Its six years since I first visited Schubert winery and I have been an avid follower of their wines ever since. Indeed, I would go as far to say Kai Schubert and Marion Deimling make some of the most profound pinot noir on this planet from their tiny vineyards in Martinborough and the Wairarapa, literally only a cupful relative to most wineries.
Antipodean – “Two points, places, or regions that are situated diametrically opposite to one another on the earth’s surface – especially the country that is opposite to one’s own”
It would be fair to say New Zealand and France are diametrical opposites in more ways than one, even though the French came very close to colonizing New Zealand, passing Captain Cooks frigate during the night. But that’s another story.
The Salomon’s are a remarkable wine family, acquiring the Undhof around 1780, which was once the farm building of a Capuchin monastery, and have been producing wines since 1792. The Undhof is located in twin town of Stein (Krems/Stein), one of the oldest wine centers in Austria, founded on wine a millennium ago when the monks who followed Charlemagne’s army down the Danube saw the potential of its south-facing terraces. They are one of the most progressive and quality-driven wineries in Austria today, making Riesling’s and Gruner Veltliner of stunning purity and elegance.
If you were teaching newcomers to wine, what would you tell them?
Whenever I’m asked to speak in front of a group, especially in a place such as Singapore where wine is just becoming an object of intense interest, I always point out that being an American is an asset.
This cryptic comment always draws quizzical looks. Being an American, I explain, is an asset because we know what it’s like to be a newcomer to wine. We know what it’s like to not know.
In case you are not aware, importing, distributing and retailing wine is a tough business and highly competitive – everywhere. In Asia it is hyper-competitive and in Hong Kong, with its recent zeroing-out of import duties, it is insanely competitive!
Here is a market that is arguably out of control and quite possibly the Island might sink under the weight of wine flooding in to it. When the duties were axed, the vinous floodgates opened with every man and their dog importing wine direct from merchants and vineyards all over the world. Needless to say, the established Hong Kong merchants have taken a hit.
Caroline Frey, winemaker at Chateau La Lagune –A leading Biodynamic Vigneron
Universally desired, there is a burgeoning thirst for wine knowledge and enjoyment. There is also a growing appreciation for artisan wines and viticulture using sustainable practices, organic and biodynamic principals.
Global carbon footprint
The global average carbon footprint per capitais presently 20 tons
The general scientific consensus is that global per capita emission levels must drop to just 1 tonne per person by 2050 to limit global warming to 2 degrees C
Watch the video and listen to our speakers to learn how to pronounce the most important terms connected with German Wines. From A – Z or in this case from Ahr to Württemberg.
Big thanks to Deutsches Weininstitut – www.germanwines.de for creating this great video for the wine community.
Can someone say Gewürztraminer!
