Oktoberfest in the Pfalz

Friday, September 17, at 7 p.m. at the Harbour Square Club Room, which provides us a stunning view of the Washington skyline.  The price for this tasting is $20 for members, $27 for guests. 

In years past, we (virtually) visited the Rheingau and the Rheinhessen to celebrate and learn more about these regions’ fine wines.  This year we visit the Pfalz, a region near and dear to our hearts, and home of one of our national board’s members – Alice Fitz of Fitz-Ritter.  It is an opportunity to experience wines from our cellar and snacks representing the region.  As with last year, your pourers have undertaken considerable research to ensure your experience is both delicious and delectable.

We’re excited to be joined this year by fellow oenophiles from the Goethe Institute.  As we promote the understanding, appreciation and knowledge of German wines, so the members of the Goethe Institute promote knowledge of the German language abroad and foster international cultural cooperation.  At this tasting, we can do both … together.

From Rudi Wiest: “The Mediterranean like climate and geographic advantages of this sun drenched region makes the Pfalz a favored climate for ripening grapes, fruits and vegetables. This “Tuscany of Germany” is a paradise for noble sweet wines. The powerful, distinctive character of Pfalz Riesling is derived from the stony sediment of the Rhine, with the colored sandstone of the forested Haardt Mountains and remnants of ancient volcanic eruptions.” (https://www.rudiwiest.com)

And from our superstar, Terry Theise: “The wines have a great affinity for food—certainly the most versatile of all German wines—and yet they have an indefinable elegance.” (https://www.skurnikwines.com/msw/documents/2010GermanCatalog.pdf)

The specific wines we’ll be sampling are:

2007 Fitz Riesling Sekt T Pfalz

2005 Becker Spatburgunder QBA Trocken Pfalz

2002 von Buhl Forster Jesuitengarten Riesling Spatlese Pfalz

2007 Fitz-Ritter Scheurebe Spatlese Pfalz

1994 Kohler-Ruprecht Kallstadter Saumagen Riesling Spatlese  Pfalz

1995 Lingenfelder Freinsheimer Musikantenbuckel Scheurebe Auslese Pfalz

1996 Bender Bissersheimer Held Scheurebe Eiswein Pfalz

1999 Minges Flemlinger Zechpeter Muskateller Eiswein Pfalz