2025 Silvaner Alte Reben Muschelkalk Winery Johannes Beyer
The grapes were harvested by hand and the vines were not given any additional watering. We find it just as well-made as its 2024 predecessor, which we also had on our menu. The new vintage has significantly less residual sugar – only half as much.
The flavour of this Silvaner, with its balanced blend of sweetness and acidity, creates a pleasant sensation on the palate. In the glass, it delights with a bright yellow colour with green highlights. On the nose, it is reminiscent of a really green pear and – to quote the winemaker once again – ‘hints of Eisbonbon’.
Silvaner Alte Reben Muschelkalk
Winery Johannes Beyer, Dorndorf
Vintage: 2025
Alcohol: 11,5 %
Acidity: 6,4 g/l
Residual sugar: 4,4 g/l
closure: screw cap
bottle: Bordeaux green glass
Quality classification: German quality wine, estate wine
The label bears the following information, amongst other things: estate bottling, Saale-Unstrut, the AP number, ‘German Quality Wine’ and ‘Estate Wine’.
The wine therefore comes from our picturesque Saale-Unstrut wine-growing region, renowned for its mineral-rich, delicate and mostly dry white wines, which are grown on characteristic shell limestone soils. The wine is made from 100 per cent Saale-Unstrut grapes, has reached its minimum must weight and meets all the requirements. As evidenced by the AP number, the wine has been chemically analysed in a laboratory and tasted by a panel, which found it to be free from defects. This number serves as proof that it is officially authorised to bear the designation ‘Quality Wine’. The winemaker is making use of the new German wine legislation, the impact of which will become even more apparent from the 2026 vintage onwards. ‘Estate wine’ forms the foundation of his range – it is the winery’s ‘calling card’, which succinctly captures the regional and varietal character in a straightforward manner. ‘Estate bottling’ is strictly protected under German wine law and goes a significant step further than the already high standard of ‘producer bottling’. The winemaker may only use this designation if: a) all the grapes come exclusively from his own vineyards (or from vineyards he has managed himself since at least January of the harvest year); b) the wine has been pressed, matured and bottled on his own premises; c) the head winemaker can provide evidence of completed oenological training (a degree or master winemaker qualification), and finally d) the estate maintains strict tax accounts. OK, we didn’t actually think that last bit was all that important.
This isn’t just some mass-produced wine bought from who knows where. The label promises a basic wine, crafted by a qualified winemaker in his own cellar, which reflects the character of the Saale-Unstrut region. And what the label promises is delivered in the glass. Both our guests and we ourselves are very taken with it.
