Gunderloch – Riesling from Red Slate
The Gunderloch Riesling vom roten Schiefer 2022 is a dry estate wine from the VDP.Weingut Gunderloch in Nackenheim, Rheinhessen.
The Riesling from red slate is terroir-driven in the best sense. The Rotliegend clay slate soils show a wonderful, unique minerality that is irresistible: warm-spicy with a richness of exotic fruit notes. Harmonious, juicy Riesling fruit with delicate acidity and wonderful finesse. This enjoyable estate wine, which, in addition to its unique minerality, also displays fine fruit aromas of yellow stone fruit and citrus notes, is an stimulating food companion with its very balanced taste profile.
Estate Wine from Red Slate – Wine Preparation
The 2022 vintage began with abundant rainfall, providing moisture reserves for the vines, leading into a mild spring. Vegetation started in mid-May, just ahead of the long-term average. The summer was dry and warm, without real heatwaves. The harvest began in mid-September with stable weather, allowing for calm and precise harvesting. The grapes tasted slightly riper than in previous years, with slightly lower acidity.
The Riesling from red slate is a site cuvée from the Rothenberg, Pettenthal, and Hipping vineyards. On the glowing red soils of the Roter Hang, the Riesling grapes grow in steep vineyards that flatten and open up towards the Rhine. The vineyards are cultivated close to nature, gently worked and cared for. Gentle pruning, natural fertilization, yield reduction through grape splitting and thinning, selective, manual harvesting in several passes are obligatory here. Fermentation takes place temperature-controlled in stainless steel tanks. The wines remain on the fine lees until spring, which gives the wines stability and good aging potential and supports the development of aromas. The subsequent aging in 600-liter wooden barrels perfects the characteristic Gunderloch taste: cool mineral, with crystal-clear fruit and vibrant, well-integrated acidity.
Riesling – a Wine and its Values
- Origin Germany
- Growing region Rheinhessen
- Grape variety Riesling
- 11.5 % vol. Alcohol
- 7.5 g/l Acidity
- 3.5 g/l Residual sugar