Wirsching
Iphofen, Franconia, Germany
Weingut Hans Wirsching, situated in the picturesque medieval town of Iphofen in Franconia, an hour and a half east of Frankfurt, is one of the top producers of Silvaner and Scheurebe in Germany. Now in its 14th generation, the Wirsching family, led by Andrea Wirsching, focuses on Silvaner (40%), the signature grape of the Franconian wine area. 20% of their vineyards are planted with Riesling, the classical German grape, and 7% with Scheurebe, a fruity, aromatic grape variety that first gained prominence in the 1950s. The balance is planted to white Pinot varieties, with a small percentage of red grapes as well.
The Wirsching estate dates to 1630, when Hans Wirsching donated a vineyard to the Abbey at Ebrach. Over the next several centuries, the Wirschings continued their love for, and involvement in, the business of agriculture and wine growing. In the late 19th century, the family almost gave up winemaking as the phylloxera louse devastated the European wine industry. It was a young Hans Wirsching who, in 1918 at age 23 and returning from World War I, made the decision to put all his energy into restoring the vineyards. He not only restarted the winery, but also began the painstaking process of replanting the vineyards with American rootstock.
The soils in this part of Franconia consist largely of “Keuper” or Jurassic Clay, a sediment stone from 220 million years ago, when dinosaurs walked through what was then swamps. Layers of Gypsum within that stone add an alkaloid which give the wines low to moderate acidity. The wines of Iphofen are full bodied with hints of herbaceous aromas and elegant fruit components.
In the early 1950s, Hans Wirsching renewed his pioneering efforts, and along with Karl Fuhrmann at Pfeffingen, obtained Scheurebe cuttings from the Annaberg and transplanted them to the Kronsberg vineyard. We can credit both men for leading the charge in elevating Scheurebe, a hybrid of Riesling and Bukettrebe, whose aroma is sometimes reminiscent of blackcurrant, pink grapefruit or lychee.
Wirsching is a member of the wine association VDP-Die Prädikatsweingüter. The VDP has very high production and quality standards which are as follows: VDP.Gutswein (estate), VDP.Ortswein (village), VDP Erste Lage (Premier Cru), VDP.Große Lage (Grand Cru). Wirsching is member of Fair N’Green, an organization that certifies growers for sustainable viticulture.
Our Selections
Wirsching Silvaner “Dino” Liter 2022
A new addition to the Wirsching lineup, the “Dino” liter of silvaner is a bright, refreshing version of the estate’s classic silvaner grown on Keuper soils. For this cuvée, Andrea and her team work with neighboring growers who also work with silvaner on Keuper Terroir. Depending on the vintage, 20-40% of the grapes are sourced from one of these farmers outside of the domaine. These soils are based on clay derived from Jurassic-era dinosaur bones, hence, “Dino”!
“Dino” is true Franconia Silvaner in a perfect 1L format that absolutely over-delivers. 12.5 % alc., 3.3 g/l RS, 5.7 g/l acidity.
Wirsching Scheurebe Estate 2022
Wirsching is seen as the regional pioneer for Scheurebe. In 1952, Hans Wirsching was actually the first to plant this varietal in Franconia.
The estate Scheurebe wine is a delight due to its fresh and fruity bouquet. Exotic aromas such as grapefruit and mango in combination with a subtle yet refreshing acidity make this a perfect introduction to the grape. Fermentation is done at a lower temperature than the classical wines bottled in bocksbeutel. As such, the CO2 is preserved, adding a tangy character and pleasant freshness. This is a terrific aperitif. 12.5% alc., 5.3 g/l RS, 5.7 g/l acidity
Wirsching Silvaner Iphofer Bocksbeutel 2022
Silvaner is the most important grape at Wirsching and the Iphofer bocksbeutel is a classic representation of the grape: apple, peach and thyme aromas with a rich and silky attack and a steely, long, mineral austerity on the finish. This is a “Ortswein” or village level wine and is considered “Franconian dry,” meaning 4 grams of residual sugar or less. This matches perfectly with light dishes such as fish, simply prepared vegetables or white meat. 12.5% alc., 3.0 g/l RS, 5.5 g/l acidity.
Wirsching Silvaner Iphofer Kalb Bocksbeutel 2022
The Iphofer Kalb site is a steep slope exposed to the south. The gypsum soils warm easily which lead to elegant wines with fresh flavors and fine fruitiness. The mild climate and long vegetation period allow the grapes to reach full ripeness while emphasizing the mineral characteristics in the soil.
Silvaners from Iphofen are full-bodied wines with a savory finish and long age-ability. The chalky gypsum soils lend a pleasant minerality and finesse to the wine. Notes of sage, apple and pear, along with a stony, saline element on the finish.
Wirsching Silvaner Iphofer Julius-Echter-Berg GG 2020
From old vines rooted in low-yielding clayey gypsum soils. This is Wirsching’s Grand Cru vineyard and always yields one of the most complex Silvaners in world. Rich and elegant, displaying typical herbal aromas (thyme and sage) and a fine concentration of fruit (nectarine and apricot). It is dense and supple but also salty and well-balanced with fresh acidity and minerality. This wine, combining substance with tension, can age for twenty years or more. 13% alc., 2.8 g/l RS, 6.6 g/l acidity.
Wirsching Riesling Iphofer Julius-Echter-Berg GG 2020
Top Riesling from one of the best sites in Franconia. The Grand Cru Julius-Echter-Berg site features clay gypsum Keuper soils, which lend a mineral freshness to the old vines. One third was fermented in big wooden barrels and two thirds in stainless steel. Aged on the on lees for 16 months before bottling. 13% alc., 6.1 g/l RS, 8.2 g/l acidity.