-enlarged Grand Duchy of Baden through the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire in 1806. The Grand Duchy of Baden remained a sovereign country until it joined the German Empire in 1871. After the revolution of 1918, Baden became part of the Weimar Republic as the Republic of Baden.

The Republic of Baden, as the successor of the Grand Duchy of Baden, took over the Staatsweingut Meersburg in 1918. (But it did not take over Schloss Salem, which became the private property of the Margrave of Baden.) In the Federal Republic of Germany of 1945, Baden and Wuerttemberg were merged to the Republic of Baden Wuerttemberg, which is the current owner of the Staatsweingut Meersburg.

Pictures: Staatsweingut Meersburg

The vineyard area totals 62 hectares, planted with Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Riesling, Müller-Thurgau, Traminer and Regent.

The Schloss also houses the Staatsweingut Meersburg, owned by the Government of the Federal State of Baden Wuerttemberg. The vineyard area totals 62 hectares with holdings in the following sites: Bengel, Chorherrnhalde, Lerchenberg, Jungfernstieg and Rieschen (Meersburg – monopole holding), Olgaberg – highest vineyard in Germany at 520 metres above sea level (Hohentwiel), as well as Ritterhalde (Gailingen). The area is planted with Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Riesling, Müller-Thurgau, Traminer and Regent.

The Staatsweingut Meersburg was owned by the Prince-Bishop of Constance until 1802, when it passed into the hands of the Margrave von Baden during Napoleon’s secularization.

The Government of Baden, as the successor of the Grand Duchy of Baden, took over the Staatsweingut Meersburg in 1918. But it did not take over Schloss Salem, which became the private property of the Margrave of Baden.

Schiller's Favorite Wine Bars in Meersburg

There are only 2 true wine bars, where you can have a glass of wine and a small bite. In all other listed taverns, people have a full meal with a glass or bottle of wine. I am not sure as to how just have a glass of wine without any food or just a small bite.

Weinhaus C. Hanser
Unterstadtstraße 28

True wine bar. Best wine list in town. Excellent small bites.

Weintreff Winzerverein Meersburg - Kellereiverkauf
Unterstadtstraße 11

Inexpensive. Only wines of the Winzerverein Meersburg. Always packed. Closes at 9pm.

Gutsschänke Staatsweingut Meersburg
Seminarstarsse 4

Wine bar and restaurant. Only wines of the Staatsweingut Meersburg. Brilliant view from the terrace.

Markgräflich Badische Weinstube
Unterstadtstraße 28

Restaurant. Only wines of Weingut Markgraf von Baden.

Weinstube zum Becher
Höllgasse 4

Historischer Weinkeller "In Trauben"
Steigstrasse 6

Meersburger Winzerstuben
Steigstrasse 33

Restaurant. Inexpensive. Only wines of the Winzerverein Meersburg.

Friday, November 17, 2017

The Music of the A Cappella Ensemble "Männer und Tenöre" and the Wines of Weingut Aufricht, Lake Constance, Baden, with Manfred Aufricht - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours

Picture: Manfred Aufricht and the A Cappella Ensemble "Männer und Tenöre" at Weingut Aufricht, Baden

The visit of the Lake Constance Region was a first for the Germany-South and Alsace Tour by ombiasy WineTours. We had never been to the Lake Constance Region before as it is a bit out of the way. It was worth the detour. We started with a wine tasting concert at Weingut Aufricht on the day of our arrival. The following day, we spent the whole day at Schloss Salem, touring the historic abbey before lunch and having a visit of the winery of Schloss Salem - Weingut Markgraf von Baden - in the afternoon, before visiting Kirche Birnau and its vineyards. We concluded the day with a tour of Meersburg and had a light dinner in a wine tavern in Meersburg.

Pictures: Arriving at Weingut Aufricht, where the Harvest was in Full Swing when we Arrived

The visit of Weingut Aufricht was not a typical one. Annette had booked us seats at an wine and music evening event at Weingut Aufricht. The Ensemble "Männer und Tenöre" performed A Cappella music and Manfred Aufricht poured 6 wines and talked about his winery and his wines.

Pictures: The A Cappella Ensemble "Männer und Tenöre"

A cappella (Italian for “From the chapel/choir”) music is singing without instrumental accompaniment. The Comedian Harmonists were an internationally famous, all-male German ensemble that performed between 1928 and 1934 as one of the most successful musical groups in Europe before World War II.

Manfred Aufricht and his wife Hildegard Aufricht were our hosts. This was an evening of music and wine.

Baden

Baden is Germany’s most southerly and - with 16,000 hectares (39,300 acres) under vine – third largest wine region. Despite its size and the quality of its wines, it is not well known outside of Germany, because it exports very little.

From north to south, Baden spans approximately 200 kilometers, and is primarily situated on the right bank of the Rhein river. On the left bank is Alsace in France. Baden is divided into nine districts; one of them is the Lake Constance district, where the Aufricht Estate is located.

Baden is known for its Pinot wines, both white and red,which account for more than half of Baden’s wine output. Riesling plays only a minor role.

Lake Constance

Lake Constance - in German: Bodensee - is shared by Germany, Switzerland and Austria. The largest City on the lake is Constance - in German: Konstanz. On the Swiss side is the Canton of Thurgau, where the grape variety Mueller Thurgau comes from, created by Hermann Mueller in 1882. The Austrian part does not have much wine, if any; the wine regions of Austria are on the other side of the country, in the east.

Picture: Lake Constance in the South of Germany, with Swiss Mountains

See also: The Evolving Structure of the Wine Industry in Germany – The Case of the Lake Constance Region

Weingut Aufricht

In Baden - like in Württemberg - the wine industry is dominated by wine co-operatives; they account for 85% of the region's production. This explains the low export share. Private winemakers are the exception. One of these exceptions is Weingut Aufricht. Weingut Aufricht started out as a member of a wine co-operative and became independent about 30 years ago, after the brothers Robert and Manfred Aufricht had taken over from their parents.

The Aufricht winery was founded seventy years ago by the father and grandfather of the current generations. Today the winery has 24 hectares of vineyards. 80 % of the vineyards are planted with Burgundy grapes (30% Pinot Noir, 20% Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Auxerrois, Chardonnay 10% respectively), the remainder with Müller-Thurgau, Muskateller, Riesling, Sauvignon-Blanc. The Aufricht brothers were the first to plant Sauvignon Blanc again in the Lake Constance region. The top red wines are matured in barriques for several years. Bottle-fermented sparkling wines are also produced.

Weingut Aufricht is located at Lake Constance between Meersburg and Hagnau. The lake’s water reflects the sun like a mirror. The roots of the vines get their "food" from the glacial moraine of granite, limestone and gneiss of the Alps. The idyllic location in combination with the elegant and modern architecture and the view on the lake and the Swiss Alps in the distance make this winery the perfect spot for a romantic concert.

The vineyard area totals 24 hectares, with holdings in the Fohrenberg and Sängerhalde sites. The Aufricht brothers grow Pinot Noir, Lemberger, Pinot Madeleine and Regent, and Pinot Gris, Auxerrois,Pinot Blanc, Müller-Thurgau, Chardonnay, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc.

Weingut Aufricht has 2 Grapes (out of 5) in the Gault Millau Wine Guide.

Wine and Music

This was a most enjoyable evening of good wines and good music.

Pictures: Wine Tasting Concert with the A Cappella Ensemble “Männer und Tenöre” at Weingut Aufricht

The Wines

2016 Weingut Aufricht Gutedel
2016 Weingut Aufricht Johannes Aufricht Müller-Thurgau Alte Reben
2016 Weingut Aufricht Spätburgunder Rose
2015 Weingut Aufrich Weissburgunder 1 Lilie
1015 Weingut Aufricht Aufricht Weiss (Riesling and Grauburgunder)
2014 Weingut Aufricht Chardonnay trocken 3 Lilien
2015 Weingut Aufricht Aufrichtig Rot (Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir)

Pictures: The Weingut Aufricht Wines

schiller-wine: All Postings (Published and Forthcoming): Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: Baden, Alsace, Pfalz and Rheinhessen

Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: Baden, Alsace, Pfalz and Rheinhessen

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour (and Lunch) with Robert Schätzle, Owner/ Winemaker, Weingut Schloss Neuweier in Baden - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours

La Cucina della Passione and Weingut Schloss Neuweier Wines: Wine Pairing Lunch at Röttele’s Restaurant (1 Star Michelin) at Schloss Neuweier, with Owner and Winemaker Robert Schätzle, Weingut Schloss Neuweier - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours

Wine tasting concert with the A-Cappella Ensemble “Männer und Tenöre” at Weingut Aufricht in Meersburg – Stetten, with Manfred and Hildegard Aufricht

The Lake Wines of the Aufricht Brothers: From Lake Constance in Germany

The Evolving Structure of the Wine Industry in Germany – The Case of the Lake Constance Region

Schloss Salem at Lake Constance in Germany: A Museum, a School and a Wine Estate

Tour and Tasting at Weingut Markgraf von Baden in Salem, Baden

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Löffler in Wettenberg, Markgräfler Land, Baden, with Hannes Glöckner of the Löffler Family and Founder Wolfgang Löffler

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Stigler in Ihringen, Kaiserstuhl, Baden, with Andreas and Maximilian Stigler

Dinner at Restaurant Schwarzer Adler (1 Star Michelin) in Oberbergen, Kaiserstuhl, Baden.

Schiller’s Favorite Wine Bars and Wine Taverns in Freiburg, Baden, Germany

The World Class Wines of Alsace

In the world class white wine region Alsace

Tasting at Domaine Marcel Deiss in Bergheim, Alsace

Lunch in Alsace: Wistub du Sommelier in Bergheim and Bistro L’Epicurien in Colmar

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Dirler-Cadé in Bergholtz, Alsace, with Jean Pierre Dirler and Ludevine Dirler-Cadé

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Schlumberger in Guebwiller, Alsace

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Hugel & Fils in Riquewhir, Alsace, with Jean Frédéric Hugel

Dinner at the 1 Michelin Star Restaurant L’Achémille in Kaysersberg, with Owner/ Chef Jérome Jaegle

Wine Lunch at Weingut Jülg with Johannes Jülg – Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Jülg in Schweigen, Pfalz, with Johannes Jülg

Schiller's Favorite (Wine-) Restaurants in Deidesheim in the Pfalz, Germany

Tasting at Maison Jülg in Seebach, Alsace, with Peter Jülg

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

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Ökonomierat Rebholz in Siebeldingen, Pfalz, with Valentin Rebholz and Stephanie Wagner

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Münzberg – Lothar Kesseler & Söhne in Landau-Godramstein, Pfalz, with Friedrich and Gunter Kesseler

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Rings in Freinsheim, Pfalz, with Andi Rings

Tasting at Weingut Krebs in Freinsheim, Pfalz, with Jürgen Krebs

Tasting at Sekthaus Raumland in Flörsheim-Dalsheim, Rheinhessen, with Heide-Rose and Volker Raumland

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Wittmann in Westhofen, Rheinhessen, with Philipp Wittmann

Cellar Tourvisit and Tasting at Weingut Gröbe in Westhofen, Rheinhessen, with Fritz Gröbe

Cellar Tour and Wine Pairing Lunch at Weingut Louis Guntrum in Nierstein, Rheinhessen, with Konstantin and Stephanie Guntrum

schiller-wine

Friday, June 22, 2018

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Staatsweingut Meersburg in Meersburg, Baden, Lake Constance (Bodensee) - Germany-South and Alsace 2018 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: Baden, Alsace, Pfalz and Rheinhessen

Thursday, December 7, 2017

Schiller's Favorite Wine Taverns in Meersburg, Lake Constance, Baden, Germany

Friday, November 17, 2017

The Music of the A Cappella Ensemble "Männer und Tenöre" and the Wines of Weingut Aufricht, Lake Constance, Baden, with Manfred Aufricht - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours

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