# Schloss Johannisberg Bronzelack Riesling Trocken (2023)

- **Producer:** Schloss Johannisberg
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Riesling
- **Region:** Rheingau, Germany
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 12.5%
- **Average price:** €29
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 7–9 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** peach, pineapple, apple, herbaceous, mint, lemon, lime, orange, cream, toast

## About this wine

Schloss Johannisberg is a legendary estate in the Rheingau, documented as the world's first pure Riesling estate, planting 100% Riesling since 1720. It is also celebrated as the cradle of Spätlese (late-harvest wine), discovered accidentally in 1775 when a courier carrying harvest permission was delayed, allowing noble rot to develop. The Bronzelack (Bronze Seal) dry classification was introduced to bridge the gap between their everyday dry Gelblack (Yellow Seal) and their flagship Grand Cru Silberlack GG.

## Interesting facts

- Schloss Johannisberg is documented as the world's first pure Riesling estate, planting 100% Riesling since 1720.
- The estate accidentally discovered Spätlese (late-harvest wine) in 1775 when a courier carrying harvest permission was delayed.
- The winery coopers its own oak barrels using trees grown in its own private forest located directly behind the estate.

## Food pairing

The high acidity and intense minerality of this dry Riesling cut through rich poultry dishes and fatty fish, while its vibrant stone fruit and citrus notes complement spicy Asian cuisine and light, aromatic herbs.

## Wine making process

Grapes are hand-picked from the estate's historic 50-hectare monopole slope. Fermentation is split: 35% takes place in large, neutral 1,200-liter oak barrels (Doppelstück) crafted from oak harvested from the estate’s own 300-hectare forest; the remaining 65% is fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel. The wine is matured on the fine lees in both oak and stainless steel until bottling in April 2024.