Around 450 different sparkling wines from classic bottle fermentation were put into the glasses at the Meininger German Sparkling Wine Award competition. The upward trend continues, and the sparklings are becoming increasingly high-class - and bold.
It is a tasting experience that is as demanding as it is entertaining when we dive into Germany's best classic bottle fermenters every year. Demanding, because the subtle differences and nuances of taste demand full attention and the high carbonic acid level and sometimes very crisp acid structures challenge the palate. Entertaining, because the quality of today's sparkling wines is simply impressive and never homogeneous or even boring.
What conclusions can be drawn from the field of winners?
- Firstly, the spearhead of a good handful of producers, including Griesel, Aldinger, Krack, Raumland and Bergdolt St. Lamprecht, continues to dominate.
- Secondly, specialists and young stars, such as Johannes Aufricht, Burkhardt-Schür and Reinecker, continue to shine.
- And thirdly, we have again made exciting sparkling wine discoveries in this edition, such as Maximilian Kusterer from Württemberg and Johannes Gröhl from Rheinhessen.
Just how close and intense the competition is becomes clear when you look at the winners of the Riesling and Prestige Burgundy categories, some of whom scored exactly the same points. As in Champagne, the category of Burgundy sparkling wines with less than 36 months of aging is becoming more and more exciting.
HERE are the results.
Christoph Nicklas
