Germany - Saale-Unstrut, Sachsen

Question 1

What is Germany’s northernmost growing region?

Answer 1

Saale-Unstrut

• Europe’s northernmost traditional wine region
• Viticulture first recorded in 998 AD

Question 2

Where did Saale-Unstrut get its name?

Answer 2

It’s situated at the confluence of the Saale and Unstrut rivers

Question 3

Where is Saale-Unstrut located?

Answer 3

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)

Question 4

What are the main varieties grown in Saale-Unstrut?

Answer 4

Müller-Thurgau
Weissburgunder

Small amount of Riesling, Silvaner, Grauburgunder, Bacchus, Kerner, Dornfelder

Frost resistant varieties important, high yields desired

Question 5

On which river is the anbaugebiet of Sachsen located?

Answer 5

Elbe

Question 6

Where is the anbaugebiet of Sachsen located?

Answer 6

North of Dresden in eastern Germany
Around the town of Meissen
On the river Elbe

Question 7

Which grape is most planted in Sachsen?

Answer 7

Müller-Thurgau

Followed by Riesling

Question 8

Which grape is seen as something of a Sachsen speciality?

Answer 8

Goldriesling (crossing developed in Alsace, itself a parent of Maréchal Foch)

Question 9

Which winzergenossenschaft is the most important in Sachsen?

Answer 9

Winzergenossenschaft Meissen

Question 10

What is the main soil type in Sachsen?

Answer 10

Gneiss

Granite

Question 11

When did Sachsen and Saale-Unstrut become anbaugebiete?

Answer 11

1990

German reunification

Question 12

What is the climate of Saale-Unstrut? Weather patterns?

Answer 12

Cool continental climate
Low rainfall - one of driest wine growing regions in Germany
Severe winter
Frost in winter and spring

Question 13

What are the main grape growing challenges in Saale-Unstrut?

Answer 13

• Severe winters (-30°C in 1986/87)
  > Winter and spring frost
• Fungal infections
• Soil erosion

Question 14

What is the main soil type in Saale-Unstrut?

Answer 14

Weathered shell limestone

Also pockets of:

• coloured sandstone
• loess
• marine bituminous marl (kupferschiefer)

Question 15

Describe the viticulture of Saale-Unstrut

Answer 15

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

Question 16

What style of wines are produced in Saale-Unstrut?

Answer 16

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

Question 17

What are the three bereiche of Saale-Unstrut?

Answer 17

Schloss Neuenberg
Thüringen
Mansfelder See

Mansfeld, see the Neuenberg castle in Thüringen!

Question 18

Schloss Neuenberg, Thüringen and Mansfelder See are bereiche of which anbaugebiet?

Answer 18

Saale-Unstrut

Question 19

What are the four Grosslagen of Saale-Unstrut?

Answer 19

In Schloss Neuenberg:

• Schweigenberg
• Blütengrund
• Göttersitz

In Mansfelder See:
- Kelterberg

In Thüringen:
None

Question 20

What are the two VDP Grosse Lage of Saale-Unstrut?

Answer 20

• Edelacker

- Hohe Gräte

Question 21

What are the three VDP Erste Lage of Saale-Unstrut?

Answer 21

• Mühlburg
• Nüssenberg
• Sonneck

Question 22

Brief history of Saale-Unstrut wine production

Answer 22

• 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

Question 23

Name three significant wine producers of Saale-Unstrut

Answer 23

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