Fritz Haag Riesling Trocken 2022

Region and Vineyards

The grapes for Fritz Haag Riesling Trocken come from steep, slate-soil vineyards in the winery's home village of Brauneberg and neighboring villages of Mühlheim and Burgen, in the heart of the Mosel Valley. The region's characteristic Devonian slate soils are vital to the wine’s signature minerality and finesse, as they retain heat and promote even ripening in the cool Mosel climate.

The 2022 vintage was challenging, with extreme summer dryness and variable autumn weather. While young vines struggled, the estate's older vines, with their deep roots, thrived by tapping into underground water reserves. This resilience resulted in concentrated grapes that balance ripeness with the Mosel's hallmark acidity, ensuring a vintage of remarkable promise and finesse.

Winemaking

This 100% Riesling is vinified with a focus on purity and precision. The grapes are harvested by hand to ensure optimal quality and are fermented at cool temperatures in stainless steel to retain the wine's vibrant fruit and fresh acidity.

The wine achieves a perfect balance with 11.5% alcohol, 6.7 grams per liter of residual sweetness, and a crisp 7.8 grams per liter of total acidity, making it a quintessential dry Mosel Riesling. The result is a bright, crisp wine with excellent aging potential and immediate appeal.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Pale yellow with greenish reflections.
• Aroma: Enticing aromas of spring meadow flowers, crisp green apples, and pears, with a subtle hint of wet slate.
• Palate: Fresh and vibrant, offering flavors of lime zest, stone fruit, and a delicate mineral edge. The moderate acidity adds elegance and precision, leading to a long, clean finish.

Did You Know?

The 2022 vintage highlights the Mosel Valley’s reliance on older vines in challenging conditions. The slate soils and resilient vine roots ensure that even in dry vintages, the wines maintain their hallmark elegance and freshness, a signature of Fritz Haag’s Rieslings.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Oysters on the half shell: The wine’s bracing minerality and acidity enhance the salinity of the oysters.
• Grilled shrimp with citrus butter: Its crispness complements the bright, zesty flavors of the dish.
• Goat cheese tart with fresh herbs: The wine’s acidity and minerality balance the richness of the cheese and herbs.
• Asian chicken salad: The subtle fruitiness and refreshing finish pair beautifully with the dish's tangy dressing.

History of Fritz Haag Estate

The historic Fritz Haag estate dates back to 1605, making it one of the oldest in the Mosel region. Originally, the village where the estate is situated was known as "Dusemond" (Latin for "sweet hill"). In 1925, it was renamed "Brauneberg" ("brown mountain") to promote the reputation of its world-renowned vineyards: Brauneberger Juffer and Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr.

The name "Juffer," meaning "old maid" or "virgin" in the local dialect, dates back to 1790. It refers to the aristocratic Wunderlich family, whose three daughters, all unmarried, managed the vineyards. Their exceptional management led to the vineyards becoming famous worldwide. The vineyards were treasured even by Napoleon.

For many years, the estate was successfully led by Wilhelm Haag, whose efforts earned it a world-renowned reputation. Wilhelm was the first to win the prestigious "Winemaker of the Year" award from the Gault Millau Wineguide in 1994. His son, Oliver Haag, took over in 2005 and has continued to lead the estate to new heights.

Region and Vineyards

The Fritz Haag estate is located in Brauneberg, Middle Mosel, Germany. The vineyards are situated on the steep, south-facing Brauneberg hillside, characterized by its blue Devonian slate soils. The estate farms 29 hectares (72.5 acres) of vineyards with an average vine age of 45 years, though some vines are up to 100 years old. The vineyards are managed sustainably, and the estate is a member of the VDP (Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter) Mosel. The key vineyards are: 

• Brauneberger Juffer: Produces Trocken “J,” GG, and all Prädikat wines.
• Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr: Produces GG and Prädikat wines (Spätlese and above).
• Kestener Paulinshofberg: Produces GG wines.

Notable Wines from Fritz Haag

• Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer Riesling Spätlese: This late-harvested wine has rich fruit flavors and vibrant acidity. The balanced sweetness and elegant minerality make it both rich and refined.
• ​​Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer Riesling Auslese: Concentrated and sweet, this wine showcases intense fruit flavors and honey. It is luxurious with balanced acidity, making it both rich and refreshing
• Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer Riesling Kabinett: This wine is light and crisp, with fresh green apple, citrus, and white peach flavors. It has a lively acidity and a pronounced minerality that adds to its refreshing profile
• Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese: Complex and elegant, this wine showcases ripe apricot, peach, and honey flavors. It offers a harmonious balance between sweetness and acidity, with a long and lingering finish
• Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese: Luxuriously sweet and full-bodied, this wine features intense tropical fruit flavors, honey, and sometimes a touch of botrytis. It is opulent with a balanced acidity that keeps it refreshing
• ​Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett: Delicate and light-bodied, this wine offers citrus and stone fruit notes. It is crisp and refreshing, with a subtle sweetness that enhances its delicate profile.

Did you know?

The Brauneberger Juffer vineyard has been renowned since Roman times and is known for producing some of the finest Rieslings in the Mosel Valley. The vineyard's name, "Juffer," reflects the historical significance of the land being managed by three unmarried daughters of an aristocratic family.