Rheingau – Past, Present, (And Future?) Greatness
The Rheingau. A small, splendidly historic region of aristocratic estates and superb terroir awaiting an energizing charge. The steady ship in Germany’s often storm-tossed seas, navigating…
Balance with a Bit of an Accent
“Free your mind and the rest will follow.” Coming from one of the co-owners of Germany’s oldest wine trading houses, one might suspect a quote…
The New Magnetism of “Alt” Mosel
Abandoned vineyards and hard work are opening opportunities for young growers to try their hands a wine growing and making on the Mosel.
German Wine’s Radical Love Machine
Known to his 18,000-plus Instagram followers as @soilpimp, Robert Dentice is a German wine collector and vinyl fanatic, founder of the Riesling Study event series,…
Landwein: Flouting Rules to Follow Instinct
Germany seems to require an official examination for everything. Qualitätsweine (“quality wines”) are no exception. Those that fail the test are slapped with the Landwein label. In April 2015,…
Germany’s Blanc de Noir: In Praise of B Sides
I’ve been a fan of B sides since, well, pretty much since there have been B sides. Record companies have historically used vinyl’s flipside as…
Gantenbein and the Secrets of Switzerland’s Cult Wine
For most of us, it would be easier to climb the Matterhorn in flip-flops than to lay hands on a bottle of wine made by Daniel and…
German Wines’ Compass Swings North
For decades, America was indeed the promised land: A vast nation of eager consumers with a low bar for entry. German winemakers were among the…
Sammie Steinmetz: A Voice for Change in the Mosel
Sammie Steinmetz is one half of Weingut Günther Steinmetz, a mid-sized, family-run winery in Brauneberg on the Mosel. Born in Pensacola, Florida, Sammie came to Germany…
TRINK This! Gewürztraminer
The view from the Gasthaus patio across the South Tyrolean valley is framed by lush vegetation and floral splendor. Three weeks ahead of schedule, nature has already…
Müller-Thurgau: A Shoulder for Germany to Cry On
Müller-Thurgau was a blessing and a curse for 20th-century Germany. Emily Campeau asks whether new respect from growers can make a contender in the 21st.
Silvaner’s Moment is Now
Silvaner. It’s complicated. Ask about its nature or character, and like as not you’ll get one answer: asparagus. With delicate vegetal aromas and moderate acidity, Silvaner is…