Winemaker Notes
"This Ungeheuer tastes monstrously good," Otto von Bismarck is supposed to have exclaimed on tasting this wine. This widely-known name actually dates back to a term from 1460 "Ungehuwer". The soil consists of buntsandstein, mixed with chalk sandstone gravel and basalt. The location in the middle of the slope affords protection from west winds, meaning that the grapes ripen more early, giving an optimum degree of ripeness. The main varieties grown here are Riesling and Scheurebe. The wines are distinguished by fine fruit with excellent minerality and enormous fullness.
Riesling possesses a remarkable ability to reflect the character of wherever it is grown while still maintaining its identity. A regal variety of incredible purity and precision, this versatile grape can be just as enjoyable dry or sweet, young or old, still or sparkling and can age longer than nearly any other white variety. Somm Secret—Given how difficult it is to discern the level of sweetness in a Riesling from the label, here are some clues to find the dry ones. First, look for the world “trocken.” (“Halbtrocken” or “feinherb” mean off-dry.) Also a higher abv usually indicates a drier Riesling.
This sunny and relatively dry region served for many years as a German tourist mecca and was associated with low cost, cheerful wines. But since the 1980s, it has gained a reputation as one of Germany’s more innovative regions, which has led to increased international demand.