New 2019 Vintage Wines From Weingut Lutz
I’m always happy to be rolling around in wine and I’m delighted to be hanging out with the new 2019 vintage wines from Weingut Lutz. Stefan Lutz (@stefan.rhh) got in contact with me over the summer and sent me some of his wines – the Grundstock range and two of his Lutz wines. I really enjoyed them and my overall impression was that these were modern German wines for the global palate: ‘all at around the 13% ABV mark, these are wines that challenge the cool-climate expectations in more ways than one.’ (Yes, I just quoted myself.
New 2019 vintage wines from Weingut Lutz
So, when Stefan told me he was sending me some of his wines from his new collection, I was like BRING IT ON. I received five wines from the Lutz 2019 vintage: Chardonnay; Riesling; Grauburgunder; Scheurebe and the Lutz & Laune Secco Blanc.
The hallmarks of Stefan’s style seem to be ripe, lush fruit brightened with a laser-focused acidity. He likes a clean palate, but with a full spectrum of flavours, and he isn’t afraid to go punchy with the alcohol – the Riesling is 13% (Wine Folly has a typical German Riesling down as 7-8% ABV). This was a little dicey for me as I thought this wine was supremely moreish and I couldn’t put the bottle down. It was so juicy with all of that ripe citrus fruit, some tropical (hello passionfruit!), fleshy peach, alongside heady aromas of orange blossom. The petrol note, for me, was a mere wisp (even though I quite like that anyway).
>Read Weingut Lutz: German wines for the global palate
The Chardonnay was light in body but intense in flavour – zero cream, all fresh fruit and zing, leaving a trace of salt on my lips. The Grauburgunder (aka Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio) also delivered an energetic zestiness, alongside a pronounced nose of yellow apples and jasmine.
Of all the new 2019 vintage wines from Weingut Lutz, I was very excited to try the Scheurebe, which Stefan tells me is a breed from Rheinhessen and a rarity among wine connoisseurs. Jancis calls it ‘one of Germany’s most successful crossings (Silvaner x Riesling) and is known for its high acidity and flavours of blackcurrant and grapefruit. I couldn’t stop smelling Parma Violets and pear, but the grapefruit really came through on the palate.
And for more frivolous occasions, the Secco Blanc fits the bill well – a very pleasant semi-sparkling made with 60% Riesling, 30% Scheurebe and 10% Bacchus as grape juice.
>Read Drink wine and save the planet: The rise of eco-conscious wine
All of the new 2019 vintage wines from Weingut Lutz are vegan and the focus is on high quality, modern winemaking. I only hope that they become more widely available in the UK, so that you guys get to taste them. For now, Prost!