Early last year I wrote a blog on the "horrible" hail that plagued parts of Germany, making many vineyard owners worry about their 2011 vintage.  I just received a vintage report from Klaus Dillmann, (Dillmann wines) and thought I'd pass the results of the vintage on. 

Though the hail that fell in late August was quite intense and received a fair amount of publicity, it was restricted to a fairly narrow storm path.  The 2011 vintage had cool, dry, sunny weather in September, which prevented the onset of rot following the hail, and also extended the necessary ripening time with just the right amount of rain, creating ideal conditions for quantity and quality.  Picking began the beginning of October to the middle of November.  An early start meant a long hang-time of more than 120 days.  There was very early bud-break and flowering with this vintage due to the unusually warm spring. The 2011 Riesling is expected to be a structured wine, with more integrated acidity and immediate appeal than the 2010 vintage.

2011 had almost no botrytis and very healthy grapes.  Conclusion:  2011 is a good Kabinett and Spätlese vintage with very few wines from the higher Prädikats.  They don't expect to make an Eiswein this vintage since it's January and temperatures are in the fifties! 

Mosel hillside vineyards

Enjoy the 2011 vintage when it arrives on our shelves.

Marie Griffin, Wine Supervisor, North/West Florida