2021 RIESLING EISWEIN
The first TESCH EISWEIN in over 20 years – created by a new winemaker generation.The TESCH winery in Langenlonsheim in the Nahe valley has been family-owned for almost 300 years. In its 10th generation, Dr. Martin Tesch has been running the winery since 1997 and during this time has developed it into one of Germany’s most successful Riesling producers.
Now, with his son Johannes (born in 2001), the 11th generation of winemakers is working in the family Estate. This year, Johannes completed his training as a winemaker with flying colours. Johannes Tesch is making his professional debut with a rarity: the first TESCH EISWEIN in twenty years.
Even during his winemaking training in Bernkastel-Kues in the Mosel valley, he was enthusiastic about noble sweet Rieslings. This passion also had a decisive influence on the 2021 Tesch EISWEIN, for whose preparation, harvest and processing the junior of the winemaking family was entirely responsible.
A particularly late harvest last year provided good conditions for the EISWEIN. In order to increase the resistance of the grapes to bad weather condition, the grapes of a complete vineyard were wrapped in foil.
A few days before Christmas, perfect conditions prevailed for the harvest. The colder the night – the more concentrated the nectar. Therefore, the grapes frozen on the vine were harvested at 5 a.m. with minus 8 °C. While still frozen, the small “ice balls” went into the press. The result was a must with 140 ° Öchsle.
The result was a brilliant noble sweet EISWEIN. Clear, concentrated fruit aromas of peach and passion fruit, a juicy sweetness and smart acidity characterize this dessert wine. A great, rare Riesling experience.
The label of the debut EISWEIN is also particularly striking. It features the silhouette of a punk in frosty, deep blue colours. The label is based on a large-format painting by the painter Meral Alma, which, abstracted from the figure of the punk, is also reminiscent of a sea of ice.
Meral Alma, who has a studio in the middle of Düsseldorf’s old town, is one of the most famous German artists. She met the budding winemaker Johannes Tesch during his internship at the “Uerige” brewery in Düsseldorf and was impressed that this likeable and down-to-earth young man was already pursuing his career path with such enthusiasm.
This 2021 EISWEIN is a successful debut for the 11th generation of winemakers at the TESCH winery.