red riesling?

[Robban]

Yes, I did encounter the German Red first in Franken in 1990 in Frickenhausen at the Weingut Meitzinger.
Look at http://www.weinland-franken.de/frickenhausen/meintzinger/index.htm and you will see their current sortment. Anyway the stay was wonderful, and all of their wines good - except the red which was, well "German Red" - what more can I say. It was...uh...an experience! Anyway their's isn't a Red Riesling but rather a Portugieser as it was back in 1990.

(By the way - check out the prices on their list. These are somewhat usual for a Weingut of this higher class especially in Franken. Smaller vinyards have lower prices and often excellent wines. Seldom do you pay to taste - but you always buy something as a matter of courtesy)

The occurance of German red had spread (as quick as Hoof and Mouth disease) into other areas of Deutchland. I encountered it in Pfaltz when we were collecting in 1999. There it is found mostly in 1 liter bottles - which in itself should be a warning! The fact that no one is redoing their entire production to Reds tells me that I am not the only one who is sceptical. But, of course, I will probably continute to pick up a few when there again - if only as a conversation piece.