Schloss Vollrads

The Greiffenclau family at Schloss Vollrads is known around the world for its fine wine making in the Rheingau. Ancient records show that the highly valued Vollrads’ wines enjoyed great popularity as long ago as the Middle Ages.

According to the respected Gault Millau guide to German wines, Greiffenclau ‘almost single handedly championed the celebration of Riesling’ around the globe for many years. Now, wine maker Ralph Herke strives to continue this and preserve Riesling’s natural aromas, minerality and racy acidity in the wines he makes.

The Schloss Vollrads estate has over 50 hectares of Riesling, situated on south facing slopes that fan out around the palace. They use ecological methods and harvest the grapes late and by hand. Their philosophy is to let the wines develop as naturally as possible in the vineyard and then enhance these characters by modern and meticulous handling in the winery.

Schloss Vollrads’ top range focuses on dry and off-dry food-friendly wines and they go fantastically with many different dishes, including spicy ones such as those served at the stylish Cinnamon Club restaurant in London which serves Schloss Vollrads as its house wine.

Naturally Schloss Vollrads is well aware of how well their wines go with food and to show this off, have their own vineyard restaurant which is one of the best in the area.

Wines to try: 2004 Vollrads Riesling (Castle label), £7.99 or 2004 Schloss Vollrads Riesling Kabinett £11.95, 2004 Schloss Vollrads Spätlese £16.95; all available from Liberty Wines (020 7720 5350).

For more information on Schloss Vollrads, log on to www.schlossvollrads.de

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