This year's Decanter World Wine Awards Regional Trophy for German Sweet over £15 went to Winzer Sommerach, Katzenkopf Weißburgunder Trockenbeerenauslese, Franken 2012 (8%)
Tasted against:
- Dr Loosen, Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese, Mosel 2012
- St Urbans-Hof, Ockfener Bockstein Zickelgarten Riesling Spätlese Erste Lage, Mosel 2012
Profile:
Winzer Sommerach is a co-operative under the joint ownership of 90 families. Formed in 1901 by 35 families who decided to strike out on their own and bottle their own wines, it draws on the experience of members who have worked their land for generations and hold an unrivalled knowledge of their vineyards.
Winzer Sommerach says that ‘grape production by families has been part of our landscape for centuries’, and it stresses that, from its inception, the driving force has always been to draw on ‘the tradition and quality consciousness of our properties to ensure them a sustainable livelihood.
Barely 100 cases of this Trophy-winner are made each year. The co-op believes that it ‘represents the ambitions of our growers to be among the best producers of wine in our region. Their aim is to harvest great, award-winning wines in every style, although sweet wines are a passion’.
Pinot Blanc is a fine viticultural match for the Franken region. The climate is continental with dry and hot summers, while the soil is largely limestone. Additionally, the vines on the south-facing Katzenkopf vineyard are protected from rot by the wind, yet are near enough to the Main River to benefit from the humidity necessary for noble rot.
Written by Decanter
