Castell – that’s almost a synonym for Silvaner. There is evidence that the first Silvaner was planted here, in this picturesque place in Lower Franconia, in 1659. The fact that the Fürstlich Castell’sche Domänenamt is so skilled with this grape variety is rooted in tradition and a dedicated passion for it. We are proud and excited to bring the 6. Apriles 1659 Silvaner to North America, available March 2022.
The name honors the date of the first Silvaner planting in Franken. Shades of pale gold glimmer in the glass as enchanting to the eye as the complex aromas are to the nose; a rich range of ripe yellow pear, peach, baked lemons and candied ginger peel together with toasty notes of barrel aging. Creamy on the dry palate with a racy acidity and equal parts momentum and concentration. Beneath the barrel influence lies the classic Silvaner complexity and depth marked with plenty of curves and contours. A wine that rewards a bit of patience, and a large- bowled glass. Drink 2023 – 2033
If you want to learn more about Silvaner and what it has in common with the popular Austrian Grüner Veltliner check out the recent Vinum publication of this Sortenvergleich that was held in 2021 in the Göttfried Restaurant in Linz and have a look at some of these facts about the two varietals.
With 14,400 hectares (31 percent of the total wine growing area), Grüner Veltliner is by far the leading Austrian grape variety
The Weinviertel is the main region, here the term “Pfefferl” (pepper) became an iconic advertising tag line for it
With the 2002 vintage, they called it “Der Grüne” (the Green) and Grüner Veltliner was made the first DAC-Wein (origin designation) to be associated with the name of the wine-growing region
Decades ago, Silvaner was by far the leading grape variety in Germany (peak in 1954 with 22,400 hectares)
Then Riesling, Müller-Thurgau and new breeds took over the lead. Today about 4,750 hectares are still planted with Silvaner
Franken, Rheinhessen and partly Baden keep the Silvaner flag high
Check out our GG Silvaner that we will present next week together with the announcement of our second Top VDP producer from Franken…
Happy Reading!
