Buff Orpington wrote: ↑Sat Aug 10, 2019 8:50 pm
Willz the Wargamer wrote: ↑Sat Aug 10, 2019 3:22 pm
It would also help if I could have several casks of fine red wine from France, Austria, Germany and Italy.
Unless things have changed dramatically in the last generation the art of making fine red wine is not common knowledge in Germany. Austria, well at least they have cut down on the anti freeze in their white wines.
Sorry to ruin your quote
but both Germany and Austria do very nice red wines and always have done if you are willing to pay a decent price for it.
It’s true. German winemakers do produce red wine, and yes, it’s quite good. The quality is actually rising with each vintage. Red grapes now account for over a third of vineyard plantings in Germany, which might surprise those who automatically associate the country with its signature Riesling grape. That doesn’t mean that red wine is new to Germany, however. Some red grapes were documented in the country as far back as the 14th century. But whereas red German wine was historically a sweet wine, and more recently thought to be pale, thin, and acidic, today German reds can be complex, long-aging, and downright intense.
While most of Germany’s regions have classically cool climates, rising world temperatures and careful, sun-drenched site selection now allow red grapes to fully ripen. Enthusiastic young winemakers and increased interest in varietal German reds like Spätburgunder, Dornfelder, and Portugieser are making these once-rare wines increasingly available outside Germany.
There’s no doubt that it is physically possible to produce high-quality red wine in Germany, as the Germans themselves well know. But when red grapes need to compete for top vineyard sites with prized grapes like Riesling, they have to put up a tough fight. As praise and demand for German reds grow internationally.
Here are a few German reds
Salwey Spätburgunder Trocken 2014, Baden
Fragrant and elegant, this estate Pinot Noir is an incredible value for its complexity.
Shelter Winery ‘Lovely Lily’ Pinot Noir 2015, Baden
This bottle is as friendly and juicy.
August Kesseler Spätburgunder 2014, Rheingau
One of the most famous producers of Rheingau Spätburgunder, Kesseler makes wines with great structure.
Gerd Anselmann Dornfelder 2015, Pfalz
One of the few dry Dornfelder, this bottle is medium-bodied, juicy and easy-drinking.
Willz
