The Small Cross – 2021

Weingut Rings – Das kleine Kreuz – [ORGANIC]

Rings Das kleine Kreuz 2021 is a red wine cuvée from Weingut Rings, made from the hottest Freinsheim vineyard, Schwarzes Kreuz, planted with old vines. The grapes grow on sandy gravel and loess soils, which are cultivated by the Rings brothers Andreas and Steffen from pruning to harvest, and form the basis for this finely-spicy red wine cuvée with a long finish.

Here, the Merlot grape sets the tone, accompanied by St. Laurent, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc – almost like a Bordeaux from St. Emilion. Rings Das kleine Kreuz presents its dark berry side: wild berries and cassis, a touch of herbs, bell pepper, roasted aromas and fine spice, a hint of smoke. It has a warm aroma, is juicy, dense, powerful with lively acidity, and pleasantly smooth on the finish. Das kleine Kreuz is a worthy second wine to the grand red wine cuvée, Das Kreuz.

Rings Das kleine Kreuz – Winemaking

The Rings brothers place great importance on healthy soils in organic viticulture, as only from them can healthy vines stand and healthy grapes grow. They start early with sowing buckwheat, clover, and radish, which prevents soil erosion, attracts beneficial insects, and retains moisture in the soil, which is revitalized with the application of horse manure as a natural fertilizer. Canopy management is also important for the quality of the wine: double shoots are manually removed, and depending on the weather, the grapes are defoliated and suckered to aerate them. The grapes for "Das Kreuz" second wine are hand-picked at the optimal harvest time, sorted and selected again at the winery, and destemmed. 3,000 L/Ha are harvested. Without pumping, the grapes are transferred to their fermentation tanks. In warm years, a small portion is not destemmed. After a short maceration period, the natural yeasts are allowed to work and initiate spontaneous fermentation. Aging takes place in equal parts in new barriques and in used 225-liter barrels, each for 20 months.

Red Wine Cuvée – a wine and its characteristics

• Origin Wine from Germany
• Growing region Palatinate
• Grape varieties Merlot, St. Laurent, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc
• 13.5 % vol. Alcohol
• 0.1 g/l Residual sugar
• 5.7 g/l Acidity

Organic Control Number – DE-ÖKO-022 German Agriculture