Germany - Saale-Unstrut, Sachsen Flashcards
What is Germany’s northernmost growing region?
Saale-Unstrut
- Europe’s northernmost traditional wine region
- Viticulture first recorded in 998 AD
Where did Saale-Unstrut get its name?
It’s situated at the confluence of the Saale and Unstrut rivers
Where is Saale-Unstrut located?
At the confluence of the Saale and Unstrut rivers.
Spans three federal states:
- Sachsen-Anhalt (approx 639ha)
- Thüringen (approx 108ha)
- Brandenburg (approx 8ha)
Between Weimar and Leipzig.
Main commercial centre at Freyburg
There is an additional small growing area 30km north around Eisleben (where Martin Luther was born and died)
What are the main varieties grown in Saale-Unstrut?
Müller-Thurgau
Weissburgunder
Small amount of Riesling, Silvaner, Grauburgunder, Bacchus, Kerner, Dornfelder
Frost resistant varieties important, high yields desired
On which river is the anbaugebiet of Sachsen located?
Elbe
Where is the anbaugebiet of Sachsen located?
North of Dresden in eastern Germany
Around the town of Meissen
On the river Elbe
Which grape is most planted in Sachsen?
Müller-Thurgau
Followed by Riesling
Which grape is seen as something of a Sachsen speciality?
Goldriesling (crossing developed in Alsace, itself a parent of Maréchal Foch)
Which winzergenossenschaft is the most important in Sachsen?
Winzergenossenschaft Meissen
What is the main soil type in Sachsen?
Gneiss
Granite
When did Sachsen and Saale-Unstrut become anbaugebiete?
1990
German reunification
What is the climate of Saale-Unstrut? Weather patterns?
Cool continental climate
Low rainfall - one of driest wine growing regions in Germany
Severe winter
Frost in winter and spring
What are the main grape growing challenges in Saale-Unstrut?
- Severe winters (-30°C in 1986/87)
> Winter and spring frost - Fungal infections
- Soil erosion
What is the main soil type in Saale-Unstrut?
Weathered shell limestone
Also pockets of:
- coloured sandstone
- loess
- marine bituminous marl (kupferschiefer)
Describe the viticulture of Saale-Unstrut
Vines planted on slopes near Saale and Unstrut rivers and areas close by.
Many slopes are terraced (old stone terraces)
River moderates climate.
100-250m asl
What style of wines are produced in Saale-Unstrut?
Light bodied and dry
Majority is Qualitätswein.
Small amounts of Prädikatswein produced, sweet and noble but these are rare and were not produced prior to Reunification.
Small scale, generally consumed locally
What are the three bereiche of Saale-Unstrut?
Schloss Neuenberg
Thüringen
Mansfelder See
Mansfeld, see the Neuenberg castle in Thüringen!
Schloss Neuenberg, Thüringen and Mansfelder See are bereiche of which anbaugebiet?
Saale-Unstrut
What are the four Grosslagen of Saale-Unstrut?
In Schloss Neuenberg:
- Schweigenberg
- Blütengrund
- Göttersitz
In Mansfelder See:
- Kelterberg
In Thüringen:
None
What are the two VDP Grosse Lage of Saale-Unstrut?
- Edelacker
- Hohe Gräte
What are the three VDP Erste Lage of Saale-Unstrut?
- Mühlburg
- Nüssenberg
- Sonneck
Brief history of Saale-Unstrut wine production
- First record of grape growing/winemaking in 998 AD
- 16th C - 10,000ha of vines
- Annexed to Prussia
- First region declared contaminated by phylloxera in 1887, also problems with oidium and peronospera
- Most vineyard area destroyed during WW2
- Part of the DDR, used outdated and inefficient prodution techniques via co-ops > simple wines exported to other Socialist states
- 1990 Reunification - many hobby growers purchased vineyards to start commercial enterprise
Name three significant wine producers of Saale-Unstrut
Winzervereinigung Freyburg (Freyburg Winegrowers Association):
- co-op founded in 1934
- 400ha farmed by 400 growers
Kloster Pforta:
- State owned winery since 2008, monastery originally founded in 1138
- Largest estate in Saale-Unstrut
Rötkappchen Sektkellerei:
- Part of Rötkappchen-Mumm, the largest sparkling wine producer in Germany (Mumm the Sekt, not Mumm the Champagne!!)
Pawis:
- Quality producer using modern techniques, sustainable
- Member of VDP
