Summer 2013 No.3 \ Information for the trade The Myth of Scharzhof Legends • SaarRieslingSommer • Press

Bischöfliche Weingüter cultivates six hectares in Scharzhofberg on the . The grapes are pressed and vinified in the old Scharzhof.

Riesling from the Saar Valley and the villages mention for the first time a press house that belonged where they come from are famous. The to the farm, which, however, was later torn down in reactions to the 2011 collection – especially 1905. In 1314, the monastery obtained four morgen of vineyards that were probably in Scharzhofberg. the Rieslings from Kanzemer Altenberg and The Benedictine Abbey of St. Marien built today’s Scharzhofberg – have confirmed again the Scharzhof in 1719. In 1801, during the French Awards distinctiveness of this region. secularization, Johann Jakob Koch, a member of Decanter World Wine Awards (May 2013) the Benedictine convent, bought the property at GERMAN SWEET WINE TROPHY & GOLD for the auction in Luxembourg. He purchased it on behalf 2010 Kanzemer Altenberg Riesling Beerenauslese of his abbot Placidus Mannebach. Koch, who was SILVER: 2011 Kanzemer Altenberg Riesling Spät- The Saar River meanders leisurely along the an active priest in the parish of Wiltingen, married lese, and 2011 Kaseler Nies’chen Riesling Auslese green, sometimes gently rising, in other places, his housekeeper and drove off his former religious impressively steep falling slopes. The vines are brothers out of the property, which he kept for International Wine & Spirits Awards (May 2013) reflected in the dark waters of the scenic Saar. The himself. The old Scharzhof was then sold by Clara SILVER: 2011 DOM Riesling Qualitätswein trocken, two headstreams, Sarre Rouge and Sarre Blanche, Koch, who wanted to atone for her father’s breach 2011 Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Kabinett have their origins in France’s Lorraine region. of celibacy, to the Hohe Domkirche. The new part In Hermelange, south from Sarrebourg, the stayed in the possession of the family Müller-Koch, International Wine Challenge (May 2013) two streams join together to form the Saar, which whom, to this day, uses it as a residence and winery. SILVER: 2011 Piesporter Goldtröpfchen Riesling Kabinett runs 235 km through Lorraine, Alsace, Saarland, and At SaarRieslingSommer 2013, Bischöfliche Rhineland-Palatinate before flowing into the Weingüter Trier opens the doors of the legendary Wine Enthusiast Magazine (April 2013) River at Konz, just south of Trier. Scharzhof for one weekend. Together with many 91 points (Editors’ Choice): 2011 Scharzhofberger Like the Mosel, the Saar is also best known for other renowned Saar growers, all wine lovers are Riesling Kabinett great wine first and foremost. The majority of the cordially invited for two late summer days to visit Bischöfliche Weingüter Trier’s vineyard holdings the producers and taste their wines along the Saar. Berliner Weinführer (März 2013) are located here. The first-rate sites on steep 1st place (under 7 €): 2011 DOM Riesling trocken slopes, such as Ayler Kupp, Kanzemer Altenberg, Outstanding: 2011 Kaseler Nies’chen Riesling Spätlese trocken and Scharzhofberger, have made Saar Riesling Outstanding: 2011 Scharzhofberger Riesling Kabinett famous around the world. The latter, the legendary Very good: 2011 Riesling trocken Scharzhofberg, is one of the best vineyards in Very good: 2011 Kanzemer Altenberg Riesling Spätlese trocken . Since 1851, the Hohe Domkriche has Very good: 2011 Piesporter Goldtröpfchen Riesling Kabinett owned the historic building on the Scharzhofstraße, Very good: 2011 Scharzhofberger Riesling between Oberemmel and Wiltingen. What few Spätlese people know, not only the wines, but also the history of Scharzhof is legendary and dates back to the 10th

century. Wine Spectator (März 2013) In 1030, Adalbero von 90 points: 2011 Scharzhofberger Ries- Luxemburg, provost of St. ling Spätlese Paulin in Trier, bequeathed to the monastery St. Marien about five Hufen (or oxgang) Dr. Karsten Weyand, Estate Director, land. In 1239, ancient records and Anna Reimann, Sales Director, in conversation at Scharzhof Playful, cheerful, and compact: The wines of the Saar

As varied as the countryside along the banks mighty wall; the soil consists mostly of gray slate. of the Saar is, so diverse are the wines here. The Scharzhofberg is a prime example of a northern lime-free, well-drained, clayey slate soils have a high vineyard. The Romans planted vines here in the Dates stone content, which warms up quickly and can store middle of the third century. Scharzhofberger wines the sun’s heat for a long time. The dense covering are characterized by their subtlety and delicacy, a SaarRieslingSommer 2013 of primarily gray slate stones protects against soil stark contrast to the weathered-battered hillside. erosion during rainfall. Saar wines have a compact The cold winds from the Hunsrück regularly August 24 and 25, 12 till 6 p.m. structure and well-defined fruit, because of the sweep over the hill to provide the vines with good stony slate soil. Saar Riesling, as it’s called in the ventilation. The extreme temperature differences On the Saar, a very special experience awaits new publication Eine kulinarische Entdeckungsreise between day and night are balanced by the high wine lovers on the last weekend in August: For Mosel (Neuer Umschau Buchverlag, 34.95 €), proportion of weathered slate soil that stores the the second time, Bischöfliche Weingüter Trier, possess a “playful, off-dry, joyous” character and sun’s heat during the day and releases it back to the together with other Saar growers, invite you to often have aromas of peach and apricot, sometimes vines at night. SaarRieslingSommer. Numerous renowned Saar even exotic mango and passion fruit. Saar wines The nature of Kanzemer Altenberg is absolutely producers open their doors and invite you to are famous for their extraordinary longevity – even unique. The south-to-southeast-facing steep slate visit and taste. after many years, they are still a delight. site looks similar to an enormous wall and is located Bischöfliche Weingüter Trier cultivates vines in on the right bank of the Saar, opposite the village of Admission: four renowned Saar sites: Ayler Kupp, Scharzhof- Kanzem. The imposing slope is optimally protected 10 € per person and wine estate / 30 € for all wine estates berger, and Kanzemer Altenberg, as well as in from the cold north winds. With its proximity to Alter Scharzhof, Bischöfliche Weingüter Trier, Wiltingen, a picturesque wine village between Ayl the Saar, the temperatures are neither too high nor Scharzhofstraße, 54459 Wiltingen and Kanzem. In autumn, Scharzhof serves as the too low. The steep slope favors the sunlight and Guest producer: Weingut Ziereisen, Markgräflerland press house. makes the hillside ideal for storing heat. Send reservations to: The vineyards around Wiltingen are dominated [email protected] by slate soils, good water supply, as well as different wind and sun exposure. The interplay of these Shuttle service between the wine estates: various factors results in thrilling, savory, lively, 10 € per person and day and pure wines in a light style, which connoisseurs around the world prize in Saar wines. Shuttle service between the individual properties and to and Ayler Kupp takes its name from the top of the from Sizernich, Schweich, Ehrang, Trier Hbf, and Konz: hill, on which the famous and mostly southwest- 15 € per person and day. facing steep slope is located. The site, which looks like a whale near Ayl, produces singular, full For shuttle rides from the surrounding areas, please register fruity, and racy Rieslings. “Ayler is one of the best in advance at Kylltal-Reisen: vineyards on the Saar,” Karl Heinrich Koch said in tel.: +49 651 968900, email: [email protected] 1897. That’s right, as even in “small” years, Ayler Kupp can exploit its full potential. The bus schedules are available at Kylltal-Reisen online, by Scharzhofberg lies south of the Middle Mosel phone, or at the wine estates, and on the SaarRieslingSommer

and Rheingau and is considered the coolest 2013 Facebook Page. great site on the Saar. It’s more than 300 meters high. The slope rises behind the Scharzhof like a The New Website is online!

www.bischoeflicheweingueter.de

The team at Bischöfliche Weingüter Trier is pleased to introduce the new website. With the new and uncluttered look, you will have an easy time to browse our wine collection from top vineyards on the Mosel, Saar, and Ruwer. In addition, we have fascinating insight into the history, plus current events and awards. We look forward to your virtual visit.

News: Events, awards, and the wine estate journals are available at all times Distributors: Here, we list on request all restaurants, specialized trade, and importers Factsheets: An invaluable tool for the trade and restaurants – can be downloaded Press: Facts for journalists, but also information and images on the fly Press Quotes The Tasting Panel Scharzhofberger Riesling Spätlese The jet-setter from Trier – internationally known and loved 2011 “embodies the Mosel region in a majestic manner.”

In recent months, Bischöfliche Internationally, Bischöfliche Wein- meters, guests in business class of the Wine Spectator, Wine & Weingüter Trier’s 2011 vintage has güter Trier has received more attention, Japanese airline All Nippon Airways are Spirits und Wine Enthusiast received a lot of praise, both in the which shows both in the increasing treated to this Mosel Riesling, which is “Best Buy,” “Year’s Best,” and national and international press. “This demand for its wines abroad and in the able to inspire above the clouds, too. “Editors’ Choice,” respectively operation deserves special recognition consistently positive press coverage. in its category,” wrote Gault & Millau The popular US magazines Wine Decanter about Bischöfliche Weingüter Trier in Spectator (which last reported on one Gold Medal and German Sweet November 2012. “The team around the three estates in the 1950s), Wine & Wine Trophy. the new estate manager, Dr. Karsten Spirits, and Wine Enthusiast have rated Weyand, has given the organization with the wines “Best Buy,” “Year’s Best,” and Gault & Millau its skillfully modernized, yet traditional “Editors’ Choice,” respectively. The “This operation deserves special label a fresh start.” British magazine Decanter awards attention.” In Eichelmann 2013 – Deutsch- above all others the 2010 Kanzemer lands Weine, Bischöfliche Weingüter Altenberg Riesling Beerenauslese Eichelmann 2013 Trier is also praised: “The new with a gold medal for the “German Anna Reimann “Very consistent collection.” collection is very consistent, dry as Sweet Wine Trophy.” is a passionate well as sweet, although the strengths Among the wines, one has ambassador of Feinschmecker are still in the sweet and nobly sweet been become the undisputed the Bischöfliche “One of the 900 best wine estates segment. As for the dry, we found the star: frequent traveler, only in the wines at home and in Germany.” pure, vigorous Spätlese from Nies’chen best circles, and high up – this is abroad. really good, also the warm, lush Auslese the 2008 Graacher Himmelreich Wein-Post Scharzhofberger. The elegant Auslese Kabinett from Friedrich-Wilhelm- “Qualitative recovery of the house.” from Nies’chen and a concentrated, Gymnasium, which has blossomed dense Beerenauslese crown the range.” into a real Trier jet-setter. At 10,000 Wein-Plus.de “Upward trend in the wines of the 2011 vintage.”

United by the wine: Friedrich-Wilhelm-Gymnasium and Bischöfliche Weingüter Trier

Friedrich-Wilhelm-Gymnasium all materials – such as labels, website, Trier is one of the oldest high schools and the actual, newly printed price in Germany. The school, which was lists. The history of the property, financed to a large degree and for a whose most famous pupil is Karl Marx, long time by the their own vineyards, is provided in detail. In addition, has cultivated these with the highest- the structure of the portfolio has quality standards since 1561. In 2004, been revised, so that customers the vineyards merged with those of the have a better overview of the Bischöfliches Priesterseminar in Trier. wide range and high quality of Since the acquisition, the 25 the wines. Since a few weeks, the hectares of vine are cultivated under the new website is online. name “Friedrich-Wilhelm-Gymnasium GbR” and led to an independent estate. The cellar of Friedrich-Wilhelm- Gymnasium is located directly under the center of Trier’s old town. A Jesuits’ foundation stone from 1593 testifies to the centuries-old history of the cellar. The look of Friedrich-Wilhelm- Gymnasium has been completely redesigned in 2012 and can be seen in www.Friedrichwilhelmgymnasium.de

Comments and suggestions are Responsible for the content: Advice, orders, and service: Bischöfliche Weingüter Trier welcome and should be sent to the Dr. Karsten Weyand, Anna Reimann Tel.: +49 651 14576-0 Gervasiusstraße 1 following email address: Editor: Carolin Strunz Fax: +49 651 14576-630 54290 Trier an der Mosel Design: [email protected] propeller – Agentur für www.bischoeflicheweingueter.de Neue Kommunikation, Trier [email protected] Photos: Langer, Arnoldi, Bohn I mp r i n t