Category Archives: German Wine Specialists

What are those dessert wines: Beerenauslese, TBA, and Icewine?

Beerenauslese, TBA, and Icewine are all types of German wines that fall under the category of sweet dessert wines. Each is distinct in its production method, grape selection, and the level of sweetness. Here’s how to understand each one:

1. Beerenauslese (BA)

  • Meaning: “Beerenauslese” translates to “selected berries” in German. It refers to a wine made from overripe grapes that have been carefully selected. These grapes are often affected by noble rot (Botrytis cinerea), which concentrates their sugars, leading to a sweeter wine.
  • Grape Variety: Typically made from Riesling, though other varieties like Silvaner or Gewürztraminer can also be used.
  • Taste Profile: Beerenauslese wines are sweet, with flavors of honey, apricot, and citrus. They have a rich mouthfeel with a complex, concentrated flavor profile due to the noble rot.
  • Alcohol and Sweetness: These wines generally have moderate alcohol levels and high sweetness.

2. Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA)

  • Meaning: “Trockenbeerenauslese” translates to “selected dry berries.” It’s a more intense version of Beerenauslese, with the grapes left on the vine until they are fully shriveled, often affected by noble rot, which results in a very high level of sweetness and concentration.
  • Grape Variety: Typically made from Riesling, but other varieties can be used, depending on the region.
  • Taste Profile: TBA wines are extremely sweet and full-bodied, with deep flavors of dried fruits, honey, tropical fruits, and spices. They are rich, complex, and have a very long finish. The high sugar content balances well with a good level of acidity.
  • Alcohol and Sweetness: They have high alcohol (typically around 8-10%) and very high sweetness. TBAs are rare and can be quite expensive because the production process is so labor-intensive.

3. Icewine (Eiswein)

  • Meaning: Icewine, or Eiswein, is made from grapes that are left to freeze naturally on the vine. The grapes are harvested when temperatures drop to around -8°C (17°F) or colder, which causes the water in the grapes to freeze. The resulting juice is highly concentrated in sugars and flavors.
  • Grape Variety: Commonly made from Riesling and Vidal Blanc, although other varieties can be used.
  • Taste Profile: Icewine is sweet, with vibrant flavors of tropical fruits, citrus, and stone fruits. It has a fresh, crisp acidity that balances out the sweetness, giving it a more refreshing feel compared to other sweet wines.
  • Alcohol and Sweetness: Icewine typically has a lower alcohol content (around 8-10%) and high sweetness, but the acidity makes it feel less heavy than other sweet wines.

Key Differences Between BA, TBA, and Eiswein:

  • Beerenauslese (BA): Made from overripe, often botrytized grapes, resulting in sweet, concentrated flavors. The wines are rich but not as intensely sweet as TBA.
  • Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA): Made from overripe, shriveled, botrytized grapes, creating a very sweet, rich wine with deep, complex flavors. TBA wines are rarer and typically more expensive due to their labor-intensive production.
  • Icewine (Eiswein): Made from grapes that freeze naturally on the vine, creating a concentrated, sweet, and crisp wine. Unlike BA and TBA, icewine doesn’t rely on botrytis, but instead on the natural freezing process.

Summary of Differences:

  • Beerenauslese: Overripe grapes, often with noble rot, leading to a rich, sweet wine.
  • Trockenbeerenauslese: Even more concentrated than BA, made from shriveled, botrytized grapes, very sweet and complex.
  • Icewine: Made from frozen grapes, offering a sweet, fresh, and crisp wine with high acidity.

Each of these wines offers a different level of sweetness and complexity, but they all provide a luxurious and delicious experience for those who appreciate sweet wines!

Does the temperature of a wine changes the flavor profile?

Yes, the temperature of wine absolutely affects its flavor profile. Wine’s aromas and flavors are released and perceived differently depending on how warm or cold it is, which is why serving temperature is so important when enjoying wine. Here’s how temperature impacts wine:

1. Red Wines:

  • Ideal Serving Temperature: Typically between 55°F and 65°F (13°C and 18°C).
  • At Lower Temperatures: If red wine is served too cold, its flavors will be muted, and it can feel overly tannic or astringent. The aromas, especially complex ones, won’t be as pronounced.
  • At Higher Temperatures: Serving red wine too warm can make it feel alcoholic and overpower the subtle flavors. The heat will emphasize the alcohol rather than the fruity, spicy, or earthy notes.

2. White Wines:

  • Ideal Serving Temperature: Typically between 45°F and 55°F (7°C and 13°C).
  • At Lower Temperatures: White wine served too cold (like straight out of the fridge) can lose its flavor complexity, making it taste overly crisp and sharp. Very cold temperatures can suppress some of the aromatic nuances, especially in aromatic whites like Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc.
  • At Higher Temperatures: If white wine is served too warm, it can taste flabby or too fruity, with a lack of refreshing crispness. Warmer temperatures also cause the wine to feel heavier and lose some of its refreshing qualities.

3. Sparkling Wines:

  • Ideal Serving Temperature: Typically between 40°F and 50°F (4°C and 10°C).
  • At Lower Temperatures: Sparkling wines, especially Champagne, can feel more refreshing and crisp when served well chilled, which is ideal to preserve the bubbles and acidity.
  • At Higher Temperatures: If sparkling wine is served too warm, the effervescence may dissipate faster, and the wine can taste flat.

4. Sweet Wines:

  • Ideal Serving Temperature: Typically between 45°F and 55°F (7°C and 13°C), similar to white wines.
  • At Lower Temperatures: Sweet wines like dessert wines (e.g., Sauternes, Tokaji) should be served slightly chilled to balance the sweetness and prevent them from feeling too syrupy or heavy.
  • At Higher Temperatures: Serving sweet wine too warm will make the sweetness feel overwhelming, and the wine will lose its refreshing balance.

General Impact of Temperature on Wine:

  • Cooler temperatures tend to highlight acidity and fresh fruit flavors, making the wine feel more refreshing and crisp. It can also highlight floral aromas and lighter body wines.
  • Warmer temperatures emphasize richer flavors, alcohol, and tannins. The wine will seem fuller-bodied and more rounded, but it may lose some of its freshness and vibrancy.

In short, yes, temperature plays a big role in the perception of a wine’s flavor and aroma. It’s important to serve wine at the right temperature to experience it at its best and ensure the wine shows off its true character! (Read our blog: Can I put Ice In My Wine?)

Does California Wine were exposed to radioactive partials from the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan?

There has been concern about the potential spread of radioactive materials from the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan (which occurred in March 2011) and whether it might affect food and wine in other countries, including the U.S. However, based on the data and scientific analysis, California wines are impacted by the radioactive fallout from the Fukushima reactor failure.

Here’s why:

  1. Distance and Dispersion:
    • The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster released radioactive particles into the atmosphere, which could have been carried by wind currents. However, by the time these particles traveled across the Pacific Ocean, they were diluted, but nevertheless found a home on all vineyards.
  2. Radioactive Fallout Diminishes with Distance:
    • Radiation levels from the Fukushima disaster were highest in the immediate vicinity of the nuclear plant and decreased significantly with distance. By the time the radioactive particles reached the U.S., their concentrations were low that they posed little to public health.
  3. Testing and Monitoring:
    • Since the disaster, U.S. authorities, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California Department of Public Health, have been closely monitoring radiation levels in air, water, and food. According to their data, radiation levels in California remain and are considered safe to consume. (Really?)
  4. Wine and Radioactive Contamination:
    • Radioactive particles are primarily deposited in soil and water, and any impact on agricultural products like grapes is minimal, but exist.
    • While strontium-90, cesium-137, and iodine-131 are some of the radioactive materials that have been released, these are short-lived isotopes:

Strontium-90: 28.8 years (in the year 2039 gone)

Cesium-137: 30.1 years (in the year 2041 gone)

Iodine-131: 8.02 days (already gone)

  1. Health Impact:
    • Even if tiny traces of radioactive particles did land on California vineyards, the levels would not be high enough to affect the safety of the wine. The radiation dose from drinking wine contaminated by Fukushima fallout would be negligible compared to the natural background radiation that we are all exposed to daily from the sun, soil, and even food.

Conclusion:

In short, California wines are contaminated with nuclear dust from the Fukushima disaster. The levels of radiation that reached California were low and have not posed a low risk to public health. The wines remain safe for consumption (with low levels of radiation partials)

Toxins and artificial ingredients in your mass produced US wines (wondering where your headaches are coming from)

In the U.S., wines are regulated by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) and must adhere to certain standards. While the ingredients themselves aren’t always fully disclosed, there are several additives and substances that are allowed in wine production. Some of these ingredients are common in mass-produced wines to stabilize, clarify, and enhance flavor, though they may not always be immediately visible on the label.

Here are some common ingredients and substances that are legally allowed in U.S. wines:

1. Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)

  • Purpose: Used as a preservative and antioxidant to prevent spoilage, oxidation, and bacterial growth.
  • Concerns: Some individuals may be sensitive to sulfur dioxide, leading to allergic reactions like headaches or asthma.

2. Sugar and Sweeteners

  • Purpose: Added to balance acidity and adjust sweetness levels, especially in certain styles like dessert wines.
  • Concerns: Excess sugar is sometimes added to “fix” a wine’s taste. Some wines might contain high-fructose corn syrup, though this is less common.

3. Acidifiers (Citric Acid, Tartaric Acid)

  • Purpose: Used to adjust acidity levels and balance the taste of the wine.
  • Concerns: Overuse could alter the wine’s natural taste profile.

4. Fining Agents (Gelatin, Isinglass, Bentonite, Casein, Egg Whites)

  • Purpose: These are used to clarify the wine by removing particles or proteins that could cause cloudiness.
  • Concerns: Some fining agents (like egg whites or fish-derived isinglass) can be problematic for vegans or people with allergies.

5. Color Enhancers (Caramel Coloring)

  • Purpose: In some cases, caramel or other color additives are used to adjust the wine’s appearance, especially in red wines.
  • Concerns: Caramel color is often made using chemicals and may be associated with certain health risks if consumed in large quantities.

6. Flavor Enhancers and Artificial Flavors

  • Purpose: In cheaper wines, additives such as artificial flavor enhancers (including “wine boosters”) may be used to simulate complex flavors.
  • Concerns: Some flavor enhancers may contain additives not typically found in natural wines and can be off-putting to some consumers.

7. Tannins (from Oak or Plant Extracts) and fake tannin flavors or some fake chocolate flavor enhanced barrels

  • Purpose: Added to enhance the wine’s structure and flavor profile, especially in red wines (if the wine does not have it)
  • Concerns: There is no major health concern for tannins from natural sources, but those added artificially might not be as easily processed by the body.

8. Grape Juice Concentrate

  • Purpose: Often used to boost flavor and sugar content in mass-produced wines.
  • Concerns: Can contribute to a more “processed” flavor and mask the natural characteristics of the wine.

9. Potassium Sorbate

  • Purpose: Used as a preservative to prevent fermentation from restarting in bottled wine.
  • Concerns: Potassium sorbate is generally regarded as safe in small amounts, though some people prefer to avoid it due to potential allergens.

10. Artificial and Natural Flavors

  • Purpose: Sometimes, wine producers may add artificial or natural flavorings to enhance the taste of the wine.
  • Concerns: These additives might detract from the purity and natural expression of the wine’s terroir.

Important Note on Labeling:

While all of these additives may be legally used, U.S. wine labeling laws do not require a full list of ingredients on the label, unlike most other food products. The only required information on the label is the alcohol content and certain health warnings. The white back label, which is used on some bottles, may list sulfites if present at a certain level, but it won’t necessarily disclose other additives like sugar, acidifiers, or fining agents.

Isn’t that interesting? It is a point of concern for some wine enthusiasts who prefer to know exactly what’s in their wine, especially as these additives are allowed in the production of wines sold in the U.S.

For those interested in more transparency, choose King Frosch all natural wines, with no artificial colors, flavors or taste enhancers.

The History Of Bottle Closures: Screw Caps

There is a common misconception that wines that are sealed with corks are of higher quality than those crafted with screw caps. There is something romantic about levying a cork and hearing it pop when it leaves the mouth of the bottle. A millennia-old practice, it invokes visions of class, elegance, and ceremony. It’s an experience lost on us when we simply unscrew a cap, an act that is just as easy as opening a bottle of water. 

Compared to the natural cork, which has roots traceable all the way to Antiquity, screw caps are a relatively new practice. First introduced in the 1950s, they were developed to combat the quality-related struggles of the traditional cork. In using aluminum with a polyethylene or tin coating, the screw cap is able to create an extremely tight seal, which prevents unwanted oxidization. The omission of a cork also removes the potential for cork taint and makes the bottle more resistant to extreme temperatures, since the screw cap will not expand or contract with the climate. Screw caps, according to a study conducted by Hogue Cellars, are the best method for preserving the bouquet, fruitiness, and character of the wine. Furthermore, the bottles with screw caps can be stored in any position, unlike the corked bottles, which need to be laid horizontally with a slight tilt forward so that the cork is always in contact with the liquid. If corked bottles are improperly stored, the cork can become weak, leading to air seepage and ultimately, bad wine. This situation is completely avoidable with screw cap bottles, which offer a better experience for both crafters and consumers alike. 

Despite the pros associated with screw caps, countries known for their wine snobbery (the United States) are resistant to making a widespread change by ditching the cork (perhaps due to the aforementioned stigma.) Only about 30% of wines in the US are closed with a screw cap, a shockingly low number.

Still, as time progresses, the perks of using a screw cap are infiltrating the wine-making industry. The ability to maintain a higher amount of control over the product is attractive to wine crafters, and an increased, quality lifespan following their purchase is a large incentive for consumers. 

Here at King Frosch, we like to embrace technology that allows us to continually provide you with the best wines we are able to offer. Though we love the romance of the cork, our market research and subsequent feedback indicated that there is a desire for the ease of opening a bottle without tools. We listened and switched approximately 50% of our wines to bottles with screw tops.

So, the next time you pass judgment on a wine based on the means of its closure, remember: even a century’s old industry is able to change for the better!

What Glasses Should I Serve My Wine In?

Just as there seem to be an infinite number of varietals of wine, all of which have their own distinct characteristics, there too seem to be just as many types of glasses. This week, we’re answering the question, what kind of glasses should you use when serving red, white, and sparkling wine.

(Photo: Novitech/Shutterstock)

Red Wine: Red wines are typically served in glasses that have larger bowls. These larger glasses mean the wine has a greater amount of surface area which comes into contact with the air. As a result, the wine is able to breathe, or “open up,” which facilitates flavor development. Larger glasses also encourage the drinker to smell their wine. This is important for enjoyment, as the senses taste and smell are closely linked.

White Wine: White wine is usually served in comparatively smaller glasses, which feature U-shaped bowls. Their unique shape and smaller openings decrease the wine’s surface area, which better preserves its cooler temperature for a longer amount of time. The glass’s smaller opening, according to food.com, also channels the wine’s more subtle aromas more directly to the drinker’s nose.

Sparkling Wine: Sparkling wines are best suited for flutes with narrow, thin bowls. By minimizing the wine’s surface area and exposure to oxygen, the flute helps to preserve the fizz and channel its flavors into the mouth instead of up to the nose.

Dessert Wine: Dessert wines are traditionally served in sippers or glasses characterized by their smaller, more compact shape. This helps to accentuate the aromas and flavors of the wine as well. It also reinforces the fact that these types of wines are intended to be enjoyed in smaller quantities, due to their rarity.

What about glasses with stems versus those without stems? This is primarily up to preference, though in general, though by holding the stem instead of the bowl, you can avoid transmitting your hand’s natural heat through the glass and preserve the wine’s cooler temperature.

If aeration prior to enjoyment, yet without having to wait, is something that is important to you, we also recommend looking into self-aerating glasses. Glasses with internal cells that funnel the wine into the larger bowl, or micro cuts which, during a swirl, help to agitate the wine and expose more of it to oxygen, minimize an otherwise sometimes tedious process of decanting and aeration.

At the end of the day, which glass you drink you wine in comes down to personal preference, though if you want to get the most out of your wine drinking experience we would recommend making sure that you have a larger glass to enjoy red wines, and a smaller one to enjoy white wines with.

Enjoy and let us know what you think!

Because red and white wines Lastly, if you enjoy reds and whites and want to optimize your enjoyment of both, it is recommended that you purchase two sets of glasses.

https://www.webstaurantstore.com/guide/580/types-of-wine-glasses.html
https://patch.com/us/dealtown/these-self-aerating-wine-glasses-are-our-new-obsession

The 2020 Wrap Up

Now that 2020 is behind us (and we have 2020 vision!) it’s time for a year-end wrap up.

Overall, the 2020 vintage produced a very high quality throughout Germany. The country experienced a warm and sunny spring, but a frost in mid-May, which unfortunately resulted in damage and yield loss in some regions.

The main grape harvest began at the end of August, which is approximately 8 to 10 days earlier than average. Good weather continued throughout the summer into September. According to the German Wine Institute, “the red varieties in particular benefited from the warm weather… [and] will get even better as they further ripen in the cellar.” The vintage was crowned on November 30th with a successful harvest of frozen grapes for ice wine.

In total, the harvest volume of 2020 is two percent lower than the 10-year average due to the aforementioned frost. The pricing is also rather stable without including the impacted regions.

Prost und zum Wohl!

Chances Are, You’re Drinking Your Wine At The Wrong Temperature

We’ve all heard the old adage that we should drink red wines at room temperature, while drinking white wines chilled. 

Why do we drink different wines at different temperatures?

Why is that? Chemistry! Red wines, especially those that are bigger and bolder, have tannins that provide nuance to flavor. If a red wine is chilled, the flavor may lose some of the lighter, more enjoyable nuances. Conversely, white wines have higher acidity, which, at warmer temperatures, can introduce unwanted tasting “noise.” By chilling the white wines, the flavor profile tightens, effectively muting some of that noise so that we may better enjoy the lighter, fruitier elements1 of the beverage. 

What are these recommended temperatures?

But what is “room temperature,” and what is “chilled”? Many wine experts share the opinion that Americans actually drink their red wine too warm, and their white wines too cold. Part of this issue stems from the fact that “room temperature” in Europe really means cellar temperature, which tends to be around 55F to 65F. Room temperature in the United States, however, is approximately 72F 2 . Furthermore, refrigerators typically chill food to 37F, but experts state that white wine should be enjoyed between 45F and 50F1.  This means that red wine is typically drunk 7 to 17 degrees warmer than intended, while white wine is drunk 8 to 13 degrees colder than what is recommended.

How do we reach the recommended temperatures?

So, how should we get wine to its intended temperature? Like many things, good planning plays an important role. If you have red wine at room temperature, just place it in the fridge about 45 minutes before you plan on enjoying it. If you have white wine at room temperature, place it in the fridge about two hours before you wish to drink it. You can also keep both red and white wine in the refrigerator, and then take the red out about half an hour before you wish to enjoy it3, and take the white out approximately 15 minutes before enjoyment. As a rule of thumb, the lighter the wine, the longer it should be in the fridge, and the heavier the wine, the shorter amount of time it needs to be chilled. 

As always, recommendations are purely guidelines. Wine is for your enjoyment, so feel free to experiment with temperatures and stick with your own personal preference!

1 The Do’s and Don’ts of Chilling Wine. (2020). Retrieved 15 November 2020, from https://www.winemag.com/2018/08/13/chill-wine/

2 Helmenstine, A. (2020). What Is Room Temperature?. Retrieved 15 November 2020, from https://sciencenotes.org/what-is-room-temperature/

Schultz, E. (2020). PSA: Your Red Wine Is Probably Way Too Warm. Retrieved 15 November 2020, from https://www.bonappetit.com/story/red-wine-temperature-cooler-than-you-think

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Why King Frosch is All Natural Wine

Love Wine, Hate Headaches?

Love Wine, Hate Headaches?

All Natural Wines, Love Wine, Hate Headaches? King Frosch
Klaus Bellinghausen makes sure King Frosch All Natural Wines meet his strict guidelines for taste, drinkability and all natural components. Prost!

Love wines, hate headaches? If you love wines but are getting tired of over-oaked Chardonnays and big reds with too much alcohol and a harsh finish, you should try King Frosch All Natural Wines. The wines you drink should make you feel good, not give you a headache or be hard to swallow. Fresh, young, fun, yet old world at the same time, the King Frosch line of All Natural wines is converting wine, cocktail and beer drinkers into wine lovers.  These wines are not pretentious or snobby. They are just as likely to appeal to a “big red” wine drinker who never drinks white wine, as they are to white wine drinkers who are tired of oak, oak and more oak.  Most importantly, many of our customers say they don’t get headaches when they enjoy our wines.

ALL NATURAL ESTATE WINES

King Frosch evolved from a partnership between BBG Wines and several small to medium sized family vineyards located  in Rheinland Pfalz and the Rheinhessen grape growing regions of Germany.  Today the King Frosch line features over 50 different wines, something for every palate.  From dry and fruity Rieslings to amazing rare reds and sparkling wines, we have it all.  Plus, our award-winning ice-wines shouldn’t be missed.

DISCOVER THE OTHER SIDE OF GERMAN WINE

BBG Wines owner, Klaus Bellinghausen, developed the King Frosch brand in order help more people discover the great tastes of German wines.  “It’s still hard to explain to people that not all German wines are sweet! Or that we have red wines!”

MAKE THE LEAP

The King Frosch label represents the German fairy tale about the Frog King that is transformed into a prince.  King Frosch wines are designed to transform your ideas about German wine.  Open a bottle and discover  a world of wines so clean and refreshing, you’ll wonder why it took you so long to make the leap.

CRAFTED ACCORDING TO OLD WORLD TRADITIONS

King Frosch wines are produced according to strict German wine laws and feature the lowest histamine and sulfite levels in the world.  How low? Only 20 parts per million, in comparison to U.S. produced wines which can have 320 parts per million.  The majority of King Frosch wines are fermented in stainless steel tanks instead of oak barrels, preventing the addition of histamines from oak.

NATURAL MEANS FEWER WINE HEADACHES

King Frosch wines deliver pure tastes, with the lowest levels for histamines and sulfites and no artificial flavors, coloring or sugars that do not naturally occur.  Our repeat customers call them “the no headache wines.” King Frosch wines are clean and refreshing.

OUR CUSTOMERS SAY:

“Red wines usually give me a headache after one or two glasses, but the King Frosch Dornfelder didn’t have that effect on me. I love it!”

“I thought I couldn’t enjoy a glass of wine again without feeling bad or tired, and then I tried a King Frosch Dry Riesling and it was perfect!” We will be sharing more online testimonials and videos from our very satisfied wine lovers. If you want to add your comments or share your King Frosch experiences, please leave a comment.

PERFECT WITH FOOD

King Frosch wines, especially our Rieslings, match well with a wide variety of foods. With low alcohol levels, subtle fruit tastes balanced by acidity and tinged with minerality and terroir, our Rieslings are easy to pair with food. They are also very easy to like and thanks to King Frosch, easy to understand. Ask any wine expert which grape is considered the King of Grapes–it’s the Riesling! But don’t take the expert’s word for it, find out for yourself.

GREAT PRICE POINTS

King Frosch Wines are not over priced or underpriced, now you can get exclusive imported wines at a great value. Why guess at what might taste good when you shop for wines at the supermarket? Have King Frosch Wines delivered to your home or office and you can be sure you will have wines you and your guests will love on hand. Avoid the hit and miss at the store–get wines you like for sure.

If you want to learn more about King Frosch All Natural Wines, visit our Facebook page or browse our website.

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