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WINE COLUMN
Dry January, Dry Wines
As we welcome in the new year and some of us choose to abstain from alcohol during ‘Dry January’, The WineBarn – an award-winning German wine specialist – offer some alternatives. They have selected their finest of dry wines from a variety of winemaking regions throughout the country.
Wirsching 2019 Silvaner QbA dry
The conditions of the Franconia region, where Wirsching’s estate lies, complement the Silvaner variety. This Silvaner has a character that’s full of vitality. Its fresh bouquet shows fine fruity notes and, in taste, its youthful lightness is remarkable. This light acidity and mineral taste is so typical of their wines. The Wien Spectator awarded this wine with 88 points. The judge described the wine as having, “…a smooth texture and ample spice and mineral notes. The acidity provides great balance, lending just enough vivaciousness”.
This dry Riesling was awarded Harpers Wine Stars ‘Five Star’ rating in 2019, with judges agreeing that it is well priced, has good acidity, fruit and concentration. They described it as “juicy, fruity and spritzy”. ‘Alte Ruben’ means ‘Old Vines’, with old vines having thicker and much deeper roots, enabling them to take up more extracts and minerals from the soil than younger plants. In the Hohenrein vineyard in the Rheingua region, you can find deep loessloam and tertiary marly soil. It’s this that gives this premium wine its powerful character and intense fruit aromas of ripe, white vineyard peach, apricot and yellow citrus fruit.
Bercher’s dry Weissburgunder (Pinot Blanc) has fresh aromas of herbs, ripe apple and pear. The grapes that this wine was produced from were grown in the Baden region’s volcanic and loess soil, giving the wine its elegant mineral finish. This Weissburgunder was matured in Barrique (oak barrels).
If you would like to sample these wines for yourself, The WineBarn are inviting you to join them for their Annual Portfolio Tasting on Monday February 14, from 6pm to 8pm. The event will be held at The Kennel Club in Clarges Street, London.
With over 120 different wines on offer, this event will provide you with the unique opportunity to sample a range of fine German
Wirsching - 2019 Silvaner QbA dry. Photo: Wirsching Schloss Reinhartshausen - 2017 Hohenrain Riesling Alte Reben Grand Cru dry. Photo: Schloss Reinhartshausen Bercher - 2016 Burkheimer Feuerberg Haslen Weissburgunder Grand Cru dry. Photo: Bercher wines, including sparkling Sekts, full-bodied Spätburgunders (Pinot Noir), vintage Rieslings and sweet dessert wines.
You will also have the chance to learn more about the world of wine production directly from the winemakers themselves, who will be joining from Germany. They will be able to guide you through the fascinating journey of the regions’ unique climates, soils, cellar techniques and more.
To learn more, visit: www.thewinebarn.co.uk/pages/events
Iris Ellmann is the managing director of The WineBarn, a multi-award-winning wine merchant that has been importing premium German wines to the UK for over 20 years. The WineBarn team lives, breathes and loves wine.
To find your new favourite German wine, you can contact the awardwinning merchant The WineBarn now. Visit: www.thewinebarn.co.uk Call: 0044 (0)1962 761 215 Email: wine@thewinebarn.co.uk
