What I Learned

The Kraichgau district of the Baden wine region is a relatively small pocket of hill territory located east of the Rhine and south of Heidelberg. This district is less well-known than many other Baden districts, and is characterized by small farming communities. The better-known Ortenau district of Baden begins south of the Kraichgau.

Grosslage Mannaberg, extending from Bruchsal through Ostringen to Wiesloch, has as growths: Kirchberg, Ulrichsberg, Schlossberg, Burgengraf and Heiligenstein.

On the eastern side is the Grosslage Stiftsberg, extending from north of Eppingen to Angelbachtal. Its main growths are: Himmelberg, Kletterberg, Sonnenberg, Spiegelberg, Kappelenberg, Goldberg.

Red and white grapes grow in the Kraichgau.  Around Wiesloch, the major red varietals are: Spaetburgunder, Lemberger, Schwarzriesling, Regent, Portugieser, and Dornfelder. The major white varietals are: Mueller-Thurgau, Riesling, Weissburgunder, Grauburgunder/Ruelander, Auxerrois, and Gewuerztraminer. (Information from the Winzerkeller Wiesloch)

 

What I Tasted

2016 Grauburgunder, QbA, Trocken, Weingut Heitlinger: A dry white wine with medium gold color; an apricot, ripe pear, and floral nose, with apricot, vanilla, and peach flavors; medium acidity.

2016 Grauburgunder, Malscher Oelbaum, Kabinett, Trocken, Weingut Boes: A dry white wine with medium gold color; slight fruit nose, lots of white stone fruit (peach predominating), vanilla, and toasted nuts flavors, very smooth overall with medium acidity.

2015 Sauvignon Blanc, Oestringer Rosenkranzweg, Trocken, Spaetlese, Weingut Ludwig Honold: A dry white wine with medium plus dark minus gold color; grapefruit and slight spice nose; grapefruit, vanilla, slight minerality; medium plus acidity, luscious mouthfeel, and a tangy finish.

2015 Rulaender, Malscher Mannaberg, Winzerkeller Wiesloch: A dry, white (Pinot Gris) wine, with light gold color; floral nose and spice and floral flavors; high acidity.