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The champions among German Riesling wines were crowned at a grand gala in Wiesbaden. Of the 1,750 wines entered in the "Riesling Champion 2017" competition organised by the wine magazine Vinum, 24 took the three podium places in seven categories. Some of the placings were awarded more than once. Some of the wineries are prominent, but there are also some up-and-coming producers whose success may come as a surprise even to insiders. The coveted "Champion" Trophy for the best overall ranking based on four wines went to the Eric Manz winery from Weinolsheim in Rheinhessen. The "Newcomer of the Year" award went to the Bremer winery from Zellertal (Palatinate), which attracted attention with a convincing collection. The prize winners in all categories came from the Rheingau (1), the Moselle (3), Franconia (6), Baden (2), Rheinhessen (2), the Palatinate (6) and the Nahe (1).
More than 1000 wines were sorted out in the preliminary round. The extract was then put to the test again in two tasting rounds at the viticulture school in Weinsberg and in a hotel-restaurant in the Palatinate. About two dozen experienced jurors evaluated the wines in blind tastings and finally chose the winners and top placers only in a jump-off of the best in the categories dry, semi-dry/fine-herb, fruity, real Kabinett (maximum 11.5 % alcohol), Auslesen, top-class Edelsüße (ice wine, Beerenauslesen, Trockenbeerenauslesen) as well as "Children of Riesling" with Scheurebe and Rieslaner. From these, the champion was determined. Each year, this is the producer with the best score on the basis of four wines.
Around 150 winemakers and personalities from the wine trade, politics and the media attended the gala evening for the awards ceremony at the Nassauer Hof Hotel in Wiesbaden, hosted by Rudolf Knoll. The aim of this national competition is to pay tribute to the first-class work of German wine producers.
(uka / Photo: Jana Kay)
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