What I Learned
The Taubertal (Tauber (River) Valley) is a very diverse wine growing area. Following along the course of the river, upstream to downstream, you find 3 regions (Franconia, Baden and Wuerttemberg) and 4 districts represented: Franconia’s Mainviereck District, Baden’s Tauberfranken District, Wuerttemberg’s Kocher-Jagst-Tauber District, and Franconia’s Maindreieck District. All this within about 120 miles of a fairly narrow river valley! The frequent district changes reflect the diverse soils and growing conditions in each region. Of course, these differences result in a variety of unique wines produced along the Tauber.
Wuerttemberg’s Kocher-Jagst-Tauber District lies on both sides of the Tauber from roughly Rothenburg ob der Tauber to Bad Mergentheim. It also covers a narrow area south and west from Weikersheim, following the Vorbach (stream) to the higher elevations of this area, around Niederstetten.
A number of red varietals grow in this wine district: Schwarzriesling, Spaetburgunder (Pinot Noir), Zweigelt, Regent and Acolon. But most unusual is the Tauberschwarz, a native grape variety, not commonly seen, even in Germany. It wasn’t until 1726 that this local varietal was recognized as distinct, and given a name by a local aristocrat, Carl Ludwig von Hohenlohe zu Weikersheim (a nearby town in this wine district).
What I Tasted
2015 Silvaner, Markelsheimer Propstberg, Kabinett, Deutsche Praedikatswein, Weingaertner Markelsheim: An off dry wine with medium plus gold color; a floral and peach nose, with peach and nut flavors; medium minus acidity, and a medium minus finish.
2015 Riesling “S”, Spaetlese, Weingut Braun (Markelsheim): A dry white wine with pale gold color, a fruity and vanilla nose, with apricot, sweet spice and vanilla flavors; medium plus acidity.
2014 Tauberschwarz, Trocken, Qualitaetswein, Weingaertner Markelsheim: A dry red wine with light cranberry juice color; with a very aromatic floral and red berry nose, and vanilla, oak and red berry flavors; mild tannins and uniquely delicious.