What I Learned

The vineyards above the German village of Schweigen-Rechtenbach and the French town of Wissembourg have a viticulture history and a wine-making passion in common. Grapes have been cultivated for centuries. The vineyards in this area once all belonged to the Merovingian abbey in Wissembourg. Over time, these have become named, and a circuit trail passes through or by them. They are, from south to north: the Kammerberg, the Raedling, the Strohlenberg and the St. Paul, in France, and the Sonnenberg, in Germany.

The vineyards are planted on slopes, with an orientation that is mostly south/southwest, hence maximizing exposure to the sun. The soil is mostly red sandstone and chalky.

Both red and white varietals are planted on these slopes. Riesling does well here. The Kammerberg is known for its quality Riesling grapes. The Cave de Cleebourg (outside Wissembourg, in Cleebourg) vinifies these to make a good Riesling wine. Chardonnay grapes from these vineyards are also capable of producing good wines, as are its Gewuerztraminer grapes.

Pinot Noir likewise finds suitable conditions here. The Pinot Noir cru wines of St Paul produced by the Friedrich Becker winery (in Schweigen) have consistently won awards for high quality. Other reds of note in this area include Portugieser, Dornfelder and Cabernet Sauvignon.

 

What I Tasted

2015 Riesling, Trocken, Qualitaetswein, Weingut Friedrich Becker: A dry white wine with light gold color; a sharp, citrus nose, with green apples and citrus flavors; high acidity, and tart finish.

2014 Riesling, Muschalkalk, Trocken, Qualitaetswein, Weingut Friedrich Becker: A dry white wine with light gold color; a slight turpentine nose, with mineral and green apple flavors; medium-high acidity, and slightly tart finish.

2013 Pinot Noir, Saint Paul, Trocken, Premier Cru, Weingut Friedrich Becker: A dry red wine with dark garnet red color; red fruits nose, and vanilla with ripe red fruits flavors; medium tannins and smooth finish.

2010 Riesling, Holzgasse, Trocken, Qualitaetswein, Weingut Friedrich Becker: A dry white wine with light gold color; a slight turpentine nose, with green apple and slight turpentine flavors; medium-high acidity, but smooth finish, and full mouth-feel.

2010 Riesling, Sonnenberg, Trocken, VDP Grosse Lage, Weingut Friedrich Becker: A dry white wine with light gold color; a slight turpentine nose, with green apples and slight turpentine flavors; medium-high acidity, but smooth finish, and medium mouth-feel.

2014 Riesling, Trocken, Pfalz, Deutscher Qualitaetswein, Deutsches Weintor: A dry white wine with medium gold color; a light fruit, floral and honey nose, with fruity, honeyed and sweet spicy notes; mild acidity.

2011 Gewuerztraminer, Edition A. Scheu, Schweigener Sonnenberg, Auslese, Weingut Cuntz, und Scheu: A dry white wine, with a light dark gold color, floral and spice nose, floral, honey and spice flavors; virtually no acidity, with a very smooth and velvety mouthfeel.

2014 Auxerrois, Prestige, Cave Vinicole de Cleebourg: A dry white wine with pale gold color; Fruity nose, with a fresh fruity flavor; High acidity

2013 Riesling, Prestige, Cave Vinicole de Cleebourg: A dry white wine with pale gold color; Fruity and floral nose with fruity, and floral, to include honeysuckle, flavors; Medium acidity.

2013 Pinot Gris, Prestige, Cave Vinicole de Cleebourg: A dry white wine with pale gold color; Floral nose, and floral and vegetal flavor notes; Mildly acidic.

2013 Pinot Gris, Lieu-Dit Karchweg, Cave Vinicole de Cleebourg: A dry white wine with pale gold color; Mineral and floral nose, with floral flavor, slight prickle on the tongue. Smooth finish with very mild acidity.