1976 Schloss Vollrads Auslese weissgold #12

Schloss Vollrads is in the heart of the Rheingau region of Germany. It has been a wine producer since the 13th century and it makes only Riesling. The 200-acre estate is today owned by a German bank, Nassauische Sparkasse.

Rheingau is considered one of the finest of Germany’s great wine districts. Its 8,000 vineyard acres are planted primarily to Riesling, and the Rieslings of Rheingau are noted for their steely character. In recent decades producers have also started planted Pinot Noir, called Spatburgunder in Germany. Historically the most famous Rieslings of the Rheingau have been the very sweet Beerenauslesen and Trockenbeerenauslesen styles, but as the market for dry wines has increased, younger Rheingau winemakers have begun producing dry Riesling, harkening back to methods used before the 20th century. By 2005 nearly 85% of the Rheingau Rieslings have been dry wines.