Berg Schlossberg GG 2021 Weingut Kunstler

Tasting Note Berg Schlossberg GG 2021

The word Filigree best describes this wine. It has a slender, dry structure with absolutely no fat. The 2021 vintage, with an alcohol content of 12.5%, maintains a light touch, so its primary characteristics are defined by its mineral lines and acidity rather than ripeness. Berg Schlossberg GG 2021 finishes with true finesse, and its finish lingers for a long time. In its youth, it feels somewhat tight, and it needs several years of bottle aging for its aromas to fully unfold.

Grape Varieties

Riesling, 100%. 

In the Rheingau, Riesling has a fuller body than in the Mosel, with notes of citrus, peach, and flowers. The 2021 Berg Schlossberg GG sits at the firm, stony end of that spectrum.

Cellaring Potential

Wines produced from this vineyard possess exceptional aging potential and typically take 4-5 years to reveal their true charm. Low alcohol content and high acidity are the classic combination that ensures the long-term preservation of Riesling. Berg Schlossberg GG 2021 should be served at 8-11°C, cool, but not ice-cold, to fully appreciate its delicate mineral flavors.

About Weingut Kunstler

Two rivers meet near Hochheim am Main, and that gives Weingut Künstler's vineyards a slightly more humid microclimate than most of the Rheingau. Around 80% of production is white, Riesling first among them, with smaller plantings of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Grüner Veltliner and Alvarinho. Künstler family winemaking reaches back to the 12th century, though the original estate stood in Untertannowitz, now in the Czech Republic. Franz Künstler re-established it in Hochheim in 1965, and his son Günter, trained at Geisenheim, took over in 1992. VDP membership came in 1994, the former Aschrott estate in 1996. Hochheim soils run through loess, clay, sand, loam, marl and limestone. Dry Rieslings from Domdechaney, Kirchenstück, Hölle and Berg Rottland lead the range. And from Assmannshausen, a red wine enclave in the Rheingau, comes Spätburgunder.

Terroir & Climate

Located in Rüdesheim, Berg Schlossberg is the steepest vineyard in all of Rheingau, and its stony soil forces the vines to struggle to extract every last bit of nourishment. Vigour is low, the berries are small, and the juice is concentrated. In this section, which runs along the Rhine, the river reflects heat back onto the slopes, and the Taunus hills block the cool winds blowing from the north, extending the ripening period in what would otherwise be a cool, continental climate. The vineyard's name derives from Burg Ehrenfels, founded around 1211 by the Archbishops of Mainz.

Winemaking

The most distinctive feature of this wine is its fermentation in oak barrels. The oak slightly raises the fermentation temperature and adds body without imparting an oaky aroma. This complements the character of Riesling, which is built on rock, better than a fruity profile. This wine has a completely trocken finish. The use of screw caps minimizes quality variations between bottles and preserves its reductive freshness. Weingut Kunstler combines sustainable viticulture with modern winemaking facilities.

Food Pairing

This vibrant acidity pairs well with dishes that combine fish and rich, fatty elements.

• Pikeperch from the Rhine, pan-fried with butter
• Sea bream baked whole with lemon
• Mussels: Steamed dishes; dip bread in the savory broth
• Grilled chicken, or a mild Thai curry if you want the exotic fruit side to show

The dry and robust Riesling complements the flavors of butter and cream without overpowering the delicate taste of the fish.