I am Amy Duncan and I am the founder of Lucky Grapevine Imports. I am the importer of choice for the German Wineries and the retail establishments who need them! German Wine is so underserved in the United States, which is why I chose to fill this need! The people here don't know what they are missing, but fortunately we have arrived! Today, is just a little intro to the wine and history to get your mouth watering for a delicious glass of Riesling... or Pinot Noir.. or well, you get the gist.
German Wine History (But in a nutshell)
The history of German wine dates back over 2,000 years (no wonder it's delicious with all this practice!) and is rich in tradition. Here is a brief time line of events: (Not a history buff... skip down a bit)
1. Roman Era: The Romans introduced viticulture (cultivation & harvesting of grapes) to the region that is now Germany around the 1st century AD. They planted vineyards along the banks of the Rhine and Moselle rivers and established winemaking techniques.
2. Medieval Period: During the Middle Ages, monastic orders played a crucial role in the development of German winemaking. Monks cultivated vineyards and improved winemaking practices, bringing about higher quality wines. (A must see while in Germany: https://kloster-eberbach.de/en )
3. Late Middle Ages and Renaissance: Wine production expanded, and German wines gained international recognition. In this period, the Rheingau region emerged as a prominent wine-producing area, known for its Riesling grapes. (This is the region we are bringing now!)
4. Thirty Years' War: The Thirty Years' War (1618-1648) disrupted German wine production and caused significant damage to vineyards. However, after the war, the industry gradually recovered.
5. Prussian Influence: In the 18th and 19th centuries, the Prussian government implemented reforms that modernized the German wine industry. They introduced new grape varieties and improved vineyard management techniques. (They did so well at it, Germany absorbed the country in 1932)
6. Phylloxera (a nasty little bug) and Rebirth: The late 19th century brought challenges to German winemaking, particularly the arrival of phylloxera, a vineyard pest. Many vineyards were destroyed, and it took time to recover. However, this period also saw the emergence of wine cooperatives and new winemaking techniques.
7. (AND FINALLY ) The 20th Century and Beyond: The 20th century brought both triumphs and challenges to German winemakers. The country's reputation for producing excellent Riesling wines grew internationally. However, the two World Wars, economic difficulties, and changing tastes impacted the industry. In recent decades, German winemakers have embraced modern winemaking methods and achieved a balance between tradition and innovation.
Coming to a wine bar near you...
Today German wine is known for its diverse wine regions, producing a range of wines from white to red, dry to sweet and do not forget the yummy sparkling (Sekt) wine (that will be another blog)! German wine history reflects a deep culture where the tradition, regional diversity and quality have been instrumental in shaping the wine industry. And... NO all German wine is not sweet. Silly myth!!
So whether you are celebrating wine Wednesday, Thirsty Thursday or well... nothing? It is always time for a nice glass of German wine especially when it's one from our portfolio!
Comments