Von Buhl Riesling "Maria Schneider" 2008

So, what's up with the Saxaphone on the label? Why is this woman Maria Schneider's name all over this wine? Is she German?  Well... we'll start with her Jazz Legend status and finish with why we've picked the wine this week.

Once upon a time there was an 8 time Grammy nominee, Grammy winner and well known American Jazz artist named Maria Schneider.  She went for a vacation in German (around the Pfalz it seems) and on that trip, in 1997, she found herself working the harvest at Von Buhl to relax.  It turned out that the winery kept her pickings separate from the rest and made a cuvee in her honor and later sent it to her in the States.  Much to her surprise it was delicious!  And the start of a long and beautiful relationship with Von Buhl began. Maria's wine, or the "Jazz Label", as it is sometimes referred to is now approaching its 13th vintage. While the story is verging very close to cheesy, it seems that the wine is delicious. We can't help ourselves when we meet a dry riesling such as this - great value, big flavors, lively, refreshing, dry and original. 

Von Buhl "Maria Schneider"  $19/btl

 

 

meet the winemaker

Hurbertus Meitzler
Described as a man with "considerable experience" by the wine importer Rudi Wiest, not much is known of Mr. Meitzler. He stepped into shoes that, prior to 2003, had been filled by a string of winemakers.  Now, with many great wines and the upcoming 2010 vintage under his belt he can see his future at Von Buhl. 

The estate is comprised of 128 acres, with top vineyard holdings in the villages of Forst, Deidesheim, and Ruppertsberg. The Von Buhl's have been in the area for 200 years. They credit their success to their approach to management in the vineyard.  Grasses and clover are planted between rows of vines, which are spaced to allow optimal ventilation. Special attention is paid to low yields and very selective harvesting. Gentle pressing is accomplished with pneumatic presses and after a careful filtration without fining they employ their cool, long“over 2 km”vaulted cellar for long maturation of the wine in stainless steel tanks, which binds the fresh acidity into the wine and contributes to its harmonious character. This reductive method helps to maintain the natural varietal and geographic character of the wines. Constant quality controls from harvest through to bottling guarantee fine, fruity and clean wines.

What exactly Hurbertus brings to the wine, is unknown to us, but we know that their location in the Pfalz gives the wines the fine fruity minerality and long long finish we love about 'em.