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 (Spatburgunder) 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 Garkammer 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 ÒitÕs so good it makes you want to run away from it!Ó

 

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 Fruhburgunder 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 Spatburgunder is compact and lean and the wines get lusher and oakier as you climb the ladder.

 

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 Spatburgunder (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 Fruhburgunder, 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. NellesÕ wines may well convert you to German red wine instantly!

 

CHRISTOPHE RICHTER  (Ahrweiler)  ORGANIC

We are always digging around, looking for new or unknown growers in the tiny valley and got a tip-off from Rudi Trossen's Danish importer Lasse Kruse about a Bio grower called Christophe Richter. His house and winery are physically in the walls of the town. The winery is a tiny garage. Considering he has barely 2 hectares of vines, it amazes us that, apart from Spatburgunder, he also bottles Portuguieser, Regent and Fruhburgunder. His style is delicate and very natural.