Berlin re-visited

 

These four bottles were all we could find of interest in Berlin on this occasion. They are (from left to right) a favourite of ours Schloss Proschwitz Elbling, a Trollinger, a Portugieser and a Dornfelder Pet Nat.

It seemed hard to find a good winemerchant in Berlin. In big cities the winedepartments in supermarkets don't always have the space that we found at REWE in Freiburg im Breisgau for example. The grand old KaDeWe was best. Nice people too. 

We already drank the Portugieser which was excellent. Why is this grape looked down on and hard to find? In Beethoven's time it was perhaps the main red variety. 

Trollinger (aka Schiava/Vernatsch/Black Hamburgh) is hard to find outside Baden-Wuerttemburg we don't know why. Dornfelder is more ubiquitous which it should be. We are definite fans. 

Schloss Proschwitz is a leading producer from Meissen (Sachsen). You wouldn't know it's not far from Berlin such is the difficulty in finding it there. We have sung the praises of their Elbling before in these pages. Elbling has the same parentage as Riesling but is completely different. It is said to date back to Roman times and was the most common white variety in Germany before the 20th century. It is at home in the Mosel but This one from Meissen is adorable. 

More Cornish Vineyards

 

There are fewer vineyards in Cornwall than you might imagine. We've said that before but it's still a surprise given that parts of Cornwall are sub-tropical or so they say.

On our most recent visit we tracked down two vineyards we hadn't visited before, one on the North coast with a Newquay postcode and one nearer the south near St. Austell.

 

The Atlantic Vineyard was closed when we found it. It was planted only in 2022 and there have been difficulties getting it going apparently. Plantings include Divico, Pinotin, Solaris, Muscaris, Johanniter 'among others.' 

From these they have made a 'light white' called Hidden Valley, a 'fruity dry white' called Beachcomer and a full bodied red called 'Sundowner,' We hope to be able to try these wines one day.

Bosue means House of Ewe in Cornish

 

Liz and Paul Sibley

 

Liz and Paul Sibley gave up their prestigious professions to buy the farm in the '80s. They have planted Rondo, Regent, Solaris, Johanniter, Phoenix and Orion. As you can see the vineyard is immaculately kept. They have some cutting edged winemaking equipment and make a range of delicious sparkling and still wines.

 

This Regent Rose was one of those wines that was so delicious it got drunk before we could get the camera out to capture its lovely colour.

 

Liz and Paul are really lovely people and despite not having an appointment they received us royally and gave us sparkling and still wine to taste. Paul also maked a Brandy. Out of sheer euphoria we bought a bottle together with the Regent Rose. It wasn't cheap but we were very glad we did - it is a truly fine brandy. Highly recommended.

An interesting Australian - Prieto Picudo/Graciano/Afrochiero/Tinta Barocca/Mencia!

 

A blend of Prieto Picudo/Graciano/Afrochiero/Tinta Barocca and Mencia from Australia (Riverland).

That's something you don't see often in Australia or even in the Southern Hemisphere. Some of these varieties may have been planted to make Port style wines but Prieto Picudo? That's hard enough to find in Spain!

The wine was delicious too.