Van Volxem : Schonfels Riesling Grosses Gewächs 2021

Tasting characteristics and advice for the Schonfels Riesling Grosses Gewächs 2021 from Van Volxem

Tasting

Appearance

The wine displays a pale yellow hue with bright highlights.

Nose

Initially fresh and restrained, the nose gradually reveals aromas of ripe apricot, yellow pear, lemon balm and wild herbs. With aeration, mineral notes of slate weave into this complex aromatic palette.

Palate

On the palate, the wine is juicy and ripe, with remarkable intensity. The texture is both generous and rounded, while a saline, zesty minerality brings freshness and vibrancy. The very long finish reflects the concentration and complexity of this Riesling.

Food and wine pairings

This dry white wine is an ideal match for seafood, delicate fish prepared with a touch of acidity, as well as herb-roasted poultry. It also pairs beautifully with aged cheeses and dishes featuring fresh vegetables.

Serving and cellaring

The Schonfels Riesling Grosses Gewächs 2021 is best enjoyed between 10 and 12°C. Its structure and minerality give it excellent aging potential.

A Moselle Riesling with exceptional minerality

The estate

Acquired in 2000 by Roman Niewodniczanski, the Van Volxem estate continues a winemaking tradition dating back to Roman times. Located in Wiltingen, in the heart of the Moselle-Sarre-Ruwer region, this 85-hectare estate farms plots ranked among the Saar’s most prestigious. Under the direction of Roman Niewodniczanski and his team led by cellar master Christoph Friedrich, Van Volxem has established itself as one of the benchmarks of German viticulture thanks to a natural approach that respects the terroir. The estate stands out for its ambition to revive the style and international reputation of Saar wines from the early 20th century.

The vineyard

Schonfels is an exceptional vineyard located in Ayl, in the Saar Valley. Planted on extremely steep, southeast-facing slopes, this terroir rests on slate soils that give German white wines their hallmark minerality. The very old vines, often ungrafted, send their roots as deep as ten meters into the schist subsoil. These demanding growing conditions, combined with the vines’ advanced age, help produce grapes of outstanding quality, even though yields remain very low.

The vintage

The year 2021 was marked by cool, classic conditions for the Saar region. The growing season unfolded in a context that favored the development of bright acidity, the signature of great Riesling vintages. These conditions made it possible to obtain perfectly ripe grapes while preserving the freshness and mineral tension typical of wines from this terroir.

Vinification and aging

The Schonfels Riesling Grosses Gewächs 2021 is vinified according to the principles of natural winemaking. The grapes are carefully hand-sorted and gently pressed. Fermentation is carried out exclusively with indigenous yeasts, without the addition of modern oenological products. The wine is neither fined nor filtered, thereby preserving the full expression of the terroir. Aging takes place in traditional oak foudres, allowing the wine to develop complexity while respecting the purity of the fruit and the minerality of the soil.

Grape variety

100% Riesling