Georg Albrecht Schneider Niersteiner Hipping Riesling Spatlese 2011

Albrecht Schneider's maxim has always been absolute devotion to his vineyards and wines. The estate has been owned by the Schneider family for 7 generations, and today at vintage time, three generations are at work. 15 hectares (37 acres) in Nierstein belong to the estate, over 40% of which are planted to Riesling. Red sandstone soils are predominant in the best sites that yield rich and spicy wines. 1995 marked a step forward for the estate, with more spacious underground cellars and warehousing facilities purchased in Nierstein. The old underground cellars provide ideal conditions for modern production methods.

The steep Hipping vineyard, known as the red slope, der roter Hang, is rated as one of the best in Germany, producing Riesling with spicy mineral flavors, exotic and pronounced ripe fruit with excellent maturing potential as the site sometimes produces a wine that is slow to show its true promise. The slope itself is warmed by the early morning sunshine and the red sandstone soil retains the warmth. The proximity to the Rhine protects the foliage from early fall cold nights and allows for a long growing season.

Since vintage 1997, temperature-controlled cold fermentation in stainless-steel vats has been introduced. Albrecht's wines now display even more richness and clear, ripe fruit. They are well structured with individual characteristics derived from their various single vineyard sites.