Riesling “Silver Seal” Großes Gewächs Trocken 2020 – Schloss Johannisberg

The grapes to produce Riesling Silver Seal Großes Gewächs Trocken Schloss Johannisberg were hand-picked at optimal ripeness and pressed in whole clusters. the Riesling Silver Seal Großes Gewächs Trocken Schloss Johannisberg fermentation took place in 1,200 litre old oak barrels from Schloss Johannisberg oak and lasted for a period of six weeks. The wine was then left on its fine lees for seven months, adding complexity and weight to the wine.

The south facing vineyard is steep, with a 45° gradient and climbs from 114 metres above sea level to 181 metres. The forest on the top of the Taunus protects the vineyard from cold winds from the north, towards the south the Rhine lays like a lake in front of the estate. The 50° parallel runs directly through the vineyard and the unique soil formation of Taunus quartz, topped with loam and rich loess, is perfect for mineral-driven Rieslings, retaining both moisture and heat.

Schloss Johannisberg is steeped in history. The vineyards were planted on the orders of the Roman Emperor Charlemagne. Planted solely with Riesling grapes in 1720, Schloss Johannisberg was the world’s first Riesling Estate and plays a significant part in wine history. It was here in 1775 that the Spätlese quality was discovered using late picked grapes suffering from “noble rot”. Following this discovery, in 1787 the estate gave Auslese, Beerenauslese and Trockenbeerenauslese to the wine world. Schloss Johannisberg is a single vineyard designation in its own right and one of a handful of German vineyards that does not have to display a village name on the label.