Vereinigte Hospitien 'Sanctus Jacobus' Trier - Piesporter Goldtröpfchen Riesling Auslese 1959

Vereinigte Hospitien 'Sanctus Jacobus' Trier - Piesporter Goldtröpfchen Riesling Auslese 1959

Introduction

The 1959 Piesporter Goldtröpfchen Riesling Auslese from the Vereinigte Hospitien foundation winery is an exceptional rarity from what is probably the most famous vineyard on the Middle Moselle. It was created in one of the most legendary vintages of the 20th century and was produced by one of Germany's most traditional wine estates. Like a time capsule from a bygone era of viticulture, this wine is a coveted collector's item that reveals the craftsmanship and terroir of the Moselle in its purest form. The following explanations shed light on the eventful history of Vereinigte Hospitien, the unique terroir of the Goldtröpfchen, the special features of the vintage and the expected flavour profile and market value of this rare treasure.

1. The winery: Vereinigte Hospitien - 1804 years of tradition with a social mission

The Vereinigte Hospitien winery in Trier is not just a winery - it is a unique cultural monument with over 1800 years of history. Its origins date back to Roman times: the estate's current wine cellar is partly made up of the old Roman walls, which were built around 330 AD. The estate itself was established in 1804 by an edict of Napoleon Bonaparte, who organised various social institutions in Trier into a foundation. In order to be able to continue financing its tasks of caring for the elderly, the sick and orphans, former church property, including vineyards, was incorporated into the foundation.

The eye-catching label with the figure of St James (Sanctus Jacobus) with a walking stick refers to the historic St James Hospital. Pilgrims found shelter there in the Middle Ages on their way to Santiago de Compostela; later, it provided a refuge for poor and sick people.

The estate is closely linked to Riesling. The cultivation of this grape variety is documented in an account book of St Jakob's Hospital for the year 1464 - this is the first documented mention of Riesling cultivation on the Moselle.

Today, the foundation winery cultivates around 25 hectares of vineyards on the best steep slopes of the Moselle and Saar. The winery is a founding member of the renowned "Großer Ring" (VDP) and is still one of the leading wineries on the Moselle. The proceeds from the winery are still channelled into the foundation's social institutions, a unique selling point that sets this winery apart from all others.

2. The vineyard site: Piesporter Goldtröpfchen - One of the world's great sites

The Piesporter Goldtröpfchen vineyard is not only one of the most famous vineyards on the Moselle, it is also one of the most prestigious vineyards in the world. It is classifiedby the VDP as a VDP.GROßE LAGE®.

• Nature's amphitheatre: The site extends in the form of a huge, open amphitheatre around the village of Piesport on a large Moselle bend. This natural formation optimally protects the vines from cold northerly winds and maximises sunlight.

• Terroir: The soil consists of deep, weathered grey Devonian slate, which contains quartz and minerals, as well as a high proportion of fine earth and an excellent water supply. The slate stores the sun's heat and releases it to the vines at night, which favours the development of complex aromas.

• Origin of the name:The name "Goldtröpfchen" means "golden drop" - a reference to the high value of the wines. According to legend, the ripe, noble rotten berries glistened like little drops of gold in the sun in autumn. The Roman poet Ausonius described these slopes in glowing terms in 371 AD.

This site produces wines of great richness, elegance and a characteristic, often exotic fruit flavour.

3. The 1959 vintage - a vintage of the century

The 1959 vintage is one of the greatest and most legendary vintages of the 20th century on the Moselle. In retrospect, managing directors of the VDP Mosel described the 1959 as the "vintage of the century", which tasted "absolutely fantastic". Characterised by a long, warm and dry summer with plenty of sunshine, the grapes ripened slowly and evenly. These ideal conditions led to a perfect balance between concentrated fruit, fine acidity and complex flavours. The wines from this vintage are known for their exceptional longevity and enormous ageing potential.

4. The wine: Riesling Auslese - selective hand-picking

Ausleseis the third highest predicate level in the German wine system. For this wine, fully ripe grapes are selectively harvested by hand, resulting in a particularly concentrated and full-bodied wine. The Auslese wines from 1959 are among the best in their class and are predestined for decades of ageing due to their high sugar content and vital acidity.

The 1959 Piesporter Goldtröpfchen Auslese from Vereinigte Hospitien has an alcohol content of 8% vol. at.

5. Flavour profile and ageing potential

After more than six decades in the cellar, this wine has reached an exceptional stage of maturity, which manifests itself in a complex and harmonious flavour profile.

• Appearance: The wine presents itself in the glass in a deep, bright golden yellow with light amber-coloured reflections - an unmistakable sign of long, successful bottle ageing.

• Nose: The bouquet is characterised by an intense blend of dried fruit and a hint of noble richness. Typical flavours are ripe apricot, peach, honey and a hint of exotic fruits such as mango or papaya. The typical slate minerality of the site permeates the bouquet with a fine, spicy note.

• Palate: Despite its age, the wine is surprisingly lively on the palate. The sweetness is very present, but perfectly balanced by a fine, racy acidity that gives the wine structure and freshness. The flavours are very concentrated, the texture is oily and creamy. The finish is extremely long-lasting and characterised by a complex mineral spiciness.

• Ageing potential:Wines of this calibre have enormous ageing potential. The 1959 Goldtröpfchen Auslese is now at the zenith of its maturity, but its dense structure, high sugar content and vital acidity mean thatit will be able to remain at this high levelfor many years to come, probably until 2040 and beyond.

6. Current market presence and pricing

The 1959 Piesporter Goldtröpfchen Auslese from Vereinigte Hospitien is an absolute rarity that is rarely found on the market. Prices vary depending on the format, fill level and condition of the bottle.

Price differences result from the different state of preservation of the bottles (fill level, labelling).

Conclusion and rating

The Vereinigte Hospitien 'Sanctus Jacobus' Trier - Piesporter Goldtröpfchen Riesling Auslese 1959 is much more than just a sweet white wine. It is a liquid monument that combines the essence of one of the oldest and most socially committed wineries in the world with the terroir of one of the world's great vineyards and the luck of a century-old vintage.

The concentrated richness of the flavours, the perfectly integrated acidity, the deep mineral spiciness and the incredible longevity make this wine a holy grail for collectors and lovers of great, mature Rieslings. Anyone who has the privilege of getting hold of a bottle of this wine in good condition is not only acquiring an excellent drink, but also a piece of imperishable, 1800-year-old wine culture on the Moselle.