In the tiny town of Kiedrich in Germany’s Rheingau, Robert Weil winery is on a quest to make the perfect Riesling wines.
There is no shortage of excellent wineries in the breathtakingly beautiful Rheingau, one of Germany’s 13 official wine regions, just a short 30 minutes-drive from Frankfurt International Airport. And the first that will come to mind are most likely the centuries-old Schloss Johannisberg (where late harvest was invented, or rather incidentally discovered), Kloster Eberbach (the former Cistercian abbey), Schloss Vollrads and Schloss Reinhardshausen – all of them some of the oldest wineries in Germany.
A winery that seems still young in comparison, Weingut Robert Weil ‘only’ looks back at four generations of the Weil family involved in winemaking.
Nevertheless, recognized for making outstanding Riesling wines right from the start, any wine lover visiting the area needs to pay as visit to the beautiful estate and its modern, stylish tasting room.
About Robert Weil Winery
A professor of German at renowned Sorbonne University in Paris at the time he purchased his first vineyards in the Rheingau in 1867, Dr. Robert Weil set the foundations at one of the areas’ leading wineries.
In 1875, after he was forced to leave France for good due to the Franco-Prussian war, he officially founded Robert Weil winery in the small town of Kiedrich, where he had bought the manor house of late Sir John Sutton, a wealthy patron of the arts.
The beautiful historic house remains the home of the winery to this day.
Robert Weil winery owns most of the highest rated vineyards in the municipality, including the famous Gräfenberg, Turmberg and Klosterberg. All of the winery’s 90 hectares under vine are planted to Riesling; which is perhaps not surprising as the Rheingau is known as the home of German Riesling.
In the vineyard, focus is put on quality and sustainability. All grapes are hand-picked, and special vibrating grape trailers are used to transport grapes to the winery, while gravity is used to transport the grapes to the press.
Fermentation extents between six to twelve weeks, and whenever possible wild yeast is used to increase authenticity and a more distinct profile of the wines.
Characterized by the minerality of the slate soil, Robert Weil Riesling wines are elegant, fruity that show complexity and great play.
Though only producing Riesling wines, you will find a fairly large range of different styles, from dry to naturally sweet, and sparkling wines.
Below, you will find my tasting notes of four different wines, a Riesling Ortswein, Grand Cru and the two sparkling wines from Robert Weil winery.
Robert Weil Kiedrich Gräfenberg Riesling Trocken GG
This Grosses Gewächs (Grand Cru) Riesling with grapes sourced from Gräfenberg vineyard, which was first mentioned in the late 12th century. The vineyard is facing south-west and has deep to medium-deep predominantly stony, fragmented phyllite soil.
Tasting Notes:
In the glass, a light yellow with green hues.
On the nose, vibrant fruit notes.
On the palate, complex with a nuanced structure and subtle minerality.
A perfect wine on its own, it also pairs well to a wide range of food.
Robert Weil Kiedricher Riesling Trocken
Released under the ‚Ortswein‘ label, Kiedricher Riesling Trocken (dry) is made from pre-selected grapes sourced from premier cru and grand cru vineyards.
Tasting Notes:
In the glass, a light yellow with green hues.
On the nose, an animating fruit aroma with notes of lime, tangerine, green apples, and white flowers.
On the palate, a harmoniously balanced acidity and lasting body. Subtle minerality.
Perfect for a wide range of food.
Robert Weil Riesling Brut Nature
This excellent sparkling wine is made according to the classic method, thus with second fermentation taking place in the bottle. It’s matured on the lees in bottle for 20 months prior to disgorgement.
In the glass, a light yellow with stable perlage.
On the nose, intense aromas of fresh bread, stone fruit, and citrus notes.
On the palate, complex and fresh.
Robert Weil Riesling Turmberg Brut Nature
Grapes for the Riesling Turmberg Brut Nature are sourced from Turmberg vineyard and second fermentation of Turmberg Brut Nature is taking place in the bottle, and matured on the lees for at least 48 to 72 months prior to disgorgement.
In the glass, a light yellow with stable perlage.
On the nose, bright and lively aromas of brioche and yellow stone fruit, followed by citrus notes.
On the palate, complex with well balanced acidity.
Both sparkling wines are great as an aperitif or paired with a wide range of food from appetizers to pasta, risotto, grilled or fried fish, asparagus, vegetarian dishes and even white meat and poultry.
Robert Weil winery is located in Mühlberg 5, 65399 Kiedrich
Carrots and Tigers 