Germany: Principal Wine Regions Flashcards
Germany: Rheinhessen
- 1/4 of the vineyards in Germany
- WArm, dry region sheltered by the Taunnus and Hunsruck mnts
- Mostly planted on fertile,warm soil in valleys ideal for high volume production
- Liebfraumilch originated from here
- White grapes make up 73%- Rielsing is the most planted variety , second is Muller Thurgau
- Dornfelder is leading black grape.
- Bulk production dominates under he control of merchant houses
- Rheinterrasse is producing more quality wines along the steep slopes of the River Nierstein and Oppenheim
The east facing aspect means they receive warm morning sun.
Proximity to the Rhine means the moderating influence extends the ripening period - Rielsings from the area oftern show ripe lemon and peach flavours
The Roter Hang is reputed for its soils that are iron rich and red called Rotliegenden.
Slate, clay and sandstone produced smokey characters in the wines
Wonnegau area in the south is gaining reupation dor hhigh quality Rielsing and Spatburgunder- moderating influence from the Rhine.
- Weingut Keller in Worms
Germany: Pfalz
- narrow strip between the Haardt mountains and the Rhine river plains
the Haardt are a continuation of the Alsacian mnts Vosges and produce a simiar rain shadow - one of the driest regions in Germany making drought a concern - white dominates at 67% - Rielsing at a 1/4 , followed by Muller Thurgau, Grauburgunder and Weissburgunder
Warmer temperatures produce a slightly fuller body - Dorfelder is the number one planted red
Most renowned vineyards are around the Mittelhaardt near bad, Durkheim, Diedesheim etc in the North - south and east facing steep slopes in the foothills of the Haardt get max sunshine and wind protection
Soils are varied - limestone, sandstone, basalt clay etc adding complexity
- Further south in the Sudliche Weinstrasse are more fertile soils used for inexpensive wines from merchant houses , howver recent years has seen quality producers growing Spatburgunder, Weissburgunder and Grauburgunder
from smaller estates - Dr. Burklin-Wolf
Germany: Baden
- seperated in multiple distince areas
- Main area stretched from Swissborder to just north of Heidelberg
- The main vineyard is on the east side of the Rhine and benefits from the rain shadow of the Vosges
- Warmest, sunniest,driest regions
- Baden is famous for its Spatburgunder with complex flavours enhanced by oak
- -Steep south facing slopes around the Kaiserstuhl , an extint volcano produce the fullest body with high alcohol and complex , smoky ripe fruit
- -Cooler areas such as Bereich of Ortenau are on significant pockets of calcerous soil ad wines have more fruit and acidity
- Also 61% of white, inexpensive wines made from Muller Thurgau
- Only a small amount of Pradikat Riesling
- Many small estaes ( Bernhard Huber)
- but co-ops are responsible for 75% of Badens production led by Badischer Winzerkeller
Germany: Wurttemberg
Located near Stuttgart ti the east of Baden
Produces light, fruity reds consumed in the domestic market
Some good quality producers on the steep, terraced vineyards above the river Neckar
Warm summers are ideal for red and 66% are Trollinger, Lemberger, Schwarzriesling and Spatburgunder
Rielsing is 50% of white plantings
Germany: Mosel
famous for some of the worlds greatest Rieslings - 62% of the 91% white plantings
Most northerly, cold climate
Grapes are planted on stepp slopes overlooking the Mosel river and enjoy the best sun exposure and reflection
Dark colourd slate is also important for heat reflecting
Upper, Middle and Lower Mosel
Middle Mosel is the largest and home to the majority of vineyards
Famous Villages/ Vineyards :
Brauneburg ( Juffer)
ERden (Treppchen
Graach ( Himmelreich, Domprobst)
Urzig ( Wurzgarten)
Wehlen ( Sonnehur)
Bernkastel ( Doctor)
Piesport( Goldtrofpchen) - otherwise flat and inexpensive wines
Mosels are lighter, paler in colour and have lower abv and higher acidity
promounced floral and green fruit aromas
Strong reputation for Kabinett, Spatlese and Auslese and also Eiswein
Slate soils are grey, blue, brown,and red and subtle differences can be found in the wines
Steep slopes measn labour must be done by hand .
Low yields for BA and TBA are also $$$$
Mosel makes some of the most expensive wines in Germany
20% of wine is made by the largest producer of Rielsing , Moselland Co-op
The best vineyards in the other parts of the region lie in the sheltered side of the Saar and Ruwer rivers with S, SE and SW aspects
*Scharzhofberg in Saar
Germany: Franken
most continental climate meaning warmer summers but a shorter growing season / harsh winters
Spring frost is a hazard
83% White grapes - more dry
Muller Thurgau and then Silvaner , some of the regions best wines with distinct flavours
Silvaner is early budding and early ripening meaning it can reach full ripeness before autumn
But susceptible to spring frost
Significant hgistorical importance so it gets the best sites
Very good Silvaner is produced on chalky soils around Wurzburg- floral and wet stone aromas
In the west, Spatburgunder is planted on steep terraces of sandstone
Many Franken wines are bottles in the traditional Bocksbeutel, a flat round shaped bottles with a short neck. Mostly consumed in Germany
Germany: Nahe
- Between Mosel and Rheinhessen , smaller vineyards scattered over a large area
- Protected by the Hunsbruck Mountains
- 77% white with 29% Rielsing ( most planted)
- Warmer, less acidity and fuller bodied Riesling
- In the east, the vineyards on South banks of the Nahe River have arm conditions and max sunlight
- Steep slopes are a mixture of sandstone and slate
- On the gentle slopes , soils are more fertile and Muller Thurgau is grown to make inexpensive wines
- Dornfelder is most planted red variety
*
Germany: Rheingau
- small, highly prestigious region most age worthy Rielsings
- It covers a stretch of the Rhine and a short section of the river Main
- Protected by the Taunus Mountains , vineyards are planted on south facing slopes so Rielsing is fuller nodied than the Mosel
- Rhine moderates against frost
- and humidity is perfect for botrytis
- Focus on quality - low yileds
- Best vineyards are around Rudesheim, Geisenheim , Johhanisberg, Hattenheim and Erbah
- Sites on mid slope wothj moderating influence from the river create beautiful dry wines
- Soils range from sand, loam and loess around Hochheim- and sandstone and slate further west
- White wines are 86% with Rielsing at 77% made in dry style
- ( dry style started here )
- BUt also know for botryised wines
- At the est end in Assmannshausen , spatburgunder is the main grape - planted on steep SW facing
- Hollenberg vineyard is know for its outstanding Pinot noirs
- Used to be home of German aristocracy so Schloss is found in many names - mainly estates such as the Schloss Johnannisberg and Vollrads
- Co-ops are less influenential than any where else in Germany
- *
Germany: Ahr
- smallest wine region with only 560 hc
- most north , yet red grapes dominate with 81% of plantings
- Ahr river cuts narrow, sheltered valleys with steep south facing slopes and dark slate soils , greywacke
- Traditonally late harvest with RS , now the region is a source of dry, high qulity Spatburgunder with high tannins and oak
- The Mayschoss is thought to be the oldest co-op in the world
