Der klitzekleine Ring hits the VDP

Steep slope rescue on behalf of Riesling

11 August 2012
Werner Elflein

Grevenburg ruin near Traben-Trarbach

The Bernkasteler Ring, also known as the Kleiner Ring, was founded in 1899 as an association of winery owners from the Middle Moselle. Since 1901, it has organized wine auctions for its members. It is thus the oldest society in the region to hold wine auctions. Today, the Bernkasteler Ring also includes estates on the Saar and Ruwer rivers.

A few years later, in 1908, the Großer Ring formed as a second large winegrowers' association, which first auctioned wines in 1910. The Großer Ring later gave rise to the regional Verband Deutscher Naturweinversteigerer, now the Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter (VDP).

A completely different approach is taken by Der klitzekleine Ring, founded in 2005. As the name suggests, the group, which currently comprises ten wineries, does not take itself too seriously. Nor are there any commercial interests at the forefront. Rather, Der klitzekleine Ring has taken up the cause of preserving the steep slopes of the Middle Moselle. “Steep slope rescue on behalf of Riesling” is the motto of the association, which is currently focusing on the Traben-Trarbach/Kröv area.

Some of the member wineries have drawn attention to themselves in recent years with excellent wine qualities and by no means have to hide behind the prominent flagships of the Middle Moselle. Their names can now justifiably be mentioned in the same breath as the region's top estates. In addition to established wineries such as Martin Müllen, Weiser-Künstler and Vollenweider, up-and-comers such as Ingmar Püschel and Olaf Schneider (Weingut O.) are increasingly making a name for themselves. With the Staffelter Hof, whose history goes back to the year 862, Germany's oldest still existing winery is also a member of Der klitzekleine Ring.

For our blind tasting, we selected 20 wines from eight wineries of Der Klitzkleine Ring and the joint project “Bergrettung” as well as – for the sake of purely sporting competition – four wines from winemakers of the VDP. David versus Goliath, we thought a few times in one or the other direct confrontation. To be fair, however, we have to note that at the top, both rings were at eye level.

The wines at a glance

Symbols

⧛	The rating of the wine reflects the mean value from a tasting by our jury.
⚖	The wine was evaluated in a blind tasting.
⛬	The wine was tasted as a barrel sample or before an official test number (Amtliche Prüfungsnummer or Staatliche Prüfnummer) was issued.
▲	The wine exhibited a sensory abnormality during our tasting. This does not necessarily have to be a qualitative defect or a wine fault. In the case of a qualitative impairment, a devaluation or rejection was made depending on the type and severity of the defect or wine fault.

Grans-Fassian

Römerstraße 28
54340 Leiwen
Germany
Phone: +49 6507 3170
Fax: +49 6507 8167
Internet: www.grans-fassian.de
E‑mail: weingut@grans-fassian.de

The winery at weinfreaks.de with all its wines

WinewhitesweetRiesling

2010 Trittenheim Apotheke Riesling Spätlese

Germany

Mosel • Geschützte Ursprungsbezeichnung (g. U.)

Amtliche Prüfungsnummer 3529042 9 11 • 7.5 % alcohol

17⧛⚖

Tasted on 11 August 2012 by our jury

Louis Klein

Enkircher Straße 20
56841 Traben-Trarbach
Germany
Phone: +49 6541 6246
Fax: +49 6541 5744
Internet: www.gut-fuer-genuss.de
E‑mail: weingut@klein-wein.de

The winery at weinfreaks.de with all its wines

WinewhitesweetRiesling

2010 Wolf Goldgrube Riesling Auslese

Germany

Mosel • Geschützte Ursprungsbezeichnung (g. U.)

Amtliche Prüfungsnummer 2601439 17 11 • 8 % alcohol • bottled under the former name Kirchengut Wolf

16.5⧛⚖

Tasted on 11 August 2012 by our jury

Der klitzekleine Ring

Robert-Schumann-Straße 208
54536 Kröv
Germany
Phone: +49 6541 3708
Fax: +49 6541 3933
Internet: www.klitzekleinerring.de
E‑mail: info@klitzekleinerring.de

The winery at weinfreaks.de with all its wines

WinewhitedryRiesling

2011 Riesling Bergrettung Qualitätswein trocken

Germany

Mosel • Geschützte Ursprungsbezeichnung (g. U.)

Amtliche Prüfungsnummer 2588778 1 12 • 12 % alcohol

14.5⧛⚖

Tasted on 11 August 2012 by our jury

WinewhitesweetRiesling

2007 Riesling Bergrettung Auslese

Germany

Mosel • Geschützte Ursprungsbezeichnung (g. U.)

Amtliche Prüfungsnummer 2588778 2 08 • 8 % alcohol

17.5⧛⚖

Tasted on 11 August 2012 by our jury

Schloss Lieser

Am Markt 1-5
54470 Lieser
Germany
Phone: +49 6531 6431
Fax: +49 6531 1068
Internet: www.weingut-schloss-lieser.de
E‑mail: info@weingut-schloss-lieser.de

The winery at weinfreaks.de with all its wines

WinewhitedryRiesling

2009 Lieser Niederberg-Helden Riesling Qualitätswein trocken

Großes Gewächs VDP

Germany

Mosel • Geschützte Ursprungsbezeichnung (g. U.)

Amtliche Prüfungsnummer 2589314 8 10 • 13 % alcohol

Tasted on 24 September 2018 by Werner Elflein

Brilliant, clear yellow. In the nose spontaneous aromas and initial tertiary maturity with vegetable notes and yellow stone fruit. Opening with acidity on the tongue, piquant and firm, herbaceous green spice, a fruit basket full to the brim with nectarines, excellent length and persistence.

16⧛⚖

Tasted on 11 August 2012 by our jury

Melsheimer

Dorfstraße 21
56861 Reil
Germany
Phone: +49 6542 2422
Fax: +49 6542 1265
Internet: www.melsheimer-riesling.de
E‑mail: mail@melsheimer-riesling.de

The winery at weinfreaks.de with all its wines

WinewhitedryRiesling

2011 “Molun 1143” Reil Mullay-Hofberg Riesling Qualitätswein trocken

Germany

Mosel • Geschützte Ursprungsbezeichnung (g. U.)

Amtliche Prüfungsnummer 2598379 16 12 • 12 % alcohol

15⧛⚖

Tasted on 11 August 2012 by our jury

WinewhitesweetRiesling

2011 Reil Mullay-Hofberg Schäf Riesling Spätlese

Germany

Mosel • Geschützte Ursprungsbezeichnung (g. U.)

Amtliche Prüfungsnummer 2598379 5 12 • 7.5 % alcohol

16.5⧛⚖

Tasted on 11 August 2012 by our jury

Martin Müllen

Alte Marktstraße 2
56841 Traben-Trarbach
Germany
Phone: +49 6541 9470
Fax: +49 6541 813537
Internet: www.muellen.de
E‑mail: info@muellen.de

The winery at weinfreaks.de with all its wines

WinewhitedryRiesling

2009 Traben Würzgarten Riesling Spätlese trocken

Germany

Mosel • Geschützte Ursprungsbezeichnung (g. U.)

Amtliche Prüfungsnummer 2588656 26 10 • 12 % alcohol

15⧛⚖

Tasted on 11 August 2012 by our jury

WinewhitedryRiesling

2009 Trarbach Hühnerberg Riesling Spätlese * trocken

Germany

Mosel • Geschützte Ursprungsbezeichnung (g. U.)

Amtliche Prüfungsnummer 2588656 27 10 • 13 % alcohol

16.5⧛⚖

Tasted on 11 August 2012 by our jury

O. (Olaf Schneider)

56841 Traben-Trarbach
Germany
– discontinued –

The winery at weinfreaks.de with all its wines

Winewhitedry to off-dryRiesling

2011 Trarbach Ungsberg Bikiniblick Riesling Qualitätswein

Germany

Mosel • Geschützte Ursprungsbezeichnung (g. U.)

Amtliche Prüfungsnummer 2601561 1 12 • 11 % alcohol

14⧛⚖

Tasted on 11 August 2012 by our jury

Winewhitedry to off-dryRiesling

2011 Trarbach Ungsberg Riesling Spätlese

Germany

Mosel • Geschützte Ursprungsbezeichnung (g. U.)

Amtliche Prüfungsnummer 2601561 4 12 • 9 % alcohol

15⧛⚖

Tasted on 11 August 2012 by our jury

WinewhitesweetRiesling

2011 Trarbach Ungsberg Riesling Kabinett

Germany

Mosel • Geschützte Ursprungsbezeichnung (g. U.)

Amtliche Prüfungsnummer 2601561 3 12 • 9.5 % alcohol

16⧛⚖

Tasted on 11 August 2012 by our jury

Joh. Jos. Prüm

Uferallee 19
54470 Bernkastel-Wehlen
Germany
Phone: +49 6531 3091
Fax: +49 6531 6071
Internet: www.jjpruem.com
E‑mail: info@jjpruem.com

The winery at weinfreaks.de with all its wines

WinewhitesweetRiesling

2007 Wehlen Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese

Germany

Mosel • Geschützte Ursprungsbezeichnung (g. U.)

Amtliche Prüfungsnummer 2576511 34 08 • 7.5 % alcohol

17⧛⚖

Tasted on 11 August 2012 by our jury

Ingmar Püschel

50354 Hürth
Germany
– discontinued –

The winery at weinfreaks.de with all its wines

WinewhitesweetRiesling

2011 Kröv Steffensberg Riesling Spätlese

Germany

Mosel • Geschützte Ursprungsbezeichnung (g. U.)

Amtliche Prüfungsnummer 2601560 1 12 • 9 % alcohol

16⧛⚖

Tasted on 11 August 2012 by our jury

WinewhitedryRiesling

2010 Kröv Steffensberg Riesling Qualitätswein trocken

Germany

Mosel • Geschützte Ursprungsbezeichnung (g. U.)

Amtliche Prüfungsnummer 2601560 1 11 • 12 % alcohol

16⧛⚖

Tasted on 11 August 2012 by our jury

WinewhitesweetRiesling

2010 Kröv Steffensberg Riesling Beerenauslese

Germany

Mosel • Geschützte Ursprungsbezeichnung (g. U.)

Amtliche Prüfungsnummer 2601560 3 11 • 6 % alcohol

16⧛⚖

Tasted on 11 August 2012 by our jury

Staffelter Hof

Robert-Schuman-Straße 208
54536 Kröv
Germany
Phone: +49 6541 3708
Fax: +49 6541 3933
Internet: www.staffelter-hof.de
E‑mail: info@staffelter-hof.de

The winery at weinfreaks.de with all its wines

Winewhitedry to off-dryRiesling

2011 Dhron Hofberg GeGe Riesling Spätlese

Germany

Mosel • Geschützte Ursprungsbezeichnung (g. U.)

Amtliche Prüfungsnummer 2588503 13 12 • 13 % alcohol

Tasted on 4 August 2019 by Werner Elflein

Greenish, light straw yellow. Slightly buttery, probably from the malolactic fermentation originating smell after yellow fruits. In spite of an opulence in the mouth with sufficient finesse and filigree to keep the wine from appearing clumsy. A fine, discreet, but in every respect harmonious acidity runs through to the finish. Discreet aromas of English lemon marmalade round off the taste picture, which is in the best sense of the word “feinherb”.

16⚖

Tasted on 28 September 2016 by Werner Elflein

16⧛⚖

Tasted on 27 August 2016 by our jury

16.5

Tasted on 27 August 2016 by Werner Elflein

16⧛⚖

Tasted on 11 August 2012 by our jury

WinewhitesweetRiesling

2008 Kröv Steffensberg Riesling Spätlese

Germany

Mosel • Geschützte Ursprungsbezeichnung (g. U.)

Amtliche Prüfungsnummer 2588503 17 09 • 7.5 % alcohol

16.5

Tasted on 14 July 2019 by Werner Elflein

Light lemon yellow with straw yellow reflections. Deep, mineral and slightly herbal scent of mandarin and orange. Slender, elegant, quite light-weight Spätlese that shows much finesse. Extremely fresh and animating. Steely, well integrated acidity. Perfectly balanced. Very good length.

16.5⧛⚖

Tasted on 11 August 2012 by our jury

Wwe. Dr. H. Thanisch – Erben Thanisch

Saarallee 31
54470 Bernkastel-Kues
Germany
Phone: +49 6531 2282
Internet: www.thanisch.com
E‑mail: sofia@thanisch.com

The winery at weinfreaks.de with all its wines

WinewhitesweetRiesling

2008 Bernkastel Doctor Riesling Spätlese

Germany

Mosel • Geschützte Ursprungsbezeichnung (g. U.)

Amtliche Prüfungsnummer 2576242 6 09 • 8 % alcohol

15⧛⚖

Tasted on 11 August 2012 by our jury

Vollenweider

Wolfer Weg 53
56841 Traben-Trarbach
Germany
Phone: +49 6541 814433
Internet: www.weingut-vollenweider.de
E‑mail: mail@weingut-vollenweider.de

The winery at weinfreaks.de with all its wines

WinewhitesweetRiesling

2011 Wolf Goldgrube Riesling Spätlese Gold Capsule

Germany

Mosel • Geschützte Ursprungsbezeichnung (g. U.)

Amtliche Prüfungsnummer 2576801 3 12 • 8.5 % alcohol

17⧛⚖

Tasted on 11 August 2012 by our jury

WinewhitedryRiesling

2010 Wolf Goldgrube Riesling Qualitätswein trocken

Germany

Mosel • Geschützte Ursprungsbezeichnung (g. U.)

Amtliche Prüfungsnummer 2576801 10 11 • 13 % alcohol

15⧛⚖

Tasted on 11 August 2012 by our jury

Weiser-Künstler

Wilhelmstraße 11
56841 Traben-Trarbach
Germany
Phone: +49 6541 819943
Internet: www.weiser-kuenstler.de
E‑mail: weingut@weiser-kuenstler.de

The winery at weinfreaks.de with all its wines

WinewhitedryRiesling

2011 Enkirch Ellergrub Riesling Spätlese trocken

Germany

Mosel • Geschützte Ursprungsbezeichnung (g. U.)

Amtliche Prüfungsnummer 2601562 10 12 • 12 % alcohol

15⧛⚖

Tasted on 11 August 2012 by our jury

WinewhitesweetRiesling

2011 Enkirch Ellergrub Riesling Spätlese

Germany

Mosel • Geschützte Ursprungsbezeichnung (g. U.)

Amtliche Prüfungsnummer 2601562 5 12 • 7.5 % alcohol

16.5⧛⚖

Tasted on 11 August 2012 by our jury

WinewhitesweetRiesling

2010 Enkirch Steffensberg Riesling Auslese

Germany

Mosel • Geschützte Ursprungsbezeichnung (g. U.)

Amtliche Prüfungsnummer 2601562 3 11 • 7.5 % alcohol

17⧛⚖

Tasted on 11 August 2012 by our jury