Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Auslese 2022

Located on the right bank of the Mosel, the Zeltinger Sonnenuhr vineyard is part of the steep slopes overlooking the village of Zeltingen, in the heart of Germany's Mittelmosel. This steeply sloped terroir, facing south to southwest, rests on poor, decomposed slate soils that store heat and promote slow, complete ripening of the grapes. Joh Jos Prüm's vines benefit from a cool, ventilated microclimate, conducive to the expression of the aromatic finesse and minerality characteristic of this grand cru.

Riesling grapes are harvested by hand, through successive passes, to select the ripest and botrytized berries. After gentle pressing, the must ferments slowly with indigenous yeasts, at low temperature, in old oak foudres. Fermentation is stopped to maintain a precise balance between residual sugars and acidity. The wine is then aged on fine lees in these large foudres for several months before bottling, in order to preserve the aromatic purity, finesse, and aging potential characteristic of the estate.

This wine reveals notes of ripe citrus, stone fruit, and exotic fruit, complemented by delicate floral touches and a marked mineral dimension reminiscent of wet stone and slate. On the palate, the liqueur is full and silky, supported by a lively acidity that balances the sweetness and lengthens the finish, leaving an impression of great purity and aromatic precision.

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.