Get It On

Darren Baker Gallery, 81 Charlotte St, Fitzrovia, London W1T 4PP - 8 November 2016

Sponsored by Wines of Germany, ‘Get it On 2016’ is a trade tasting event showcasing German wines looking for representation in the UK. The wines presented were a selection from two campaigns run by Wines of Germany ‘Top 50’ and ‘Get it On’.

Since its inception in 2014, the ‘Get it On’ campaign has resulted in a further 27 producers entering into the UK market. This equates to just over 25% of the total number who submitted wines. More than 90 German wine producers entered wines into the blind tasting this year to be assessed by a panel of German wine specialists, notably Anne Krebiehl MW, Matt Walls, Helena Nicklin, Christina Schneider, Roger Jones and Beth Willard. All of the successful wineries provided an additional wine for the tasting to further illustrate the style of wine they produce.

The event also featured a selection of wines from the ‘Top 50’ campaign through which German wines are judged by a panel comprising Xenia Irwin MW, Alex Hunt MW, Matt Walls, Roger Jones, Christine Parkinson and James Comyn. From a blind tasting of more than 150 wines, the panel selected their Top 50, 20 of which are looking for UK agents.

The UK is one of Germany’s leading export markets and continues to be very important to Germany’s success. If current trends continue, Germany looks likely to become a niche player in the UK market supplying quality wines at premium prices. This trend has been buoyed by increased interest in sales of Pinot Noir in the UK. There is also evidence that consumers are buying less wine but selecting quality over quantity, particularly when it comes to German wines. Whilst German Riesling has always performed well at the top end of the on-trade, it is exciting to see independent producers now championing Pinot Noir and Pinot Blanc. German wine is definitely well positioned to flourish as a premium product here in the UK.

Below are some of my favourites from the ‘Get it On’ campaign, together with my personal top 5 from the ‘Top 50’.

Region: Baden

Weingut Heitlinger

http://weingut-heitlinger.de/en/?winegallery/overview

Weingut Heitlinger is located in Kraichgau between Karlsruhe, Heidelberg and Heilbronn. Heitlinger is one of Germany’s largest organic wine producers and has vineyards covering more than 110 ha.

2015 Weissburgunder (Pinot Blanc) – from south facing vineyards in a warm site, this Pinot Blanc is rich and creamy with ripe citrus and stone fruit and complementing acidity.

2014 Riesling GG, Schellenbrunnen – from vineyards grown on slopes of around 40% which enjoy sunny days and cool nights, this elegant Riesling has great typicity with a petrol nose, ripe zesty limes and good minerality.

Region: Hessische Bergstrasse

Bergsträsser Winzer

http://www.bergstraesserwinzer.de/

Hessische Bergstrasse is the smallest wine growing region in Germany and Bergsträsser Winzer is the largest winery in the region. The winery specialises in producing Auslese, Beerenauslese, Trockenbeerenauslese and Eiswein.

2015 Riesling Kabinett feinherb, Heppenheimer Schlossberg – with a herbal nose and a grassy palate, this Riesling is extremely light and refreshing.

2015 Riesling Spätlese fruchtig, Heppenheimer Steinkopf – this is a more complex Riesling, very rich, ripe and fruity, with 40.7g/l residual sugar.

Region: Mosel

Familie Rauen

http://www.weingut-familie-rauen.de/

Familie Rauen is a family-run wine estate with 12 ha of vineyards located in the Mosel valley. Vines grow on steep slopes in slate soils and 70% production is Riesling.

2015 Riesling, Grauschiefer – this is a zesty citrusy Riesling with complementing acidity and a hint of sweetness.

2015 Riesling Auslese – with 136g/l residual sugar, this Riesling is sweet and full bodied, with an excellent concentration of ripe lemons and limes.

Region: Pfalz

Oberhofer

http://www.weingutoberhofer.de/en/11/first-page.html

Oberhofer produces both still and sparkling wines from low yielding high quality grapes. The estate is home to the oldest vines in the world; some planted more than 400 years ago which still produce grapes.

2014 Gewürztraminer trocken, Rosengarten – this is a bone dry, full-bodied Gewürztraminer with delicate aromas of violets and rose.

2014 Gewürztraminer Spätlese Edition – with 43.1g/l residual sugar, this beautiful Gewürztraminer has aromas and flavours of honeydew melon and ripe apricots.

Region: Rheinhessen

Jean Buscher

https://www.jeanbuscher.wine/Startseite

Jean Buscher has been producing wine since 1844 and classical wine-making traditions have been preserved. Sixth generation winemaker, Jean Raphael Buscher continues the principle of preserving the natural characteristics of each wine to showcase individual fruit flavours.

2015 Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir), Blanc de Noir – this elegant white combines the perfect marriage of great fruit, acidity and sugar.

2013 Weissburgunder, Stein – I would compare this Pinot Blanc to a classy White Burgundy. It has great fruit, complementing acidity and excellent integration of oak.

My personal top 5 from the 'Top 50'

Korrell Johanneshof

Nahe, 2015 Riesling, Slice of Paradise – this is a very powerful Riesling with great typicity. Fabulous wine!

Nikolaus Köwerich

Mosel, 1999 Riesling – another stunning Riesling with mouth-watering acidity, white flowers, ripe citrus and a long finish.

Bastgen

Mosel, 2014 Riesling – with 73g/l residual sugar, this fruity Riesling is packed full of fresh green apple, juicy pear and zesty lemons with a touch of honey.

Am Kaiserbaum

Pfalz, 2015 Rieslaner Auslese, Lerchenspiel – this gorgeous dessert wine has excellent acidity, low levels of alcohol and aromas and flavours of juicy nectarines, Seville orange marmalade and Acacia honey. Simply stunning!

Hanewald-Schwerdt

Pfalz, 2013 Spätburgunder, Kalkriff – this is reminiscent of a red Burgundy, with ripe red cherries, soft tannins and good depth of flavour.

The backdrop of the Darren Baker Gallery provided this tasting with good open space, white surfaces and a comfortable, light, and airy environment. It was great to be able to taste wines at leisure and to be able to re-visit those of particular interest. Thanks to Wines of Germany for hosting such a superb event.