• The Mosel auction will include wines from Mittelrhein.
• The Rheingau auction will include wines from Baden, Franken, and Württemberg.
• The Nahe auction will include wines from Ahr, Rheinhessen, and Pfalz.

The finest wines of vintage 2009 as well as rarities from the past century will come under the hammer at the 2010 wine auctions. The list of rarities spans a century of history: from the founding years, to the post-WW2 years, to the recent Riesling renaissance – all of which illustrate the history and glory of German wine, through its ups and downs.

• 1910 Deidesheimer Grain Riesling, Geh. Rat Dr. v. Bassermann, Pfalz
• 1911 Wehlener Hammerstein Riesling Auslese, S.A. Prüm, Mosel
• 1943 Steinberger Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese, Staatsweingüter Kloster Eberbach, Rheingau
• 1950 Hochheimer Kirchenstück Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese, Domdechant Werner, Rheingau
• 1959 Eitelsbacher Karthäuserhofberger Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese, Karthäuserhof, Ruwer
• 1966 Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle Riesling Feine Auslese, Weingut Dönnhoff, Nahe
• 1967 Casteller Schlossberg Silvaner Beerenauslese, Fürstlich Castell’sches Domänenamt, Franken
• 1976 Monzinger Halenberg Riesling Auslese, Emrich-Schönleber, Nahe
• 1983 Saarburger Rausch Riesling Eiswein, Forstmeister Geltz-Zilliken, Saar
• 2002 Dorsheimer Goldloch Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel , Schlossgut Diel, Nahe
• 2003 Kiedricher Gräfenberg Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese Goldkapsel, Robert Weil, Rheingau

VDP growers are thankful that Mother Nature blessed them with a tremendous vintage in 2009, just in time for their centennial celebration. Many a fine growth in 2009 has been reserved exclusively for sale at auction, and is already showing tremendous potential. Precisely which discoveries from vintage 2009 the estates will be offering as well as all details regarding bidding during the centennial auctions will be available as of July 2010 via www.vdp.de/en/auctions/

The colonnade of the old National Gallery on the “Museum Island” will serve as a central information and meeting point. Guests will be able to get an overview of when and where what’s happening and join group tours into the world of “wine & art” (advance reservations recommended; some last-minute tours will be offered). Throughout the afternoon between noon and 6:00 p.m., guests can either stroll or take one of the special shuttle busses from gallery to gallery. Alternatively, bicycles and rickshaws will be available at the colonnade. Last but not least, numerous sponsors will also be on hand at the central information and meeting point.  

“I’m very pleased that Germany’s 200 best wine estates have selected Berlin for their special centennial event,” says Klaus Wowereit, mayor of Berlin. “This is a wonderful addition to the city’s broad spectrum of events – for residents and visitors alike.”

According to Steffen Christmann of Weingut A. Christmann/Pfalz and current president of the VDP: “I find the combination of wine and art something quite special. Both ‘works of wine’ and ‘works of art’ are an expression of the personality of their creator. To truly appreciate either requires more than a simple sip or passing glance.”

“I was enthusiastic about this event from the first moment I heard about it and needed less than a second to agree to participate,” says Frank Lehmann of Galerie Gebr. Lehmann. “Both wine and art play a key role in my life and I’m thrilled that we’ll be able to combine the two in such a sensual manner.”

Advance tickets for “VDP Wein & Kunst Berlin” can be purchased at more than 1,200 eventim AG ticket offices or online via www.eventim.de at an early-bird price of €20,00 through June (€27,00 thereafter), plus the usual advance booking fee.

The Prädikat Wine Estates will celebrate its centennial in 2010 under the motto: “A Century of Fine Wines from Top Sites and Creative Vintners.” Since its founding in 1910, the VDP, the world’s oldest association of wine estates, has been committed to the correlation of producer/site/quality, a trinity that has helped set high standards in German wine culture. The 200 members will celebrate this special birthday with a blaze of activities in Germany and wherever else top German wines are at home.

The complete centennial program is on the VDP website (www.vdp.de) and will be updated on a regular basis.

2008 BRUNNENHÄUSCHEN Riesling Wittmann
2008 DELLCHEN Riesling H. Dönnhoff
2008 FELSENECK Riesling Schäfer-Fröhlich
2008 GRÄFENBERG Riesling Robert Weil
2008 KASTANIENBUSCH Riesling Ökonomierat Rebholz
2008 SCHLOSS JOHANNISBERGER Riesling Weinbaudomäne Schloss Johannisberg
2008 MARIENBURG "ROTHENPFAD" Riesling Clemens Busch
2008 IDIG Riesling A. Christmann
2008 KIRCHENSTÜCK Riesling Franz Künstler
2007 CENTGRAFENBERG Spätburgunder Rudolf Fürst
2007 SOMMERHALDE Spätburgunder Bernhard Huber
2007 PFARRWINGERT Spätburgunder Meyer-Näkel

Compared with recent years, it has been “business as usual” at VDP estates, which shows how resilient their business is in light of general economic conditions. VDP president Steffen Christmann notes: “Our estates are economically viable. Several have even reported that 2008/2009 was the best financial year of their history, thereby confirming the increasing demand for authentic wines. Particularly in times of economic crisis, our strategy of long-term thinking and sustainability has proved to be an asset. Our estates think in terms of generations, not decades.”

Domestic market

Sales figures for the domestic market in 2009 were completely stable. As always, some 80% of VDP wines were sold in Germany, whereby a trend that was just starting in 2008 has now clearly emerged: on-premise sales are down, yet only by one percent, i.e. not as much as feared. Wine enthusiasts increasingly tend to consume less wine in restaurants and bars, but rather purchase more wine for home consumption. In general, the popularity of VDP wines has continually increased in the domestic market, to the extent that they have almost achieved “cult” status. German consumers are willing to pay for the work of VDP vintners. They appreciate the broad range of flavors and aromas that VDP estates bring forth from vineyards that have been cultivated for centuries. In 2009, VDP estates’ combined total sales reached 30 million bottles again, while the German wine industry as a whole reported a two percent decline in volume. The average price per bottle of €9,60 was able to be maintained, even after the 12 percent increase achieved in 2009. In commenting on the current financial state of German producers of top-quality wine, Christmann underscored that “the price increases attained in recent years were not an ephemeral ‘bubble’ but rather built by a solid clientele.”

International market

The situation in foreign markets is extremely varied for VDP estates. Sales in the USA differ from estate to estate. Some report an increase of up to 15 percent, but export setbacks as well. In all, the VDP’s total sales volume in foreign markets remains relatively stable at just over seven million bottles. Certain interesting markets have opened up in recent years, such as Spain, Italy, Russia, Switzerland, and China. Although volume remains small in these markets, they are a lucrative outlet for higher-priced terroir wines. Here, VDP estates are once again breaking ground on behalf of German wine: the sales of high-quality wines in these markets help establish an image of Germany as an exclusive wine-producing country with outstanding vineyards. We expect that this image will provide impetus for healthy sales growth in the years to come. Scandinavia continues to be a growth market for VDP estates, with sales increases of up to 30 percent.

In closing...

Despite the current economic situation, the VDP estates report that wine sales are stable. This is due primarily to a steadfast domestic market and increased demand for higher-priced, top-quality wines of authenticity in foreign markets. According to Christmann: “All in all we are absolutely satisfied. The economic position of our estates continues to be very good.”    

VDP – General Sales Overview in 2009

(Figures are projected, not absolute.)

www.b50neu.de
www.hochmoseluebergang.rlp.de

Singapore is a small market. 4.5 million inhabitants consume only about 2 liters of wine per head and they prefer mostly heavy, full bodied red wines, like Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux wines. Branding is also very important, so wines and champagnes from the big producers are much more appreciated than smaller labels from excellent but mostly unknown wine makers.

Beside of these they like to drink premium branded brandy’s at every opportunity. Singapore is leading in the consumption of premium brandy’s, more than the Americans.

Contrary to this small market there are many importers of wines, some of them really perceive wines only as a commodity, which should fit to the common taste and should be consumed fast.

The high customs duty is a barrier to increase the consumption. It is S$ 70.00 per liter alcohol (about Euro 35.00). The customs duty per normal bottle of wine is between S$ 5.00 and 8.00 plus 7 % GST.

For further considerations it is to take into account that the Singapore market has a big influence on the surrounding South East Asian markets up to China. The consumer behaviour if often a model for  them.

Magma is a Singapore company in German ownership, which started end of 2006 to promote German wines. The market share of German wines was very small, incomparable to the wines from Australia, New Zealand, USA, France, Italy and Chile. Often “German Wine” was synonym for “Sweet Riesling”. There were only few German wines in the market, mostly bottled by traders, which mostly confirmed the prejudices. 

Main target group for Magma were the local people, not primarily the Expats. Insofar is to consider that the local people, mostly of Chinese descent, like to eat, but are also interested to try something new.

Magma combined the offer of excellent German wines in a shop (and in wholesale) with a restaurant, which offers a broad range of delicious German food from all parts of Germany. These food will be matched with wines from 25 of the best German wine makers of all 13 German wine regions (some names are e.g. Keller, Wittmann, Emrich-Schoenleber, Schweinhardt, Bassermann-Jordan, Juliusspital, Schloss Castell, Schloss Proschwitz, Luetzkendorf, Haart, Molitor, Becker, Stodden, Bercher, Weingart).

It’s not easy for Magma. If the people are going to a French or Italian restaurant, they expect a “Fine Dining” experience, start with a Champagne or Prosecco as an aperitif and drink wine matching to the food. If people go to a German restaurant, they expect pork knuckles (Haxen), sausages and beer. Magma bucks against the trend (it is much more easier for “German” restaurants which comply with these prejudices), but after more than 3 years Magma convinced many guests and customers of the contrary.

Magma offers about 250 labels of German wines in about 25 varieties. The guests appreciate much dry and semi-dry wines and one third of the consumption are red varieties with buoyancy.

In several blind tastings and in the leading wine challenges of Singapore German wines, submitted by Magma, have been very successful. 24 wines got “Gold” or “Best Wine” awards, surprisingly not only Riesling, but also several Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, Scheurebe and Silvaner.

More and more Singapore newspapers and lifestyle magazines recognize the high quality of German wines and report about it.

And more and more restaurants and hotels consider their wine menu and add some more German wines on it.

The way is furthermore long, but the efforts of Magma will also be supported by the German institutes for the promotion of wine and these is very helpful.

At the “Wine for Asia 2009 Singapore” more than 120 professionals could participate in 2 seminars, supported by VDP, about “German Great Growths” and “German unknown varieties which are leaders in the world”. 80 more participated in a seminar of the organizer about “Pinot Noir” in which Alexander Stodden could represent German wines.

In a smaller circle of experts at the Magma restaurant Joel Payne could succesfully introduce “German Great Growths” to some leading sommeliers, F & B Manager and opinion leaders, supported by VDP.

And the first trip abroad of the new elected German Wine Queen Sonja Christ went to Singapore, where she represented the German wines at several events, wine tastings and at the exhibition “Wine for Asia 2009 Singapore”.

Target of Magma is that in most of the better restaurants and hotels some German wines will be put on the menu and that the sommeliers and F&B manager will be educated to recommend them to their guests.

And that more and more people will know, that they would be able to buy and enjoy excellent German wines in different varieties in Singapore.

In Germany we are working closely with the VDP and their member vintners, in a quality alliance which allows us to present the excellence and typicla terroirs of the unique German wine regions. to wine tourists in Germany and from abroad.

Terroir is a key in wine tourism, as wine of regional identity is  a perfect embassador for a region's culture and nature.

We are packing some of the major VDP events each year, and especially in the 100th Anniversary year 2010.

We start with the VDP Ballroom event in Wiesbaden on 24th April, where many of Germany’s top wine makers mingle with many other ecxiting participents and guests. We will offer a package to the Great Berlin event „Gutswein & Great Growths Premiere“ in September, and also present the VDP wine week Germany-wide with some packages, including the VDP wine auction at the famous monastery of Kloster Eberbach – known also as a film set for Umberto Eco’s „Name of the Rose“.

If wine is your passion, and travel your way of life - then we can guide you on your way through the land of Riesling and more...

Contact:
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21339 Lüneburg
+49 4131 220 98 60
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info@vintour.de

The presence of the VDP growers in Merano acknowledges the increasing significance of first-class German wines in Italy. Thanks to the efforts of diligent importers, high-caliber German wines have gradually gained distribution in leading restaurants and selected specialty shops throughout the country.

Among the numerous prizes awarded during the festival, two went to wines from VDP estates. The 2008 Birkweiler Kastanienbusch GG (Grosses Gewächs) of Weingut Ökonomierat Rebholz/Pfalz was named best dry Riesling, while the 2007 Kanzemer Altenberg Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese of Weingut von Othegraven/Saar was declared best lusciously sweet Riesling.

The tutored tasting “Riesling, the tremendous aging potential of one of the world’s most noble grapes: a vertical tasting of Germany’s finest producers” was fully booked out. A very attentive audience of well-known oenologists and sommeliers sampled 17 wines ranging from 1959 to 2007. Gian Luca Mazzella, journalist and recognized authority on German wine, moderated the tasting and led the lively discussion that ensued.

Participating VDP wine estates: MITTELRHEIN: Toni Jost – Hahnenhof; MOSEL-SAAR-RUWER: Dr. Loosen, Joh.Jos Prüm, Fritz Haag, Reinhold Haart, Heymann-Löwenstein, Reichsgraf von Kesselstatt, Egon Müller-Scharzhof, von Othegraven, Willi Schaefer, Sankt Urbans-Hof, van Volxem, Geheimrat J. Wegeler; PFALZ: Geh. Rat Dr. v. Bassermann-Jordan, Reichsrat von Buhl, Dr. Bürklin-Wolf, A. Christmann, Georg Mosbacher, Müller Catoir, Ökonomierat Rebholz; RHEINGAU: Johannishof, Schloss Johannisberg, Schloss Reinhartshausen, Schloss Schönborn, Geheimrat J. Wegeler, Kühn, Künstler; RHEINHESSEN: St. Antony, Wittmann; FRANKEN: Horst Sauer; NAHE: Dönnhof, Schäfer-Fröhlich

By Michael Prince zu Salm-Salm, VDP-president of honour

What does your role as President of the IWSC 2010 involve?
First of all I think I can contribute to the success of the IWSC in spreading the word about this competition that focuses on the best wines and spirits from all over the world and helps consumers to find their preferred wine and develop a taste for good qualities. And of course, due to my presidency, the reputation of IWSC will certainly be more popular in Germany. But I am also very happy to be able to represent Germany as a wine country in general and create awareness for the ongoing Riesling renaissance initiated & spread from our country and the long history and tradition of fine wine making here.

Are there any particular aspects of the competition you plan to focus on or develop?
I am already happy, that Jancis Robinson has agreed to be the patron for the Riesling Trophy: A fact that will support this great, unique and versatile grape variety, that on my opinion every wine lover of the world should have the opportunity to taste. 

What does your own experience in the wine industry enable you to bring to this position?
I have been for 17 years president of the VDP Prädikatsweingüter - and am today the honorary- president of VDP -, a German association representing the 200 top-estates of Germany. In this position I made and initiated great connections in the world wide wine-industry, especially among the leading estates and learned a lot about the fine wines of the world. I think networking is in every industry most needed and necessary and as president of IWSC I am happy to be of help with my experience.

What is it that makes the IWSC's work particularly worthy of support and attention?
I think IWSC brings great and quality dedicated producers world wide together. All products represented in the competition always showcase an internationally very high profile. And as one could say “all products are equal”, it offers the same opportunities to all estates participating, if they come from a very well known or traditional country for a product or an “emerging” one.  Last but not least, London has in history always been a big platform and an entrance for the international wine trade – thus it is no wonder that this global competition has its roots here.

How have you seen the wine industry change since your own involvement began?
In the past decades the wine world has become open and international. New wine regions have emerged. Globalisation didn’t stop in front of this industry. All this comes along with continuous new trends or “one copies the other”. For my person I must say that all this brings me back to the roots: I search for products that have an identity, that are authentic and represent their origin.

Do you find any important differences between the German and UK wine trade? What about the consumers in each country?
Our countries are both import nations; the big difference in respect to wine is that Germany is also a wine-producing country. But I don’t know if this changes also the attitude of consumers toward consumer behaviour and preferences. What I think is very noticeable, is that the press in the UK has a much bigger influence than in Germany. But in the end I think that quality consciousness is spread all over and good qualities will be always honoured.

Do you believe German producers, together with bodies such as the VDP and DWI, are taking the necessary steps to communicate the country's wines and styles to the international consumer?
You must see that Germany is a very small wine-growing nation and the value and importance of the wine economy in Germany is minor to e.g. our car industry. Our acreage is comparable to Bordeaux. Thus it is a huge and not realizable challenge, to build an image for German wines all over the world simultaneously. Thus e.g. DWI has to focus on the key import markets for German wine and in addition they have to represent the all wine growers in total and the whole wine style variety produced in Germany – a huge challenge. The VDP as an association of top wine growers only is way smaller, has a strict classification system, but regrettably has not the necessary funding to promote the best wines of Germany to the world. Thus we can act just very focused and have to concentrate on educating the fine wine trade, sommeliers and top restaurateurs and count on them as our mouthpiece to communicate our messages. But all “bodies” try to do their best in communication and marketing.

What sort of approach and ambitions do you have for your own wine estates?
Our two family estates , Prinz Salm on the Nahe and Rheingraf in Rheinhessen, have been recently taken over by my two sons. I look with pride on their enthusiasm to make the best wines from great terroirs and also see their efforts to go new ways in marketing. But most important is for me, that all efforts lead to the primary goal which is to safe and develop the estates also for future generations. Thus both estates are (manufactured) conducted ecologically.

What other interests and projects are you involved with apart from wine?
Since I handed the estates over to my sons, I concentrate more on the development of my investment management company Salm-Salm & Partner focussed on convertibles funds and the administration of properties, including forests. Also I still presidethe land and forest owners associations of Germany.

Are there any further (wine-related) ambitions you'd like to fulfil?
My biggest wine-related goal would be that the VDP’s classification system with Grosses Gewächs from Erste Lage, the Grands Crus, would be legalized for all of Germany.

About Prinz Salm

Prinz Salm was born in 1953 to the distinguished Salm-Dalberg family, one of Europe's oldest and most venerated. Since the time of Charlemagne, for more than a thousand years, the family heritage has been tied to the land, with interests and holdings in forestry, agriculture and wine.

Prinz Salm-Salm's great love is wine, and he takes an active role in the two estates controlled by his family. The Prinz Salm Dalberg'sches Weingut in the Nahe, dates back to A.D. 932 and is reputedly the world's oldest estate remaining within one family.

In addition to the wineries, Prinz Salm-Salm is founder and managing partner of Salm-Salm & Partner GmbH, an investment and real estate consulting company.  Among various duties and honorary positions he is also chairman of the Association of Land Proprietors in Germany and President of the Association of German Forest Proprietors.