Germany - famous primarily for the world-class Grape/riesling">Riesling produced in its Mosel region - is entering a New phase in its wine history. At the beginning of the 21st century, the country's winemakers are convincingly proving that they are good for more than just Mosel Riesling. High-quality German Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir) is now emerging from various regions, including Baden, the Palatinate and even the tiny Ahr Valley.
Overlooking a much lesser period of glory - the 1970s and 1980s - Germany has a Long and illustrious history of viticulture.
The Romans established the country's first Vineyards along the banks of the Moselle River near present-day Trier. In the third century AD, plantings spread to several neighbouring valleys, mainly those of the Moselle's tributaries. During the Middle Ages, the Christian church, especially the Cistercian and Benedictine monasteries, had a great influence on the development of viticulture and the production of quality wine in Germany. Two of the most famous names in German wine - the Rheingau vineyards Schloss Johannisberg and Kloster Eberbach - were established as monasteries and have been producing wine for almost 900 years.
Germany's largest grape variety, Riesling, was first documented in the Rheingau in 1435, and found its way to the Moselle shortly afterwards. In 1720, Johannisberg Castle became the first large vineyard to be planted exclusively with this "superior" variety. In the mid to late 18th century, botrytised wines developed, and by the 19th century, Rhine wines were selling at prices higher than those of the first growths of Bordeaux.
The German wine industry lost its way in terms of quality during the 20th century, expanding plantings to less favourable sites and increasing yields to levels where quality was severely compromised.
Le Domaine Skincare features a serum, a cream, a fluid cream and a cleansing emulsion, all of which are vegan and suitable for all skin types. The products are made from organic matter that was previously discarded after the grapes had been pressed. Le Domaine Skincare’s packaging also includes recyclable glass bottles and jars, and reusable stoppers made of oak cut from the scraps of the vineyard’s wine barrels. ‘It is about imitating nature’s organic cycles, its original beauty,’ said Pitt, wh ...
With culinary inspiration dating back to 1935, our restaurant brand Madhu’s specialises in South Asian cuisine with an East African influence. It’s thanks to the secret recipes handed down across eight decades that we have become caterers for royalty, dignitaries and Asian weddings – and that our original Southall location has been named Best Indian Restaurant multiple times by Pat Chapman’s Cobra Good Curry Guide. Over the past few years I’ve been working on creative combinations to find the pe ...
Severe drought and heatwaves have provided challenges for wine producers across Europe in 2022, from maintaining vine health to concerns about – and the impact of – wildfires. Early harvests have been a feature of the vintage and reports emerged this week of records being broken at some white wine-producing estates in Bordeaux. Spain’s Caserío de Dueñas estate in DO Rueda said it began a record early harvest on 16 August this year. While drought and heat have put pressure on yields in some regio ...
