Trink

03/06/2024

For our next TRINKtalk, we are excited to spotlight Switzerland! 🇨🇭

Hoss Hauksson isn’t your typical Swiss vintner though. He’s an Icelandic mathematician who left the finance industry for the Alpine vineyards of Aargau. This Pinot-centric corner of German-speaking Switzerland sits at the same latitude as Burgundy, where vineyards cling to Jura lime marl — but at Alpine elevations.

TRINKtalks is our monthly series of live conversations with winemakers. This subscriber-only exclusive will put you in the same room with Hoss Hauksson on Wednesday 12 June at 5pm CET, 4pm GMT, 11am EST, 8am PST. Just subscribe at our homepage to be a part of the conversation!

Icelandic transplant Hoss Hauksson is making transporting Pinots and spirits in his adopted home of Argau Switzerland, with super results.

24/05/2024

We all know that the Saar is home to Germany’s most iconic vineyard, the Scharzhofberg. It also sports exceptional sites in the high, cool, windswept villages of Ayl, Kanzem, and Saarburg.

Hidden among these is the little side valley of Konzer Tälchen. As Hamburg-based journalist Rainer Schäfer reports, the Tälchen long stood on the fringes of viticultural viability. "It was cold as hell," says Konz native, Erich Weber of Hofgut Falkenstein. When Weber started farming the Euchariusberg — then obscure, now prized — other growers would call down to him, “Dear boy, is there still snow down there?”

How things have changed!

In our ongoing coverage of all things Mosel this May, we bring you Schäfer's account of who and what is making the Konzer Tälchen the source of Rieslings that “really can't be produced anywhere else in the world."

Konzer Talchen is where the Saar keeps its cool.

20/05/2024

One weekend, 120 wineries from the Mosel, What’s not to love?

Mythos Mosel is a beloved annual tradition that brings visitors closer to the source of the wines in their glasses. We spoke with event co-founder (and grower) Matthias Meier about the dig that got the event started, what makes this tasting more interactive and experiential than most, and how to get to and around. The focus of this year's event (24-26 May) is young talents, organic and natural wines, and our personal favorite: Kabinett, a Mosel classic. Despite the recent flood, the show will go on! Get the full story in our bio link.

Photo credit:

17/05/2024

When was the last time you pondered the Mosel? Or checked out TRINK’s coverage of this mythic region?

From our very first issue, we’ve featured the Mosel more than any other place. We have dozens of articles written by experts and authors from around the world.

Our writers, from Alice Feiring to David Schildknecht, have explored developments from the rise of a Mosel counterculture to book reviews to insider tips on the world of Mosel wine deep into and far beyond Riesling.

What is it about the Mosel that casts such a spell over wine lovers everywhere? The landscape, history, people, wines. All are objects of enduring fascination. Lose yourself in this mythic place at our bio link. Moselwein e.V. Mythos Mosel. Eine Riesling Reise

https://buff.ly/3K9BwAI

14/05/2024

In 2019 Norwegian chef and wine writer Håvard Flatland channelled his inner Jules Verne. He left the comfort of his Norwegian coastal landscape on an expedition of personal challenge, discovery, danger and teamwork. "Talking about Mosel wine is one thing," he writes with characteristic Nordic restraint, one can almost feel the cool icy fjord winds, taste the sea spray in the space between his words, "living it is something else."

With gentle reflections, insights, and connections, Håvard takes the reader on an unforgettable harvest adventure revealing the truths he learned about wine and himself along the way.

From Fjords to Feinherb, the Mosel harvest experience of Norwegian chef and wine writer Havard Flatland and a few unexpected lessons along the way.

09/05/2024

Our next TRINKtalk is not to be missed! If you are as passionate about the Mosel as we are, our guest Nik Weis will already be on your radar. He is the Riesling-obsessed force behind St. Urbans-Hof in Leiwen. What makes him a goldmine of insight into the future of wine in the Mosel — and beyond – is a second family business: a nursery.

We all know that one of the best ways to peer into the future of a wine region is to ask a vine nurseryman: “What’s selling?” Today’s baby bestsellers may well be tomorrow’s Grosse Gewächse. Bigger stories of climate, culture, and commerce are all wrapped up in what growers want in their vineyards — and why. Here’s your chance to find out for yourself!

Join us on Friday 17 May at 5pm CET/4pm GMT/11am EST/8am PST!

TRINK subscribers already have all the details. Not yet a subscriber? It's easy to sign up and become part of our community by clicking on the link!

https://buff.ly/3xvVF11

07/05/2024

When was the last time you allowed yourself to change your mind?

Last summer, Mathieu Kauffmann visited New York. At a noisy trade tasting, this legend of the sparkling wine world humbly manned a table, fielding questions with soft-spoken sincerity.

Our own Valerie Belz Kathawala leaned in to listen. What she heard didn’t square with her idea of a former chef du cave at Bollinger in Champagne or the mastermind of a prestigious Sekt project in the Pfalz — or the newest technical director in a very long line at the 700-year-old Weingut Karthäuserhof KG estate in the Ruwer.

As Kauffmann spoke of learning to cool the planet through sound farming and the palpable vibration of good viticulture in wines, it quickly became clear to Valerie that she would need to see how all this was playing out for herself.

This week, in our continuing spotlight on , we publish her account of what’s new in the vineyards and cellars of the eighth-oldest winery in the world.

A new direction is taking shape at an ancient estate in the Ruwer.

02/05/2024

Excited for Mosel May! Join us for a month celebrating the entirety of the Mosel with stunning art and stories.

We kick-off with this glorious depiction of the mythic river by acclaimed visual artist (and writer!) Meg Maker, a work we commissioned as the cover of Volume 19.

We'll be publishing this volume story by story, so follow for updates and subscribe for full access.

https://trinkmag.com/articles/issues/volume-19-mosel/

Moselwein e.V.

27/04/2024

In like a lamb and out like a lion? An unprecedented April freeze wreaks havoc across German vineyards in an inauspicious start to the 2024 vintage.

TRINK reports below:

https://trinkmag.com/articles/frost-bites-2024-vintage-in-germany/

Steven Sidore VDP.Die Prädikatsweingüter Deutsches Weininstitut

A late-April frost has brought potentially massive damage to the 2024 wine vintage in Germany and across many parts of central Europe.

27/04/2024

24/04/2024

This week we are heading to Mainz to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the VDP’s Weinbörse. The VDP is a historic organization of German growers known for their commitment to quality. The event has evolved from a small trade fair in 1974 to a highlight of the German wine calendar, showcasing top wines and trends in the industry. If you're in Mainz, reach out - we'd love to see you there!

VDP.Die Prädikatsweingüter Weinbörse VDP

16/04/2024

Pretty dreamy, right?! Get closer to the alluring Alpine wines of Weingut Pfitscher at our next TRINKtalk when Daniel Pfitscher joins us as a guest!

Friday 19 April

4pm CET
3pm GMT
10am EST
7am PST (gold stars for you early risers!)

This TRINK community event is open to all subscribers. Subscribe today and join us!

(Link in bio!)

11/04/2024

Here we go!

Early signs of spring in the vineyard! 🌱 Our vines are already budding, marking the beginning of a new growing season. Exciting times ahead as we observe nature's awakening and gear up for another year of crafting exceptional wines. 🍇✨

11/04/2024

New contributor Sue Tolson delves into the narrative of Sopron, the city at the intersection of Austria and Hungar. In our latest feature — out today! — she engages with the up-and-coming Austrian winegrowers looking to both break from and take inspiration from their past.

Sopron has always been a little out on a limb compared to other historic Hungarian regions, says Tolson. It doesn’t receive the same amount of attention as other Hungarian wine regions and still flies somewhat under the radar.

To uncover more about the ties and triumphs at the heart of this special intersection, click on the link!

https://buff.ly/3TS5xJW

Sue Tolson Franz Reinhard Weninger Pfneiszl Birtok - Pfneiszl Estate Steigler Pince

Sopron winemakers are raising standards and reviving winemaking traditions by embracing the historic confluence of Austria and Hungary.

09/04/2024

Excited to have Daniel Pfitscher as our next guest on TRINKtalks! Join us for a chat about Alpine vineyards and mountain wines.

The Pfitscher family has been at home on the steep slopes above Bozen in Südtirol-Alto Adige for eight generations. Daniel helps steward the family’s Alpine vineyards, holding a delicate balance between human cultivation and nature.

Forty years ago, Daniel’s father Klaus planted “Das Langefeld” — one of the highest (550 masl!) and oldest Pinot vineyards in the region. Today, the wines are all about balance and finesse. Langefeld just picked up the highest score for an Italian Pinot to boot.

This subscriber-only exclusive will put you in the same (virtual!) room with Daniel on Friday 19 April at 4pm CET, 3pm GMT, 10am EST, 7am PST.

Subscribe and get in on the conversation!
https://buff.ly/3xvVF11

04/04/2024

Celebrate Silvaner with us in Chicago!

We are delighted to be the official media partner of the first-ever Chicago Silvaner Summit.

Silvaner advocate and New York Times chief wine critic kicks off a day of talks and tastings, followed by a Chicago hot dog lunch, of .hans.wirsching leads a masterclass, all capped off by a seasonal celebratory dinner!

Ticket sales benefit for a wonderful nonprofit that transforms lives through food, education, and community.

With huge thanks to event hosts Webster’s Wine Bar and the stellar producers and importers donating some of the most thrilling expressions of Silvaner available today.

Details and ticket link in bio!

22/03/2024

If you loved ’s fresh riff on a classic Alpine cake and an outré Alpine wine, we’ve got more for you!

Our Eat + TRINK series features great voices in food and wine writing. Like Martin, each brings a unique perspective to the art of elevated pairings

🧀 Ursula Heinzelmann brings her encyclopedic knowledge of cheese to bear on German-speaking wines.

🍴 Emily Campeau brings a sneakily smart, mood-driven insouciance to her recipes and wine picks.

🌾 Joyce Lin explores unexpected juxtapositions between the cuisine of her native Taiwan and wines from Lagrein to Weissburgunder.

🍾 Last but most definitely not least, Jerome Hainz has been whetting our appetites with witty pairings that subvert expectations — deliciously, of course — from day one at TRINK.

Grab a fork, pour a glass, and dig in!

https://buff.ly/4ap2q2N

20/03/2024

When you combine a delectable cake from Südtirol-Alto Adige with talented baker Martin Sorge fresh from the Great American Baking Show, magic happens!

Discover the recipe inspired by the flavors of the Dolomites and don't miss out on trying it with a glass of Nussbaumer Gewürztraminer from Cantina Tramin.

https://buff.ly/3vhzVoO

Südtirol Wein - Vini Alto Adige

18/03/2024

Steiermark (aka Styria) is known as the green heart of Austria. Yet, as our Austrian specialist Nils Kevin Puls explains, this heart has two chambers: one beats in Austria, the other in Slovenia. Growers on both sides of the border make some of the most tantalizing Sauvignons, Chardonnays, Welschrieslings, and even Blaufränkisch on steep, lush, green slopes. ÖTW - Österreichische Traditionsweingüter

https://trinkmag.com/articles/the-steiermark-two-hearts-one-soul/

13/03/2024

What better way to celebrate International Riesling Day than with a bottle of Rieslingsekt? 🍾

Complex aromas, low pH, a delicate interplay of fruit and stone, and acid, acid, acid make Riesling a natural for sparkling wine. For Sekt legend Matthieu Kauffmann, Riesling defines German Sekt today. When it comes to aging, few varieties dare compete and even fewer deliver.

Sparkling wine expert Nicole Wolbers reports on how this thrilling variety is changing the face of Sekt, including three Rieslingsekts to seek out! 🥂

Link in bio.

Happy Riesling Day! 🥂

11/03/2024

Don't let these serious faces fool you: these are some of the liveliest, loveliest guests we could wish for! And how lucky that they'll be joining us for the next edition of TRINKtalks.

Erik and Carolin Riffel are talented winemakers with hearts of gold. Their single-vineyard, organic/biodynamic Rieslings from an enviable collection of sites in Rheinhessen have been turning heads and winning acclaim — most recently for their collaboration with Atlanta-based somm Mason Washington .

Please join us on Monday 25 March at 5pm CET for an engaging and informative conversation with this wonderful trio.

As always, TRINKtalks is a subscriber exclusive. To join the community and this discussion, click our bio link!

📷

11/03/2024

Don't let these serious faces fool you: these are some of the liveliest guests we could wish for! And how lucky we are that they'll be joining us for the next edition of TRINKtalks.

Erik and Carolin Riffel are talented winemakers with hearts of gold. Their single-vineyard, organic/biodynamic Rieslings from an enviable collection of sites in Rheinhessen have been turning heads and winning acclaim — most recently for their collaboration with Atlanta-based somm Mason Washington .

Please join us on Monday 25 March at 5pm CET for an engaging and informative conversation with this wonderful trio.

As always, TRINKtalks is a subscriber exclusive. To join the community and this discussion, click our bio link above!

📷

07/03/2024

Importer and author Stephen Bitterolf’s first book, "Vom Boden: Ten Years of Hocks & Moselles," is both a vividly drawn memoir and an insightful, zeitgeist-y guide to the German wines of right now.

Working in the genre of wine-route adventurers Frank Schoonmaker, Kermit Lynch, and Terry Theise, Bitterolf invites us along on his ride. As he crisscrosses Germany, again and again, he asks, “What is this place about, really?” Again and again, he finds his answers in the growers.

Schoonmaker’s "Wines of Germany" is a touchstone. Written not long after WWII, his book offered a desperately needed orientation to a much-diminished world of German wine. Bitterolf supplies a similarly necessary reintroduction, though for exactly the opposite reason.

German wine has likely never been more diverse or delicious. He explains this as a happy convergence of rising temperatures, rising talent, and rising exchange. Beyond that, a return to the vineyard, to craft, to reimagining — and to soul.

Check out ’s full review at bio link! 📚

05/03/2024

With the wine world convening in Düsseldorf in just a few days , we thought now would be the perfect time for to bounce a few questions off of our resident ProWein veteran .

Paula shares her hard-won pro tips for making the most of the vast trade fair. She lets us in on painful rookie mistakes to avoid, strategies for making the best connections, how and where to recharge on the go, and much more.

Heed her advice and you’re likely to come away brimming with new contacts, ideas, and inspiration.

Link below!

https://rebrand.ly/3m6wv7a

ProWein Paula Redes Sidore Stuart Pigott Valerie Belz Kathawala

21/02/2024

For decades, it was nearly a German national pastime to bash Swabia’s beloved albeit polarizing red wine. But Hamburg-based journalist Rainer Schäfer knows better than to troll Trollinger. He takes a non-judgemental look at what this grape gives growers who treat it with respect. “As a vins de soif — a refreshing red that offers drinking momentum without being too thin — its lightness, freshness, and animating fruit” it is perfectly suited to our moment.” It is, he argues, a ready alternative to established but elusive cult wines. Swabian Poulsard, anyone?

More at bio link

19/02/2024

Why is it so easy to drill down on the impact of worms, but so difficult to discuss the impact of social issues? This is the question Berlin-based writer Lauren Johnson-Wünscher () investigates in “Biodynamics’ Blindspot.”

“There’s something about advocating for wine based on a holistic philosophy,” she continues, “while blindly ignoring the unsavory that has left a bad taste in my mouth.” A thought-provoking and personal essay on wine, responsibility, and impact.

https://trinkmag.com/articles/biodynamics-blind-spot/?utm_campaign=meetedgar&utm_medium=social&utm_source=meetedgar.com

📸 Anna Stöcher

15/02/2024

For Valentine's Day, we dropped a very special love story.

With apologies to Brothers Grimm, our recounting opens not in a dark and lonely forest, but rather in the historic vaulted cellar of a small Pfalz restaurant. Valrhona was to provide the chocolate; Schlossgut Diel, the wine. It was by all accounts an unlikely setup for love.

Yet this once-upon-a-vine fairy tale - castle included! - is rewriting the wine narrative of Germany's Nahe. By turning myth and stereotype alike on its head, Caroline and Sylvain have created a modern rendering of a timeless story.

But to find out whether they truly get their happy ever after, you're going to have to read the story for yourself!

✍️ Paula Redes Sidore
📷 Steffen Henkel

https://rebrand.ly/f64589n
Schlossgut Diel Weinland Nahe e.V. Paula Redes Sidore Steffen Henkel Fotografie Skurnik Wines & Spirits

14/02/2024

It's Valentine's Day! Make a date with Dorli Muhr: tomorrow 15 Feb at 17 CET/11EST to fall in love with her Blaufränkisch wines by learning all about them in a live winemaker talk exclusively for TRINK subscribers. This event will put you in the same (virtual!) room with one of Austria’s most acclaimed winemakers. You’ll get to listen in on our conversation, ask questions, and learn straight from the source.

If you already subscribe, sit back and relax: you have the details. If not, please consider subscribing (just a click away at our bio link) and get in on all the insider benefits of being part of our community.

♥️ ♥️ ♥️

12/02/2024

Fine literature, like fine wine, has codified a canon of excellence — but it’s one that, upon close inspection, proves both nebulous and contentious.

It didn’t work out well for Harold Bloom, and one might argue, wine isn't faring so well with it, either. Such definitive “standards” are more often than not shown to be arbitrary lines in the sand — or terroir.

Our own Paula Redes Sidore returns to her literary roots for inspiration and answers in What’s the Point of Fine Wine, Afterall?

www.trinkmag.com

📷 Anna Stöcher

Austrian Wine Wine+Partners

07/02/2024

When the floodwaters receded, the Ahr valley found itself with nothing to lose. Wine writer Simon J Woolf explores how catastrophe proved a catalyst for change and helped Germany’s Pinot paradise find new paths to fulfilling its potential.

https://rebrand.ly/77w0krr

Weingut Bertram-Baltes Weingut Meyer-Näkel VDP.Ahr Wines of Germany Ahrwein