GWS - Franken

Describe Franken at a glance

15,249 ac / 6171 ha

Synonymous with Silvaner and the Bocksbeutel that it is poured from

3500 growers, 500 wineries and 5 coops. Vast majority of growers farm 0.5 ha / 1.24 ac or less and some 2,500 coops account for 30% of Franken’s vineyard area.

Describe Franken’s history

Earliest documentation in the 8th century, in the Stein Vineyard near Wurzburg in 779. The Franconian village of Hammelberg, nearby, is considered one of Germany’s oldest wine villages.

Staatlicher Hofkeller Wurzburg (1129) = one of Germany’s oldest documented estates.

Along the Main, one of the biggest operations became the Cistercian Monastery Kloster Ebrach.

~40,000 acres during the Middle Ages, largest contiguous winegrowing region north of the Alps then.

Silvaner introduced in 1659. Realteilung changed the dynamic of the region.

By 1950, vineyard area was down to just 2,360 ha / 5,832 ac, but has since nearly tripled.

Who is Julius Echter von Mespelbrunn

(1545 - 1617), he was the prince bishop of Wurzburg and the founder of the Juliusspital, now the world’s leading Silvaner estate. He also founded the University of Wurzburg.

Also, badly, was responsible for a witch hunt and expulsion of the Jews from Wurzburg.

What are the two charitable organizations in Wurzburg tied to wine?

1) Burgerspital (1316)

• Established by wealthy patrons who donated it to Wurzburg to help the poor.

2) Juliusspital (1576)

What is Steinweine

Historically, from 16th century, referenced wine from Franken’s Stone vineyard (and meant to be from Franken more broadly).

1540 vintage was considered so good, one cask was kept for centuries. Finally bottled and opened in 1961, 421 years later by wine critic Hugh Johnson, who called it “still alive”

NOT Silvaner, though…

Describe Franken’s location and climate

NW corner of Bavaria. Starkly continental climate (frigid winters and hot, dry summers).

“Hot spot” of climate change. 1600-1750 annual hours of sunlight. Springs have the potential for hard frosts.

Describe Franken’s geology, topography and soils

Very simple overall, with 3 main rock types aligned to the 3 Bereich.

1) Mainviereck

• Buntsandstein (Colored sandstone): fine textured, dark red brown and quick to warm, ideal for black grapes

2) Maindreieck

• Muschelkalk (Shell Limestone): well drained and high-pH

3) Steigerwald

• Keuper (marl): Heavy, water-retentive soils, including Gipskeuper (gypsum marl)

Franken has minimal Loam or Loess.

Describe Franken’s geography

Central feature is the Main River (524 km), which traces a broad W-shaped path before joining the Rhine near Mainz.

Main is fed by 2 rivers: the Wiesser Main and Roter Main. The Main connects with the Main-Danube Canal.

Describe Franken Viticulture

20% steep slopes, including significant terraced sites (with grades up to 65%)

60% of the vineyards of Mechanizable, despite the slopes.

What are the principle viticultural risks in Franken

1) Extreme Heat

2) Water stress

3) Spring frosts (above all)

Climatic extremes can lead to erratic yields.

What is Altfrankischer Satz?

Frentsch, colloquially. Traditional blend of coplanted varieties (mostly white).

Fell out after phylloxera, but growers are experimenting with it again!

Describe Franken Winemaking

Mostly white. Blanc de Noir, Rotling, Rose and Weissherbst and a range of sparkling styles are all produced.

Stainless steel tanks are preferred, but some Spatburgunder is aged in wood casks or steel tanks. Stuck is the standard vessel size here (1,200 L)

Dry styles were common before other parts of Germany. Heat leads to full ripeness and, on occasion, wines up to 14% ABV.

What is Bocksbeutel?

The signature Franken bottle shape.

A clay bottle of the same shape dating to 1400 BCE was found, but most believe it originated from the shape of pilgrim’s satchels.

Squat, glass version has been used in Franconia since 1685, and linked to quality in Wurzburg in 1728.

Can only be used in Franken and parts of Baden, per EU law.

Sizes range from 375 ml, 750 ml and 1500 ml.

Synonymous with Silvaner, but not limited to that grape. Only qualitats and Pradikat wines with a minimum must weight of 72 Oechsle and a max yield of 90 hl/ha or 5.4 t/ac may be bottled in a Bocksbeutel.

What is Frankisch Trocken?

A widely understood, if unofficial term, for bone-dry wines.

Signifies a wine of exceptionally low residual sugar, no more than 0.4% (compared to a legal limit of 0.9%)

Describe how Franken wine sweetness

23% is Frankisch Trocken. 41% is trocken. This makes it the German leader in dry styles.

Off-dry wines are 31%, while sweet is a lowly 5%.

Describe Franken’s VDP structure

28 members with just under 15% (830 ha / 2051 ac).

What are the permitted VDP GG grape varities?

Riesling

Silvaner

Weissburgunder

Spatburgunder

What is the regional association in Franken

Frankenwein-Frankenland GmbH

What are the principle Franken grape varieties?

1) Silvaner (25.3%)

2) Muller-Turgau (22.3%)

3) Bacchus (11.9%)

4) Riesling (5.5%)

5) Domina (4.8%)

6) Spatburgunder (4.5%)

7) Other (25.7%)

Describe Franken Silvaner

The star of the show here. Brought to Franken from Austria in 1659 (and known as Osterreicher).

More hectares are devoted to it in Rheinhessen, but no other region comes close to dominating the overall plantings as in Franken.

Franken’s nickname is Silvanerheimat (Silvaner’s Homeland)

Produces shoots unevenly, and is capable of producing a zwieter Austrieb (secondary shoots) that can reach full maturity after a frost.

Known for density and substance, exhibiting bright acidity, medium to high alcohol and impressive ageability.

Notes of ripe pear, plum, guince, chamomile and herbs.

What are the four Silvaner mutations?

Green

Yellow

Blue

Red

Gruner Silvaner (green) is the most widely planted, having a slightly thicker skin (rot resistant).

Gelber Silvaner (yellow) is prized for its loose clusters, small berries and low yields.

What soil does Silvaner grow best on?

Muschelkalk and Keuper, which retain water well.

What is Spargelzeit?

Asparagus season! It pairs best with Silvaner.

Silvaner is resistant to the organosulfur compounds in Asparagus, which make other wines taste metallic.

Describe Franken Muller-Thurgau

Became wildly popular in Franken after WWII, when growers were desperate for robust, high-yielding vines that would deliver a reliable crop almost regardless of where planted.

Describe Franken Bacchus

Very popular in Franken as an easy-drinking everyday wine, made in dry and off-dry styles.

Describe Franken Riesling

Has more breadth here than in Nahe or the Mosel. Tends to ripen more properly here, given the shorter ripening periods in Franken. Mostly planted higher up the slopes

Describe Franken Chardonnay

Captured the imagination lately of some of Franken’s top growers. A few have been working to deliver quality for decades.

Describe Franken Rieslaner

A “footnote” in Franken viticulture. Some producers make great sweet wines from this modern cross.

Describe Franken Domina

A black grape. Disease resistant, with a robust character. Producers look to round out their portfolio of white wines with this red grape.

Describe Franken Spatburgunder

Typified by modern, well-integrated tannins and bright acidity. Aromas of red fruit and savory herbs.

Best in Churfranken (Mainviereck)

Weingut Furst (Burgstadt) is one of Germany’s most acclaimed Spatburgunder producers.

Describe the Bereich Stiegerwald village of Rodelsee

Franken’s easternmost region. Keuper and Gipskeuper soils from the Schwanberg. Highest elevation in Franken. Does not benefit greatly from the Main.

Rodelsee has some of the most acclaimed vineyards. Silvaner and Riesling.

Vineyard: Schwnleite (L - 20-99 ha / 49-245 ac)

• W-SW facing vineyard. Gipskeuper. Slender wines!

Vineyard: Kuchenmeister (L - 20-99 ha / 49-245 ac)

• Jewel of the crown here! Mix of Gipskeuper, Schilfsandstein, dolomite and clay soils. Silvaner and Riesling!

Vineyard: Hoheleite (M - 5-20 ha / 12-49 ac)

• “High path”. Parcel of Kuchenmeister. Known for its coolness. Riesling and Silvaner!

Describe the Bereich Stiegerwald village of Iphofen

Walled village anchored by historic estates and surrounded by plains an vines. Outpost of Wurzburg.

Vineyard: Julius-Echter-Berg (L - 20-99 ha / 49-245 ac)

• Named for powerful archbishop who established the Juliusspital in 1576. Franken flagship vineyard!

• Keuper soils, majestic, southern sloes are ideal for Silvaner!

Vineyard: Kalb (L - 20-99 ha / 49-245 ac)

• Large, steep, generally west-facing well ventilated site.

• Gipskeuper has a heat reflecting quality essential for Silvaner.

Vineyard: Kronsberg (XL - >99 ha / 245 ac)

• Home to many varieites beyond Silvaner and Riesling - incl. Bacchus, and Scheurebe.

• Keuper soils. South exposition.

Vineyard: Kammer (Unknown)

• Choice site within the Kronsberg. Riesling and Silvaner! Prized since the 15th century. Gipskeuper soils.

Describe the Bereich Stiegerwald village of Castell

The first Franconian village where Silvaner was planted, in 1659.

Vineyard: Schlossberg (S - <5 ha / 12 ac)

• Tiny monopole of Castell’sches Domanenamt. Vines since 1266. High above the Stiegerwald plain at the western edge of the forest.

• Gipskeuper soils mixed with mudstone retain water and warmth.

  • Silvaner and Riesling!

What is Furstlich Castell’sches Domanenamt (Furst Castell)?

An ancient estate, today known as Castell, for the family who have owned it for 30 generations.

65 ha / 160 ac estate encompasses all the vineyards in Castell.

Family had a private army until 1806.

Castle of Castell is a local landmark.

Describe the Bereich Maindreieck village of Astheim

Bereich means “Main Triangle.” Wurzburg is here, along with 210 ha / 519 ac of vineyards in its city limits. Considered one of Germany’s most idyllic vineyard settings.

Astheim is respected for Silvaner, Weissburgunder and Chardonnay.

Vineyard: Karthauser (L - 20-99 ha / 49-245 ac)

• Moderatly steep crescent with S/SE exposures along the Mainschliefe. Muschelkalk and Keuper are the main soils.

Describe the Bereich Maindreieck village of Volkach

Pilgrimage town along the Mainschliefe

Vineyard: Ratscherr (XL - >99 ha / 245 ac)

• Massive, S-facing vineyard that climbs over a steep slope of shell limestone soils with a sandy loam top layer. Choicest parcels are mid-slop and face the Main due South.

• Silvaner, Riesling and Spatburgunder!

Describe the Bereich Maindreieck village of Escherndorf

Prime location along a striking bend in the Main. Fame comes from one vineyard in particular:

Vineyard: Lump (L - 20-99 ha / 49-245 ac)

• “Rogue” or “Rascal”. 270 m / 886 ft amphitheater of vines along a precipitous curve on the right bank of the Main.

• Muschelkalk soils dominate at the higher elevations, mixed with Keuper and Loess Loam closer to the river.

• Autumn mists bring botrytis.

• Silvaner and Riesling!

Vineyard: Am Lumpen 1655 (L - 20-99 ha / 49-245 ac)

• Filet parcel within the Lump. South exposures and slope up to 60%. VDP Grosse Lage. Muschelkalk soils.

• Riesling and Silvaner! Wines are saline, textured and finessed.

Describe the Bereich Maindreieck village of Kitzingen

An important hub of Franken’s wine trade until the World Wars. Home to the largest co-op, Winzergemeinschaft Franken eG.

Known for being a lively arena for experimental winemaking.

Describe the Bereich Maindreieck village of Sulzfeld

Well preserved medieval town dotted with ancient estates, such as Weingut Zehnthof Luckert.

Luckert is believed to have the oldest Silvaner vines in Germany. An ungrafted parcel in Creuz vineyards, thought to have been planted in the 1870s.

Vineyard: Maustal (L - 20-99 ha / 49-245 ac)

• Another the Main’s great banks of vines. Steep and sloping south/SE with meager Muschelkalk soils.

• Acclaimed for Silvaner and Riesling!

Describe the Bereich Maindreieck village of Randersacker

Just beyond Wurzburg, home to first-rate vineyards.

Vineyard: Pfulben (L - 20-99 ha / 49-245 ac)

• Steep, S-SW facing slope above the Main. Muschelkalk soils aid in heat retention. Riesling and Silvaner!

Vineyard: Hohenroth (Unknown)

• Noted for Riesling, Silvaner and Spatburgunder! S/SW exposures, high elevations steep slopes and shell limestone soils.

• Ideal conditions for dense, richly textured and full-bodied wines.

Describe the Bereich Maindreieck village of Wurzburg

A city, not a village. Home to the magnificent baroque Residenz, a UNESCO site. 3 of the largest wine estates in Germany are here: Juliusspital, Burgerspital, and Staatlicher Hofkeller Wurzburg.

Vineyard: Stein (XL - >99 ha / 245 ac)

• Massive embankment rising on the right side of the Main. One of Germany’s most celebrated vineyards and a cultural landmark.

• Weathered shell limestone and loess soils. Steep incline with S-SE exposure.

• Wine made since at least 779 CE. Holdings split among 3 principle estates.

• Silvaner here has deep yellow plum and herb flavors and aromas, with balanced ripeness and acidity. Smoky note from limestones.

Vineyard: Stein-harfe

• “Stone Harp” is a prime parcel in the heart of Stein. First mentioned in the 17th century. 60% slopes, skeletal shell limestone soils, warm.

• Silvaner and Riesling! Monopole of Burgerspital.

Vineyard: Stein-Berg (L - 20-99 ha / 49-245 ac)

• Basks in the sun, steeply angled to the S-SE. Weathered shell limestone and Main directly below.

• Silvaner, Riesling and Weissburgunder reach great ripeness.

Vineyard: Innere Leiste (M - 5-20 ha / 12-49 ac)

• Long band next to the Main. A rare clos with a privileged position. Just below the Marienberg fortress, faces south and is steep. Muschelkalk soils mixed with deep clay loam.

• Silvaner, Riesling and Spatburgunder!

Describe the Bereich Maindreieck village of Stetten

Just north of Wurzburg

Vineyard: Stein (L - 20-99 ha / 49-245 ac)

• Different from Wurzburg’s Stein. Crowns a stretch of Muschelkalk cliffs rising from the Main.

• 3 large segments. Exposures vary by parcel, but generally SW, with slope up to 50%.

• Silvaner and Riesling!

Describe the Bereich Maindreieck village of Taubertal

Southern tip of Franken requiring special mention. Not a Bereich. Shares soils with the Maindreieck district and shares soils and climate characteristics with the principal villages and vineyards there.

Frost is a particular danger.

Muller-Thurgau leads, but also Schwarzriesling, and Regent. Silvaner and Spatburgunder play only minor roles.

Tauberschwarz is a frost-hardy, but low yielding red variety kept alive by a few growers. Wines are low in alcohol.

Describe the Bereich Maindreieck village of Rottingen

Technically part of Maindreieck, a standout village of the Taubertal.

Vineyard: Feuerstein (L - 20-99 ha / 49-245 ac)

• Notable for shell limestone with flintstone in the upper and easternmost parcels.

• High elevations and southern exposures.

• Riesling, Silvaner and Muller-Thurgau.

Describe the Bereich Mainviereck village of Homburg

Franken’s westenrmost vineyards, marked by Buntsandstein soils and terraced soils. Name is “Main Square”. Spatburgunder, Fruhburgunder, and Riesling thrive.

Vineyard: Kallmuth (L - 20-99 ha / 49-245 ac)

• One of the steepest vineyards in Germany. Buntsandstein mixes with Muschelkalk soils. Extensively terraced. Creates a heat trap, and mediterranean mesoclimate.

• Riesling and Silvaner! Opulent yellow fruit and notes of honey and flint.

Vineyard: Furstliches Kallmuth (Unknown)

• Choice parcel of Kallmuth. Site can be a furnace, with growing season temperatures above 50 C / 122 F recorded.

• Silvaner and Riesling dominate.

Describe the Bereich Maindreieck village of Burgstadt

A handsome town in a south-facing valley. Surrounded by Odenwald and Spessart hills and forests. Tress cover the plateaus above the vineyards. The tiny Erf tributary runs through the village.

Vineyard: Berg (Unknown)

• Stretches along a gentle, south facing slope. In 2017, became the first vineyard in Germany to be classifed as a PDO under EU law.

• Spatburgunder, Weissburgunder and Chardonnay. Some Riesling.

Vineyard: Centgrafenberg (L - 20-99 ha / 49-245 ac)

• A jewel. SW and SE exposures. Mild mesoclimate and excellent water ensure ideal growing conditions.

• Weathered Buntsandstein with a small percent of limestone is ideal for Spatburgunder, Fruhburgunder Riesling and Silvaner.

• Spatburgunder here is elegant, deep, red-fruited and exceptionally ageworthy. Rieslings are long and complex.

Vineyard: Hundsruck (M - 5-20 ha / 12-49 ac)

• Top plot within the Centgrafenberg. Steep and rocky, with more stones and clay. Formerly terraced. Spatburgunder is prized.

Describe the Bereich Maindreieck village of Grossheubach

Tucked into a forested hill away from the Main. Terraces have been hewn from the S-SW facing slopes. Spatburgunder is structured, slender and fruit driven.

Vineyard: Bischofsberg (L - 20-99 ha / 49-245 ac)

• Steep, south facing slope of terraced Buntsandstein.

Describe the Bereich Maindreieck village of Klingenberg am Main

Cute town tucked between the Main and some red sandstone terraces. The ruins of a Schloss crown the embankment. Warm growing season = black grapes. Wine has been grown here since the 8th century. Spatburgunder dominates.

Extensively micro-parcelled.

Vineyard: Schlossberg (L - 20-99 ha / 49-245 ac)

• A collection of sites that domiante the Klingenberg. Dry stone terraces form a steep, stepped landscape that retains medieval character.

• Soils are buntsandstein mixed with red clay.

• Spatburgunder stars.