Developed in Germany by Prof. Müller (from Thurgau), this early maturing white grape variety is one of the principal white grapes cultivated in German-speaking Switzerland. Produces elegant, aromatic wines when grown in cool temperate climates. In warmer locations these qualities tend to be masked by a certain heaviness and lack of acidity.
Michael Broger Weinbau
Housed in a restored early 19th-Century farmhouse in Ottoberg, the 2.5 acres Broger Weinbau above Boltshausen is a wish realized for Michael Broger.
After an apprenticeship in wine technology and some hands-on experience with various independent wine producers in eastern Switzerland, Michael attended viniculture courses in Wädenswil as well as training in organic farming at FIBL. This was followed by a couple years working with H. U. Kesselring at Schlossgut Bachtobel, and lastly by a stint in New Zealand. Michael then turned his dream to reality and the first wines from Broger Weinbau were ready in autumn 2003
Viticulture
All work in the steep vineyards of Broger Weinbau is guided with an eye toward sustainability and protecting the land, so all the work is done by hand and no herbicides are used in the vineyard. Further, the use of fungicides has been reduced each year, and some parcels are managed following biodynamic principles. The results show that biodynamic farming is worth the effort.
Vinification
The pressing of the grapes is done on site where possible. After fermentation the young wine is moved to the house cellar without the use of pumps. Stored in wooden barrels it passes through the rhythm of the seasons, naturally developing, reducing acidity, and then resting until it’s time to bottle. The philosophy is to present the wines as naturally as possible and allow customers to truly experience vintage variations.
Link:
Michael Broger Weinbau Schnellberg 1
Ottoberg 8561Switzerland
See map: map.search.ch, Google Maps
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The Wine Grapes of Switzerland
Müller-Thurgau
Rèze
Rèze is an extremely rare white variety found only in Valais. Not often produced as a varietal, Rèze is blended with other Vieux Plants of Valais. Rèze was also used to make the historic “vin des glaciers”, an amber colored wine produced in Val d’Anniviers using the solera technique.
No longer done today, one method in the past was to store Rèze in larch wood barrels, which gave the wine resinous flavor similar to the Greek Retsina, and masking some grape flavor.
Kerner
Named after local poet and physician, Justinus Kerner, the Kerner grape was hybridized in 1929 in Lauffen in the Württemberg region. A hybrid of the white Riesling and the red Trollinger (Schiava grossa), it resembles the Riesling in character. It is being vinified in limited quantities in Valais, but its future in Valais dosen’t look too bright. It continues to do well in Germany, and on a smaller basis in Austria and Italy.
He who loves not wine, women and song remains a fool his whole life long.
Martin Luther
