Schloss Johannisberg Bronzelack Trocken 2021

The Schloss Johannisberg vineyard occupies an emblematic hill in the Rheingau, at Johannisberg, on the right bank of the Rhine. Its south-facing slopes overlook the river and enjoy generous sunshine, while the Taunus range shelters them from cold winds. The soils, marked notably by quartzite and stony formations, encourage deep rooting and a taut expression of Riesling. This historic terroir, farmed as a monopole around the castle, combines the regulating influence of the Rhine with temperature swings that favour freshness, precision and ripeness in the grapes.

This dry white Riesling is made from grapes carefully harvested on the estate's slopes.

This wine reveals notes of ripe lemon, grapefruit and white peach, lifted by touches of white flowers and fresh apple. A backbone of wet stone, saline minerality and citrus zest underlines its Rhine origin. The palate is straight and energetic, with a supple yet precise texture, carried by lively, well-integrated acidity. The clean, lingering finish extends a fresh, dry and delicately fruity impression.

Germany has a long and illustrious history of viticulture. The Romans established the country's first vineyards along the banks of the Moselle, near the present-day city of Trier. In the third century AD, plantings spread to various neighbouring valleys, mainly those of the Moselle's tributaries. In the Middle Ages, the Christian Church, particularly the Cistercian and Benedictine monasteries, had a great influence on the development of viticulture and the production of quality wine in Germany. Germany has always been renowned for its excellent white wines: slightly sweet, low in alcohol but always of high quality. In recent years, however, wine drinkers have tended to prefer drier wines. As a result, the German market has evolved to suit every taste, with some splendid dry Rieslings and other white varieties such as Pinot Blanc, Gewurztraminer and Grauburgunder. Warmer summers and milder winters have also favoured rosés and reds, with Pinot Noir now the third most widely planted grape variety in the country. So take your pick: from traditional Rieslings to great reds, the range is wide and still growing. The German wine industry lost its way in terms of quality during the 20th century, extending plantings onto less favourable sites and pushing yields to levels where quality was severely compromised. However, Germany's finest producers never entirely lost their way, and since the late 20th century considerable efforts have been made to restore the country's former glory. Yields are now limited by law, and many leading producers have joined forces to form the VDP association (see German wine labels). Members of the VDP commit to focusing their efforts on quality rather than quantity. In terms of volume, Germany is among the world's top ten countries for annual wine production. Just over 60% of the wine produced is white, and it is widely accepted that the white wines from Germany's best sites and most reputable producers are among the greatest in the world. Germany's red wines are also growing in popularity and quality, especially those made from Spätburgunder, the local name for Pinot Noir. The second most popular red grape (in terms of hectares planted, at least) is Dornfelder.