News

We are proud to announce the newest addition to the
Rudi Wiest Selections portfolio:
Ökonomierat Rebholz from the Pfalz region

How many times have we heard the statement “Germany can’t make a serious bottle of dry wine” – hogwash we say. While Riesling wines with residual sugar have made great progress the past two vintages, we stand firm in our belief Germany can make world class dry wine too. Even the latest Wine Spectator (11/15/03 page 50) eludes to “Germany’s Dry Revolution” saying “The Pfalz’s 2002 vintage demonstrates that the dry style has a bright future in Germany.”

For years we dabbled with Rheingau Charta and Erstes Gewächs selections and most recently with Pfalz Grosses Gewächs wines, but progress has been slow going. While frustrating, we haven’t given up, and continually look for new opportunities to open the door for Germany’s great dry wines. Our latest idea; uncover a new estate where the focal point would be top dry Rieslings with the hope of bringing more attention to the category.

First, find a benchmark dry Riesling producer from the Pfalz, knowing the region’s additional concentration and power would be a stylistic fit in the American market. Before making a final decision we would also travel to Berlin and attend the 2003 Grosses Gewächs tasting, reviewing 50+ wines. After even more tastings and a great deal of consultation with friends in Germany, it was clear Ökonomierat-Rebholz was the estate we wanted. At the helm is Hansjörg Rebholz, star pupil of the now retired Hans-Günter Schwarz of Müller-Catoir fame. Many colleagues regard Rebholz as one of the finest dry Riesling estates in Germany today. In addition Hansjörg is highly praised by both the international and German press alike, fans include Hugh Johnson, Jancis Robinson, Stuart Pigott, Eichelmann, Gault-Millau, and Bruce Sanderson of Wine Spectator (see 11/15/03 issue page 50).

We begin by offering Rebholz’s two best Rieslings, from the “Kastanienbusch” and “Im Sonnenschein” vineyards, expected to arrive late November 2003. Both selections have tremendous depth and power, yet retain a filigreed characteristic that belies their dimension.

Soil differentiates,
the " being more aggressive with a firm and persistent earthen mineral structure. While "Im Sonnenschein" is more elegant, looser knit and fine.

Rudi Wiest Selections
by Cellars International, Inc.
phone 760.566.0499 - info@germanwine.net - fax 760.566.0533

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