FRANKFURT. APFELWEIN. KULTUR.

Name: Apfelschaumwein (Trocken) Methode Classique, 2011
Producer: Apfelweinkontor in collaboration with Kelterei Joachim Döhne
Region: North Hessen, Germany
Style: Sparkling Apfelwein (bottle fermented, méthode traditionnelle)
Type: Dry (trocken)
Bottle: 750ml (champagne style)
Alcohol: 10.0%

Apfelweinkontor continues to set new standards for modern premium apfelwein (german cider). This time, in collaboration with Joachim Döhne, it is an outstanding ‘champagne style’ sparkling apfelschaumwein, hand made using the méthode traditionnelle or méthode classique.

This apfelschaumwein is made using local apples from the north Hessen region near Kassel. It is produced from a variety of apples which are each fermented into a dry apfelwein before a cuvée is made, bottled, and then fermented for a second time in the bottle. After secondary fermentation (a period of anything between 3 and 9 months), and hand turning (riddling), the bottles are disgorged and a dosage is added to the crisp dry schaumwein before being hand corked and labelled.

The wine has a beautiful deep golden colour and a strong but subtle and long lasting perlage.

It must be said that the aroma is incredible, bursting with incredible fresh fruit, apple, and a hint (in olfactory terms) of sweetness.

On tasting, there is all of this and more: again the fresh fruit, with hints of sweetness, filling the mouth with caramel flavours before gradually giving way to a firm acidity. This latter is the key to the wine. Without the crisp, clear, firm structure of acidity the palate would be overcome by fruit. On the middle palate there is a definite transition to a ‘champagne-like’ dryness, before finishing with a surprisingly long apple sensation.

Overall, this is a wonderful sparkling apfelwein that harnesses strong elements (freshness, acidity, yeast, dryness, sweetness) in a subtle and deft combination. At the price (ca. 14 euros) it is hard to imagine a better quality, or value, sparkling wine of any kind.

I tasted the Apfelweinkontor, Apfelschaumwein (Trocken) Methode Classique 2011 with my friend Eduardo, so you can find a Spanish language review here. A further English language review is available here.

(Source: ciderhaus.com.au)

Name: Muskatrenette (Späte Ernte) 2011
Producer: Obsthof-am-Steinberg, Andreas Schneider
Region: Frankfurt (Nieder-Erlenbach), Hessen. Germany
Style: Single Varietal (sortenreiner), Premium Still Apfelwein (German cider)
Type: Dry/Semi-dry (trocken/halb)
Bottle: 750ml (wine bottle)
Alcohol: 7.0%

The Muskatrenette from Obsthof-am-Steinberg is an organically certified, single varietal apfelwein (German cider) presented in 750ml riesling-style bottle. Of note is the apple variety which originally came from France or Holland but was grown and developed in England and is related to the Cox. Furthermore, the apples are late picked which adds a further dimension to the apfelwein.

(Image source: www.obstsortendatenbank.de)

In the glass it the palest of pale yellow and very still without the slightest natural effervescence.

The aroma is extremely light, bordering on undetectable, with only a hint of sweetness.

On tasting, however, there is an abundance of fruit, with fresh apples, and a roundness resulting from a good balance between acidity and residual sugar. Keep in mind that this is a dry style apfelwein but there may be a touch more sweetness due to the late harvest of the apples. It is heavy on the middle palate, while the finish is much lighter but with a long lasting intensity coming from the underlying acidity which is hidden but still present.

Overall, this is a great apfelwein which, somehow, feels festive… perhaps because of its round character and the blaze of yellow and gold on the label.

I tasted the Muskatrenette (Späte Ernte) 2011 with my friend Eduardo, so you can find a Spanish language review here. A version in English is also available here.

Name: Boskoop “Alte Bäume” (Lagenapfel) 2011
Producer: Obsthof-am-Steinberg, Andreas Schneider
Region: Frankfurt (Nieder-Erlenbach), Hessen. Germany
Style: Single varietal (sortenreiner), premium still apfelwein (German cider)
Type: Dry (trocken)
Bottle: 750ml (wine bottle)
Alcohol: 8.0%

Obsthof-am-Steinberg is well known in the Frankfurt region for producing some of the best, high quality, artisanal apfelweins (german cider) available. In addition to being finely crafted, virtually every apple is grown by Andreas Schneider on his own biologically certified farm. Add to this the fact that you can sit under these very trees and sample this beautiful modern apfelwein all with a view of  the Frankfurt skyline.

Presented in a riesling style bottle, this organically certified apfelwein (german cider) is made from a single apple variety, the lovely and very versatile Boskoop. Obsthof-am-Steinberg has a great variety of trees but these Boskoop apples come from the older trees on the farm.

In the glass it is a very light straw colour and has the lightest effervescence although this is a still apfelwein which is filtered and crystal clear in the glass.

The aroma is typical Boskoop, very fruity with a combination of bitter and buttery notes.

Tasting proceeds in three stages: the initial experience on the front of the tongue is light, crisp and fruity. Its surprisingly sweet for what is basically a dry apfelwein. On the middle palate the full character of the Boskoop goes to work, with good acidity, not too overbearing, but round and balanced perfectly with some sweetness. Finally, the finish is very light, with almost no tannin, and surprisingly long fruit.

Overall, this is an extremely well crafted afpelwein (german cider) which is balanced, round and works by making everything from the structure of the single apple variety. These apfelweins do not come cheaply but neither will you find many alternatives which are so expressive and well executed.

I tasted the Boskoop “Alte Bäume” 2011 with my friend Eduardo, so you can find a Spanish language review here. A version in English is also available here.