1999 Gunderloch Nackenheim Rothenberg Riesling Beerenauslese #19, 375ml

Gunderloch was founded in Nackenheim, Germany, in the late 19th century by Carl Gunderloch. The estate is still owned by Gunderloch’s heirs and the winemaker is Fritz Hasselbach, who married into the family. The estate’s 28 acres are planted to Riesling, Silvaner, Rulander and Gewurztraminer. About 9,000 cases of Riesling and dessert wines are produced annually.

Rheinhessen is Germany’s largest “anbaugebiete,” or “quality wine region.” With 65,000 vineyard acres located along the Rhine, it is in the center of Germany’s wine industry. And, for many years, the region was known primarily for producing large amounts of bulk wine blends. In recent years, however, it has become one of the most exciting wine producing areas in Germany, thanks in large part to an energetic group of young, talented, worldly winemakers who have shaken up the region with a return to traditional, rather than industrial, winemaking methods and an emphasis on quality. The dominant grape in Rheinhessen is Muller-Thurgau, followed by Riesling, Sylvaner, Scheurebe, and several others.