We are delighted to share the latest news on our exclusive German VDP wines. Have your diary ready as you’ll want to make some notes!
First of all, we’re very happy to introduce Gut Hermannsberg, our anchor winery from the Nahe wine region. We are excited to announce that we’ll be carrying its amazing range of Rieslings starting March 2022 and wanted to give you a sneak preview of what we’ll be offering.
To visit the estate winery of Gut Hermannsberg, you drive along narrow, winding roads between steep vine-covered slopes through the enchanting Nahe Valley. Once through the entrance gates, you make your way up to the 1902-founded Royal Prussian Wine Domaine with unparalleled views. Really, it’s like taking a trip back in time.
Although the winery is now producing 150,000 bottles annually, the actual footprint of the estate, and the wine cellar, has remained unchanged since 1902. This is a testament to the forethought and planning of the original engineers. The sole structural addition is that of a modern “gateway” to the cellar, which is nestled in the courtyard between two of the original buildings. This new copper-clad building is in tribute to the original copper mine which was located on the Kupfergrube vineyard slope.
Gut Hermannsberg is unique in that it encompasses seven GG/Gran Cru vineyards located in the villages of Schlossbockelheim, Niederhausen, Altenbamberg, and Traisen. The GG wines from these areas can take years to mature fully, but a crisp minerality from the slate soils, with expressive peach notes is noted right out of the barrel.
Winemaker, Karsten Peter (picture below) shares a philosophy with the team, both in the vineyards and the cellar: to let the vines express themselves with very little human intervention.
Riesling remains the great love at Gut Hermannsberg and this passion is reflected from the vineyard to the cellar to the tasting room. The wines are the stars, and they are treated with the utmost respect and care. The only way to truly experience their “gems in a bottle” is to pop a cork and taste them first hand. We’ve had the privilege of tasting the selection of world-class Rieslings and it’s second to none.
Our next big news before we wind up for this month, we’d like to introduce our new CEO, Jeffrey Himmel and President, William Goldberg. You’ll be finding out more about Jeffrey and William soon but, for now, let’s just say they both know how to spot an exceptional German wine! We all visited Gut Hermannsberg at the back end of last year when we hand-picked the estate as our anchor winery in Nahe. We happily spent additional time at this magnificent estate to further select our portfolio estates across other iconic German wine regions. Stay tuned for more updates on our exciting selection of exceptional wines which is coming your way and offer a big welcome to Jeffrey and William.
Just Riesling
Just Riesling boasts captivating fruit aromas and harmonious acidity for a juicy, vibrant white. This Riesling expresses its origins in aromas of green apple and citrus with a slight minerality and herbal spiciness that results in a pleasant drinking experience. Youthful and uncomplicated it opens the doors to Gut Hermannsberg world of fine Riesling.
Just Riesling offers a refreshing summer glass outdoors on the terrace and, as a light aperitif, harmonizes with seasonal, light cuisine like carpaccio and ceviche as well as light pasta dishes and salads.
7 Terroirs Riesling
The “7 Terroirs” is made from 100% Gut Hermannsberg 7 VDP.GrosseLagen, which are vinified individually in the cellar and blended afterward. This spontaneously fermented Riesling displays its fine origins. Compelling complex herbal and smokey-mineral aromas can be tasted after the first sip. On the palate, this wine presents citrus and stone fruit aromas and convinces with its powerful taste and its elegance. The grapes for this wine originate from Gut Hermannsberg’s seven single vineyards which are all classified as VDP.GrosseLagen by the VDP. The diverse microclimates and soil conditions of our vineyards all shine in this Riesling. The optimal conditions of the vineyards are determined by steep slopes and the nearby Nahe- River.
“7 Terroirs” is a versatile food companion working well with grilled, roasted, or baked light meats, fish, and vegetables. We love to pair this wine with an avocado salad and grilled prawns.
Steinterrassen Riesling
The quality of this dry Riesling presents the link between Gut Hermannsberg’s VDP.Ortsweine and VDP.Grosse Gewächse. The base fruit for this quality vineyard blend hails from the steeply sloped Grand Cru vineyard “Rossel Niederhausen”. The main aromas of this captivating and complex Riesling are Amalfi-lemon and wild herbs. This “2020 Steinterassen Riesling” is an outstanding elegant dry wine that’s just starting to show its full potential.
Due to this special microclimate in the “Rossel Niederhausen”, there’s exceptional grape quality. Our “Steinberg Niederhausen” has layers of volcanic soils with iron and rhyolite soils from the era of the “Rotliegenden”. This wine is as expressive and as diverse as the soils.
A great food pairing for the “2020 Riesling Steinterrassen” is red meat, like Entrecote or roast beef. Serve with grilled vegetables and creamy risotto.
2016 Hermannsberg Riesling GG Reserve
We love the unique beauty of our monopole vineyard “Hermannsberg” which lies right in front of our manor house. The 2016 “Hermannsberg” presents a bouquet of orange zest, quince, and light lees flavors. The mouth-watering taste of ripe stone fruits, limes, and wild herbs complements sheets of racy acidity. Boasting a dry, citric finish with light tannins, this wine has all the ingredients for great aging potential.
The “Hermannsberg” is the only of the 7 VDP.Grosse Lage/ Grand Cru vineyard sites with a clay-slate bedrock. This is the source of the elegance and delicate minerality of the “Hermannsberg” wines. Layers of loess on top of the slate give the wines their rich body and mouthfeel.
Veal, poultry, liver with sage, and creamy mashed potatoes are a great match with this wine. Dishes prepared with a variety of herbs and fragrant spice, like grilled sea bream served with a creamy risotto, pair perfectly with the 2016 Hermannsberg Riesling GG Reserve.
Riesling Sekt Brut
At once light and refreshing, yet elegant and mineral-rich, our traditional-method Riesling Brut has a very attractive balanced apple and citrus aromas with a discreet creaminess from two years of sur lie aging. This refines and enriches both the harmony and the texture of the mousse. We never stop perfecting this product which is an important ambassador for our style of Riesling – one that marries authentic, deep character with fresh charm.
Our Riesling Brut has a lightness and freshness that appeals to everyone who enjoys the wines of this classic grape or other crisp dry white wines and lighter champagnes. It’s ideal for dirking on its own as well as pairing to perfection with fish dishes.