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Riesling Estates in Nahe
The Nahe (NAH-heh) River is a tributary of the Rhine, which it joins at Bingen on the west end of Rheingau. It’s a small wine region located between the Rhine and Mosel-Saar-Ruwer regions, and it shares characteristics of both. The wines have a touch of Rhine earthiness while still showing the vibrant fruit and freshness of the Mosel.
Schlossgut Diel
55452 Burg Layen, Germany
Phone (+49) 6721-96950
Fax (+49) 6721-45047
Adventuresome, progressive wines from a real mover and shaker in the Germany wine industry. Armin Diel (deel) is very active in promoting German wine and works hard to encourage higher quality standards throughout the industry. He was instrumental in bringing about the new VDP-Nahe vineyard classification.
The cellars at Schlossgut Diel are notable not only for the delicious juice they contain, but also for the wild and surprising art painted on the walls and tanks. Every little nook holds some treasure of visual or vinous creativity.
Armin is also a wine writer. He is co-author of the annual Gault-Millau guide to German wines, which has been published in English by Abbeville press. (See the March/April 200 issue of Riesling Report.)
Best vineyards
Dorsheimer Goldloch
Dorsheimer Pittermännchen
Dorsheimer Burgberg
Dönnhoff
Bahnhofstraße 11, 55585 Oberhausen, Germany
Phone (+49) 6755-263
Fax (+49) 6755-1067
Helmut Dönnhoff makes the best wines in the Nahe region and some of the finest anywhere in the world. We can't possibly overstate how much we cherish and revere these wines. Dönnhoff wines are sheer perfection in their elegantly defined structure and flawless harmony.
The epitome of Helmut's meticulous winemaking is his Eiswein.
Best vineyards
Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle
Oberhäuser Brücke
Schloßböckelheimer Felsenberg
Schloßböckelheimer Kupfergrube
Tesch
Naheweinstraße 99, Langenlonsheim, Germany
Phone (+49) 6704-93040
Fax (+49) 6704-930415
Weingut Tesch has been in business since 1723. Current owner, Hartmut Tesch, is working to develop environmentally sensitive winegrowing techniques that are not only earth-friendly, but improve the quality of the wine as well. Tesch uses natural methods of controlling pests and disease in its top vineyard sites. These vineyards are rated as “first-class” vineyards (comparable to premier cru in France) in Stuart Pigott and Hugh Johnson’s Wine Atlas of Germany.
As a member of the VDP, Germany’s region-by-region association of the top wine estates, Tesch uses single-vineyard designations on its Rieslings only. VDP membership also requires that all single-vineyard fruit be hand-picked, with higher ripeness and lower yields than what is allowed by the German wine law. In addition, the wines must be approved by a stringent, blind-tasting panel.
Best vineyards
Laubenheimer St. Remigiusberg
Laubenheimer Karthäuser
Langenlonsheimer Königsschild
Langenlonsheimer Löhrer Berg
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