Bischöfliches Konvikt - Kaseler Nies'chen Riesling kabinett trocken dry 1981

Bischöfliches Konvikt – Kaseler Nies’chen Riesling Kabinett dry 1981: A classic from the Ruwer Valley

The Kaseler Nies’chen Riesling Kabinett dry 1981 from the Episcopal Seminary in Trier is an outstanding testament to the long-standing wine-growing tradition of the Episcopal Estates of Trier. The Episcopal Seminary, founded in 1840, is one of the three partners in the consortium formed in 1966, which also includes the Episcopal Seminary (founded in 1773) and the Hohe Domkirche (founded in 1851) . Today, the winery cultivates around 37 hectares of vineyards, including prime sites on the Moselle, Saar and Ruwer, with Riesling being the dominant grape variety .

The Kaseler Nies’chenvineyard is the most famous site in the Ruwer Valley and is classified as a ‘Große Lage’ by the VDP . The steep south to south-west facing slope reaches gradients of up to 70 per cent and consists of blue-grey slate, which lends the wines their characteristic mineral tension and elegant spice . The Bischöfliche Weingüter cultivate 3.1 of the total 14.2 hectares of this renowned vineyard . The wines from Nies’chen are renowned for their cool, spicy minerality and their remarkable ageing potential, which is further enhanced by traditional vinification in 1,000-litre Fuder barrels .

The 1981 vintage is now a sought-after rarity. The Kabinett classification in its dry version lends the wine an elegant, refined character with a solid acid structure . Almost half a century after harvest, this Riesling has left its youth behind and now presents itself in a phase of perfect maturity, characterised by the typical Tertiary slate aromas – smoky, mineral notes combine with a lively, harmoniously integrated acidity.

For lovers of great German Rieslings, this Kaseler Nies’chen offers the rare opportunity to experience an authentic piece of Ruwer Riesling history and to savour the exceptional quality of a winery that, like few others, epitomises the tradition and excellence of German viticulture.