Black Print – 2022

Markus Schneider – Black Print – Red Wine Cuvée from the Palatinate

The Markus Schneider Black Print 2022 is a fruity yet spicy red wine cuvée made from the grape varieties Merlot, Cabernet Dorsa, Cabernet Sauvignon, Blaufränkisch, and Syrah. Each of the contributing grape varieties brings its own character to the wine. The Black Print thus smells of blackcurrants, morello cherries, and sloe, of bay leaf and thyme, and a hint of pepper, and aging in wood adds fine roasted aromas. On the palate, the Schneider Black Print is pleasantly spicy, not overly fruity, powerful and full-bodied with soft tannins. Its concentrated body is supported by a harmonious sweet-acid interplay, and the alcohol is well integrated.

The idea for this red wine came to Markus Schneider at a time when restaurants were still being awarded for their overseas wine lists and wine drinkers loved powerful, fruit-driven red wines, but these were not available in Germany, which was dominated by Pinot Noir. It owes its name to its deep red, almost black color, as it is almost as black as printer's ink. This bottled idea of the visionary Markus Schneider for a powerful, full-bodied, yet juicy red wine from Germany led to his international breakthrough. Thus, a wild idea has turned into a cult wine, a red wine brand Made in Germany.

Markus Schneider – Wine Production

The vines for this red wine cuvée from Markus Schneider grow in various locations with different soils and varying altitudes in the Palatinate around the cult winery in Ellerstadt. Hitting the optimal harvest time for each of the very different grape varieties is the biggest challenge here. That's why Markus Schneider meticulously examines the grapes, the pulp, and the seeds during his daily walk through the vineyards. The experience gathered over the last 25 years usually says more than a glance into the refractometer. At the right time, ripe, healthy grapes are harvested and gently processed in the modern winery buildings. The individual grape varieties are fermented and aged separately and later blended to become Black Print. After classic mash fermentation in open vats, as well as in red wine fermenters, and a maceration period of 10 days, the mash is gently pressed under low pressure and then aged without external intervention (fining or similar) partly in several-year-old and partly in new wooden barrels.

Black Print – a Wine and its Values

• Origin Wine from Germany
• Growing Region Palatinate
• Grape Varieties Merlot, Cabernet Dorsa, Cabernet Sauvignon, Blaufränkisch, and Syrah
• 14% vol. Alcohol
• 5.6 g/l Acidity
• 3.0 g/l Residual Sugar