Chill out, put your feet up, and welcome Fritz Willi - a deliciously irreverent modern Riesling.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Fragrant aromas of ripe apricots, citrus and apple. 

Palate

Minerality and ripe, rounded stone fruit flavours are balanced by zesty lemon sherbert characters - giving an appealing off-dry style that retains a surprisingly crisp finish.

Producer

The Friedrich Wilhelm Gymnasium name originates from the Jesuit school founded in Trier in 1561. Through the centuries, wine production from the estate's vineyards helped to support the school. Today the estate consists of around 25 hectares on the steep slopes of the Middle Mosel and Saar - all exclusively dedicated to Riesling.

The cellars lie deep under the city of Trier - where a stone in the foundations bears the date 1593. Here fermentation takes place in stainless steel or in traditional Mosel 'Fuder' (1000 litre barrels.

The school itself changed names a number of times following its foundation, but an interesting note is that one of its more famous pupils was Trier-born Karl Marx!

Production Method

The Riesling grapes are sourced from the steep slatey soils of the Saar and Mosel. After careful picking and selection, the grapes are fermented in 100 litre oak Fuder and stainless steel - both parts blended later to add complexity. The wine rests on its fine lees before bottling.

Specifications

The hills are alive with the sound of music!

Tasting Notes

Aromatic and ripe on the nose. This is a delicious and complete white blend with rounded orchard fruit and green apples, plenty of fleshy texture and a racy, refreshing acidity.

Production

Pneumatic pressing, temperature-controlled fermentation, no finings and minimal filtration all help to preserve pure varietal character of the wine. Here classic varieties Pinot Blanc and Riesling have been blended with the less well-known Sylvaner grape which brings delicacy and satisfying acidity.

Producer

Widely regarded as one of the best co-operatives in the world, Cave de Turckheim lies at the mouth of the Munster Valley. Working closely with 180 partners, its vineyards span the full breadth of Alsatian terroir and grape varieties. Cave de Turckheim only produces wine from the grapes of its member growers, it is a récoltant not a négociant.

Substantial investment in the winery has enabled the team to vinify many parcels of grapes separately, offering Michel Lihrmann (senior winemaker for 25 years) the chance to highlight each wine's nuances in his signature dry, yet fruit forward, style.

Committed to producing the highest quality wines, growers are encouraged to keep yields low - for example, Cave de Turckheim voluntarily caps yields for its Grands Crus vineyards at 45hl/ha rather than the permitted 55hl/ha - and to pick the grapes by hand. This is part of a long term and innovative strategy of sustainability that includes developing the largest holdings of organic vineyards in Alsace, using natural alternatives to chemical treatments, and a green overview of all vineyard practices. Alongside some great organic wines, the extensive range runs from the excellent value Tradition wines right through to individual Grand Cru bottlings, plus fantastic Crémants d’Alsace and Vendange Tardive dessert wines.

Sustainability

An awareness of social and environmental concerns has always been high on the agenda for the Cave de Turckheim’s growers. They were among the first in France to practice integrated agriculture, an approach that combines the best of modern tools and technologies with traditional practices, lowering the consumption of energy and other resources, reducing environmental pollution, conserving biodiversity and promoting sustainability. In 2014, all the members of the co-operative obtained Agri Confiance Volet Vert (Green Section) certification and in 2015, they all obtained High Environmental Value Level 2 certification. The growers are aiming for HVE Level 3 certification in late 2019.

In 2008, a number of growers decided to commit to the rigorous standards of organic viticulture. As part of Alliance Alsace, approximately 70 hectares of vines are now cultivated organically, having obtained organic certification in 2011, with a further 30 hectares in transition. These vignerons have revived ancestral practices, tilling the soil and undertaking work that facilitates the elimination of weeds and the combat against the two major diseases: powdery mildew which is tackled with sulphur and mildew which is treated with copper sulphate. Natural fertilisers are also used (nettle, horsetail, comfrey, and dandelion), fortifying the vines and increasing their natural resistance. Organic winegrowers meticulously observe their vines, enabling them to intervene in the right place and at the right time, rather than treating the plants systematically.

Turckheim’s commitment to the environment extends to the winery where it strives to conserve natural resources. Sorting waste for recycling, reducing its carbon footprint, using solar panels, and preventing pollution are just some examples of how environmental considerations are present in every aspect of its daily work. Committed to both the environment and its customers, Cave de Turckheim also plays an important role in the local economy.

Specifications

Modern and appealing dry German Riesling at its best.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Delicately floral with citrus and light flinty aromas. 

Palate

The palate is pure with green apple, refreshing citrus acidity, stony minerality and good length.

Production

The grapes originate from the steep and slatey soils of the Mosel, Saar and Ruwer. After careful picking and selection, the grapes are fermented in 1000L oak Fuder and stainless steel tanks before blending. The wine rests for a few months on its fine lees to add complexity.

Producer

Bischöfliche Weinguter Trier cultivates approximately 95 hectares of vineyard, among them some of the Mosel, Saar and Ruwer's most legendary sites. Almost 90% of production is Riesling, with grapes crushed and pressed at Scharzhof on the Saar and Duisburger Hoffman on the Ruwer.

Wines are then aged in either traditional fuder or stainless steel in their vast vaulted cellars in the heart of Trier, which date back to Roman times.

Notes of Sustainability

The estate has implemented and maintains an integrated management system for quality, environmental, occupational, health and safety, and food safety that is certified by EcoStep. 

Awards

• Bronze Sommelier Wine Awards 2020 (2018 Vintage)

Alan's Personal Notes

"This is very good. A solid Riesling characteristics with an added touch of minerality and some herbal & spicy notes. Lovely fresh fruit, balancing acidity, great complexity and good length. All in all a really decent glass of wine 10/10." May 2023

Specifications.

Made by Falstaff Winegrower of the Year 2020, Fritz Miesbauer.

Tasting Notes

Colour

Light yellow-green, silver reflections.

Nose

Inviting fresh tropical fruit nuances of passion fruit and papaya, a hint of tangerine zest underneath.

Palate

Juicy, fine peach fruit, freshly structured, lively, easy-drinking style, lemony touch on the finish.

Producer

The Weingut Stadt Krems is not only located in the center of the city of 28,000 - it also belongs to it. The entire 31 hectares of vineyards are within the city limits. With a history spanning more than 550 years, the winery is one of the oldest in Europe. As a member of the "Austrian Traditional Wine Estates" association, we have committed ourselves to maintain historic, venerable locations. 

The young team of winemakers has one goal: to produce puristic terroir wines. Here everything revolves around the varieties Grüner Veltliner and Riesling. The wines tell of the origin of the grapes, the character of the region, and the individuality of the grape varieties. Authenticity always comes first.

Specifications

The Kamptal DAC region is one of the three top wine-growing areas of the Danube region. The estate was founded in the 12^th Century by Cistercian monks, who produced wine until the late 1990’s, when Michael Moosbrugger took over.

Tasting Notes

Colour

Yellow with silver reflections.

Nose

Intense, complex nose showing bready, yeast characters and toast.

Palate

Hints of lemon come trough in the mouth with an overall round palate suggesting barrel-fermentation before crisp acidity on the finish.

Production

The base wine of this sparkling is a selection of varieties (Pinot Noir Riesling Grüner Veltliner from throughout the wine estate and its locations. The grapes from Heiligenstein, Gaisberg, Grub and Lamm are harvested at the right moment, laid in small boxes and immediately pressed, whereby only the heart of the basic wine is used.

After six months of cask storage, it is filled into bottles for the second fermentation. It then rests for two to three years on the yeast, which contributes to a creamy texture, until it is turned slightly and riddled by hand, then degorged.

Producer

SCHLOSS GOBELSBURG, a Cistercian monastic estate, is one of the oldest wineries in the Austrian Danube area with a documented history that dates back to 1171. All the vineyards are located on slopes and terraces around the valley of the river Kamp near the town of Langenlois and the village of Gobelsburg. Schloss Gobelsburg specialises in Grüner Veltliner and Riesling and produces authentic and noble wines from different single vineyards, villages, and regional appellations. The winery is a member of the association 'Österreichische Traditionsweingüter', which is working on a vineyard classification project for the Danube area.

Accolades

Wine Enthusiast - 90 points: A hint of straw and fragrant hay appears alongside the citrus notes on the nose. The palate has fresh lively lemony fizz that accentuates the freshness and slenderness of the palate and turns this into an ideal and totally appetizing aperitif.

Gourmet Traveler - 91 points (4/5 stars): NV Schloss Gobelsburg Brut Reserve has an intense, complex nose showing bready, yeast characters and toast. Hints of lemon come through in the mouth with an overall round palate suggesting barrel-fermentation before crisp acidity on the finish. “It is showing hints of development, butter, nuts and croissant,” found Yallop. “Tight structure, ripe and green apple and a thick acid line. A touch of reduction adds interest “

Specifications

Rainer Wess wines have been synonymous with high quality wines from the Kremstal. He started studying wine in the 1980's and working in Bordeaux. He moved back to Austria in the 90's and worked with some of the top wineries in the area before setting up his own winery in 2003. 

Tasting Notes

2011 was a ripe vintage, producing generous powerful wines. Loibenberg has gneiss soil on top of granite rock, which helps aid minerality in the wine. 

Herbs, stone fruit, multi-layered aroma, papaya, full-bodied wine, harmonious drinking flow, slightly peppery notes in the finish, long reverberation

From the World Heritage Site and enchanting feel-good landscape - that is the Wachau, the narrow Danube valley between Melk and Krems. A great Riesling—full and generous, yet focused with precise acidity. An aromatic bouquet of yellow apple, pear, lemon, and pineapple. Elegant and balanced with a long, lovely finish.

Tasting Notes

Colour

Medium greenish yellow, silver reflections.

Nose

Inviting nuances of fresh tropical fruit, underlaid with vineyard peach and fresh orange zest, a hint of lime, seductive bouquet.  

Palate

Full-bodied, tight-knit, shows fine fruit expression, fresh acidity, yellow peach, mineral-taut finish, very good length. Secure ageing potential, already very inviting and accessible in its youth. Please let it mature!

Producer

The Wachau Valley is one of the most beautiful historic landscapes in the world and has been included, since 2000, as part of the UNESCO World Heritage. Here in between the Danube on the one side and the mountains on the other side is the village of Spitz.

Five generations of Hirtzbergers have lived here, tending the vines which have been planted in the Wachau Valley in the 13th Century. Today wine is produced with all the modern know-how at our disposal, but still following the tradition of the Wachau Valley and our family.

Accolades

• 96-98 points - Falstaff 2020 

Specifications