•
1 1

Wine Tasting Adventure

2024 Dreissigacker, Organic Rheinhessen Riesling Trocken - Liberty

£17.49 GBP
£17.49 GBP

Jochen Dreissigacker farms 45 hectares of certified organic vineyards in the Rheinhessen, over half of which are planted with Riesling. Jochen describes organic winemaking as “the artisan path to purity” and has also implemented biodynamic principles to create optimal conditions for his grapes to thrive. Focussing on improving vineyard practices is, as Jochen explains, “a long-term investment in nature and wines”. This extends further to reducing yields in the vineyard by creating healthier soils that reduce vine vigour. “The path to any truly great wine is to limit the number of grapes that are allowed to ripen,” says Jochen.

As expected from an organic estate, Jochen’s approach in the cellar is as natural as possible, using only indigenous yeast fermentations and minimal intervention. All his wines, except for the Auslese, are fermented fully dry. The optimal position of his vineyards, low yields and Jochen’s determination to pick at optimum ripeness ensure full flavour and eliminate any need for residual sugar to balance unripe flavours.

The ‘Organic’ Riesling is ripe, clean, scented and zesty, offering outstanding value. The ‘Bechtheimer’ Riesling, sourced from a selection of Jochen’s vineyards in the village of Bechtheim, is fuller, richer and more complex, but similarly bone dry with fantastic ageing potential. The ‘Wunderwerk’ Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir) is aged for three years in small oak barrels, one-third of which are new. It is scented, supple and lively, offering a wonderfully pure Pinot Noir from this outstanding producer.

The Auslese Riesling offers a soundly aromatic sweet wine with hints of luscious honey made with specially selected, extra-ripe grapes from the vineyards in Bechtheim. A blend of loess and limestone soils creates delicate floral aromas, while sharp acidity complements the fine sweetness of this Riesling, resulting in a harmonious, lively Auslese with a low ABV.

Jochen’s latest project, ‘Vintages’, reinforces his reputation for innovation. Inspired by the meticulous work of the cellar masters in Champagne, Jochen is determined to show that still wines can gain depth and complexity from the skilful art of blending different, but complementary, vintages. The vintages in each wine are fermented separately before blending and ageing in barriques for three years. Blending St. Laurent and Spätburgunder, the ‘Vintages’ red is fragrant and juicy with a silky palate and lengthy finish. The ‘Vintages’ Riesling brings together the elegance and minerality from up to five vintages, resulting in a pure, dry expression.

The estate has 45 hectares under vine, 55% of which are Riesling growing on gentle hillsides with shallow deposits of loess and loam overlying a bedrock of limestone. Jochen's approach in the vineyard as well as in the cellar is simple: to intervene as little as possible. He reduced the yields in the vineyard to ensure excellent fruit and better concentration of flavours and has identified the best parcels of vines, which he vinifies separately.

The 2024 vintage presented a complex challenge in the vineyard. Early spring brought unseasonably warm temperatures followed by devastating late frosts in April that significantly reduced potential yields across the region. Heavy rainfall throughout the growing season created ideal conditions for fungal diseases, requiring constant vigilance in the vineyards. Despite these adversities, changing weather patterns in mid-September brought sunny, dry conditions during the crucial harvest period. Rheinhessen recorded a modest 7% increase in harvest volume compared to 2023, and delivered wines characterised by excellent fruit expression and classic cool-climate elegance.

Upon arrival at the winery, the hand-harvested grapes were macerated for up to 18 hours. The juice underwent spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel tanks for four weeks at 16-18°C to retain the variety's vibrant and pure primary fruit aromatics. The wine remained in stainless steel tanks for five to seven months prior to bottling, followed by a further two months in bottle before release.

Pale yellow in colour with youthful hues, this dry organic Riesling shows ripe fruit aromas of citrus, green apple and light spice notes. The palate is refreshing, with juicy acidity and a subtle minerality.