What I Learned
The Kaiserstuhl is a wine district within the German wine region of Baden. With almost 4300 hectares (over 10,500 acres), it is the largest of all nine wine districts in Baden.
This district is the warmest site in Germany, with the highest average temperatures and the highest average hours of sunshine. In this district, the vines are planted mostly in terraces, mostly on south facing slopes of the Kaiserstuhl. Within this district there are a whopping 42 named vineyard areas. Among them: the Bischoffingen Rosenkranz vineyard, considered by some experts as one of the top Kaiserstuhl vineyards; Kiechlinsbergen’s Teufelsberg vineyard, well-known for its Weissburgunder and Mueller-Thurgau; Bickensohl’s Herrenstuck vineyard and Ihringen’s Fohrenberg vineyard.
Another interesting aspect of this district is its soils. They are volcanic, as this whole area was once one giant volcano, which has since mostly eroded. A layer of loess lies on top. The cuts in the terraces reveal the great depths of this light-colored sediment stone.
The Weissburgunder (Pinot Blanc), Grauburgunder (Pinot Gris) and Spaetburgunder (Pinot Noir) grapes particularly excel in these conditions. Today, these three varietals constitute almost 50% of the district’s production. Pinot Noir alone constitutes about 36.5 %. Other varietals represented in significant percentages are: Mueller-Thurgau, Silvaner, and Riesling. Surprisingly, Gutedel (Chasselas) is not among the varietals here.
What I Tasted
2013 Weissburgunder, Koenigschaffhauser Vulkanfelsen, Qualitaetswein, Trocken, Baden, Weingut Koenigschaffhausen-Kiechlinsbergen: A dry white wine with light gold color; Melon and honey; Pery mild acidity, smooth mouthfeel.
2013 Mueller Thurgau, QbA, Trocken, Baden, Weingut Sasbach: A dry white wine with light medium gold color, fruity, with grape and white stone fruit notes and a hint of vanilla; prickly on the tongue, medium light acidity, well-balanced overall.
2012 Spaetburgunder, Breisacher Vulkanfelsen, Qualitaetswein, Trocken, Baden, Badische Winzerkeller: A dry red wine with medium-light red color; cherry notes with a hint of spice, smoky finish.
2012 Weisser Burgunder, Kabinett, Trocken, Baden, Winzergenossenschaft Boetzingen am Kaiserstuhl: A dry white wine with light medium gold color; Pear and apricot notes, with a hint of smoke and nuts; Slight minerality on the tongue; very mild acidity.
2012 Weisser Burgunder, Koenigschaffhauser Hasenberg, Praedikatswine, Spaetlese, Trocken, Winzergenossenschaft Koenigschaffhausen Kiechlinsbergen: A dry white wine with medium gold color; Floral and mineral nose, and fruity, floral and vanilla flavors; Medium acidity.