Gutedel 2022

The Gutedel from the Ziereisen estate comes from the Markgräflerland region in the far southwest of Germany, between the Black Forest and the French border. The vines are planted on well-exposed slopes around the village of Efringen-Kirchen, not far from the Rhine. The soils are predominantly marl and limestone, sometimes mixed with loess, providing a cool, well-drained terroir that promotes precise and structured wines. The semi-continental climate, tempered by the Rhine influence, allows the grapes to ripen slowly and preserves a vibrant acidity and a pronounced minerality.

The Gutedel grapes from the Ziereisen estate are hand-harvested, carefully sorted, and then gently pressed before undergoing spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts. The must ferments slowly in large casks or vats at low temperatures to preserve the aromatic finesse and purity of the fruit. The wine is then aged on its fine lees for several months in these traditional containers, with minimal intervention, before bottling without extensive filtration to retain the authentic character and minerality of the terroir.

This wine reveals notes of green apple , crisp pear , and citrus fruits like lemon , complemented by delicate floral touches reminiscent of white blossom and linden, as well as mineral nuances evoking wet stone and chalk. On the palate, the wine is elegant, with fresh acidity, a light yet precise texture, very little richness, and a taut, mouthwatering, and slightly saline finish that prolongs the aromatic sensations.

Germany has a long and illustrious history of winemaking. The Romans established the country's first vineyards along the banks of the Moselle River, near the present-day city of Trier. By the third century AD, vineyards had spread to various neighboring valleys, primarily those of the Moselle's tributaries. During the Middle Ages, the Christian church, particularly the Cistercian and Benedictine monasteries, had a significant 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. However, in recent years, wine drinkers have tended to prefer drier wines. Consequently, the German market has evolved to cater to all tastes with some splendid dry Rieslings and other white wine varieties, such as Pinot Blanc, Gewürztraminer, and Grauburgunder. Warmer summers and milder winters have also favored rosés and reds, with Pinot Noir being the third most planted grape variety in the country. So, take your pick—from traditional Rieslings to great reds, the range is wide and still expanding. The German wine industry lost its way in terms of quality during the 20th century, expanding plantings onto less favorable sites and increasing yields to levels where quality was severely compromised. However, Germany's greatest wine producers were never completely lost, and since the end of the 20th century, considerable efforts have been made to restore Germany'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 are bound by a commitment to focus their efforts on quality rather than quantity. In terms of volume, Germany ranks among the top ten countries in the world for annual wine production. Just over 60% of the wine produced is white, and it is widely acknowledged that the white wines from Germany's best vineyards and most reputable producers are among the finest in the world. German red wines are also gaining in popularity and quality, particularly those made from Spätburgunder, the local name for Pinot Noir. The second most popular red grape variety (in terms of planted hectares, at least) is Dornfelder.