It makes the rounds in Rheinhessen – there is a new association for winemakers. The Maxime Herkunft Rheinhessen (focus on the Rheinhessen origin) was founded at the beginning of the year and the number of member companies is constantly increasing!
At the Local Wine Preview in April, in the run-up to the “VdP.Weinbörse” in Mainz, the wineries presented themselves for the first time together at the Local Wine Preview, in cooperation with Rheinhessenwein eV and the VdP, in the Mainz Palace.
Alexander Flick had already explained to us in a session at the Vinocamp Rheinhessen what purpose and which goals are pursued with the founding of the association … but in the end many questions remained open …
THE ESSENTIALS SUMMARISED ON THE MAXIM ORIGIN RHEINHESSEN
The maxim Origin Rheinhessen is open to all winegrowers who commit themselves to the use of the 3-stage system of estate, local and site wines. This system was initiated by the VdP several years ago and is now used by many winegrowers due to its simplification.
From the local wine level onwards, there are yield restrictions or recommendations and a focus is placed on regionally typical and traditional grape varieties.
To get an overview of who is present at the moment and – most importantly – how the wine tastes, I went to the beautiful rooms of the Mainz palace, to the local wine preview on 22.04.2017, to taste the new 2016 wines.
My action was more random than arbitrary – with a good mixture of known and newly discovered! 🙂
Here is a small selection of my findings, which I especially liked, in any order – short and concise …
Winery Wechsler, Westhofen
Silvaner with slight acid notes, internal concentration, reduced fruit aromas
Winery Westerhaus Estate, Ingelheim
Pinot Blanc from the small wood, first time use – still very young, but with potential – I would like to try again later 😉
Chardonnay from one of the oldest vineyards in Rheinhessen, special flavours because of the champagne clone. Present acidity, but well integrated and aromas of candied orange – delicious!
Winery Becker Landgraf, Gau-Odernheim
Pinot Blanc, typical of the grape variety, 1g residual sweetness, creamy
Pinot Gris from 1200l barrel and stainless steel, also 1g residual sweetness, melty
Winery Fogt, Badenheim
Silvaner made of stainless steel, fruity with a beautiful reverberation
Riesling from the “Sea of Stones” with present acidity and mineral notes, light yellow fruit
Winery Krebs-Grode, Einsheim
The perfect example of what labels can do … because of the label I became aware of the winery 😉
Pinot Blanc – beautifully varietal, present fruit aromas, pleasantly balanced, melty
Winery Flick, Bechtolsheim
… after I had not managed to taste the wines at the Vinocamp Rheinhessen, this had to be made up for now of course …
Pinot Blanc with 20% wooden barrel, pleasant fruit and acidity integration, spontaneous
Pinot Gris from clay, very clear and straight, buffered acid
What I liked very much was the atmosphere of optimism that I could sense from the conversations. Sure, the association has been newly founded and it will be necessary to wait and see – but perhaps this is another new impulse for innovation in Rheinhessen.
Conclusion:
It would be desirable if this initiative could provide further new impulses in and for Rheinhessen and further simplify labelling.