Treh

Yep here it is folks the third installment of my outlines is here and what I like to callˆTrehˆ. Today we will explore the outer limits that only a limited amount of vines grow. Germany has some important wines the most popular being the Spatenburger. It is a powerful red that goes well with Germany's fridge conditions. it is the same as our pinot noir. The majority of wine however is white and makes up about 80% of production.

Alright enough gibber gabber- lets get to it. Here is the third outline, Germany!

Germany
1. Background Information/ History
a) The only major wine producing country in the world before the 20th century besides France.
b) Any type of wine can be made.
c) Continues to produces some of the world most majestic wines.
d) Considered a top producer of quality white wine that has a pronounced delicacy and simplicity to them.
e) Romans conquered the area around 100 B.C.
f) Monks during the middle ages planted and cultivated grapes which are now considered to be some of Germany’s most famous vineyards.



2. Combating Climate
a) Contains the world’s most precisely situated vineyards. The best of which are planted on south-facing slopes for maximum sun exposure.
b) Most vineyards are found in the Rhine and Mosel rivers valleys where the water helps combat the harsh climate.
c) Best vineyards are planted in soils that retain heat- slate and basalt.

3. German Winemaking Traditions
a) Grapes of low ripeness and high in acidity are common
b) Wines light in alcohol (only 7-11 percent)
c) Transparency
• A trait which describes the best German wines
• Has to do with the clarity of flavors the wine has to offer
• A notion rarely found in wines outside the country
d) Winemakers hope to attain precision and elegance
e) Bigger isn’t better- quality over quantity
f) Don’t do anything to alter the natural flavor of the grapes
• Germany does not
o Use commercial yeasts
o Play with the acidity levels
o Ferment or age in new oak
g) Late harvest: buds do not begin to form until June, harvest as late as November with some grapes not picked until January.

4. Production
a) Produces mostly white wines. But reds make up about 18% of production.
b) Riesling considered the most prestigious
c) Muller-Thurgan is the most produced blend however its makeup/history remains unsolved.
d) Most popular Reds (usually lean and light)
• Spatburgunder: pinot noir, spicy/earthy flavors present
• Blauer Portugieser
• Trollinger: same as Italian schiava
e) Small Estates: 77,000 exist yet only amount to 3% of world-wide production
f) Dated wineries no longer produce the wines that once made them legendary

5. Major Regions
a) Mosel-Saar-Ruwer
• One of Germany’s top wine regions
• Contains some of the country’s most transparent and vivid wines
• Riesling: the grape of the Mosel
o Considered the most complete wine of the region
o Produces wines of great elegance and grace
• Contains the steepest vineyard in the world with a slope of 76 degrees.
• Best vineyards are located in close proximity to the river where the reflection of light off the river helps ripen the sun deprived grapes.
• Wines are cherished because of their unique earth-like, wet-stone flavors
• Area of the densest amount of top notch producers in the world.
• Traditionally pack their wine in green bottles.

b) The Rheingau
• Gave Germany its reputation as the best white-wine producing country in the world
• However, some of the most famous vineyards now make wines of not so critically acclaimed reputation
• Still has the greatest history of excellent winemaking of any region in Germany
• Leading grape as Riesling with 80% of the regions land
o Richer, earthier and more luscious than those produced in the Mosel
• Mixed Soil of slate, loess, and quartzite.
• More sun exposure gives the wine a fuller more fruity appeal.
• Spatburgunder (pinot noir) as another important grape of the region
o Flavors are pale yet spicy with a bitter almond finish

c) The Pfalz
• Germany’s most exciting, spontaneous wine region
• Individuality and originality are highly prized
o Use of blends more readily and acceptingly
• Part of the Rhineland but does not take its climate from there
o Haardt mountain range as its dominant climatic influence
o South of Frances Vosges Mountains
o Sunnier climate: riper categories of wines are therefore produced such as: auslesen, beerenauslesen and trockenbeerenauslesen
o Little to no slate, instead limestone, loess and well-drained soils present
• Area with second most Riesling planted: flavors full of vanilla, exotic citrus, while others taste like fruit crème brulee or like gingery peppers.
• Top vineyards also make varietals including: gewürztraminer, weissburgunder (pinot blanc), rulander (pinot gris) and spatburgunder.
• Scheurebe: a unique cross between silvaner and reisling- has a tangy grapefruit/vanilla flavor that either you like it or you don’t
• Muller- Catoir: considered by some to be Germany’s best wine estate, some of the most brilliant wines come out of this estate that make you hit the floor- they are that good.

d) The Rheinhessen
• Germanys largest wine area by volume covers 65,000 acres of land
• Flat, fertile farmland present
• Region which produces much Liebfraumilch- a mild easy to drink wine that is the best known German varietal in the world.
• Small amounts of Riesling are produced
• Soil unlike any other
o Red sandstone intertwined with slate
o Rieslings that are earthy and full of juice