jcoulter > wrote in
:

> "Vincent Vega" > wrote in
> :
>
>>
>> What are you talking about? One of us is miscomunicating and I am
>> afraid I dont see your point. my appoligies.
>>
>>
>>
>> "Vino" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> On Fri, 09 Apr 2004 00:46:09 GMT, "Vincent Vega"
>>> > wrote:
>>>
>>> >I used Germany as an example because someone else (not sure who)
>>> >was referring to German wines. In colder climates, it takes much
>>> >longer to
>> get
>>> >grapes to 26 brix,, therefore they must hang on the vine while PH
>> increases.
>>>


see also the report on 1997 wines which contains this
After visiting a few estates it became apparent that the streak was
intact, 1997 is a fabulous vintage. The only real contrast between 1997
and other recent vintages is that very few noble sweet wines were made
because the vintage had little botrytis. However, at the Estate Riesling
(QbA), Kabinett, Spätlese, and Auslese level we’ve never tasted anything
quite like 1997. The wines are incredibly ripe, with detailed fine
fruit, and with layers and layers on the palate.

Even at this early stage, tasting the wines off the tanks / barrels,
they were showing complexity and character. There is no clouding of
flavors by botrytis or hard acidity, just pure, ripe, often tropical
fruit.

Although total acidity is lower than in previous vintages, the key to
the ‘97’s is the high levels of tartaric acidity. There is only a small
amount of malic in these wines. Analysis of acid levels at Weingut
Robert Weil showed over 90% tartaric acidity in the musts, yet Weil’s
1997 Kiedricher Gräfenberg Spätlese still has 10 gm/l acidity. This over
abundance of tartaric acid explains the incredible ripeness we found in
so many of the wines. While some estates did have acid levels at 10+
gm/l, the average acidity (for our estates) seems to lie in the 8.5 gm/l
range.

Hanno Zilliken is the exception to the no botrytis rule in 1997. His was
the only estate with significant amounts of botrytis. The wines are
magnificent. It is one of the greatest vintages ever for this estate.
Kudos to Hanno Zilliken for some of the finest wines produced in 1997.



indicating as noted that acid levels tend to be fairly high in German
grapes when compared to residual sugar