Nahe Region - Germany
Many of you asked us - via email and Social Media - to write a piece about this German area we have been lately. Well, first of all let me introduce you to the German wine regions which are generally all situated around the city of Frankfurt (why not planning a wine stay on your next Lufthansa layover). You have Mosel close to the boarder of Luxemburg, Rheingau (roughly an hour west of Frankfurt), Nahe (between Rheingau and Mosel), Pfalz (an hour south of Frankfurt) as well as Franken (situated in the east of Frankfurt). Indeed there are a few more smaller wine regions (also around Stuttgart) but let’s focus on the most remarkable ones. To be totally honest, neither me have heard of Nahe nor Pfalz before - and if Lukas would read this he would be ashamed of me HAHA. Anyways I was totally impressed when we actually arrived at our place to stay which seemed to be the number one wellness retreat in this corner of Germany and I was so proud to be reviewing such a stunning hotel. When we had the first meeting at a local winery I was like alright that’s chill with young and crazy wine makers. Our first winery was the KH Schneider winery in the same town than the hotel, Bad Sobernheim, with an incredible value for money.
The next day started with a visit to Schlossgut Diel where again we were having a tour with the owner herself. Caroline Diel was truly genuine and fun to talk to about German wines. Their wines are very good and I was finally convinced that this region has an unique potential. Never ever did I expect German wine to be so good. Right after Diel, we went to a restaurant recommended by Ms Diel which was great. After lunch we had the next appointment which was at Emrich Schönleber, a solid winery with beautiful wine shop and tasting room, however their wines were nice and good but nothing too adventurous. The same evening we had an in-hotel tasting by the award winning newcomer Laura Weber who participates in the family’s operation with wines that boast the most amazing value for money we have experienced so far. For 9 euros a bottle, you have a wonderful Pinot Noir. She is passionate, has extremely good knowledge of the terroir of course and she puts a lot of efforts in her father’s vineyard.
Our last day of touring the Nahe region was the one where we met the absolute top wine makers. First stop was the young Corinna Crusius from the Dr Cruisius winery. At first I thought I didn’t hear right when she said she cannot sell any wines as they are almost sold out. Anyways Lukas and me weren’t there to buy wines rather to see and taste the differences and meet the owners which mostly are the wine makers. Second stop for the day was my personal favorite - Dönnhof. Awarded second best winery in Germany by Falstaff, these wines were just heavenly. Full body, a bit complex but still like silk for your mouth. This time we did the tasting with an employee from the winery and it was so funny to listen to his stories and the ones from the winery. Last but not least, the absolute peak of Nahe wines: Gut Hermannsberg. An exclusive winery as you would expect it from Antinori, I have to admit it was way beyond my expectations as far as German wine properties concerns. While the wines didn’t taste like they were my kind of wine at first instance, the more air they got, the more complex and fun they got. Right after this last wine tasting room showed up for dinner at one of the region’s finest places to dine. All in all, I fell in love with this corner of Germany and even though it’s not Austrian Wachau region where landscape is prettier as one could imagine, the value for money is unbelievable and I will therefore return soon.
