A week ago I spontaneously decided to hurry to Berlin on Sunday for attending the “Gala Grosser Weine”, a wine presentation organized by a local wine store where many top German and international winemakers were presenting their products. It was a great event! Out of the German winemakers I already knew many and previously tried their wines at more close by presentations and thus the core attractions to me were big international names like Giacosa, Château Canon, Ridge, Moric or even Château La Nerthe. Can you understand my excitement? (Of course after many reds you have to come back to those German values for mineral loaded Riesling-refreshment)
The offering of quality wines was actually so abundant that I only took some quick notes for the wines that I enjoyed most. So here’s my telegram-style- or better said stock-exchange-ticker-style-list shortlist:
WHITES: Van Volxem, Saar: 2008 Alte Reben Barrel Sample: mineral and light but so young, probably a long-runner; 2008 Wiltinger Braunfels Riesling Qba: mineral, light, ballet dancing on your palate +++ Klaus Keller, Rheinhessen: 2008 Riesling “Von der Fels”: very mineral, enough weight and flavor, high but nice acidity, superb entry-level wine; 2007 Kirchspiel GG: wow, high minerality, precise, with depth, ultra-long finish, dry Riesling of the day +++ Christmann, Pfalz: 2007 Mandelgarten GG: creamy minerality, intense aromatics; 2007 Idig GG: powerful, pushing, intense, mineral and long finish +++ Josmeyer, Alsace: 2006 Pinot Gris “Fromenteau”: filigree Pinot Gris Style which surprised me, and it’s still full of flavour +++ Neumeister, Südoststeiermark: 2007 Sauvignon Blanc Klausen: this is Terroir- not Sauvignon-typicity, yellow fruits, intense flavor and balance +++ Bernhard Ott, Wagram: 2007 Der Ott Grüner Veltliner: superbalanced GV, intense flavours, long finish, perfect dose of every component in a good GV +++
REDS: Markus Schneider, Pfalz: 2007 Black Print: easy drinking Cuvée with plenty of dark fruits, enough complexity and hint of freshness +++ Domaine Rémi Jobard, Meursault: 2005 Volnay 1er Cru Les Santenots: so much finesse and a slight forest floor nose reminding Barolo +++ Moric, Burgenland: 2007 Neckenmarkter Blaufränkisch Alte Reben: balsamic nose, cherry fruit and spices, fruity, smooth texture yet structured, long finish +++ Roc des Anges, Roussillon: 2007 Segna de Cor: Grenache based Cuvée, fruit and structure but also nice mineral freshness; 2006 Vielles Vignes Rouges: similar in style but with much more finesse and depth, a bargain? +++ Château Chasse Spleen, Moulis-en-Médoc: 2006: supple style with finesse elegance and enough structure +++ Château Canon, Saint-Emilion: 2005: big and structured wine, loads of black fruit, nice mineral freshness +++ Bruno Giacosa, Piemont: 2005 Barolo: very perfumed, appearing rather sweet, fruits and spice, still young with tannins, nice length +++ Aldo Conterno, Piemont: 2004 Baroloa Colonnello: Barolo en finesse with fruit and black tea notes +++ Planeta, Sicily: 2005 Santa Cecilia Nero d’Avola: smell of tar and tea, dense with nice fruit and good structure; 2005 Burdese: slight paprika in the nose indicating Cabernet, nice depth, freshness and very mineral
One of the Stars..
Finally some more impressions… I loved the industrial setting of the E-Werk, which was the first power plant within Berlin. It is also quite known for its illegal Techno-parties during the nineties when the building was an abundoned ruin.
Old machines and rust make this an authentic place…
Sun shines in through huge windows
Rusty hook
More dark rust…
Wine Traditon survives old industries..
Busy crowd
Also, it was a great pleasure to meet fellow blogger Martin from BerlinKitchen to whom I’m also very thankful for informing me about this event and guiding me through the city.
