Langguth - Germany

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.

Visit the Langguth web site (German).

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 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 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.