THE AHR VALLEY
The tiny Ahr valley lies in one of the northernmost winemaking regions
of Germany, between Cologne and Koblenz. Romans planted vines here. Some say
the sheltered valley has an almost Mediterranean micro-climate. We wouldn't go
quite that far, but there is little doubt that it is the best Pinot Noir
(Sptburgunder) region in Germany, these wines displaying the haunting layers
of flavour, ethereal smoky perfume and supple texture that Pinot fanatics
crave. The valley is also highly prized for white Asparagus, often served with
boiled new potatoes and hollandaise sauce and a side of smoked ham or pork
fillet.
ADENEUER (Bad Neuenahr)
The Adeneuer family has been making wine for 500 years in Bad Neuenahr.
At just over half a hectare, Walporzheimer Grkammer is the smallest named
vineyard in Germany. Marc and Frank Adeneuer are the only owners.
Their wines are flying out. One of our customers, more used to drinking
Rioja said of Cuvee JJ ŇitŐs so good it makes you want to run away from
it!Ó
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red |
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Cuvee JJ |
2007 |
12.50 |
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Ahrweiler Spatburgunder trocken |
2007 |
13.99 |
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JJ Adeneuer Spatburgunder trocken |
2007 |
17.99 |
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Walporzheimer Garkammer Spatburgunder Grosses Gewachs |
2006 |
29.99 |
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Walporzheimer Garkammer Spatburgunder trocken |
2007 |
33.99 |
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Ahrweiler Rosenthal Grosses Gewachs |
2003 |
39.99 |
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Ahrweiler Rosenthal Grosses Gewachs |
2006 |
47.99 |
NELLES (Heimersheim)
Our second arrival from the Ahr Valley, arguably the best region in
Germany for red wine. Nelles have made a big impact at the shop, from the name
of their top wine (B52!), to the striking bold labels emblazoned with the date
of the birth of the winery (1479).
The vines, mainly Sptburgunder (Pinot Noir) are cultivated on and
around the Landskrone at the eastern end of the Ahr Valley - steep slate soils
warm up in the sun, storing heat which is released during the night, making
some of the wines carry quite a punch! The wines with the "B" prefix
are the powerhouse Barrique wines, while Thomas Nelles also makes a beguiling
and fragrant Frhburgunder, known as Pinot Madelaine elsewhere, a small-berried
early-ripening cousin of Pinot Noir.
The B52 is his highly-prized top wine – nothing to do with
bombers, he says. It was the number of his best barrelÉ a stroke of marketing
genius perhaps?! The name certainly stays with you after the last sip, that's
for sure.
NellesŐ wines may well convert you to German red wine instantly!
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white |
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Riesling Alte Reben trocken |
2007 |
15.99 |
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red |
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Ruber Spatburgunder trocken |
2007 |
14.99 |
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Classic Spatburgunder trocken |
2007 |
17.99 |
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Pinot Madelaine Fruhburgunder trocken |
2007 |
27.99 |
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B48 Sptburgunder trocken |
2006 |
36.99 |
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B52 Sptburgunder trocken |
2006 |
44.99 |
KREUZBERG (Dernau)
"You can come whenever you like, apart from when Germany are
playing. Football is sacred!" Said Peter Kreuzberg when we visited during
the World Cup. We had tasted his Frhburgunder in Steinheuer's restaurant on
our previous trip and resolved to visit him next time. The Kreuzberg style is
pure, perfumey Ahr, generally with a touch of spicy oak. The basic
Sptburgunder is compact and lean and the wines get lusher and oakier as you
climb the ladder.
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red |
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Dernauer Pfarrwingert Spatburgunder Auslese trocken |
2004 |
31.50 |
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Fruhburgunder Goldkapsel trocken |
2004 |
34.99 |