When one thinks of wines from the western part of the United States, in all likelihood, California pops up first. However, the Pacific Northwest is also known for its fine wine production from Oregon and Washington. These northerly states benefit from the warm days and cool nights, resulting in ripe fruit and fresh acidity in the wines. Oregon is known for its production of Pinot Noir, and Washington has a reputation for its fine Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Riesling, and Chardonnay. Here are four wines representing both states for your palate to explore. Mack & Schühl, a Miami-based national importer, recently launched United Ink, a new portfolio of wines from the Pacific Northwest, bringing together two of the most acclaimed winemakers, Joe Dobbes (Oregon wine) and David Forsyth (Washington wine). Mach & Schühl said, “Joe and David’s shared philosophy is to showcase the quality of the Pacific Northwest’s wine regions by creating modern versions of the classic wines of the old world.” Each eye-catching label depicts an animal symbolic of that particular region. United Ink Dry Riesling 2020 This wine is 100% Riesling sourced from a single vineyard in the Rattlesnake Hills sub-appellation of Columbia Valley AVA in Washington. Nose: White stone fruit, honeysuckle, and citrus Palate: Fresh acidity, tropical fruit, melon, and is a touch sweeter than the “dry” on the label. Well-balanced though, and the acidity shines through. Drink as an aperitif or pair with seafood, grilled chicken, and veggies. Alcohol: 12% SRP: $12 The label for this wine features a Sockeye salmon found in vast quantities in the Columbia River and its tributaries. United Ink Red Blend 2019 The blend for this wine is 60% Merlot, 20% Syrah, and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from multiple single vineyards in Columbia Valley’s AVA Horse Heaven Hills and Wahluke Slope sub-appellations. Nose: Cherry, dark berries, and a hint of floral Palate: Dark and sour cherry, blackberry, raspberry, baking spice, and tantalizing acidity with a spicy finish. Pair with grilled meat, barbecue, Asian cuisine, or seared tuna. Alcohol: 14.1% SRP: $18 This label features a Cougar native to the Pacific Northwest. United Ink Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 The grapes for this wine are sourced from single vineyards in Columbia Valley’s AVA Horse Heaven Hills and Wahluke Slope sub-appellations, and the wine is 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Merlot. Nose: Floral, plum, baking spice Palate: Fresh fruit, plum, baking spice, a hint of tobacco, and medium tannins. Alcohol: 14.1% SRP: $18 Pair with grilled meat, hearty stews, spicy appetizers, or pizza. This label depicts an American Bald Eagle, commonly seen all over Oregon and Washington wine country. United Ink Pinot Noir 2019 This wine is 100% Pinot Noir, with grapes sourced from vineyards in Oregon’s renowned Willamette Valley and Dundee Hills wine appellations. Nose: Cherry, spice, floral, and a hint of anise Palate: Ripe fruit, sweet and sour cherries, dark chocolate, and nicely integrated acidity with smooth tannins and a long finish. Alcohol: 13% SRP: $22 Pair with game, swordfish, cheese, and smoked salmon. This label is of a Black and White Magpie, considered one of the most intelligent birds in the world and found throughout the vineyard regions of Oregon and Washington.
Happy tasting! Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com It’s that time of year again to wear tee-shirts, shorts, flip-flops and embrace the warm weather. I, for one, am looking forward to outdoor concerts, picnics in the park, backyard barbecues, beach time, and pool parties. With the revved-up production of canned wines from producers worldwide, many quality canned wines are vying for space on retail shelves. According to Grand View Research, “The global canned wines market size was valued at USD 211.4 million in 2020 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.2% from 2021 to 2028. The rising demand for convenient, portable, and single-serve beverages is the key driver for the market growth.” What is a better way to enjoy wine without schlepping a bottle, corkscrew and stemware while off on an adventure? Single-serve canned wines to the rescue! They are not only light-weight and convenient to stow in your backpack or picnic basket, but quite a few are low in alcohol and contain a small number of calories. I have tasted many canned wines over the last few years and have been quite impressed with most of them. They are growing in popularity and more wine producers worldwide are getting in on the action. Here is a small sampling of canned wines to enjoy on your next outing or stay at home in the hammock time. All of these wines should be served chilled. Santa Julia Malbec Rosé Bodega Santa Julia is located in Mendoza, Argentina. This rosé is made with 100% organically grown Malbec grapes from Santa Rosa and Maipu vineyards. It is a very refreshing, dry wine that oozes strawberry flavors. Notes of raspberry, a hint of citrus, and a dollop of acidity round out this slightly effervescent rosé. Alcohol: 13.9% SRP: $11/2-pk Tiamo Organic Dry Rosé Spritz The Tiamo brand is produced by British husband and wife team Mel and Janie Master and the Sager family. This rosé is a blend of Sangiovese and Montepulciano grapes sourced from vineyards in Chieti, Italy. It is fresh and crisp with flavors of berries, sour cherry, a hint of floral, and just the right amount of fizz. Alcohol: 5% SRP: $15/4-pack Rosé Water This dry rosé is made with Pinot Noir, Gamay, and Cabernet Franc grapes obtained from the Loire Valley in France and blended with sparkling water sourced from the Austrian Alps. Rob Kuchar, the founder of Rosé Water located in Wilmington, NC, created the product for “today's consumer who is focused on health and wellness in all aspects of their life.” He and his wife Amy spent almost two years creating the perfect blend. With only two ingredients, this is a light and refreshing wine loaded with cranberry, cherry, and berry flavors. Acidity and a nice sparkle blend well on the palate. Alcohol: 4.9% SRP: $13.99 - $16.99/6-pack Single 8.5% can/$2.49 - $3.99 Butternut Wines BNA Wine Group produces Butternut Wines. The company is headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, with a presence and partnerships in Napa Valley, CA. Fourth-generation wine distributor John Hooper, second-generation winemaker Tony Leonardi, and industry veteran Gary Carr form the group. Their mantra is “discover the right vineyards, retain the natural characters in the grape, coax the best wine into the bottle and then offer the resulting wine at a great value.” All the grapes for Butternut wines are sourced and produced in California. Butternut Rosé This is a blend of 50% Tempranillo and 50% Syrah. The palate explodes with flavors of raspberry, tangerine, strawberry, red ruby grapefruit, and crisp acidity. It is quite refreshing! Alcohol: 11.9% SRP: $6.99 for a 375ml can Butternut Chardonnay This wine is 100% Chardonnay. Aromas of floral, citrus, peach, and Honeycrisp apples segue onto the palate with hints of melon and a creamy mouthfeel. It is nicely balanced, with acidity showing through. Alcohol: 13.9% SRP: $6.99 for a 375ml can The Infinite Monkey Theorem Winery The infinite monkey theorem is an old mathematical theorem that states, “a monkey hitting keys at random on a typewriter keyboard for an infinite amount of time will almost surely type a given text, such as the complete works of William Shakespeare.” The Infinite Monkey Theorem winery was named after the above theorem. As Ben Parsons, founder and winemaker, said, “it’s all about creating order out of a chaotic system. Given an infinite amount of time, anything and everything is possible.” The grapes are sourced mainly from the western slopes of Colorado at an elevation of 4,500 feet. Bellini Wine Cocktail This wine is a blend of Riesling and Palisade Peach juice. The color is soft lemon with refreshing flavors of light peach and citrus and is lightly carbonated with just the right amount of acidity. Alcohol: 12.8% SRP: $14.99/4-pack Bubble Universe Made with Riesling, it is another lightly carbonated wine. The nose offers floral, citrus, and granny smith apples that segue onto the palate to blend with a tart but refreshing and zesty acidity.
Alcohol: 12.2% SRP: $14.99/4-pack Summer is in full swing! So grab your favorite canned wine and enjoy some “chill time”! Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com This story was originally published on Santé Magazine. It is no secret that I love Riesling, especially German Riesling. So it is a touch ironic that my first trip to Germany brought me to the beautiful Franken wine region where Riesling only plays a minor role in production. Riesling is a late-harvest grape, and because Franken experiences typical continental weather with warm, dry summers and long cold winters, the risk of frost damage to the grapes is significant. The most favorable conditions for growing Riesling are moderately warm summers, adequate rainfall amounts during vegetation, and a long ripening period allowing the grapes to develop and retain their fruity acidity. My return trip to Germany was supposed to be an in-depth exploration of the Mosel wine region and its mouth-watering Rieslings. However, it was not to be, with travel put on hold for the past year, and then some. Not to be deterred, I recently had the pleasure of chatting virtually with four Mosel wine producers, sampled their expressive wines, and added their thoughts to my reviews. It was the next best thing to being there! Riesling is Germany’s most celebrated grape variety. With thirteen wine regions and over 102,000 hectares of vineyards, Germany boasts the world’s largest vineyard area of 23,000 hectares dedicated to Riesling! Riesling was first documented in 1435 in the Rheingau region and soon after that in Mosel. More than half of all the vineyard areas in the Mosel, Rheingau, and Mittelrhein are planted with Riesling. Riesling is a white aromatic grape capable of producing vastly diverse wines depending on the type of soil, altitude and microclimate. The wines range in style from bone-dry to succulently sweet and from table wines to high-quality collectibles. These wines are usually variety labeled and classified by ripeness and the level of sugar in the grape juice called “must weight”. There are two classification systems in Germany: the traditional system and modern VDP (Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter) systems developed in the 21st century to reflect climate change. VDP is not part of the official German wine law. With the VDP system, the quality of the wine is based upon its origin (terroir). Its purpose is to highlight the value of the best vineyard sites in Germany. For this article, we will explore the traditional system. The traditional system has four quality categories: Deutscher Wein (a table wine category) small quantities are produced. Landwein A protected geographical indication. At least 85% of these grapes must originate in the region named on the label. It is typically dry or off-dry. Qualitätswein (QbA) A protected designation of origin and accounts for the majority of German wines. 100% of the grapes must originate from one district inside the 13 wine regions. Prädikatswein In addition to the same rules that apply to the Qualitätswein category, the Prädikatswein category indicates a superior quality wine with strict requirements. Within the traditional system, Riesling is also divided into levels of ripeness that the grapes have achieved by the time they are harvested. These levels are: Kabinett Light dry to off-dry, low alcohol. Grapes are harvested during the regular season. Spätlese Late harvest wines. More intense in flavor and concentration Auslese Noble wines are usually but not always sweet. It is made from hand-selected bunches of very ripe grapes and can only be made in the best years with enough warm weather. Beerenauslese made from overripe grapes usually infected with noble rot. Each berry is hand-picked. It is known for rich and sweet dessert wines. Trockenbeerenauslese These are rich, sweet, honey-like wines. Grapes are overripe, shriveled, hand-selected, and usually infected with noble rot. Eiswein made from overripe grapes that have frozen on the vine. Grapes are harvested only under exact weather conditions and pressed while frozen. Mosel Mosel wine region is a cool-climate region and the most famous of the 13 wine regions in Germany. It is renowned for its terraced vineyards and age-worthy Rieslings. Mosel has one of the coolest climates of the major German wine regions. The vineyards here enjoy a continental climate with warm summers and long growing seasons, contributing to the grapes ripening and help create heightened flavors and low alcohol levels. Mosel expands over 8,800 hectares with the beautiful Mosel River snaking its way through the region. Many of the vineyards are located alongside the river and are among the steepest in Germany and the world! With half averaging a slope of over 30 degrees and reaching inclines of 60 to 70 degrees, it is quite breathtaking! The Bremmer Calmont, which is the steepest vineyard in Europe, is located here. Needless to say, tending the vineyards is labor-intensive and can be dangerous. Mosel is referred to in three sections: Upper Mosel, Middle (Mittelmosel) Mosel, and Lower Mosel, with most of the vineyards located in Middle Mosel. Within these three sections are six areas with approximately 5,446 hectares of Riesling planted. Red and blue slate dominate the soil here, with greywacke, sandy, gravelly, and shell-limestone found throughout the six areas. Without further ado, let me introduce (in no particular order) four remarkable wine producers in Mosel. Weingut Fritz Haag Fritz Haag is a small family estate established in 1605 and located in the heart of Middle Mosel in the village of Brauneberg. One of several Mosel legends, the winery is noted for its Rieslings’ extreme purity and mineral intensity. Wilheim Haag, who guided the estate to a world-renowned reputation and was the first to be the recipient of the “Winemaker of The Year” award in 1994, sadly passed away in 2020. His son Oliver, the 12th generation, took over the reins for his father in 2005 and is now the estate owner. Fritz Haag has 24 hectares of vineyards (all exclusively planted to Riesling) that include the world-renowned vineyards “Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr” and “Brauneberg Juffer.” The combination of the deep slate soils and superb micro-climate of both vineyards make up the foundation for some of the most elegant and intensely flavored Riesling wines of the Mosel region. Many of the vineyards are 25-30 years old, with some parcels, especially in the heart of the Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr, are over 50-80 years old. In addition to his formal school training to become a winemaker, Oliver worked at many estates throughout Germany, South Africa, and Madeira, Portugal, before returning to his family estate. “I learned a lot. But most of my education is from drinking wine, learning, and drinking!” Tell me about your family estate. Oliver: We are a family estate that produces wines from our vineyards. It is essential for us to know where our grapes come from and focus on making high-quality wines. We invest our time in producing wines that have a long potential life. How has climate change impacted your vineyards? Oliver: It is getting warmer and drier, with extreme weather patterns. Rain comes in shorter periods with more intense storms. We must pay attention, take care of erosion, and make sure the vines get enough water during dry spells. We must pick the grapes at the right time, ripe but not overripe, only healthy grapes. Most importantly, we must select, select, select! And we have to be more effective in the winery. What is your take on the 2020 vintage? Oliver: Considering the extreme weather with a warm and dry summer, 2020 was uncomplicated, not stressful, and the harvest was slow. We needed to make sure that the grapes didn’t get sunburn, but in general, the grapes were very healthy. For the drier wines, we picked a little earlier to get the acidity and freshness. 2020 is a classic vintage with a lot of finesse and elegance in the wines, not as much acidity, but smoother and rounder. Do you have a favorite style of Riesling? Oliver: No, it all depends on my mood! Riesling is so interesting, and the different faces are so nice. The many styles offer a wonderful palate of different fruits, very classic wines! Fritz Haag Estate Riesling 2019 The grapes are harvested from steep slate-soil vineyards and made in an off-dry style. It is light and refreshing with notes of peach, citrus, minerality, and hints of floral. Oliver says, “Not really dry, not really sweet…it’s in the middle. A tri-style wine with wonderful fruit, refreshing, with lively and crisp acidity. It is easy drinking.” Alcohol: 11% SRP: $20 Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer Riesling Kabinett 2019 The grapes are harvested early from the dramatic steep Brauneberg hillside vineyard. This Riesling is delicious and lively with notes of floral, lemon, peach, and racy acidity. Oliver says, “This is our business card. It is very fine. A wonderful balance of sweetness, acidity, and freshness. Great aging potential of up to 30 years, but fun to drink now.” Alcohol: 8.5% SRP: $26 Weingut Maximin Grünhaus Maximin Grünhaus is a legendary and historic estate located in the Ruwer region of Mosel. The estate dates back to Roman times, with evidence of winemaking even then. Until the end of the 18th century, it was managed by the Abbey of Saint Maximin. Today, it is managed by the sixth generation, Maximin von Schubert, who told me that he has been working in the vineyards since he was six years old. The estate has 77 acres of vineyards, of which Riesling occupies 91%. The estate lies at the foot of a long and steep south-facing slope on the bank of the tiny Ruwer river. This river is located about 2 kilometers (1.25 miles) from the Mosel River, where they join. The land is divided into three vineyards, each with a distinct terroir that reflects the unique character of the wines produced here. Bruderberg is the smallest of three vineyards and once upon a time provided wine for the monks. These wines tend to be very spicy with a rustic slate-mineral quality. The Herrenberg vineyard was once used to make special wines for the Abbey’s choirmasters. It sits on 40 acres and benefits from deep soils, good water retention, and a base of red Devonian slate. The Abtsberg vineyard is the estate’s finest site. It covers 35 acres, of which parts have been planted with vines of over 1,000 years. Wines from this vineyard were served at the table of the Abbot (Abt). The slope of the vineyard reaches a 70% gradient with a subsoil of blue Devonian slate. These wines are finely structured with subtle minerality, generous fruit, racy acidity, but delicate. They are considered one of the longest-lived Rieslings of the region. I asked Maximin for his take on climate change. Maximin: There are many impacts. We have weeks of dryness in the late summer and then heavy rain. The warmer, wetter climate brings new diseases, taking probably 1% of the vines each year. Harvest is about three weeks earlier than compared to my childhood. With warmer harvests, the challenge is in keeping grapes healthy until the end of harvest. Maximin’s thoughts on the 2020 vintage. Maximin: It was a beautiful spring, with very few workers due to Covid. We had a dry summer, but otherwise perfect. Harvest began with a beautiful Pinot and Sekt harvest, then lots of rain for 12 days, but a beautiful three-week finish to the season. I love Maximin’s answer to my question about his favorite style of Riesling. Maximin: I would prefer, ‘What Rieslings don’t you like?’, that would be easier to answer! I love Riesling when it’s multi-layered, acidity-driven, elegant, fine, clear, and fresh. I love Riesling when it’s dry or off-dry, or when it’s sweet or noble sweet, paired with tension and acidity. Maximin Grünhaus Monopol 2019 The grapes for this wine are sourced from younger vines in both the Herrenberg and Abtsberg vineyards. The 2019 vintage brought meager yields due to a severe May frost, losing 50% of the harvest. What remained became a beautiful, fresh and pure Riesling. It is mineral-driven and crisp with notes of melon, white stone fruit, and a touch of herbs. Maximin says, “This is the entrance gate to Maximin Grünhaus dry Rieslings. It will be called Schloss Riesling from 2020 on. It is pure Riesling joy, elegant, spicy, racy, and that’s only the entry-level.” Alcohol: 12% SRP: $22 Maximin Grünhaus Herrenberg Kabinett 2019 Grapes for this wine are sourced from the Herrenberg vineyard. As noted with the previous wine, 50% of the harvest was lost due to a devastating May frost. The wine presents with delicate and juicy notes of peach, soft lemon, apricot, and spice. Very fresh, clean, and a perfect balance of minerality and acidity. Maximin says, “Dancingly elegant, pure deep slaty style, with the typical herbal, spicy character, perfect acidity. Food pairing won’t be possible because you will finish the bottle before eating!” Alcohol: 7.5% SRP: $34 Maximin Grünhaus Abtsberg Riesling GG 2018 Grapes are harvested from the Abtsberg vineyard from vines that average 40-year-old. The soil here is predominately blue slate. Due to its steep slopes and south-facing exposure, it is the warmest site at Grünhaus. GG stands for Grosses Gewächs, the German term for a dry wine from a Grosse Lage (grand cru) vineyard. This is a beautifully structured wine. Notes of apple, apricot, peach, minerality, lemon custard, and vibrant acidity dance around the palate. This wine will age well. Maximin says, “An Abtsberg classic of this hot summer of 2018. Even though it has been hot, we can still keep this elegance and salty mineral clearness with a structure influenced by the warm year. Superb dry wine.” Alcohol: 13% SRP: $70 Dr. Loosen The Dr. Loosen estate has been in the same family for over 200 years. Ernst (Erni) Loosen, owner and 5th generation, is considered one of the most iconic and influential Riesling producers in the world today. Since taking ownership in 1988, the estate has grown substantially. With vines that are up to 140 years old in his top sites, Erni has transformed the vineyards by restricting crop size, prohibiting chemical fertilization, demanding strict fruit selection and gentle cellar practices. Erni studied winemaking and viticulture at the University of Geisenheim and archeology at the University of Mainz. The Dr. Loosen estate is located in the village of Bernkastel in the heart of the Mosel Valley. All of the estate’s ten major vineyards are designated as Grosse Lage (grand cru). The prevalent soil types here are blue slate, red slate, and red volcanic sandstone. Erni has used climate change to his advantage. Erni: Due to climate change, we’ve seen an average of higher ripeness of 1 to 1.5 potential alcohol sugar ripeness compared to an average sugar ripeness of 9 to 10 potential alcohol 30 years ago. That makes a total nowadays of 10.5 – 12 potential alcohol sugar ripeness, which is still low compared to wines in the New World or South of Europe. We are quite happy that we have a little more ripeness, giving us a great chance to make excellent dry wines with not too high alcohol. Do you prefer a particular style of Riesling? Erni: I love the dry GG (Grand Cru vineyard) wines produced 12 to 24 months in the barrel on the full yeast without batonnage. I love these traditional fruity style Riesling Kabinett wines – especially with some age of 10 to 15 years. Would you like to share a thought or story? Erni: “A great wine begins in your head.” What I mean by this is that if you do not go out and try what the great producers of the world are doing, then you may not know what great is. You first need to experience what great is, and then you can formulate in your head where you stand and where you need to be. For me, great wines need to be able to age, and to achieve this goal; I need to plan in advance how to get there; what needs to be done in the vineyard, when to harvest, what fermentation method, how long, and in what type of vessel to age the wine and the list goes on. Without a vision and experience, I think it is nearly impossible to make great wine. Dr. Loosen Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett 2019 Grapes for this wine are sourced from the famous “sundial” vineyard in the village of Wehlen. The classic blue slate soil gives the wines a delicate, crisp acidity. The wine is fresh, aromatic, and light with white stone fruit, lemon, and minerality. It is a perfect off-dry Riesling with a nice balance of salinity on the finish. Erni says, “What the Ürziger Würzgarten is to Spätlese, the Wehlener Sonnenuhr is to Kabinett. This is the prototypical Mosel Kabinett. This vineyard has breath-taking slopes and stunning blue slate soil. It is a perfect welcome drink.” Alcohol: 8.5% SRP: $28 Dr. Loosen Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Spätlese 2019 This is a late harvest wine with a few extra weeks of hang time. Grapes are harvested from the incredibly steep Ürziger Würzgarten vineyard with volcanic sandstone soil. It is called the “spice garden” vineyard because it produces wines with exotic, spicy aromas and tropical fruit flavors. Up to 130-year-old vines can be found here. This wine is sumptuous, juicy, and bursting with crisp acidity. Erni says, “Truly a desert island Spätlese if I had to choose one vineyard for this style of wine to be stranded with. It is tropical, spicy, layered, and complex, with beautiful sweetness balanced by an elegant finish. If there were Thai food on the desert island, this would be a perfect pairing. Drink this wine young for enjoyable primary fruit flavors and aromas, or lay it down for 20 years for an amazing experience!” Alcohol: 8% SRP: $34 Dr. Loosen Erdener Treppchen GG 2018 Due to the iron-infused, red slate soil in the Erdener Treppchen vineyard, these wines are muscular and complex, with an intense mineral finish. According to Dr. Loosen, the vineyard is so steep that a long time ago, stone steps were built into the hillside to help workers reach the vines. This wine is kept on the full lees for one year before bottling, allowing for greater texture. Although this is a dry wine, the juiciness of Riesling comes through, delivering peach, citrus, green apple, and lots of minerality and crisp acidity. Erni says, “Old vines, steep slopes, red slate soil combined with winemaking techniques from over 100 years ago help make this wine truly unique; racy and mineral, but still balanced with a juiciness that makes you want to have another glass.” Alcohol: 12.5% SRP: $54 Weingut Zilliken Weingut Zilliken is a highly regarded family-owned and run estate that dates back to 1742. Located in the Saar Valley, Zilliken is known for its premium quality Rieslings. After a 1944 bombing raid that destroyed the estate and cellar, Marianne Geltz, the owner, with tenacious energy, continued the family wine-growing tradition. She married Fred Zilliken in 1947, and from that point on, the estate was referred to as Forstmeister Geltz-Zilliken. The Zilliken cellar is the deepest in the Saar Valley, extending three stories below ground! The depth creates ideal natural conditions of 100% humidity and a constant temperature around 52 degrees. Their vineyards, of which two are Grosse Lage, are devoted to 100% Riesling. They make Estate, Village, and Grosse Lage wines. Winemaker and owner Dorothee Zilliken is the 11th generation. She studied viticulture and oenology at the University of Applied Science in Geisenheim and worked at some well-known estates in Germany, France, and South Africa. She and her husband, Hanno, work together with her parents, benefiting from their experience. Dorothee talks about the impact of climate change. Dorothee: One of the big topics of the future of the vineyards is the availability of water needed at the right time. Since the vintage 2003, we are covering all our vineyards with mulch – as a natural fertilizer, so all the rain = falling during the year is captured in the soil. The big advantage for the vines is to have enough water to find all the [nutrients] with their roots and to be able to build up some acidity. What is your take on the 2020 harvest season? Dorothee: I really love the 2020 vintage because it is again a very classical Saar-vintage with all its inimitable elegance and finesse. Like usual, the harvest season is the time of the year to be so tired because you have to work so hard and also physically so hard, but it is also the time of the year when you are full of motivation because day-by-day you see and taste what it is all for. A great feeling you can’t describe. I have asked everyone what their favorite style of Riesling is. And, you? Dorothee: My favorite style of Riesling is showing me all the advantages of a perfect white wine: expressive but with finesse, elegance, and filigree; long-lasting but weightless; fresh and deep, mineral, focused, loving the playful youth and the deep, rich (sometimes smoky) age. Animating, so you are looking forward to the next glass… Zilliken Rausch Kabinett Riesling 2019
The grapes for this wine are harvested from the Rausch vineyard, a Grosse Lage site. It is known for its gray slate and greenish volcanic rock, which keeps the soil well-drained and adds a focused mineral edge to the wines. Wines from this vineyard can age well for decades. This Kabinett is characterized by a delicate palate of floral, honeydew melon, peach, herbs, minerality, and vibrant acidity. It is elegant. Dorothee says,“It’s like eating a big bowl of fruit salad with a lot of melons in it. So juicy and fruity that it makes your mouth water. Besides all this fruitiness, there is elegance, finesse, and only 8.5% alcohol, so you really can ENJOY the bottle now or in the next 20 years.” Alcohol: 8.5% SRP: $44 Zilliken Rausch Spätlese Riesling 2019 This is another outstanding wine from the Rausch vineyard. It is a stunning late-harvest wine with juicy layers of citrus, tropical fruit, and white stone fruit that fuse with minerality and crisp acidity. A refreshing finish with a hint of lemon zest begs for another sip! Dorothee says, “It shows a lot of tropical fruits like mango, passion fruit, and a hint of pineapple. Very animated. It’s great in combination with cheese, as an aperitif, or in combination with hot and spicy cuisine. Enjoy now and the next 25 years.” Alcohol: 8% SRP: $64 I’ll end this article with some shared thoughts from Dorothee. Dorothee: For me, there are not many professions in the world that are so sensual. You can see every year what your soil and your vineyards can achieve. You can accompany the growth of the vines, the leaves, and the berries. You can harvest them at the right time and enjoy this climax of the vegetation period, given as a present by nature! It is knowing how to work with some tools of the trade that my grandfather used to work with (for example, our oak barrels). It is the ability to benefit from my family’s great experiences and be allowed to think about the future. I can take the strength of nature and family for nature and family and take in every breath and sip of these Rieslings… Until next time… Cheers! Penina This story was originally published on Santé Magazine. To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com The holidays are almost upon us, and many will be celebrating either alone or with immediate family. But that’s no reason to curb the festivities. In fact, this year, more than ever, it is important to embrace our traditions and be thankful for family and friends that are still with us. In addition to sparkling wines, which I will be talking about in the next week or so, here are a few light still wine suggestions for your holiday table. These versatile and food-friendly wines will pair nicely with poultry, fish, vegetarian cuisine and latkes! Cavit Pinot Noir IGT 2018 The grapes for this 100% Pinot Noir come from the vineyards of Provincia di Pavia in the Lombardy region of Italy. After fermentation, the wine rests on its lees in large oak barrels until release. Aromas of floral, cherry and cranberry segue onto the palate with dark cherry notes, red berries and a hint of spice. This is a well-structured wine with silky tannins and a long finish. Serve as an aperitif or with your favorite meal! Alcohol: 12% SRP: $9.99 Nik Weis St. Urbans-Hof Wiltinger Kabinett Riesling 2018 Wiltinger is a village located in the Saar valley of Germany. The vineyard is on a site called Schlangengraben. It is noted for its reddish slate soil, a color that is derived from the iron content that adds minerality and spice to the wines. The vineyard was planted in 1905 and is one of the oldest in the entire Mosel region. These old vines have deep roots and produce small berries that create intense, lively, aromatic and complex wines. This wine has a VDP Ortswein classification, meaning that it comes from a village’s best vineyards. Intoxicating aromas of floral, stone fruit, spice and a touch of smokiness set the stage for this succulent wine. The palate offers peach, apricot, pear, spice and slate minerality blended with crisp acidity. It has depth and structure with a restrained residual sweetness. Serve as an aperitif or with fish, Asian cuisine and white meat. Alcohol: 9% SRP: $19.99 Mandrarossa Costadune Frappato Terre Siciliane IGT 2017 According to Wines of Sicily, “Frappato is believed to have its origins in the Ragusa province of Sicily around 300 years ago. It is characterized as a light and refreshing wine. Nose: full bouquet, cherry Palate: mild tannins violet, strawberries.” Grapes for this 100% Frappato wine were sourced from vineyards at 820 ft. above sea level in Menfi, southwest Sicily. The wine matures for eight months in steel vats. Lush red fruit aromas, floral and spice set the stage for this light-bodied wine. The palate offers a juicy array of cherries, strawberry, a hint of red plum, sweet spice and a touch of sour cherry that lingers on the finish. It is beautifully balanced between sweet and savory and ideal for a variety of food pairings. Try serving it slightly chilled. Alcohol: 13% SRP: $17.99 Pfaffl Grüner Veltliner Weinviertel DAC Zeisen, 2018 Austria’s most significant and indigenous white grape variety is Grüner Veltliner. This dry wine is known for its vibrant acidity and flavors of pepper and citrus. The grapes for this 100% Grüner Veltliner are harvested from 43-year-old vines located in the Weinviertel appellation of Austria. The wines are bottled after spending four months in stainless steel tanks. As per Austrian Wine, ““DAC” stands for “Districtus Austriae Controllatus” and is the legal abbreviation for special region-typical quality wines. Thus, if a label states the winegrowing region followed by the letter combination DAC, we are talking about a region-typical quality wine.” Citrus, herbs, spice and pepper delight the nose. This is a very crisp and juicy wine with flavors of key lime, pepper, spice, herbs, a touch of minerality and a zingy and peppery finish. It is a refreshing wine and will leave your palate craving for another sip. Serve as an aperitif or pair with poultry, smoked salmon and oysters. Alcohol: 13% SRP: $18.99 Saget La Perrière “La Perrière” Sancerre 2019 Sancerre is a small wine appellation in the Loire Valley wine region of France. It is famous for its production of white wines made from Sauvignon Blanc. As cited by Loire Valley Wines, “Centre-Loire region is at the center of France. It is the original home of Sauvignon Blanc and of Sancerre, the world’s most prestigious Sauvignon Blanc wine that sets international standards for the grape.” This 100% Sauvignon Blanc is sourced from vineyards in the Centre-Loire region. The wine is aged on fine lees for three to four months, then bottled and aged for at least five months in the cellar. Lovely aromas of white stone fruit and floral mingle with citrus and a touch of minerality. The palate is lush, rich and creamy with added notes of melon, lemon, pink grapefruit, pear, a hint of herbs and a flinty finish. It is a beautiful marriage of flavors and vibrant acidity. Drink as an aperitif or pair with fish, poultry, seafood and appetizers.
Alcohol: 13.5% SRP: $39.99 The above wines are meant to be enjoyed all year round. Indulge your palate and have fun mixing and matching with your favorite food pairings. Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com It is hard to believe that one year has passed since I visited Germany. It was a magical trip immersed in breathtaking sights, memorable food and wine and the charming culture of the Franken wine region. I have longed to return and explore Germany’s other wine regions, but thanks to COVID-19, travel will have to wait. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect for a recent delivery this past week of a few Rieslings from Weingut Nik Weis St. Urbans-Hof located in the Mosel wine region of Germany. Sipping these expressive wines was a treat and made me nostalgic for the friends I made and the fabulous wines that I tasted while in Germany. Weingut Nik Weis St. Urbans-Hof is located in the village of Leiwen in the Mosel Valley. It is considered one of Germany’s premier estates with about 45 hectares of vineyards that stretch along the Mosel and Saar rivers making it the second-largest family-owned and operated winery in the Mosel. Nicolaus Weis founded the winery in 1947 and his grandson Nik Weis has been owner and winemaker since 1997. Nik changed the name of the winery from St. Urbans-Hof to Nik Weis - St. Urbans-Hof since family work and tradition are of such importance. Nik said, “For our family, wine has been at the heart of life for generations. Our deep respect for the traditions of our region remains, as ever, the guarantee for the quality of our wines. In our endeavors, we give the highest priority to maintaining the ecological balance of our vineyards, in the belief that as winemakers we must recognize and respect the fragile unity of viticulture and nature.“ This is not my first story or review of wines from Nik Weis - St. Urbans-Hof. To read more about this winery and other wines that they produce, please click “Nik Weis” on the menu at right. Mosel wine region is approximately 139 miles west of Franken. The vineyards here enjoy a continental climate with warm summers and long growing seasons, which contribute to the ripening of the grapes and help to create heightened flavors and low alcohol levels. All grapes are hand-harvested and carried from the vineyards in traditional shoulder-mounted “hottens” (containers) to guarantee optimal fruit quality. Nik stated, “Just as important as the great length taken to deliver the best possible fruit from the vineyard is the careful attention given to the proper treatment of the grapes by cellar master Rudolf Hoffmann. The grapes are lightly crushed, after which they remain on the skins for a short period to ensure the complete release of aromas into the juice. After this, the pulp of skins and juice is gently pressed and fermented in stainless steel tanks at cool cellar temperatures to fully capture the aromas, flavors and delicate natural spritz of the Riesling grape. The wines are then transferred into traditional 1000 litre 'Fuder' barrels for several months to harmonize, after which they are lightly filtered and bottled.” Urban Riesling 2019 Grapes for this wine are sourced from blue-slate vineyards located in the neighboring town of Mehring. I have tasted and reviewed the 2016 and 2017 vintages. The 2019 vintage does not disappoint! As with the past vintages, this wine is quite aromatic. Lovely notes of apple, white flowers, pear and hints of apricot and honey are mouth-watering. The palate offers lush peach, green apple, pear, and a touch of honeydew melon. Lively acidity and minerality add to this refreshing off-dry wine. Serve as an aperitif or with light fare and spicy cuisine. Alcohol: 10% SRP: $13.99 Wiltinger Kabinett 2018 Wiltinger is a village located in the Saar valley. The vineyard is on a site called Schlangengraben. It is noted for its reddish slate soil, a color that is derived from the iron content that adds minerality and spice to the wines. The vineyard was planted in 1905 and is one of the oldest in the entire Mosel region. These old vines have deep roots and produce small berries that create intense, lively, aromatic and complex wines. This wine has a VDP.Ortswein classification, meaning that it comes from a village’s best vineyards. Intoxicating aromas of floral, stone fruit, spice and a touch of smokiness set the stage for this succulent wine. The palate offers peach, apricot, pear, spice and slate minerality blended with crisp acidity. It has depth and structure with a restrained residual sweetness. Serve as an aperitif or with fish, Asian cuisine and white meat.
Alcohol: 9% SRP: $19.99 These wines are beautifully priced and I could drink them all winter long! Hopefully, one day I will be sipping these Rieslings while enjoying the scenery in the Mosel Valley! Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com Over the last few years I have had the pleasure of meeting many dynamic women in the wine industry from around the world. These women hold positions that range from winemakers and winery owners to operations management, business development, marketing and financial planning. They are a rarity in an industry that has been notoriously dominated by men. Happily, the landscape is changing and more women globally are rising to the occasion and making their presence known in the wine world. I was recently invited by Bethany Burke of Taub Family Selections to join a panel discussion and virtual tasting on Zoom, focusing on “The Next Generation of Women In Wine”. Dr. Laura Catena of Bodegas Catena Zapata & Bodegas CARO in Mendoza, Argentina moderated this lively discussion. She was joined by panelists Anne Trimbach, of Trimbach in Alsace, France, Laure Colombo, of Vins Jean-Luc Colombo in Cornas, Rhone Valley, France and Alessia Collauto Travaglini of Travaglini in Gattinara, Piemonte, Italy. These accomplished and talented women were all born into multi-generation family-owned wineries, but their backgrounds and the paths they took before joining the family business are diverse. However, they all share the experience “as women” of assuming an important position and role in their family wineries. Here is an introduction to these amazing women. Also, each panelist selected a wine representative of her family’s estate for us to taste. Dr. Laura Catena Proprietor, Bodegas CARO Mendoza, Argentina Laura is a fourth-generation Argentine vintner, born in Mendoza, Argentina. Her great-grandfather founded the Catena Winery in 1902 after emigrating from Italy. In addition to being the proprietor of Bodegas CARO, Laura is currently managing director of Bodega Catena Zapata. Her path to becoming a vintner in her family’s winery was quite circuitous. Laura graduated magna cum laude from Harvard in 1988 and then earned a medical degree from Stanford University. It wasn’t until 1995 that she joined her father, Nicolas Catena Zapata, in the winery as a winemaker. In addition to authoring two books, Laura splits her time between Mendoza and San Francisco where she practices Emergency Medicine. One of Laura’s many passions is to learn more about high altitude viticulture, the vineyard soil microbiome and wine ageability. In the struggle for female equality in the wine business, Laura said, “There is no male equality either.” As she has witnessed in her winery, “If a man says he needs to go home because his child is ill or he has to make dinner, the boss will respond with ‘Where’s your wife?’ If a woman asks the same thing, it is accepted. There is such a long road still ahead for both women and men. But we are coming from a place of progress and I’m very excited about the future.” Bodegas CARO, CARO 2017 To learn about the collaboration between the Catena family and Domaines Barons de Rothschild that birthed CARO, please read my previous story. Two Cultures + Two Estates = Elegant Wines http://thewineknitter.com/1/post/2020/01/two-cultures-two-estates-elegant-wines.html This wine is a blend of 74% Malbec and 26% Cabernet Sauvignon. The Malbec softens the Cabernet Sauvignon, which is a little bitter. Grapes are selected and hand-harvested from the best blocks of the high altitude vineyards of Mendoza. The wine is aged for 18 months in French oak barrels from Lafite’s cooperage. Aromas of rich red fruit, berries, baking spice and violet segue onto the palate with dark cherry, black raspberry and a hint of dark chocolate on a long finish. Smooth tannins and refreshing acidity are beautifully balanced. Alcohol: 14% SRP: $70.99 Anne Trimbach, Export Manager for Trimbach Alsace, France Anne is the 13th generation and the first woman to “be on the scene” in her family’s winery situated in Alsace, France. Anne grew up in the winery and knew from an early age that she would work there. Her great uncle expressed doubts about her getting into the business. He said, “Oh really, you want to work with us? But you are a woman and how will you manage this? One day you’ll want to have babies.” Anne expressed in relating this story, “I had to prove I was able to.” Her journey involved studying economics in Strasbourg, then spending three years in Dijon. She completed her master’s degree in Burgundy and then interned with a beverage distributor. Anne moved back to Alsace in 2008 and began to formally work as a export manager and Trimbach ambassador. Anne also introduced and developed a presence on social media for the winery. She said, “ The world of wine is about sharing and catching the eye of people. We share our passion for wine and people through videos.” Trimbach “Réserve” Riesling 2017 This is 100% Riesling. Grapes for the Réserve are sourced from old vineyards in Ribeauvillé and surrounding villages with vines 45 to 50 years old. Due to the complexity of the terroir here, some of the finest wines are produced. Anne noted that because of climate change “we are seeing early harvests due to temperatures rising.” Beautiful aromas of floral, peach, grapefruit and a hint of diesel set the stage for this classic. dry Riesling. The palate offers nectarine, green apple, lemon and minerality. This is a vibrant and fresh wine with good aging potential. Alcohol: 13% SRP: 34.99 Laure Colombo, Winemaker at Jean-Luc Colombo Rhône Valley, France Laure is second-generation and grew up in the small village of Cornas where the vineyards were her playground. Laure said, “I escaped the village and didn’t plan to work in wine, I just wanted to live in big cities. I was anxious to leave and travel.” And so she did. After studying commerce at the University of Lille, she traveled to Florida and worked at Disney World Epcot Food & Wine Festival. Laure also worked as a sommeliers assistant at Alain Ducasse’s restaurant in NYC and traveled to New Delhi, India to work with the Grover vineyard. And the list goes on! When she returned to France, Laure interned at Château Haut-Brion while studying for a bachelor’s degree in Viticulture and Oenology in Bordeaux. She then went on to receive her master’s degree in Oenology from the University of Montpellier. Laure said, “By traveling around the world, I learned my roots and I wanted to come back. I finally joined my family in 2010 and little by little I learned to work with the family.” She has been working alongside her parents ever since. For a glimpse and background of Laure’s parents and where she grew up, please click on the link below to read my story. A Hidden Treasure - The WineKnitter http://thewineknitter.com/1/post/2019/03/day-713-a-hidden-treasure.html Jean-Luc Colombo Saint-Peray AOC “La BelleDe Mai” 2018 This wine is a blend of 60% Roussanne and 40% Marsanne. Grapes are hand-harvested from a single vineyard of the oldest part of this small 10-hectare appellation. Laure said, “The grapes are co-planted, harvested and vinified together. The ratio changes from year to year, but normally one half to two-thirds of the Roussane is used in the blend.” Grapes are fermented in oak barrels and the wine is aged on the lees for six months. This is a rich and complex wine with enticing aromas of floral, pear and grapefruit. The palate offers honeysuckle, apricot, peach, a hint of vanilla and citrus zest on the finish. Creamy texture and fresh acidity sate the palate. Alcohol: 14.5% SRP: $29.99 Alessia Collauto, Travaglini Gattinara, Italy Alessia is the fifth-generation of the Travaglini wine family. “Fourth-generation, Cinzia Travaglini, now runs the estate, along with her husband Massimo Collauto, chief winemaker. Their efforts, like the generations before them, have made Travaglini one of Italy’s most recognizable wines and the #1 selling Gattinara in the world. Their children, Alessia and Carolina, are currently involved in the winery, and will be the next generation to run the estate.” Alessia has a degree in Economics and Business Management. She also received her Certificate of Sommelier in 2017. She spends time tending the vines at Travaglini, working in the cellar with her family and also participates in the administration, marketing, sales and promotion of their wines. Alessia stated, “My parents introduced me to the secrets of the vines and situations of everyday business and little by little transferred to my sister and me the passion for wine.” Alessia said that the experience of being a sommelier made her curious not only to open her mind and try the wines but she also said, “Most importantly it made me curious about the vinification of the wine and the stories behind the wine.” Travaglini Gattinara DOCG 2016 This wine is 100% Nebbiolo and is Travaglini’s flagship wine. The small appellation of Gattinara DOCG is known for its rare soil that produces grapes with a unique flavor profile, high acidity and tannins. Alessia said, “The complexity of this wine comes basically from the rocks. Although the wine is complex, it tastes very delicate on the palate.” The wine is aged for three years, two of which age in used Slavonian oak casks. The wine rests for three months in bottle Lovely aromas of rose petals, berries, fennel, baking spice and pepper prep the palate for a rich and inviting wine. Notes of rose, cherries, raspberry, cinnamon, earth and minerality tease the palate. I love the complexity of this wine in addition to its freshness and tannins that talk.
Alcohol: 13.5% SRP: $33.99 It was a pleasure and honor to be a part of this discussion and tasting. I loved their stories, anecdotes and, above all, the inspiration and path that they are creating for more women to enter the wine industry! Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com When one thinks of German wines, most often it is Riesling that comes to mind. And if asked to name a few wine regions in Germany, the answer is usually Rheingau, Mosel, Rheinhessen, and Pfalz. However, there are 13 wine regions throughout Germany, some lesser-known than others. If you haven’t heard of the Franken wine region or its special wines, then you need to pay close attention. This is a wine region that is not to be missed. From its terroir-driven wines and delectable cuisine to the fairytale towns rich with history, Franken is a magical place to explore. And I can’t think of a better setting for sipping wine than to be surrounded by medieval villages, castles, beautiful landscapes and miles of terraced wine vineyards! Located in the northwest part of Bavaria, Franken is the most easterly of the wine regions situated on the Rhine to the west and stretching eastward along the Main River. (pronounced Mine) The Main River is the longest river within Germany. Steep south facing wine vineyards dramatically adorn the banks of the Main River and its tributaries as it weaves in and out of some of the best wine-producing villages and towns (15 sub-regions) in Franken. The history of Franken winemaking dates back to over 1200 years ago. An old document shows that Charlemagne, the medieval emperor who became king of the Franks in 771, gave Fulda Abbey a winery in the year 777. During medieval times winemaking grew and there were over 40,000 hectares of vineyards in Franken. However, by the 20th century, the vineyards had decreased to less than 2100 hectares. Today, there are approximately 6,139 hectares of wine vineyards throughout Franken. Approximately 70 different grape varieties are grown here of which 80% are white grape varieties. Although Franken is best known for its signature white grape, Silvaner, Müller-Thurgau takes the lead in the number of vines. Here is a quick look at Franken’s most important grape varieties in terms of production. White Grapes Red Grapes Müller-Thurgau 27.7% Spätburgunder 4.3% Silvaner 23.1% Domina 5.4% Bacchus 11.9% Riesling 5.3% Kerner 3.3% The weather in Franken is typically continental with warm, dry summers and long cold winters. Because Riesling is a late-harvest grape, it only plays a minor role in production due to the risk of frost damage. Soil types vary throughout the region and include weathered primitive rock and red-colored sandstone, Muschelkalk (shell-limestone), and Keuper (colored and/or gypsum marl). These soils evolved over a 250 million year span along the Main River and they greatly influence the character of the grapes in this region. For the most part, dry wines are the majority of wines produced here and are typical of this region. Franken wine region has both regional and smaller cooperatives in addition to private and state-owned estates. I had the opportunity to visit several privately owned wineries starting in the east and working our way west and I tasted through many wines at each stop. For the purpose of this story, I will introduce the wineries and highlight a few wines from each winery. As you look through the wine photos you will see a uniquely shaped bottle called a Bocksbeautel. This bottle has been used for over 250 years in Franken to hold top-quality wines. In 1989, the European Union patented the bottle and it is only allowed to be used for Franken wines. Approximately 43% of Franken wines are bottled in a Bocksbeautel. We heard many stories and versions of its origins and shape as we made our way through Franken, most with good humor. However, the reason behind the Bocksbeautel’s distinctive shape was to distinguish it from other wine bottles and to signify that it held outstanding wine. As to how that shape was chosen, I will let you do your own investigation to determine which story you like best. The Bocksbeautel holds 750ml of wine, has a round, flat body and a short neck and is an attention-getter, but it is definitely not designed for a wine rack! Weingut Kremer is located in Großheubach, a small community in lower Franken. The winery was established in 1975 and is family-run. Second generation Uli Kremer who runs the winery with his parents and wife hosted our wine tasting. They have 18 grape varieties on 9 hectares of vineyards that are sloped with southern exposure and soil of red federal sandstone. Sloped vineyards are not easy to maintain, so they use French sheep to trim the weeds! Ooh, la la! As Uli said, “The trick is to make sure the sheep are not in the vineyards when the grapes emerge.” We tasted through six wines and it was a nice introduction to the wines of Franken. Tasting Silvaner and Cabernet Dorsa were a first for me. Kremer Silvaner Kabinett Trocken 2017 is 100% Silvaner. It has a lovely nose that is fruity and tropical with hints of citrus. This is a dry wine with a touch of floral, yellow fruits, hints of minerality and a creamy texture from 12 months spent on the lees. A very food- friendly wine! Alcohol: 12.5% Kremer Chardonnay Qualitätswein Troken 2017 is 100% Chardonnay. I thought this wine was worth mentioning. Uli’s father was one of the first to plant Chardonnay in Franken in 1996 on a .5-hectare site. This is an oaked Chardonnay with pronounced minerality, pear, apple, vanilla and a creamy texture. The wine was aged for 12 months in Franken oak barrels. It is nicely balanced with acidity and is not “too” oaky. Alcohol: 13% Kremer Cabernet Dorsa Qualitätswein Troken 2016 In 1971 Dornfelder and Cabernet Sauvignon were crossed to create Cabernet Dorsa. This wine is 100% Cabernet Dorsa and benefits from aging in French oak. It has a wonderful nose of dark berries and spice that segue onto the palate along with cherry and a hint of dark chocolate on the finish. It has rich tannins with a perfect balance of acidity. Alcohol: 13.5% Please visit https://www.weingut-kremer.de for more information. Weingut Rudolf Fürst is a small family-run winery also located in the westernmost corner of the lower Franken wine region. The Fürst family has been making wine since 1638. Paul and Monika Fürst took over the family business in 1975 and their son Sebastian joined them in 2007. Most of the wine they produce comes from the vines located in the vineyards of the Centgrafenberg in Bürgstadt where they built new estate buildings in 1979. The prized vineyards of the Centgrafenberg have a southern exposure with red sandstone soil, which is high in iron. It is an ideal location for Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir) and Riesling. Spätburgunder has grown in these iron-rich soils for centuries, yielding full-bodied, expressive wines. As Paul said when we met with him for the tasting, “Wine is culture. The world is taking notice. The time is good for us and our special variety of Pinot”. Fürst is famous for its burgundy style Spätburgunders and is considered some of the finest in Germany. They also have two other vineyards sites: Hundsrück in Bürgstadt and Schlossberg in Klingenberg. In total, they have almost 50 acres of vineyards. Here are some highlights of the tasting. Centgrafenberg GG Riesling 2017 There are 400 vineyards in all of Germany with a GG classification. (Grosses Gewächs) meaning that the grapes come from a “great site” and is identified as a great dry wine. Fürst has plots in three Grosse Lage sites, Germany’s equivalent of grand cru vineyards. This dry Riesling is beautifully layered with floral, grapefruit, stone fruit, minerality, honey, and a hint of anise and lemon zest on the finish. It has lively acidity with a creamy texture. Alcohol: 12% Bürgstadter Berg IG Spätburgunder 2015 is an elegant wine with soft berry and floral aromas. The palate offers ripe berries, cherry, spice, vanilla and smoky notes. This is a fully rounded wine with nicely balanced acidity and a hint of minerality on the finish. Alcohol: 13.5% Centgrafenberg GG Spätburgunder 2012 is one of the top three wines in the Fürst estate and it is also part of the top ten list of wines in Germany. This wine is stunning! Aromas of soft red fruit, cherry, baking spice and smokiness set the stage for the palate. It is a silky wine with soft tannins, dark cherry, tobacco, ripe fruit, vanilla, earth and a hint of anise and minerality on the palate. Elegant! Alcohol: 13.5% All of the above wines are food-friendly and will complement a myriad of dishes. In fact, most of the wines that I tasted throughout my trip were adaptable to a wide range of cuisine. For availability and pricing of Fürst wines please visit: http://www.weingut-rudolf-fuerst.de In addition to wine, Franken is home to some of the most enchanting and fairytale-like villages and towns. My first impression of the historic part of Miltenberg was one of awe. I had stepped back in time to a medieval town filled with half-timbered houses arranged in a charming display of colors, an ancient market place and cobblestoned streets. Slide show below of Miltenberg. Photo credits: Penny Weiss Miltenberg is called the “pearl of the Main” because it stretches along the left bank of the river. The first documentation of Miltenberg goes back to 1237. And, Germany’s oldest hotel, a Royal Inn called “Zum Riesen (The Giant) is located in the famous market square. The earliest mention of the hotel is in 1411, but most likely it existed before that date. And don’t forget to stop for food and drinks at the Gasthaus Zum Riesen where I had the best Spaetzle ever! Many of the buildings in Miltenberg are stamped with the date they were built and also the date they were renovated. There is much to see and do here from walking tours to a museum, castle and a brewery. Although my focus was on wine, breweries abound in Franken. And having a glass of Bavarian craft beer is a treat!
If I have piqued your interest then read Part Two as I move westward in Franken exploring more wineries, restaurants, hotels and magical towns! Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com I had just arrived home from a trip to the Franken wine region of Germany with my palate still singing the praises of the wines I tasted. To my delight, there was a bottle of Riesling from the Mosel wine region waiting for me at my doorstep. Although the Mosel region is a few hundred miles to the west of where I was visiting, a German Riesling is always a treat no matter which of Germany’s 13 wine regions it comes from. And this particular Riesling was no exception! Weingut St. Urbans-Hof is located in the village of Leiwen in the Mosel Valley. It is considered one of Germany’s premier estates with 40 hectares of vineyards making it the second largest family-owned and operated winery in the Mosel. Nicolaus Weis founded the winery in 1947 and his grandson Nik Weis has been owner and winemaker since 1997. I have written several stories and reviewed a number of wines from this producer that can be accessed on the menu at right. The Mosel Valley enjoys a continental climate with warm summers and long growing seasons that contribute to the ripening of the grapes, helping to create heightened flavors and low alcohol levels. Riesling grapes for the St. Urbans-Hof Bockstein Kabinett are harvested from a single vineyard consisting of 40 to 60-year-old vines from the Mosel region’s Saar Valley. Bockstein VDP Grosse Lage is a historic 136-acre site with only six producers growing vines here. Nik Weis owns 25 of these acres in the best, original section. The vineyard sits on a very steep 50 degree, south-facing slope with soils consisting of hard gravelly slate rock that have a powdery surface that is easily absorbed by the vine’s roots giving the wine lots of minerality. VDP (Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter) is a national German association of wine producers committed to top-quality wine production. Under their classification system, VDP Grosse Lage is considered Top Class designating the very best vineyards of Germany within which the finest parcels have been demarcated. These wines are considered especially expressive with significant aging potential. St. Urbans-Hof 2018 Bockstein Kabinett 2018
This 100% Riesling is pale lemon and jumps out of the bottle with intense aromas of minerality/slate, soft fruit, citrus and hints of floral. A palate of refreshing peach, green apple, grapefruit, honeysuckle and minerality are the prelude to a beautiful dance between sweet and saline. This is another terroir-driven wine that clearly shows the talent of the winemaker, Nik Weis! Serve as an aperitif or pair with fish, white meats, salads and spicy food. Enjoy this wine now or it can be cellared for up to 30 years if stored properly. Alcohol: 9% SRP: $26 Within the next few weeks, I will be writing about my trip to the Franken wine region in Germany. I will introduce you to fabulous wines, cuisine and fairytale towns to explore! Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com With the hot and humid weather that recently descended upon us, it seemed like a perfect time to open two styles of perfectly chilled Rieslings that I received as samples. I have posted several stories about Weingut St. Urbans-Hof, which is located in the Mosel Valley in the village of Leiwen. Their wines are quite aromatic, intense and terroir-driven. St. Urbans-Hof is considered one of Germany’s premier estates with 40 hectares of vineyards. It is the second largest family-owned and operated winery in the Mosel. Nicolaus Weis founded the winery in 1947 and his grandson Nik Weis has been owner and winemaker since 1997. The Mosel Valley has a continental climate with warm summers and long growing seasons that contribute to the ripening of the grapes, helping to create heightened flavors and low alcohol levels St. Urbans-Hof Estate Dry Riesling 2018 QbA QbA is an acronym for “Qualitätswein bestimmter Anbaugebiete,” which means a quality wine that comes entirely from one of the 13 designated wine regions in Germany and must abide by certain conditions. The grapes for this dry Riesling were selected from fifteen parcels surrounding the winery and many of the vines are 30 to 70 years old. According to Nik, “Old vines produce wines with a finer mineral structure. That mineral structure balances the acidity to a higher extent.” Over decades, the vine roots penetrate the slate bedrock containing minerals, all of which contribute to the uniqueness of the wine. This wine is made from 100% organically farmed Riesling grapes. The color is pale straw with alluring aromas of floral, honey, citrus and stone fruit. Honeysuckle, pear, citrus and peach tease the palate along with crisp acidity, slate notes and a hint of lemon zest on the finish. I could drink this wine all summer long! Serve as an aperitif or pair with light pasta, seafood, grilled fowl and vegetables. Alcohol: 12% SRP: $18 St. Urbans-Hof Estate Riesling QbA from Old Vines The Riesling grapes for this wine are harvested from two locations. The first location is the parcels surrounding the winery of which many of the vines are 30 to 70 years old. The Leiwen plots are a combination of sand, gravel and clay sedimentary soils. The second location is a 25-acre parcel in Wittingen, located in the Saar Valley. This location has red slate soil that contains iron oxide. The iron oxide tends to give the wines a smoky, spicy nose with good structure on the palate. Nik Weis said about the 2018 vintage, “It was very good, with good quality, ripeness and yields. The wines are already quite accessible and pleasant on the palate. They have a wonderfully silky mineral structure and full-bodied, juicy taste.” This is an off-dry wine that is pale lemon and has beautiful aromas of white flowers, pear, hints of citrus and minerality. The palate welcomes subtle sweetness that segues to crisp acidity and slate. In-between, flavors of citrus, grapefruit, nectarine and spice dance around the palate. It is a very refreshing and juicy wine. Serve as an aperitif or pair with light fare.
Alcohol: SRP: $18 These are great value wines to keep on hand for the warm summer days ahead! Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com The infinite monkey theorem is an old mathematical theorem that states “a monkey hitting keys at random on a typewriter keyboard for an infinite amount of time will almost surely type a given text, such as the complete works of William Shakespeare.” The Infinite Monkey Theorem winery was named after the above theorem. As Ben Parsons, founder and winemaker said, “it’s all about creating order out of a chaotic system. Given an infinite amount of time, anything and everything is possible.” IMT, an urban winery, was founded in 2008 and is located in a 15,000 square foot warehouse in the River North Art District of downtown Denver, Colorado. The grapes are sourced mostly from the western slopes of Colorado at an elevation of 4,500 feet. Late spring frosts, hail storms and harsh winters are part of the “chaos” that must be dealt with. I asked Ben what his biggest challenge was and he replied, “The biggest challenges are mitigating the risk of late spring frosts and this is achieved by pruning late and/or going through and pruning twice.” Once harvested, the grapes are immediately refrigerated and then driven through the mountains to the winery for production, bottling and canning. According to Ben, “there are an infinite number of variables at play, decisions to be made and possible outcomes. It is the job of our team to create order out of this inherently chaotic system as we craft our ridiculously good wine.” I recently received several samples of IMT’s “ridiculously good wine” with its eye-catching packaging. IMT Cabernet Franc 2017 is 100% Cabernet Franc with a very dark ruby color. Delectable aromas of strawberry, violet, bay leaf and baking spices set the stage for a palate filled with strawberry, pomegranate, plum, vanilla and pepper. Juicy fruits linger on a long finish with medium tannins and fresh acidity. This wine is food-friendly and can be paired with an array of food including appetizers, meat, salads and fish. Alcohol: 12.9% SRP: $30 IMT was the first winery in the United States to put wine in 8.4 oz. cans. They took into account the active outdoor lifestyle all around them and felt that consumers would appreciate the convenience of wine in a can. A variety of flavors and styles are available in easy to transport 4-packs. Bellini Wine Cocktail is a blend of Riesling and Palisade Peach juice. The color is soft lemon with refreshing flavors of light peach and citrus and is lightly carbonated with just the right amount of acidity. Alcohol: 12.8% SRP: $14.99/4-pack Bubble Universe is made with Riesling and is another lightly carbonated wine. The nose offers floral, citrus and granny smith apples that segue onto the palate to blend with a tart but refreshing and zesty acidity. Alcohol: 12.2% SRP: $14.99/4-pack IMT also has another 6,000 square foot urban winery located in the South Congress District of Austin, Texas. The grapes for this winery are mostly sourced from the High Plains of Texas. In addition to the wineries, they have taprooms in Fort Collins, Stapleton and Austin, with another opening soon in Dallas.
Infinite Monkey Theorem wines are available throughout the U.S. and can also be purchased on their website. https://theinfinitemonkeytheorem.com Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com |
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