Comments on: Ulli Stein and his forbidden wine http://www.drvino.com/2009/03/25/ulli-stein-and-his-forbidden-wine/ wine talk that goes down easy Sat, 21 Nov 2009 08:56:23 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: Chris Jessen http://www.drvino.com/2009/03/25/ulli-stein-and-his-forbidden-wine/#comment-225063 Chris Jessen Sat, 28 Mar 2009 11:33:45 +0000 http://www.drvino.com/?p=3541#comment-225063 Hi all of you !! You are absolutely right !! Actually before this wine law of 1971 it was allowed to produce a "Strohwein" - so the german word for it ! And, believe it or not - in Austria it is still allowed - up to date ... The 1971 german wine law is today seen by the majority of producers and critics as a law which is no longer contemporary! But, as allways, the germans cannot come to grips on how to change it.. The discussion has been going on since the first days of this law ... The main complaint is that it focuses on the density of the must and not on the quality of the heritage ( as in the most other european wine laws ) ... but now - with the climate change on one side and the force from the european parliament on the other side it looks like - before too long - we will receive a new law, ...finally !! Mr Stein might however then loose his right to be the only one to produce Strohwein in Germany !! Hi all of you !! You are absolutely right !! Actually before this wine law of 1971 it was allowed to produce a “Strohwein” – so the german word for it ! And, believe it or not – in Austria it is still allowed – up to date … The 1971 german wine law is today seen by the majority of producers and critics as a law which is no longer contemporary! But, as allways, the germans cannot come to grips on how to change it.. The discussion has been going on since the first days of this law … The main complaint is that it focuses on the density of the must and not on the quality of the heritage ( as in the most other european wine laws ) … but now – with the climate change on one side and the force from the european parliament on the other side it looks like – before too long – we will receive a new law, …finally !! Mr Stein might however then loose his right to be the only one to produce Strohwein in Germany !!

]]> By: Dylan http://www.drvino.com/2009/03/25/ulli-stein-and-his-forbidden-wine/#comment-223864 Dylan Fri, 27 Mar 2009 01:54:47 +0000 http://www.drvino.com/?p=3541#comment-223864 I'm impressed by his relentless spirit. He didn't take no for an answer and kept pushing for what he believed was right. Although, I'm surprised at the turn it took from him being unable to take the name, to him having exclusive ownership for it. Quite the twist. I’m impressed by his relentless spirit. He didn’t take no for an answer and kept pushing for what he believed was right. Although, I’m surprised at the turn it took from him being unable to take the name, to him having exclusive ownership for it. Quite the twist.

]]> By: S Bitterolf http://www.drvino.com/2009/03/25/ulli-stein-and-his-forbidden-wine/#comment-222835 S Bitterolf Wed, 25 Mar 2009 20:17:35 +0000 http://www.drvino.com/?p=3541#comment-222835 Great post Tyler. Ulli Stein is seriously one of the most intriguing, passionate and thoughtful people in the Mosel - which is saying something b/c there are a lot of damn wise people in that valley. Aside from his "straw wine," Ulli has also fought to re-cultivate Pinot Noir in the Mosel. This may be a curious thought for most of us, but the grape actually has a long history there. Ulli has also done tremendous amounts to cultivate many of the forgotten sites in the Mosel. The Bremmer Calmont, which you mention Tyler, is but one of the more extreme examples. This is one of the steepest vineyards in Europe - quite literally a wall of vines and because it has never had a commanding owner, the wines have never (till Ulli) shown the potential of the site. It's a vicious circle, as the reputation of the wines stagnate, the price of the fruit drops, so too does the economic viability of the site and growers slowly abandon their parcels. This is how vineyards die. Ulli has truly breathed life back into this vineyard - in fact, I believe Ulli pays his growers *more* than the going rate for their fruit, just to encourage them to return to the vineyard, and to work it more sustainably. If your curious, the website of the importer is very well written and worth a visit: http://www.moselwinemerchant.com I'd add, just for the record, that while I consider Ulli a friend and proudly sell his wines at Crush, I don't have any serious financial stake in this. I just think Ulli's a great guy with wines that deserve more attention. Great post Tyler. Ulli Stein is seriously one of the most intriguing, passionate and thoughtful people in the Mosel – which is saying something b/c there are a lot of damn wise people in that valley. Aside from his “straw wine,” Ulli has also fought to re-cultivate Pinot Noir in the Mosel. This may be a curious thought for most of us, but the grape actually has a long history there. Ulli has also done tremendous amounts to cultivate many of the forgotten sites in the Mosel. The Bremmer Calmont, which you mention Tyler, is but one of the more extreme examples. This is one of the steepest vineyards in Europe – quite literally a wall of vines and because it has never had a commanding owner, the wines have never (till Ulli) shown the potential of the site. It’s a vicious circle, as the reputation of the wines stagnate, the price of the fruit drops, so too does the economic viability of the site and growers slowly abandon their parcels. This is how vineyards die. Ulli has truly breathed life back into this vineyard – in fact, I believe Ulli pays his growers *more* than the going rate for their fruit, just to encourage them to return to the vineyard, and to work it more sustainably.

If your curious, the website of the importer is very well written and worth a visit: http://www.moselwinemerchant.com I’d add, just for the record, that while I consider Ulli a friend and proudly sell his wines at Crush, I don’t have any serious financial stake in this. I just think Ulli’s a great guy with wines that deserve more attention.

]]> By: Katie http://www.drvino.com/2009/03/25/ulli-stein-and-his-forbidden-wine/#comment-222583 Katie Wed, 25 Mar 2009 14:34:01 +0000 http://www.drvino.com/?p=3541#comment-222583 Question is, if they're infected with botrytis how could they possibly be considered "fresh" anyway? They're rotting for christ's sake! Isn't that the point? Question is, if they’re infected with botrytis how could they possibly be considered “fresh” anyway? They’re rotting for christ’s sake! Isn’t that the point?

]]> By: Randy Watson http://www.drvino.com/2009/03/25/ulli-stein-and-his-forbidden-wine/#comment-222551 Randy Watson Wed, 25 Mar 2009 13:54:53 +0000 http://www.drvino.com/?p=3541#comment-222551 It is crazy to think that such an amazing wine would be banned because the grapes aren't considered "fresh enough". Very interesting. It is crazy to think that such an amazing wine would be banned because the grapes aren’t considered “fresh enough”. Very interesting.

]]>