Posted by Paula Maia under Wine
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Mr. and Mrs. Junk spoiled us rotten at Weingut Kranz-Yunk in Brauneberg. First there was a very long talk about their wines, the region, the soil, the climate, the VdP and then a ‘hands on’ tour of their cellar, where Josef taught us the ins and outs of his wine making followed by a barrel tasting. After selecting the wines we were buying, Mr.Junk labeled them right on the spot, just for us!
Even though Weingut Kranz-Junk is located in Mittelmosel, the wines are quite dry. The residual sugar can be high, but it goes almost unnoticed giving the high acidity that balances it out. At the time they were not a member of the VdP, but the wines were certainly one of the best we had on the entire trip.
Sadly you won’t find Junk’s wines in the US, but next time you are in the Mosel make sure you grab a bottle or stop by. For a chance to sleep amidst the vines you can stay in their gastehaus and won’t be disappointed.
Posted by Paula Maia under Wine
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Here we are, in our most anticipated wine region. I had seen many pictures of the Mosel, but it didn’t do any justice. The cliffy, terraced vineyards of the valley on the river banks with its million loops is like a dance of nature. Breathtaking; simply stunning.
At Weingut Heymann-Lowenstein, in Winningen, Reinhard Lowenstein was incredibly generous and talked to us for hours. He passionately explained how the concept of terroir is so important and that his elegant and subtle Rieslings are only possible because of the marginal climate in the northern Mosel. So captivating, one can listen to Mr. Lowenstein brilliance eternally, hopefully in the company of any of his magnificent wines.
We left in owe and went straight to dinner down the road. Naturally we ordered one of Mr.Lowenstein’s best wines, a Riesling Uhlen Blaufüßer Lay, a ‘Erste Lage’- similar to Erstes Gewachs, First Growth or Grand Cru (for detailed explanation go to German VDP). The wine was ethereal, with complex lush layers of minerality, herbs and exotic fruit. It was one of the happiest moments of my life. Thank you Reinhard!
