Sunny Outlook for German WineHarvest Specialty “Federweisser” Already on the Market Main Harvest Estimated to Begin Mid-September 31 August 2005 In Germany, the season for wine festivals is in high gear and is now enhanced by a specialty only available at harvest time and in, or near, the wine-growing regions called “Federweisser,” or grape juice in the process of fermenting. The name refers to the milky-white color it takes on as the activated yeast converts the natural sugar in the juice into alcohol and carbon dioxide – some say it looks like “little floating white feathers.” Visitors to German wine country at this time of year can enjoy this unique specialty, traditionally served with “Zwiebelkuchen,” a delicious onion quiche. “In the Pfalz and Rheinhessen, the harvest of very early-ripening varieites – such as Ortega, Huxel and Siegerrebe – has begun,” says Armin Göring, managing director of the German Wine Institute/Mainz, “and once the grapes are pressed, the juice is sold as Federweisser, a harbinger of the primary harvest in autumn. It won’t be long before this seasonal specialty is available in other wine-growing regions.” Göring estimates that the harvest of early-ripening varieties, such as Rivaner and Portugieser – destined to be sold as wine – will begin in mid-September, depending on weather conditions. Thus far, growers are very satisfied with the development of this year’s crop. In some regions, growth is up to ten days ahead of schedule. As such, good quality and an average quantity are expected. The crop is very healthy and if September is sunny and dry, the grapes will have sufficient time to develop optimal ripeness and their typical varietal aromas. Germany’s premier variety, Riesling, usually ripens throughout October and, weather permitting, well into November. This extremely long ripening period fosters the intensity of its varietal aromas. As such, the harvest in the classical Riesling regions, such as the Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Rheingau and Mittelrhein, is not expected to begin before October. Growers in Baden, Württemberg and the Pfalz also hope to delay harvesting until the end of September in order to achieve the greatest potential ripeness of their crop. email cl@dwi-dwf.de for a printable photo |
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