Germany – Winery von Othegraven: 2016 Altenberg Riesling Spätlese VDP – The Altenberg Riesling from the vineyard von Othegraven, is made from old wine plants. The hill Altenberg is one of the steep slopes of Kanzem, directly located at the river Saar. The soil of this up to 70 percent steep vineyard has a very high slate content. The Riesling vines are mostly old ones. Delicate, supported by a good acidic dress, the wines in their dry as well as in the remotest variant give you very much fun. The Altenberg Riesling Spätlese shows a nose of apricot, peach, acacia and citrus fruit. On the palate, a beautiful balanced interplay of tender, penetrating juices; animated and never-ending stone-fruit, candied citrus and fine minerality; Elegant body with firm structure, fairly long finish.

Germany – Winery Motzenbäcker: 2103 “Method Rurale” Riesling brut – Concerning Motzenbäcker: “Méthode Rurale” is translated as “rural” or “farmers” method. A still fermenting wine must be filled in the bottles and the first fermentation is carried out in the bottles of sparkling wine without the addition of yeasts and sugar. The wine unfolded on the nose gave notes of yellow and green apple, had a very pleasant perlage, on the palate citrus, fig and herbs.

Italy – Winery AngeloGaja: 1998 Barbaresco DOCG – Gaja Barbaresco 1998: An impressive, sophisticated wine. A “ripe” nose of dark fruits, some tar and spices. In the mouth blackberries, black truffles and a touch of roses, very concentrated, ripe and full-bodied. Long finish with a soft tannin finish. Now very good drinkable, but it can be stored also for some more years.

By the way …. Winery von Othegraven and Winery for the sparkling wine Motzenbäcker we will visit in 2018 during a Germany Gourmet Wine Tour.

Selection is one of the leading Culinary magazines in Germany with many interesting topics on wine, food, culture and travel – regularly an independent expert jury carries out objective tastings.

Being part of the jury for German and European top wines was an amazing experience. The Grand  Jury tasted the wines blindfolded, more than 40 wines per table per day. For 3 days we had a full program to taste more than 1.000 bottles in the following categories:

Best German Young Wineries 2017 “and” The Best Young Wineries Riesling producers ” (total winner and then divided by region, as well as the winners and top 10 wines in different wine categories)

“Organic winery of the year 2017” (total winner, nation-winner, also divided by regions, as well as the winners and top 10 wines in different wine categories)

Banquet wines

“Burgundy Winery of the Year” and Burgundy wines in various price categories

Wines from the wooden barrel (categories large barrel, barriques, old, new, mixed)

Autochthonous grape varieties and new varieties

Wines from Spain

Wines from Greece

South Tyrolean wines

Sparkling wines.

Wines along the Franconian wine route and hiking trails

Spirits, liqueurs / distilleries of the year 2017 / liqueur producer of the year 2017

Every bottle is tasted blindfolded. This is the only way to ensure that the jury evaluates the products neutrally, without possibly being influenced by the producer’s name. Our professional jury assesses internationally standardized criteria, taking into account the visual aspect, smell, taste and overall impression.