Ladies and Gentlemen:
The Riesling grape is the uncrowned king of white wine grapes. Its wines number among the finest and most complex in the world and enjoy high esteem. International wine connoisseurs and enthusiasts prize Riesling as an ideal companion with the world’s great cuisines. Within the circle of leading restaurants and hotels it would be unthinkable to have a wine list that doesn’t include wine produced from this grape.
In recent years, German winemakers have been able to experience a true renaissance with their Riesling wines. Riesling success stories, however, are not limited to Germany. Germany’s traditional grape variety increasingly enjoys great popularity in other wine-growing countries, such as France, Italy, Austria, the USA, South Africa or Australia.
Riesling is particularly demanding in terms of site, and unlike any other varietal, it reflects the unique character of its terroir. The combination of pronounced acidity and high extracts, tremendous finesse – these are the attributes associated with Riesling.
With the sixth best of riesling competition I’d like to provide an international forum for Riesling and the producers who meet the challenges posed by this demanding varietal. Every two years internationally recognized professionals – sommeliers, oenologists, wine-growers, wine merchants and wine journalists – determine their favorites. Some 1,900 wines from ten countries and four continents were “on the starting line” at the 2008 competition.
I cordially invite Riesling producers worldwide, as well as importers, of course, to take part in what is probably the largest Riesling tasting in the world. I will announce the results on 6 July 2010 at the Hambacher Schloss in the Pfalz. Known as the “cradle of German democracy”, it is one of Germany’s most historically important castles and majestically overlooks a splendid viticultural landscape.
Once again, special prizes will be awarded for the “Best European Riesling”, “Best New World Riesling” and “Best Riesling collection.”
At a festive ceremony I will honor the winners in September.
I look forward to your participation.
Hendrik Hering
Minister für Wirtschaft, Verkehr, Landwirtschaft und Weinbau
History
The international competition best of riesling was launched in 2000 as a Rheinland-Pfalz Riesling initiative to help this high-quality grape variety receive more recognition, particularly on an international level. In the meantime, best of riesling has become an established, renowned competition that takes place every two years. Its status as an officially recognized competition enables winners to use the award’s registered trademark best of riesling in their wine packaging.
Special
Awards
In addition to the winners in each category, special prizes will be once again awarded in the following categories: “Best New World Riesling”, “Best European Riesling” and “Best Riesling collection”
The
Experts
By the second competition, the jury of international wine experts – sommeliers, oenologists, winegrowers, wine merchants and wine journalists – already had the opportunity to sample over 1,700 wines at what is probably the world’s largest Riesling tasting. This year a master jury shall once again consist of some of the world’s most respected experts. This panel shall participate in the tasting and reaches a final decision in the event of divergent scores.
Participation
Each wine must have a fully-completed wine profile form. The wine profile form can be found here or via fax-on-demand on +49 (0) 61 32/50 91 23.
Applications and matters regarding wine logistics are dealt with by
WMS Weinevents & Marketing Services GmbH.
Tel. +49 (0) 61 32/50 91 22 / Fax +49 (0) 61 32/50 91 23
wms@best-of-riesling.com
Media Partners
A broad spectrum of well-known German and international publications will once again support best of riesling in 2010. Sponsorship by individual media for the four categories has particularly distinguished the competition from the very outset. The individual category pairings for this year are as follows:
Category I Vinum
Category II Wein-Plus
Category II Selection
Category IV Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
We are delighted to name our other media associates this year as Allgemeine Hotel- & Gastronomie-Zeitung, the Austrian wine magazine wein.pur as well as the wine portal weinverkostungen.de. All our associates are aware of the high quality and rich diversity of the king of the white wines and their reports will underline the significance of the grape variety.
