We aim to have all wines be vintage specific. In the case the listed vintage is out of stock and you note you would like that particular vintage, we will inform you via email for approval to go ahead.
About This Wine
"Allocation only, email wine@worldwine.com.au to secure allocation"
The Fenchelberg parcel is located exactly on the border between Rothenberg and Pettenthal, in a sense representing their link. In the Fenchelberg, natural springs emerge, a special feature in the otherwise dry Roter Hang. These springs had almost dried up after the land consolidation. In the meantime, the water has found its way again and thus provides the vines with moisture all year round. The vineyard recedes somewhat from the main flank of the Red Slope, an implied amphitheater formerly shaded by the slope. The Fenchelberg is bordered by shady trees and a band of reeds. Therefore, the site is cooler, the grapes ripen more slowly here and are picked only at the very end of the harvest. Since our family has been farming the Rothenberg, this parcel has always been part of our top wines. Until now, its grapes were mostly part of the Rothenberg Auslese. But my parents also harvested the berries for the Rotenberg TBA, which received 100 points three times in Wine Spectator. As noble rot often failed to appear in the increasingly dry climate, we realized in recent years that this extremely exciting parcel also produces outstanding dry wines with a character all their own. Cooler than the Rothenberg, spicier than the Pettenthal.
The Fenchelberg parcel is located exactly on the border between Rothenberg and Pettenthal, in a sense representing their link. In the Fenchelberg, natural springs emerge, a special feature in the otherwise dry Roter Hang. These springs had almost dried up after the land consolidation. In the meantime, the water has found its way again and thus provides the vines with moisture all year round. The vineyard recedes somewhat from the main flank of the Red Slope, an implied amphitheater formerly shaded by the slope. The Fenchelberg is bordered by shady trees and a band of reeds. Therefore, the site is cooler, the grapes ripen more slowly here and are picked only at the very end of the harvest. Since our family has been farming the Rothenberg, this parcel has always been part of our top wines. Until now, its grapes were mostly part of the Rothenberg Auslese. But my parents also harvested the berries for the Rotenberg TBA, which received 100 points three times in Wine Spectator. As noble rot often failed to appear in the increasingly dry climate, we realized in recent years that this extremely exciting parcel also produces outstanding dry wines with a character all their own. Cooler than the Rothenberg, spicier than the Pettenthal.
| Type | White Wine |
|---|---|
| Varietal(s) | Riesling |
| Country | Germany |
| Region | Rheinhessen |
| Brand | Gunderloch |
About German Wines
Germany is the world’s northernmost fine wine producing region and thus requires its vines to endure some of the coldest temperatures. Fortunately, the country’s star variety, Riesling, does well in cooler climates and can survive even these freezing winters.
Germany Riesling is classified by ripeness at harvest which is also used to indicate the wine’s level of residual sugar. Picking earlier means the grapes have less time to ripen and the corresponding wines will be on the drier side; while picking later gives the grapes the opportunity full ripen and produce a lusciously sweet Riesling. The classifications from driest to sweetest: Kabinett, Spätlese, Auslese, Beerenauslese, Trockenbeerenauslese and Eiswein (ice wine). While not as common to age white wines outside of Chardonnay, top tier German Rieslings can be aged for decades.
Other notable white grape varieties produced in Germany include Müller-Thurgau (a cross between Riesling and Madelaine Royale in the search for varieties that could withstand the extreme temperatures), Grauburguner (Pinot Gris) and Weissburguner (Pinot Blanc). The cooler German climate leads to earlier harvesting in general and gives German wines a distinctive character of higher acidity.
Historically red wine has always been harder to produce in the German climate. However, Pinot Noir grown in slightly warmer pockets of the country, has been highly successful in recent times. Going by the German name, Spätburgunder, German Pinot Noir can be elegant, structured and have vibrant acidity.
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