Rüdesheimer Apostelwein 'Bremer Ratskeller' 1727 350ml with OC 'release from the 1950's'

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Product number: JHW-26136

Filling level into neck, label and capsule good (filled into the bottle about 80 years ago).

Product information

1727 was a great vintage in Germany, not only in terms of the quality of the wines, but also in terms of the quantity harvested. Nevertheless, a wine bottled back then would certainly no longer be drinkable today. In Bremen's Ratskeller, it lies in a barrel, the legendary 1727 Rüdesheimer Apostelwein. Half a bottle is sometimes filled for special occasions. But nowhere near as often as the recent increase in offers for this wine at auctions would have you believe. A half bottle bottled in 2000 especially for an English Chistie's auction fetched around 6,500 euros. In the summer of 2005, I had the pleasure of tasting the Rüdesheimer Apostelwein from a bottle bottled a good 80 years ago. Due to this additional bottle ageing, it may present itself somewhat differently than "fresh from the barrel". Dark brown in colour, fascinating nose, semi-dry sherry, tar, coffee tones, old, slightly rotten leather, remains beautiful on the nose, but very quickly fades on the palate and becomes acidic. Nevertheless, it is fascinating that such a wine is still drinkable at all (source: wineterminator.com Dr Becker).

The Rüdesheim apostle wine 'Bremer Ratskeller' 1727: A historical wine jewel

The Rüdesheim Apostle Wine 'Bremer Ratskeller' 1727is one of the oldest preserved wines in the world and is a symbol of German viticultural and cultural history. Produced in Rüdesheim am Rhein, a traditional wine-growing region in the Rheingau, it reflects the art of baroque winemaking. The steep slate slopes and mild climate favoured the production of long-lasting Riesling wines, then as now.

Since 1727, the wine has been stored in Bremen's Ratskeller, an underground vaulted cellar beneath Bremen Town Hall, which has served as a wine storehouse since 1405. The thick walls and constant climatic conditions (10-12°C, high humidity) have enabled its exceptional preservation. The Ratskeller even survived the bombing raids of the Second World War, making the wine a "miracle of history".

Originally pressed as a sweet late harvest Riesling, the Apostelwein was harvested by hand and fermented in oak barrels. Its high sugar and alcohol content (approx. 9-11%) acted as a natural preservative. After almost 300 years, however, its chemical composition has changed considerably: Analyses from the 20th century show a drastically reduced alcohol content (5-6 %), extreme acidity levels and oxidative aromas that today classify it more as a vinegar or syrupy rarity.

Culturally, wine is a liquid cultural asset. The name "apostle wine" refers to the tradition of storing wines for at least 12 years (symbolising the apostles) - this one exceeded this by a factor of 25. As a diplomatic object of prestige, it once served to represent the wealth of the city. Today it is a protected monument and part of the UNESCO-recognised Ratskeller collection.

The 172er Apostelwein is a fascinating testimony to historical craftsmanship and the human fascination with overcoming transience. As a "liquid archive", it preserves the history of Bremen and the Rheingau for future generations.

Broadbent review (Broadbent's wine notes): This wine comes from a large cask in the famous '12 apostles' cellar beneath the Town Hall or Ratskeller in Bremen. The first time this appeared in a Christie's wine catalogue was in 1829 when it sold for 5 pounds per dozen, a high price at the time. An occasional half bottle has appeared at auction since that date, mainly over the past 30 years. The wine is drawn from the mother cask which is then topped up with a young Rudesheimer of appropriate quality. In this way the large volume of the old wine is kept refreshed. I first tasted the 1727 at Schloss Vollrads in 1973 at a tasting of wines of the world to celebrate Count Matushka's 80th birthday. Another memorable occasion took place at a dinner in Sydney on the evening of my first visit to Australia in February 1977. By way of welcome, my host, the irrepressible Len Evans had invited the Prime Minister and a group of the best 'palates'. Among other fine and rare wines was this 250 year old Hock. Just as it was about to be served, there was a shattering crash followed by an agonised Australian voice 'Gee Len, sorry we'll just have to have the 1928'! (The 'waiter' Anders Ousbach, who had dropped a handful of spoons, was a wine expert and opera singer known for his practical jokes). On my second visit to Bremen in 1981, I was able to taste the wine from the cask. It had an amber straw colour, the smell of old apples and a nutty appley taste. Dry, good length. High acidity. More recently, from a half bottle 'Réserve du Bremer Ratskeller': it was paler than I had previously noted, Secial Madeira-like colour, bouquet also reminded me of an old Madeira, then more like a raya sherry. After 2 hours in the glass a smell of rich old stables and an hour after that, an amazing pungency lingered in the empty glass. On the palate medium-dry, lightish weight, a soft, gentler, slightly toasted old straw flavour, tolerable acidity, and clean finish. *****

	Alcohol:	10
	Colour:	white
	Country:	Germany
	Filling quantity:	350 ml
	Flavour:	sweet
	Grape variety:	Riesling
	Producer:	Bremen Ratskeller
	Product type:	Wine
	Region:	Rheingau
	Type of wine:	White wine
	Vintage:	1727