Schloss Johannisberg Rosalack Auslese 2021

This cuvée comes from Schloss Johannisberg, a historic Rheingau estate set on a hill overlooking the Rhine, near Geisenheim in Hesse. This single-block vineyard enjoys a pronounced southern exposure, which encourages slow, even ripening of the grapes. The vines draw their character from Taunus quartzite soils, complemented by loam and clay. The nearby river tempers the climate and reflects light onto the slopes. This environment combines northern freshness, ripe fruit and the mineral expression typical of the great Rieslings of Johannisberg.

The grapes, selected at full ripeness, are harvested by hand and then carefully pressed. The must is fermented and the wine aged in large traditional wooden casks.

This wine reveals notes of ripe peach, candied apricot and pineapple, lifted by the freshness of lemon zest. Hints of white flowers, acacia honey and beeswax enrich its expression, while a touch of wet stone underlines its Rhine origin. The palate is broad, smooth and delicately unctuous, carried by lively acidity that balances the sweetness. The long, precise finish extends the flavours of ripe fruit, honey and minerality with a remarkable sense of freshness.

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.