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2008 vintage report - All’s well that ends well

The first week of November was the best in the whole wine harvest in 2008: dry, sunny and warm days – ideal conditions that we usually anticipate in October, which had a mixture of sunny periods, rain and chilling temperatures – typical "November weather" in the Mosel region. These confused weather patterns caused growers nerve-racking stress. We began picking grapes on 13th October in the Max Ferd. Richter estate and we were forced to be even more selective than in other years. We made one, two or sometimes three passes in the vineyards to eliminate defective grapes and to pick only those that were ripe, leaving unripe green bunches for later passes.

The development of the vines in the spring was very promising. Warm and sunny days in April and May enabled early flowering at the beginning of June and this created the best pre-conditions for a long period of vegetation growth and grape ripening. July had short and intense sunny periods, cool nights and rain that caused many fungus problems and we had to fight mildew more frequently than usual. These weather conditions persisted until the beginning of September when there was a steady increase in sugar levels in line with recent good vintages, but the ripening of the acidity was delayed, reminiscent of the 1990 vintage. The result was that picking began later than in the last two vintages. By the middle of November all the grapes had been picked, except those for ice wine in the Mülheimer Helenenkloster vineyard.

The 2008 results. Quantity: average, meaning 20% less than in 2007. Quality: everyday drinking wines with good fruit and crisp Kabinetts, some rare Spätleses and Ausleses picked by meticulous grape by grape selection. Spoiled by the "embarras de richesse" in the last three vintages, we now have in the cellar a vintage showing parallels with the excellent 2004 and 2002 vintages.

As the economic outlook seems to darken, we are talking of a vintage suited to the current markets, when expensive and rare bottles are replaced by more frugal choices. Nevertheless, you definitely will like the 2008 vintage. First tastings are showing a racy and crunchy character with good fruit and slightly lower alcohol than in recent vintages. With both 2007 and 2008 we shall be able to meet your needs and wishes for the year to come. We guarantee your enjoyment of typical Mosel Rieslings.

Worldwide demand for our Riesling wines is still increasing, despite all the frustrating business and market news. Obviously, consumers like affordable pleasures while
extravagant desires must be postponed. In particular, we have had increasing demand for our "feinherb" (off-dry) Rieslings. We have invested in more land in Wehlener Sonnenuhr to increase our share while this vineyard is undergoing "Flurbereinigung" and in Mülheimer Sonnenlay, to increase production of our successful "Zeppelin Riesling". We have also planted Pinot Blanc, which is very popular as a fresh, dry wine with relatively low acidity. Following the recent launch of the 2007 Mülheimer Sonnenlay Riesling Brut Sparkling Wine, our intention is to offer a Pinot Blanc Brut Sparkling in the near future.

Best wishes, best regards, a happy holiday season and a prosperous New Year,
Yours sincerely,

Dirk Richter

24th November 2008

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