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This summer’s wine trends

Red, white, or even mixed? Winemaker and expert Ulrich Allendorf from the winery Allendorf im Rheingau tells us what the trends are this summer and answers some common questions about wine.

or a long time, it was ridiculed. But, in recent years, rosé wine has established itself and has become extremely popular. “The demand continues to grow,” says vintner Allendorf. Even rosé skeptics are becoming fans – because as the wine’s popularity increases, the varieties broaden as well. “Our Assmannshäuser Spätburgunder Rosé 2018 is very masculine and less fruity than usual – certainly something a non-rosé drinker might enjoy,” says Allendorf. For those who like white, light wines, white cuvées are an excellent choice this summer. A combination of different grapes makes the cuvées less acidic; the taste is fruitier and more aromatic.

Wine cocktails
Wine in mixed drinks is summery and trendy. Allendorf raves, “Gin with white wine instead of tonic water and a good soda is my absolute favorite. The wine accentuates the sweetness and fruity botanicals in the gin.” Unconventional ideas like these are what make wine fascinating for Ulrich Allendorf. “Wine is always about enjoyment and new taste experiences. With a good wine, enjoyed slowly, you not only create an experience for the palate but also memories.”

ALL ABOUT WINE

frequently asked questions

Are ice cubes allowed in wine?
This is fine on warm summer days. It would be much worse to drink wine too warm.

Red wine with fish?
Not a taboo, especially with grilled dishes and strong flavors. It’s always a matter of how well the different taste nuances in a dish harmonize on the whole.

What temperature should wine have?
White wines should be served at a temperature of 4 to 6°C so that the drinking temperature in the glass will be 8 to 10°C. Red wine should be enjoyed at a temperature of 14 to 16°C. The advice to serve it at room temperature is from a time when rooms were far cooler than they are today.

Is red wine healthy?
Red wine has high levels of polyphenols which have a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system and combat cell aging. What’s important is to enjoy wine in moderation. The recommended daily amount is 0.15l for women and 0.25l for men.

Does red wine need to breathe?
After opening, you should let the wine breathe for 15 to 30 minutes. The oxygen makes the wine leaner and softer.

How long does an open bottle of wine last?
If the bottle is closed and stored in the fridge, a wine will usually last for three to four days. However, it changes its taste, scent and color every day.

Will climate change also mean a change in our wine?

A part from location and region, climate is one of the most important factors for growing wine and for its quality. Dry, warm and sunny is best for red wine while white wine also does well with milder, rainier weather. Climatologists believe that temperatures will rise 1.5 °C in the Mediterranean region and 4 °C in Northern Europe over the next century. Over the past forty years, flowering, maturity and harvest times have become increasingly earlier. The rise in temperatures is especially a problem for Southern European regions. As drought and high temperatures directly affect grape quality, the quality and taste of the wine may strongly change. Northern regions, on the other hand, might significantly benefit as their cultivation conditions will improve. Traditionally a white wine country, Germany may well be producing more red wine, particularly in its southern regions, while European white wine production may shift to Southern England and Scandinavia. A future wine list may offer: Tempranillo from German Rheingau and Riesling from Småland in Sweden.

More about the hotels:

Romantik Restaurant Brogsitter’s Sanct Peter, Bad Neuenahr (DE)

Romantik Hotel Zehntkeller, Iphofen (DE)

Romantik Hotel Zur Schwane, Volkach (DE)

WINE TRIP TO THE UNKNOWN

Bordeaux from France, Barolo from Italy, Grüner Veltliner from Austria and Riesling from Germany – names that make wine lovers’ hearts beat faster. But there are also other regions and grape varieties that produce some very interesting wines. A journey of discovery for wine enthusiasts …

Flanders (Belgium)
Wine was grown in Belgium way back in the 9th century by monks. However, due to adverse climate conditions, production was discontinued. A renaissance didn’t arrive until the 1970s. One of the wine pioneers is the business man Jaap van Rennes who found evidence of past wine cultivation near the city of Tongeren in old archives and who recultivated the land. Today, chardonnay is predominantly grown there. The result: wines aged in oak barrels that are enjoyed all over the world..

Côte d’Azur (France)
With over 2,700 hours of sun per year, plenty of rain and wind, mild winters and soil rich in minerals: the backcountry of the Côte d’Azur is ideal for dry and full-bodied wines. The grapevines in the region west of Nice cultivated on just 50 hectares under the quality label Vins de Bellet are a rarity and produce approx. 120,000 bottles of wine in every variety.

Rust and Apetlon (Austria)
Both wine-growing regions are on Lake Neusiedl, which offers 2,000 hours of sun and perfect conditions for wine. The area surrounding Neusiedl is considered a hidden treasure among Europe’s wine regions. In addition to the classics Grüner Veltliner, Welschriesling or Pinot Blanc, rare wines such as the “Ruster Ausbruch” are produced. This sweet white wine is, however, not for fans of dry wine.

Limburg (Holland)
Who would have thought? Wine has been cultivated in Holland since Roman times. Today, the country has over 150 commercial wineries. Most of them are located in the region of Limburg, with over 90 hectares the most important wine-growing region in the Netherlands. Wine is also produced in the hills surrounding Maastricht and has contributed to the region’s culinary reputation. One specialty is the Dutch wine Auxerrois.

Kent und Sussex (Great Britian)
It’s not exactly the first thing that comes to mind with Great Britain. And yet: England boasts a number of vineyards with successful histories, most of them in the southwestern part of the country. The limestone soil in Kent and Sussex yields high-quality Chardonnay, Pinot-Noir and Pinot-Meunier grapes, which are often used to produce sparkling wine that is certainly comparable in quality with real champagne.

SMALL WINE GLOSSARY

Kabinett:
Must fulfill certain requirements, e.g. for must weight (i.e. the density of the grape. must)

Landwein (superior table wine):
Grapes from a certain region, geographical indication on the label, dry or semi-dry.

Quality wine:
Subject to official quality control. Types: Qualitätswein bestimmter Anbaugebiete (QbA) – “Quality wine from a specific region” may be chaptalized (i.e. sugar may be added to increase the alcohol content); Qualitätswein mit Prädikat – “Quality wine with specific attributes” does not allow chaptalization.

Spätlese (literally “late harvest”):
Ripe, fruity wine, grapes are picked at least seven days after the regular harvest.

Tafelwein (table wine):
Exclusively from certified vineyards and grape varieties in Germany, without geographical indication.

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