Kruger Rumpf’s 2019 Spätlese Scheurebe
Spotted: me in this bottle of wine
I’m trying out the 2019 Scheurebe Spätlese from the Kruger Rumpf winery. Their main vineyards are located in the Nahe valley, with steep slopes and a charming family overseeing them.
Scheurebe is a fairly new and infrequently planted varietal. It was the result of a crossing between Riesling and a wild vine in 1916 in Germany. In 2018, there were 1,412 hectares (3,490 acres) of Scheurebe in Germany, or 1.7% of the total vineyard surface (German Wine Institute). These grapes are usually made into a sweet style wine. Spätlese means late harvest in Germany, and indicates a sweeter wine that has allowed residual sugars to concentrate in the grape.
The Kruger Rumpf vineyards have been worked since the 1800’s. Though none of the original vines remain, there are rather old vines dating back to the 1940’s that are still in use. The winery is a member of the VDP, (Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter), Germany’s recent organization of over two hundred prestigious vineyards. Kruger Rumpf’s ethos is grounded in creativity and experimentation, which this has taken them to some weird but cool places.
“We are convinced that in an agricultural scenario, farm animals can make an essential contribution to a circular recycling economy. We therefore put five Boer goats to graze in our vineyards. After they escaped several times, we switched to Heidschnucken sheep” (Kruger Rumpf).
Source: Kruger Rumpf
The Tasting
The wine has a light gold color with some effervescence, definitely resembling its’ parent: Riesling. I got pear, apricot, and subtle grassy notes on the nose. Moving on to the palate, there was a rich sweetness of honeysuckle, with a medium to full bodied presence. Its’ higher acidity was masked by its’ sweetness. Stone fruits such as apple came to mind, and the effervescence noted prior made a tame appearance. As for the overall quality: this bottle was really easy to drink. It’s ripe and supple, with a fresh sweetness and a jubilant acidity that had me reaching for another glass. I would’ve liked to see a reduced sweetness to better reach equilibrium with the acid, but all in all it is certainly a high grade wine, worthy of the prestigious VDP eagle insignia. Pair with some salty snacks, or a boldly dressed vinaigrette salad. Great for a summer picnic with friends and family.
My Thoughts
The vineyard’s emphasis on biodynamic practices and experimentation definitely set them apart from other wineries. Kruger Rumpf isn’t looking to keep up with the Joneses so to speak. They are a great example of the many winemakers in Germany with an equal amount of respect for tradition and experimentation. I certainly could picture myself enjoying a glass of wine while hanging out with their sheep in the vineyard. Cheers!
