The hilly south of Rheinhessen forms the home base for this Chardonnay.
-
Location / origin: Weedenborn operates around Monzernheim and Westhofen, in the Wonnegau area within the German wine region of Rheinhessen. Monzernheim is situated above the well-known limestone slopes of Westhofen, in a landscape with distinct elevation changes.
-
Soil: The vines for this Chardonnay are planted on calcareous marl, where lime and clay meet. The clay fraction can retain moisture, thus providing a useful water reserve during drier periods.
-
Altitude & climate: Around Monzernheim, the vineyards reach up to 280 m above sea level. The open location and regular winds ensure relatively cool conditions, allowing the grapes to ripen gradually and retain their natural acidity.
Careful processing before pressing and patience during maturation build both aromatic depth and texture.
-
Harvest & selection: The grapes are harvested by hand, destemmed, and lightly crushed. Subsequently, the juice and skins remain in contact for about 18 hours before the must is pressed. This skin maceration helps extract additional aromatic compounds from the grape skins.
-
Maturation / wood aging: The maturation process combines used tonneaux, larger wooden barrels, and stainless steel tanks. Extended contact with the lees provides extra roundness and a creamy mouthfeel, while the wooden barrels add a fine spicy frame. The combination with stainless steel also keeps the juicy fruit expression emphatically present.
The choice for predominantly French clones aligns with the estate's Burgundian inspiration.
-
Chardonnay – Rheinhessen: Chardonnay gives the wine its natural breadth and supple structure, with sufficient acidity for a fresh balance. Furthermore, the grape lends itself well to lees contact and wood aging, which allows fruit, texture, and subtle spice to form a layered whole.
