In This Newsletter:
 
Molitor
&
Vinopolis Featurette: Close-Out Rosés



Molitor’s Bernkastel Selections
 
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Ambition and drive define Markus Molitor and his incredible wines. After 35 years at the helm of the family business, Markus remains one of the most respected winemakers in the world.
 
As a towering figure in the Mosel, with an impressive, modern winery and holdings in almost every important vineyard in the region, Molitor crafts dozens of wines each year. He believes that every single sub-parcel and selective pick should be vinified to its utmost potential. He not only keeps specific vineyard blocks separate, but also specific passes through the vineyard. What results is a somewhat confusing, especially to those unfamiliar with German labeling conventions, but deeply rewarding portfolio of wines to explore.

In This Newsletter:
 
Peyrassol
&
Vinopolis Close-Out Featurette: Korrell



Peyrassol: Historic Provence Rosé
 
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Theorized to have been established for viticulture by the Knights Templar, the Commanderie de Peyrassol estate has been producing wine since their first recorded harvest in 1256. The current iteration however was founded much more recently, with Francois Rigord undergoing extensive renovations to the estate in 1970.
 
The vines planted reflect Provencal wine as a whole, including Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah and Tibouren (an ancient variety native to the area). Now certified organic and focused on old vines, Peyrassol is at the top of their game. The winery hosts an art museum and sculpture park established by the current owners, the Austruy family, which seems to center around the theme of the Mediterranean sun and the Provencal wilderness—a theme that seems inspired by (and pairs well with) their wines.

In This Newsletter:
 
Franz Hirtzberger
&
Vinopolis Close-Out Featurette: Collector’s Corner



Franz Hirtzberger
 
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Franz Hirtzberger may not be a household name in the United States, but the name (shared by father, son, and winery) is one of the most important in Austria. Franz Hirtzberger senior studied the vineyards in the Wachau region, identifying some of the greatest terraced terroir in the country. This interest in the terroir led him to co-founded the Vinea Wachau just two years before the 1985 crisis that devastated Austrian wine sales. The organization’s timely foundation helped the Wachau region reestablish itself by enacting strict grape-growing and winemaking standards for its members, much like the VDP in Germany.
 
Some of Vinea Wachau’s most important developments include defining the terms Federspiel and Smaragd, eschewing additives such as new oak and chaptalization to preserve the classic dry style of the region, requiring hand harvesting, and defining the region’s boundaries based on traditions dating to the 14^th century.