German Wines

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German Wines
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Wine Areas of Germany
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Tonight's Journey

• Pfalz Formerly known as the Rheinpfalz, this
  region has 59,000 acres under vines. Rich wines
  reflect the warm climate of the south of Germany.
  The region, home of Saumagen, (both the dish and
  vineyard) extends from Kirchheim-Bolanden south
  to the Alsatian border. The northern half, the
  Mittelhardt is the home of the most famous
  vineyards of the Pfalz. However, the southern
  part, the Südliche Weinstrasse has experienced a
  rebirth over the past thirty years. The most
  southerly vineyard (Schweigener Sonnenberg) is
  actually in France! The second largest Riesling
  area after Mosel-Saar-Ruwer.

• Mosel-Saar-Ruwer  32,000 acres where the
  Riesling is king adorn the Mosel and its
  tributaries between Luxembourg and Koblenz. There
  are four distinct regions the Lower Mosel,
  Middle (Mittel) Mosel, Saar and Ruwer. The
  variation in microclimates makes it almost
  certain that superb wine will be produced
  somewhere within the region in any given year.
  For example, the Saar and Ruwer are higher and
  hence a little cooler but excell it the 'hot'
  vintages. The combination of slate and steep
  vineyards produce vibrant and elegant wines with
  a fine acidity.

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Every thing you wanted to know about German Wine
but were afraid to ask!

• Grape varieties
• Overall nearly 135 grape varieties may be
  cultivated in Germany - 100 are released for
  white wine production and 35 for red wine
  production. According to the international image,
  Germany is still regarded to be a region for
  white wine production. Since the 1980s the demand
  for German red wine has constantly increased and
  this has resulted in a doubling of the vineyards
  assigned for the production of red wine. Nowadays
  nearly 35 of the vineyards are cultivated with
  red grapes. Some of the red grapes are also used
  to produce Rosé.

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Types of Wine

• RieslingThe most important of the grape
  varieties grown in Germany. Produces wines
  ranging from bone dry to unctuous and formidably
  concentrated. Many would call this the worlds
  premier white wine grape, and the German
  expression of it the world's standard.
• SilvanerDry neutral wines are produced from this
  low yielding grapes. One of the varieties that
  benefits most from a drier style of wine making.
• Müller-ThurgauA wine whose heritage has long
  been thought to be Riesling and Silvaner but now
  is believed to be a cross between two Riesling
  clones. As Hugh Johnson put it 'Should be banned
  from all the top vineyards'.
• RuländerKnown as the Pinot Gris or Tokay
  d'Alsace in France. Robust and flavorful,
  produces heavyweight wines from the south of
  Germany.
• ScheurebeProbably the most successful Riesling
  and Silvaner cross. A  "love it or leave it"
  varietal.
• WeissburgunderThe Pinot Blanc of France. Seems
  to be making some strides although it still tends
  to produce a rather dull wine.
• GewürztraminerSpicy, aromatic and distinctive.
  You either love or hate this grape. The
  non-lovers should be encouraged to try a Gewürz
  from the Pfalz or Baden as they are not quite so
  'distinctive' as the classic wines of Alsace.
• KernerA modern precocious (early ripening)
  variety often used to improve the chances of
  producing wines with a higher must weight. A
  cross between Trollinger and Riesling
• SpätburgunderThe Pinot Noir of France. Produces
  light pale wines as vinification in oak is
  sufficient to lose the Qualitätswein ranking. Has
  received more attention from importers, growers
  and the public over the last few years.
• DornfelderThe 'new' red wine of Germany. Has an
  extraordinary depth of colour yet a fresh and
  fruity, almost Beaujolais-like, taste.
  Fashionable and hence difficult to find.
• TrollingerA speciality of Württemberg. Late
  ripening an hence can be problematic in cool
  years
• .LembergerAnother red variety found
  predominantly in Württemberg. Probably not missed
  much elsewhere.
• PortugieserNothing to do with Portugal as it
  probably originates from the Danube valley in
  Austria. Light wine that is easy drinking.

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Classification

• German wine classification is sometimes the
  source of confusion, especially to non-German
  speakers. However, to those familiar with the
  terms used, a German wine label reveals much
  information about the quality level and
  dryness/sweetness of the wine.
• Deutscher Tafelwein (German table wine) is mostly
  consumed in the country and not exported.
• Deutscher Landwein (German country wine) comes
  from a larger designation and again doesn't play
  an important role in the export market.
• Qualitätswein bestimmter Anbaugebiete (QbA) wines
  are simple wines that meet the first level of
  quality.
• Prädikatswein, recently (August 1, 2007) renamed
  from Qualitätswein mit Prädikat (QmP) wines are
  of greater quality. The grapes for these wines
  must meet a certain level of ripeness. As
  ripeness increases, the fruit characteristics and
  price increase.
• Kabinett wines are made from grapes picked
  several days after the QbA grapes are picked.
  These are the first picked grapes of the Prädikat
  level.
• Spätlese wines ("late harvest") are made from
  grapes harvested 12-14 days after the Kabinett
  grapes are picked.
• Auslese wines ("select harvest") are made from
  grapes that have been hand-selected out from the
  other grapes. These grapes are late-harvest and
  have a high sugar content.
• Beerenauslese wines ("berry selection") are made
  from grapes that have been left on the vine
  longer than the Auslese grapes. These grapes
  develop the fungus Botrytis, which removes the
  moisture from the grape. Thus these wines are
  very sweet and make good dessert wines.
• Eiswein (ice wine) wine is made grapes that
  freeze naturally on the vine and reach a
  sweetness of Beerenauslese level. The grapes are
  harvested and pressed in the frozen state. The
  ice keeps part of the water isolated to achieve
  the high sugar content of these wines.
• Trockenbeerenauslese wines ("dry berries
  selection") are extremely sweet, concentrated and
  usually quite expensive wines. The grapes used
  for Trockenbeerenauslese have reached an even
  more raisin-like state than those used for
  Beerenauslese.

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The Wine Label

• Explanation
• Producer Weingut Hermann Dönnhoff, at
  Oberhausen, using the "Gutsabfüllung" category
• Grape variety Riesling
• Quality/Ripeness level QmP, Auslese
• Dryness no indication, thus (medium-) sweet
• Alcohol 9 vol
• Vintage 1994
• Origin Nahe region
• single vineyard site Oberhäuser Brücke.
• AP-number 775301002195
• approved in 1995
• running number 21

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Its Wine Time

• Mosel
• Petals Riesling
• Mueller Piesporter Michelsburg Auslese
• Mueller Bereich Bernkastler QbA
• Dr. Heidemanns Bergweiler Riesling QbA
• Pfalz
• Saint M Riesling 2006

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PETALS

• Merchant ReviewsMosel-Saar-Ruwar, Germany-
  Aromas of peach give way to a well structured
  palate of full of fruit. Crisp and fresh with a
  pleasing finish.This wine pairs well with chicken
  dishes and Asian cuisine. Crisp, Peach, Fresh
  Fruit
• Member Reviews Average rating 4.00 (1 ratings)
  Excellent with DinnerBy katiepeltier, January
  02, 2008This is probably the best Riesling for
  the dollar. The wine was clean, smooth and very
  light. It would be a great bottle to serve in the
  summer and went perfectly with the chicken I
  served for dinner.

• Winery PetalsStyle White Wine Varietal
  RieslingRegion Other GermanySize magnum

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Mueller Piesporter Michelsburg Auslese
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Mueller Piesporter Michelsburg Auslese

• Winery MuellerStyle White Wine Varietal
  RieslingRegion Other GermanySize 750 ml

• Merchant ReviewsPiesport, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer,
  Germany- Produced from very ripe grapes grown in
  the prestigious Mosel region, this wine possesses
  a wonderful bouquet of fruits and well-defined,
  vibrant flavors. It has a finish which goes on
  and on. Enjoy with fish, fruits, or cheese.
  Elegant, Peach, Pear, Medium-bodied

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Mueller Piesporter Michelsburg Auslese continued

• Member Reviews Average rating 4.25 (4 ratings)
• A EXTREMELY PLEASANT WINEBy RFIGLIOZZI, January
  17, 2003IF YOU WANT TO INTRODUCE A FRIEND TO THE
  WORLD OF WINE, THIS AUSLESE IS A GREAT CHOICE. IT
  IS SIMPLY DELICIOUS BY ITSELF OR AS AN AFTER
  DINNER COMPANION TO DESERT. IT'S ON THE SWEET
  SIDE, BUT NOT CLOYING,AND IT IS NICELY BALANCED.
  A GOOD EXAMPLE OF GERMAN VINICULTURE TRY IT.
• Is this really wine?By Caldwell11966579, March
  23, 2006Tasty by all means, but 13 is a little
  too much for grape juice.
• Easy to drink!By Pellegrino11400280, April 27,
  2006I really love this wine. It's great alone or
  with a light meal. Does anyone know of any
  domestic wine similar to this riesling? I can't
  always find this one on a restaurant wine list.
• Totally Satisfying White!By OAKNWINE, June 05,
  2005Excellent German white with an exquisite
  balance of sharp acidity and just the right level
  of sweetness to offer a most refreshing drinking
  experience. The whole family enjoyed it. Could
  have finished the whole bottle in one sitting if
  I hadn't restrained myself. Would recommend
  unconditionally.

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Mueller Bereich Bernkastler QbA
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Mueller Bereich Bernkastler QbA

• Winery MuellerStyle White Wine Varietal
  RieslingRegion Other GermanySize 750 ml
• Member Reviews
• Average rating 4.00(1 ratings)
• Bright, Light, and CrispBy Wine11425254, May 11,
  2007A wonderful, light crisp wine. Full of fruit
  flavors with wonderful acidity that keeps it
  crisp and refreshing. Wonderful Summer wine.

• Merchant ReviewsBernkastel, Germany- A white
  with a straw, ginger and lemon nose. The subtle
  flavors are not overpowered by, but enhanced by
  the sweetness. The wine is gentle on the palate,
  but focused and long. The finish remains clean
  and fruity as it lingers through to the end. Try
  with light fare. Fresh, Ginger, Lemon. Light to
  Medium-bodied

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Saint M Riesling 2006
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Saint M Riesling 2006

• winemaker's notesChateau Ste. Michelle is
  proud to offer Saint M, a German Riesling made by
  acclaimed winemaker Ernst Loosen, owner of the
  Dr. Loosen estate, which has a 200-year tradition
  of producing Riesling in Germany's Mosel region.
  With his modern world view and his traditional
  approach to winemaking, Ernst strives to produce
  wines that unmistakably express the character of
  Riesling and of the vineyards where they are
  grown. Saint M represents a great value in
  classic Riesling from the Pfalz region.
• "The 2006 Saint M Riesling is clean and crisp,
  with medium body and a well-defined, delicate
  acid structure. It leans toward the classic white
  peach and green apple flavors. I am extremely
  happy with how pure and clean it is. It's a very
  fun wine to drink!"Ernst Loosen, owner, Dr.
  Loosen Estate

• customer reviewsnumber of reviews 1A
  Customer - FloridaThe first time I tried this
  Dr. Loosen I was in Sedona, AZ and loved this
  wine...in fact so much that 3 weeks after our
  vacation was over I called the restaurant in AZ
  and spoke to the manager of the restaurant to ask
  the name of the bottle of wine so I could find it
  to order it was that good!

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