Only a small selection of our wines make it into the premium class . We like to call them cellar gold . But what makes them so special and how can we explain the price difference? Let's first look at the four Riesling wines that were able to win the premium rating from Graf von Weyher .
Riesling premium wines
Riesling has been grown in Germany for over 600 years (you don't even dare to think about what it was like before!) and the Palatinate is the largest Riesling growing region in the world, so our specialty if you will. Our premium Riesling is made from the same grape as the other wines. The grapes are also pressed in the same way. Same alcohol content (13%), all dry. So is it all just a marketing gimmick?
Nope. Anyone who knows anything about wine knows that the vine and the processing are just two of the important elements that make up a wine: Two other important factors are the location and yes, you won't believe it, the rock on which the vine grows! The Riesling is a grape that adapts very sensitively to its environment.
We at Graf von Weyher are very proud to have four completely different types of rock on our relatively small area (because that's rare!): red sandstone , granite , marl and slate . The differences in the rock can actually be seen with the naked eye. So be sure to come to our winery here in the beautiful Palatinate at the next opportunity and take a tour!
But back to the differences: The vines have to adapt to the subsoil and this has a direct effect on the taste. For example, red sandstone contains a lot of sand and many minerals, so it stores more water. This is quite relaxed for the vines in dry summers, especially in comparison to hard granite or multi-layered slate.
Granite, on the other hand, which is actually quite rare in Germany, has another advantage: when exposed to direct sunlight, it heats up considerably and thus stores the natural heat for a long time... which can be quite nice for the vine on cold spring nights!
It is relatively easy to understand that the location affects the taste : the more sun, the sweeter the wine. Our limestone marl and red sandstone slopes face south-west , meaning they receive ten to eleven hours of sunshine in summer (and the southern Palatinate is one of the sunniest regions in Germany, so there is plenty of sunshine!). Our slate and granite slopes, on the other hand, face south and receive a maximum of eight hours of sun in summer.
For our premium wines, we harvest each variety separately and process them with particular care. You can really taste the differences (and that does n't just apply to real wine connoisseurs!). Try it out and find out which is your personal favorite Riesling. You can find more details about Kellergold in the individual wines.
- Kalkmergel Riesling dry
- Granit Riesling dry
- Schiefer Riesling dry
This is what wine experts say:
"The scent contains aromas of orange jam, mirabelle plum compote, warm brick. The palate is robust, medium-weight in the body with some phenolics and present tactile minerality. The finish is full-bodied and dry, very pointed." Falstaff Wine Guide 2022
"Apple, verbena and apricot in the scent, lime peel, a little cumin and anise. Relaxed on the palate, well-built stature, ripe acidity, balanced and balanced, fine spice and mineral notes that line the back of the palate. Clear profile." Falstaff Wine Guide 2021
"Clean, fruity nose with notes of citrus fruit, lime peel, apricot and floral notes. Also opening on the palate with citrus fruit, juicy and balanced with ripe acidity, compact structure, fine mineral undertone, elegant and stylish." Falstaff Wine Guide 2020
"Fresh and delicately fruity on the nose. Citrus and peach aromas, paired with apricots and floral scents. Strong, still slightly playful, profound with a beautiful, very mineral acidity. Pleasant acidity - residual sweetness plays on the tongue. Compact and complex, with a long, round finish. A wine with many facets..." Dr. Rolf Klein, experienced wine author and former editor-in-chief of the magazine "Weinwelt".
Awards:
Year 2019: ( AP.No. 5073053 3821 )
91 points - excellent wine, among the best wines of the vintage. Falstaff Wine Guide 2022
Year 2018: ( AP.No. 5073053 9920 )
91 points - excellent wine, among the best wines of the vintage. Falstaff Wine Guide 2021
Year 2017: ( AP.No. 5073053 03716 )
91 points - excellent wine, among the best wines of the vintage. Falstaff Wine Guide 2020
Year 2015: ( AP.No. 5073053 03716 )
90 points at the international competition ' Best of Riesling '
Golden Chamber Prize Medal at the State Awards for Wine & Sparkling Wine awarded by the Rhineland-Palatinate Chamber of Agriculture
