Beyond Liebfraumilch: Exploring the Diversity of German Wine at the "Germany Unplugged" 2012 tasting

Beyond Liebfraumilch: Exploring the Diversity of German Wine at the "Germany Unplugged" 2012 tasting

We got drunk on that stuff as students because we didn't know any better and had no money. That is not what I would say, at least not in public, but it summarises how many British acquaintances refer to German wine - in particular the dreaded Liebfraumilch. German wine is associated with sweet, and sweet with bad. The British wine trade tend to love Riesling, dry or sweet, and some also appreciate German Pinot Noir. This is usually where the knowledge ends though. There are even "wine experts" who say Germany should not move away from the sweeter style of Riesling - whereas the reality is that the German wine industry has become so diverse it has long gone beyond that. German dry wines are now so varied as would confuse even the most sober foreign beholder.

Last week the German Wine Agencies, a new distributor of German wines in the British market, invited members of the trade to be confused (and to leave everything else but sober, one would hope) by German wines.

German Wine Agencies focus on "a new generation of young innovative skilled wine makers" who represent the new dynamic in German wine, and at an interesting price point. As this matches nicely with our mission at the Wine Rambler I was more than happy to attend and help spread the word. Having tried some GWA wines before I was curious to sample my way across the whole portfolio. So last Wednesday I set out to Earls Court to "unplug" Germany.
In Earls Court, "unplugging Germany" means tasting wines from nine producers from the wine regions Mosel, Baden, Rheingau, Pfalz and also Rheinhessen (where I toured last autumn). Overall, I was impressed with the consistent quality of the wines and found the GWA portfolio to be really interesting and balanced - with two omissions, but we will come to that.

row of Baden red wine
row of Baden red wine

The Pfalz, one of my favourite Germany wine regions because of its variety, was represented by Weingut Langenwalter, an estate of about 25ha based in the village of Weisenheim. Apart from Riesling and Pinot Noir they featured Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Gewürztraminer and a cuvée made from Cabernet Sauvignon, St Laurent and Portugieser.
The Langenwalter wines were of consistently good quality, with the 2010 Hahnen Riesling (long finish; mineral, citrus and stone fruit) and the 2010 Altenberg Grauburgunder (Pinot Gris; intensity and good substance) standing out in particular. I also liked the fresh 2011 Pinot Blanc and 2010 Sauvignon Blanc. Apart from a fairly priced Pinot Noir, lovers of red wine should also check out the above mentioned cuvée "Terra S" 2009 that featured a nice vegetable-herb-berry mix with good tannin and substance.

Loersch-Eifel Riesling label
Loersch-Eifel Riesling label

Having never tried one of their wines I found that Mosel producer Loersch-Eifel had a fantastic portfolio of six Rieslings going from "Mosel dry" to excitingly sweet TBA. The 2007 Beeren- and Trockenbeerenauslese were simply stunning in their exuberant concentration and balance, and a 2010 Spätlese (Trittenheimer Apotheke, Devon Terrassen) had the intensity that a good old vines Riesling can bring to the table (in this case the vines are 80-100 years old). Excellent stuff throughout, from a family with over 400 years of winemaking tradition and land in some of the Mosel's best vineyards.

delights of sweet Riesling, Loersch-Eifel 2007 TBA
delights of sweet Riesling, Loersch-Eifel 2007 TBA

It was all Riesling again in the "other" historically famous German Riesling region, the Rheingau. Weingut Ankermühle, bought and renovated by Birgit Hüttner just a few years ago, featured Riesling with modern design and names that foreigners may even be able to pronounce and even remember: "Joseph", "Maria", "Hase" and "Gabriel". Wines with a girl name are sweet or off-dry whereas the boys are, of course?, dry. As you'd expect I found myself slightly more drawn to female charm, most notably the 2010 Riesling Maria, a very drinkable, lighter wine featuring sweet stone fruit, citrus fruit and a herbal mineral finish. As I was able to nick some wines after the tasting there will be more detailed Ankermühle reports on the Wine Rambler.

Jörn Goziewski, Weingut Ankermühle; note the cute details on the table
Jörn Goziewski, Weingut Ankermühle; note the cute details on the table

Next we travel to Baden, the warm, volcanic region in the German south west that has a reputation for excellent Pinot. So you won't be surprised to hear that at the Bimmerle and Waßmer table I had several great Pinots.

Siegbert Bimmerle is a third generation winemaker who takes great pride in his modern winery (Bimmerle source wine from several growers near Baden-Baden). I enjoyed both the Pinot Blanc and Gris - each good, typical expressions of the grape, with the Pinot Gris showing off a more concentrated (yet harmonious) fruit. While there was also good Riesling, especially the 2010 Klingenberg Riesling Spätlese, my highlight were the two Pinot Noirs: the 2009 Spätburgunder with its fine, fruity bouquet of cherry and a really likeable softness, but also the barrique aged 2009 that was a little more serious and substantial yet still lively because if its acidity.

Bimmerle Pinot Noir
Bimmerle Pinot Noir

The second Baden producer, Fritz Waßmer, moved into winemaking about a decade ago after previously having grown asparagus and strawberries. This was clearly a good move as over the last years he has won several international awards, including a decanter trophy for his Pinot Noir. Eleven wines were on show, mostly reds but also some whites - including, surprisingly, a Viognier, probably my first from Baden. The Viognier surprised me with an almost playful and charming bouquet that soon revealed a wine with a more grown-up, complex character.

German Viognier
German Viognier

After enjoying the white Pinots I tasted several really good Pinot Noirs. It started with a lighter, more typical German style of cherries and herbal undergrowth and then progressed to more substantial, serious wines fresh from the barrel that will need a few years to show what they really can do. If you doubt German red wine and you have a chance to try some of these wines I trust you will change your mind. Also make sure to try the 2008 Syrah, a wine of substantial flavour and good structure, and the already very approachable barrel sample of the 2010 Cuvée Felix (Merlot and Cabernet Franc).

Last, but not least, we arrive in Rheinhessen. For GWA this currently means Thörle, Steinmühle, Peth-Wetz and Runkel.
Of these producers, Steinmühle had the smallest portfolio on show - three wines, a decent but somewhat unremarkable Pinot Blanc, an enjoyable Sylvaner (while I prefer them drier the touch of residual sugar should be popular with many) and a good value Pinot Noir with good berry fruit and a touch of chocolate that makes a pleasant drinking companion.

Axel May (Steinmühle) and Matthias Runkel discussing, well, German wine?
Axel May (Steinmühle) and Matthias Runkel discussing, well, German wine?

Similar to Steinmühle, the young Rheinhessen winemaker Matthias Runkel only showed a small sample of his 2011 wines at Germany Unplugged. It included a fresh Pinot Blanc - one of my favourites with lovely hay aromatics -, Riesling - he of the perfumed, floral bouquet -, and Gewürztraminer - harmonious and refreshing. As I also liked the 2009 Pinot Noir with lovely fruit and good structure and finish I can say I would have liked to taste more Runkel wines.

Runkel
Runkel

Luckily, there was more to taste at Peth-Wetz. Just a superficial look at the table run by Christian Peth showed that this Rheinhessen producer has a keen interest in the so called noble international varieties. Just imagine a line of ten bottles of wine from Germany made from Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc (and my friends the Pinots Blanc and Noir). The international red varieties are not only blended (such as the juicy, unfiltered Assemblange (Cabernet Sauvignon, Dornfelder, Cabernet Mitos) or the more substantial Assemblange Reserve (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc)), but also available as varietals - and, somewhat unusual for me, I found myself preferring the Cabernet Sauvignon over the Cabernet Franc. If you are now concerned about it all sounding too international I thing Peth-Wetz can lay those fears to rest with their highly drinkable dry Riesling.

Christian Peth; blame my lack of photographic skill for the demonic eyes
Christian Peth; blame my lack of photographic skill for the demonic eyes

The first table in the layout now happens to be the last in my write-up: Thörle. If the few wines I have tasted are representative of the 2009 and 2010 vintage I have to say I'd like to see more of them. The 2009 Pinot Noir "Hölle" for instance, had energy and precision (the 2010 vintage maybe more elegant in comparison), and the two 2010 Rieslings were not only very drinkable but also had lovely herbal aromas and flavours, substance and good textures.

Thörle - Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot from Rheinhessen
Thörle - Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot from Rheinhessen

As the grape varieties on the label of the above photo indicate there is much more to German wine than (the delights of) Riesling. If I hadn't known that before the GWA tasting, "Germany Unplugged" would have driven the point home with some force. I am convinced GWA will help raising the profile of German wine in the British market, and I am curious to find out which new producers they will add to their portfolio this year.

To me there are two, perhaps three areas that deserve some attention to complete the portfolio. First of all I'd love to see some of the excellent German sparkling wines included - Rieslingsekt of course, the fresh, steely sparklers made from Riesling, but also the great wines made in the traditional style of Champagne. Secondly it would be nice to include one or two rosés; I don't drink them often but there is good German rosé that will find its friends. And lastly I would be thrilled if a few more Germanic grape varieties could be featured, such as Dornfelder, Scheurebe, Rieslaner, Tauberschwarz, Muskat-Trollinger or the "exotic" Gelber Orleans. Just to show that there is always more to explore.

Submitted by Krista Sunday, 04/03/2012

I really enjoyed reading this post; definitely the next best thing to being there. And thanks for some inspiration on taking photos at tastings like these. Cheers!

Submitted by Brett Jones Sunday, 04/03/2012

Thank you for sharing your views and photos of this event. Germany has been neglected and derided for such a long time, but has been on the rebound for quite a while now, with many very good producers making great wines. Whenever I show them they are greatly appreciated.

Submitted by torsten Tuesday, 06/03/2012

Thank you both for your comments. I am quite pleased that there is increasing interest in German wine in the UK and in London, and as Brett says it seems to me that when you get people to actually taste the wines you will find much approval. Still more work to do, but then we don't want too much awareness as that would drive up the price...

Submitted by Sue Style Monday, 30/04/2012

great to see Fritz Wassmer (and many other)'s wines appreciated and discussed here - and love your championing of lesser-known German grape varieties like Dornfelder, Scheurebe etc. If you haven't already covered them, look out on your ramblings in Baden for Martin Wassmer (brother of Fritz, with whom there's lively but good-natured sibling rivalry), Jürgen von der Mark MW, Bernhard Huber, Jacob Duijn, Alexander Danner...and keep the posts coming, thanks!

sue style

Submitted by torsten Wednesday, 02/05/2012

In reply to by Sue Style

Thank your for your kind comment, Sue! We hold Baden in high esteem, and while we haven't reviewed all the estates you mention Bernhard Huber is clearly a favourite. So there will definitely be more Baden on the Wine Rambler, and we are also not giving up on the lesser known grape varieties. Cheers and many thanks! Torsten

Submitted by Alexander Wednesday, 12/12/2012

So you want to see more autochthonous grapes featured? The man can be helped.. (to say it with Schiller). Today the mail just bought me a 2011 Räuschling, one of the few if not the only one in Germany (there are some left in the Swiss canton of Zürich though). Its companion will be a Viognier from the same small cooperative in Baden, amusingly enough; because I sooooo love this grape. Maybe to be tasted on the weekend.

Submitted by torsten Thursday, 13/12/2012

In reply to by Alexander

Never even heard of Räuschling, I have to admit. Another one to add to the list of grape varieties to explore. I hope you will enjoy it!

Submitted by Alexander Thursday, 13/12/2012

In reply to by torsten

It belongs to the generation of "old" grapes there were replaced (starting in the seond third of the 18th) already in the 19th and at last in the 20th century. Like Heunisch, Knipperlé, Elbling, Kläpfer, Gänsfüßer... there are many more names. Note that in contrast, Orléans always was considered a noble grape.

Now, "old" does not necessarily equal "good". Historians know that only too well. These grapes were considered as lowly, and for a reason. However, the same "low-quality peasant vines" whose squeezed fruits filled the mighty 10,000s and even 100,000s litres vats in our castles (still to be seen today in the Heidelberger Schloss, Schloss Hohentübingen) with an equally sour and indifferent fluid, and that today make paleographic novices wonder whether the humungous figures in the old tithe registers - of Gargantuan dimensions - can at all be right (yes, they are!)... these same *v*ines might yield a very remarkable and noble *w*ine when old and being kept to a very low yield on purpose. Thus, it might well be worth to revive them at least to a limited extent.

PS: one of the few bottles of Räuschling now sells at double to triple price of the cooperative's other wines.

Submitted by Alexander Thursday, 20/12/2012

In reply to by Alexander

I had (purposefully created) the occasion to taste the dry 2011 Räuschling from the Zeller Abtsberg cooperative, grown by vintner Klaus Königer, side-by-side to a dry 2011 Silvaner "Gäseritsch" from the Alsenz valley wine estate "Hahnmühle". The Räuschling won very clearly. Both wines are robust and have strong, vivacious acidity a bit on the rustic side (Räuschling is known for that trait), but the Räuschling had more hints of nascent elegance in the nose (sweet cream, a wee bit toffee).

Now if you take in account that the 2013 Gault-Millau wine guide just attributed 86 points to this Hahnmühle Silvaner (a couple too many in my view), you can calibrate your expectations for the Räuschling. Incidentally, it seems I bought the last bottle of that year, mail-ordered online directly from the cooperative (of only about 200 filled, they are from just 120 old stocks of average 140 years age). :-P

Newspaper article and 2 (click!) images of vine and grape:
http://www.badische-zeitung.de/offenburg/zeller-winzer-packen-eine-ural…

Submitted by Alexander Friday, 21/12/2012

In reply to by Alexander

One day later, the picture is different... my first assessment of the Silvaner was premature. It is over-extracted and a bit too strenuously "built to impress", in other words the vintner tried - with a lot sweat, toil and curses - to make the wine more than what it reasonably would and could be. But the result is not bad, and will improve with time. The Räuschling, on the other hand, is tout au naturel. 140 years old, but quite tomboyish.

Submitted by torsten Friday, 21/12/2012

In reply to by Alexander

Thank you for sharing your adventures with those wines! I am really interested in those little-known, local grape varieties; sadly they are impossible to find outside of Germany and some of these small estate would not even consider shipping to Germany. However, Julian does some of the hunting for local wines for me.