From: Rheingau, Germany
Varietal: Reisling
Taste: This Rheingau Riesling is a joy to savor. Energetic and impressive, it bursts with fresh lime, petrol, green apple, and white peach aromas and flavors. The palate balances on a knife edge with a zesty, citrus finish; you’ll adore this wine with or without food. This wine has been recognized for its quality, earning 90 points from Wine & Spirits, and it has been described by Anna Lee C. Iijima from Wine Enthusiast as light-bodied and dry, with a refreshing finish of lime zest.
Pairing: The 2018 Schloss Vollrads Volratz is a versatile choice. It complements a variety of dishes, be they local German cuisine or everyday fare. It pairs exceptionally well with light starters such as salmon pâté, smoked trout (check out the recipe below), asparagus salad, or grilled vegetables. Dry Rieslings, known for their crisp acidity and aromatic intensity, pair with all kinds of seafood as well as sausages and sauerkraut. One of our favorite pairings is to match this lively wine with hot dogs topped with sauerkraut and mustard. Delicious and accessible.
Lentils With Smoked Trout Rillettes
By Martha Rose Shulman
About. Nestled in the heart of Germany's Rheingau region, Schloss Vollrads has a rich viticultural history, a history that is deeply intertwined with the storied Greiffenclau family. The legacy of the Greiffenclaus, a name first recorded in 1097, is symbolized by the griffin's claw on their crest, a mark that adorned the helmets and shields of their knights and soldiers. This powerful family, ruling as the lords of Winkel, has left an indelible mark on the region, with their lineage spanning 18 generations from 1280 to 1902. Schloss Vollrads, their ancestral home, is perhaps the world's oldest family-run business, a remarkable feat of continuity and dedication.
This illustrious past laid the foundation for what Schloss Vollrads is today: a modern winery steeped in history, balancing its rich heritage with contemporary, humane viticulture. Their credo, 'an outstanding Riesling makes you happy,' underscores their singular focus on cultivating Riesling grapes, a commitment made with deliberate care and love.
Several key milestones mark the vineyard's history. In 1211, they made their first documented sale of wine to the St. Viktor monastery in Mainz, signifying the beginning of their wine trade. By 1897, Schloss Vollrads was a founding member of the VDP (Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter), proving their commitment to quality. At the turn of the century, the winery, along with the Schloss, came under the stewardship of Nassauische Sparkasse in 1999, ensuring the preservation and continuation of this historical unit.
Schloss Vollrads' vineyards are uniquely positioned within the Rheingau, a region known for its significant Riesling cultivation. With the Rhine River making a dramatic detour around Wiesbaden, this area offers south-facing slopes ideal for viticulture. The local geography, including the Taunus mountain range and the stretches of vineyard along the Rhine, provides a perfect environment for producing high-quality Riesling grapes.
Known as a Qualitätswein, this wine is a dry expression of the Riesling grape, showcasing the variety's versatility. The winery produces a range of styles yearly, from simple estate wines to complex offerings like Kabinett, Spätlese, and Trockenbeerenauslese.
