Bischöfliches Konvikt - Ayler Herrenberger Riesling dry 1978

Bischöfliches Konvikt – Ayler Herrenberger Riesling dry 1978: A Saar Riesling steeped in history

The 1978 Ayler Herrenberger Dry Riesling from the Episcopal Seminary in Trier is a remarkable testament to the close ties between the Church and viticulture in the Saar region. The Episcopal Seminary, founded in 1840, is one of the three partners in the Episcopal Vineyards of Trier, which were formed in 1966 through the merger of the vineyards belonging to the seminary, the Cathedral and the Seminary . Today, the Episcopal Vineyards cultivate over 130 hectares of vineyards in prime locations, with Riesling being the dominant variety . The history of viticulture within Trier’s ecclesiastical institutions dates back to the 13th century – as early as 1249, the canons were exempted from their religious duties during the grape harvest .

The Ayler Herrenberger is a sub-plot within the famous Ayler Kupp vineyard, which was described as early as 1897 as one of the finest sites on the Saar . The steep, south-west-facing slopes, with gradients of 20 to 60 per cent, and the soils of Devonian grey and blue slate with a high proportion of rock give the Riesling grapes grown here their characteristic firm structure, distinct acidity and pronounced minerality . The Bischöfliche Konvikt cultivates 4.6 hectares in this terroir .

The 1978 vintage is now a sought-after rarity. Almost half a century after harvest, this dry Riesling has left its youth behind and is now in a phase of perfect maturity, characterised by the typical tertiary aromas of Saar slate – smoky, spicy notes combine with a lively, yet harmoniously integrated acidity. The dry style of vinification lends the wine a robust character and a solid structure . A wine with a high level of fill and an intact capsule, as is the case here, bears witness to careful storage over the decades . For lovers of great German Rieslings, this Ayler Herrenberger offers a rare opportunity to experience an authentic piece of Saar Riesling history and to savour the exceptional quality of a winery that, like few others, embodies the tradition and excellence of German viticulture.