In 1857, Hermann Sichel founded H. Sichel Söhne, his wine business in Mainz, Germany. He launched the Blue Nun wine brand in 1923 with the 1921 vintage. By the 1950s it had become Germany's largest international wine brand. For most of its existence, Blue Nun was a single German wine, which until late 1990s was classified as a Liebfraumilch, but the name is now used for a whole range of wines of various origins. When it was created, the label was designed as a consumer-friendly alternative to the innumerable German wine labels with Gothic script and long, complicated names. With the creation of its UK office in 1927, Sichel targeted the export market, and beginning in the 1950s, Blue Nun was advertised as a wine that could be drunk throughout an entire meal, thereby eliminating the often intimidating problem of wine and food pairing. Blue Nun can be said to have been the first wine to have been produced and effectively marketed with an international mass market in mind. After World War II, the brand became spectacularly popular in the United Kingdom and the United States, selling for the same price as a second growth red Bordeaux wine. At its peak of popularity in 1984-1985, annual sales the United States were 1.25 million cases, with another 750,000 cases sold elsewhere.

In 1996 Sichel merged with the Mosel-based German family firm Langguth, and Blue Nun was repositioned and reclassified as a a regular Qualitätswein bestimmter Anbaugebiete (QbA) from a Liebfraumilch. The grapes were changed from Müller-Thurgau to 30% Riesling, and making it less sweet. It remains relatively low in alcohol at 9.5%. From 2001 on, Langguth also embarked on a brand extension, and has introduced several other wines under the Blue Nun name, including a German Riesling ice wine, a Languedoc Merlot and a Spanish rosé. The Langguth head office is in Traben-Trarbach, Rheinland-Pfalz.

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Blue nun

Blue Nun, one of the best known of German wines has changed its designation of origin from Rheinhessen to "Tafelwein Rhine". This has been to maintain the unique taste profile of the original Blue Nun. The new designation of origin enables Langguth much greater flexibility in sourcing premium quality grapes needed to produce the great taste of Blue Nun. Blue Nun is well known for its easy-going, light, crisp yet slightly aromatic style. This is the result of a unique combination of grapes, primarily Müller-Thurgau and Riesling. These varieties are complemented by small allotments of Scheurebe and Morio Muskat grapes. Only this carefully selected combination of grapes can maintain the profile, taste and bouquet consumers have come to expect from Blue Nun. In recent years the Rheinhessen area has undergone considerable change, with more red wine being produced. This has come at the expense of white wine vineyards. The total expanse of vineyards is regulated by EU legislation and cannot be enlarged and new red wine plantings are on the expanse of existing vineyards.

The red wine share in Germany now exceeds 30 per cent of vineyard space. The new "Rhine" statement of origin allows winemakers to source grapes from the Pfalz (formerly Rheinpfalz) and Nahe. This puts Langguth in a better position to maintain Blue Nun's well-loved style. The patented "Sichel Superior Vinification" method is rigorously adhered to for the new Blue Nun. This winemaking methodology details very specific standards that begin in the vineyards and carry through to a meticulously cold fermentation and winemaking process.

Blue Nun is well known for its easy-going, light, crisp yet slightly aromatic style. This is the result of a unique combination of grapes, primarily Müller-Thurgau and Riesling, varieties complemented by small allotments of Scheurebe and Morio Muskat. Only this carefully selected combination of grapes can maintain the profile, taste and bouquet consumers have come to expect: a quite subdued and gently floral nose, refreshing grape and green apple flavours with hints of nectarines, sufficient acidity providing well balanced structure, and refreshing and crisp with a soft yet persistent finish.

Blue Nun Riesling

Blue Nun Riesling was described by Wine Enthusiast (85 points) as “praiseworthy”. This aromatic wine gives way to lots of fresh, apple-scented fruit. Light to medium in body, it’s less sweet than it used to be, with hints of red berries on the finish. Blue Nun Riesling is very pale green in colour. It has a reserved, slightly leafy nose with a touch of nettle and a suggestion of lime. There’s a nice clean, slaty minerality. Palate is crisp and dry, with clean, juicy apple fruit and good texture. Plenty of citrus acidity cuts through and extends the finish. A modern, appetizing dry Riesling, it is wonderful on its own or with a variety of seafood and poultry, from saucy to spicy.

Erben Pinot Noir

Erben Pinot Noir Qalitätswein b.A. is made with 85% Pinot Noir and 15% Regent. This full-bodied fruity Pinot Noir is an excellent example of a new generation of German red wines. Great with pasta, or to enjoy on its own. 11.5% alc./vol.

Erben Kabinett

Erben Kabinett is produced from fully ripened grapes from Rheinhessen and is a fine example of the Praedikat wines produced in this region. A fragrant wine that is naturally light and low in alcohol, it has a fresh, fruity taste on the palate. Erben Kabinett's medium-dry taste makes it an ideal aperitif and a good match for delicately flavoured dishes.

Erben Spatlese

Erben Spatlese is produced from fully-ripened grapes from Rheinhessen, picked at least one week after the start of the harvest (hence the name "Spatlese" which means "late harvest"). This is a fine example of the Praedikat wines produced in the region. Erben Spatlese has a distinctive bouquet and a fruity, luscious flavour, with a fresh acidity. Because it is made from very ripened grapes, it tends to be richer, fuller-bodied and sweeter than wines labeled "Qualitatswein."

Erben Auslese

Erben Auslese is produced from selected, fully matured, over ripe grapes from the Mosel-Saar-Ruwer region. Erben Auslese is sweet with a rich, fruity taste. Its full-bodied taste makes it an ideal wine for special occasions.

Black Slate Riesling

This premium-quality win uses selectively harvested grapes from vineyards in the top sites of the Mosel Valley, renowned for its fruity and crisp Rieslings. The soil in the Mosel gives a lively minerality to the win, along with delicate, fresh acidity.