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
|
red
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cuvee JJ |
2007
|
12.50 |
|
|
Ahrweiler Spatburgunder trocken |
2007 |
13.99 |
|
|
JJ Adeneuer Spatburgunder trocken |
2007 |
17.99 |
|
|
Fruhburgunder Neuenahrer Sonnenberg |
2005 |
18.99 |
|
|
2006 |
29.99 |
|
|
|
Walporzheimer
Garkammer Spatburgunder trocken |
2007 |
33.99 |
|
|
Ahrweiler
Rosenthal Grosses Gewachs |
2003 |
39.99 |
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!
|
white |
|
|
|
|
|
Riesling Alte Reben trocken |
2006 |
15.99 |
|
|
Riesling Alte Reben trocken |
2007 |
16.99 |
|
red |
|
|
|
|
|
Ruber Spatburgunder
trocken |
2007 |
14.99 |
|
|
Classic Spatburgunder trocken |
2007 |
17.99 |
|
|
Pinot Madelaine Fruhburgunder trocken |
2007 |
27.99 |
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.
|
red |
|
|
|
|
|
Dernauer Pfarrwingert Spatburgunder Auslese trocken |
2004 |
31.50 |
|
|
Fruhburgunder Goldkapsel trocken |
2004 |
34.99 |