Frankenwein, Weissherbst

[Wolfgang]

Hello!
While I was studying in Germany for a year, I came across some styles of wine that appealed to me, namely Franken and Weissherbst. I really haven't seen anything along those lines out here in southern California. Is there anything comparable, that anyone suggests I try? One of the more memorable days of my life was spent in Freiburg next to the cathedral eating Schinkenbrote and Kaesebrote with a bottle of Weissherbst. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[Innkeeper]

Hi Wolfgang, and welcome to the Wine Board. Weissherbst is a German term for generic rose' wine. It could be made from any red grape or even gewurztaminer with prolonged exposure to its skin. Frankenwein means "French Wine." If it was white, it could be one of many synonyms for sauvignon blanc.

[wondersofwine]

IK, Frankenwein is from a district in Germany including Wurzburg. It comes in strangely shaped green bottles (sort of rounded and flattened/squashed appearance).
I think the Sylvaner grape is often used but they may make Frankenwein from Riesling or other grapes also. It might be available in some American wine shops but is not common over here. Others can suggest some rose wines to try. I also enjoyed the Weissherbst in Germany--especially from the Baden region.

[Wolfgang]

Ah...i've never had the courage to spend money on a rosé, but now I will, thanks!(Any suggestions...something I might be able to find at trader joes?). In regards to the Frankenwein, i think wondersofwine is right. The term "franken" stems from the area called Franken (northern Bavaria along the Main near Würzburg).
The bottle looks like: http://www.elsa-wuerzburg.de/www/elsa/images/wein.jpg
The area is: http://www.weinland-franken.de/orte/index.htm

If anyone can read german or has a translation program, they might like to read the wine history of the region on that latter site. It's pretty interesting.

wb

[Thomas]

I believe sylvaner is the grape for Frankenwein, at least this old memory thinks so.

Wolgang, it would be near impossible to find a varietal sylvaner produced in the USA. But you should be able to locate a Frankenwein at a good wine retailer in CA. Look for that strange bottle.

[This message has been edited by foodie (edited 04-02-2004).]

[Innkeeper]

Glad we got squared away on the Frankenwein. My favorite California rose' right now is Terre Rouge, Vin Gis d'Amador. Look for 2001 or 2002 at around $12 retail. You may find it discounted in a large outlet. It is made from mourvedre (64%) and grenache (36%).

[dananne]

A few other rose wines that are pretty widely available are Bonny Doon's Vin Gris de Cigare (California), Charles Melton's Rose of Virginia (Australia), and Bodegas Muga's rose (Spain).