Kiedrich Gräfenberg Riesling Trocken GG

Looking for a system that would be clear to consumers and allows German wines to be on the same level as the ‘Grands Crus’ from around the world, the VDP (Verband Deutscher Prädikats) German association of wineries producing quality wines, established a classification system of large plots on three levels: ‘Gutsweine’ (branded wines), ‘Lagenweine’ (wines from classified estates, similar to Burgundy’s ‘premiers crus’) and ‘Grosse Gewächse’ (large historic estates equivalent to Burgundy’s ‘grands crus’). This latter category includes Kiedrich Gräfenberg Riesling Trocken GG. This is the best wine of the estate made by Robert Weil, a winery founded in 1875 in the heart of Kiedrich, in Rheingau, which, with exceptional vineyards, has been able to raise the reputation of the Riesling variety better than anyone else.

Kiedrich Gräfenberg Riesling Trocken GG comes from “Große Gewächse” vineyards that have been known since the 12th century as “mons Rhingravii” (the mountain of the Rhine counties). A German equivalent of Grand Cru with a high slate and gravel content and a slope of up to 60%. Because of its extreme altitude, all the work is done by hand and once the Riesling grapes are harvested and selected by hand, they undergo traditional vinification in the winery. Firstly, the best grapes are destemmed and crushed and then the resulting must is fermented on lees in large, old oak barrels at controlled temperatures for 6 to 12 weeks. Finally, it undergoes a gentle filtration before bottling.

The result is Kiedrich Gräfenberg Riesling Trocken GG, a very mineral wine that embodies the qualities of an exceptional terroir. A monumental dry Riesling that stands out for its concentration and marked minerality.