Von Winning, Forster Ungeheuer, Grosses Gewächs 2021

€48.99

We have run out of stock for this item.

One of the most famous Rieslings in the world, this is spectacularly good wine. Broad yet scintillatingly fine, fresh and acidic, but mouth-filling and long; complex flavours of tropical fruit, dried apricots, smoke and bright fresh lime.

It is widely celebrated as one of the most significant of German wines.

The Ungeheuer vineyard is classified as a Grand Cru, or Grosses Gewächs in German, and is made of sandstone, limestone and basalt soils. These provide aromatics, structure and firm-up the acidity and length of finish.

The wine from the vineyard has been legendary and has (much like the greatest Burgundies) been recorded by great writes of the past, specifically Goethe. Otto von Bismarck is said to have named the wine from the vineyard - "ein Ungeheuer" is a monster and and can be turned into an adjective: "this wine is 'ungeheuerliche' gut". And, final fun fact, it was used as the celebration wine at the opening of the Suez canal in 1869. See, German Riesling was the most expensive item in the international wine trade in the 1850s and 60s, far exceeding prices for the Clarets of the day. It was only natural that it would be served for great big ceremonies. Indeed, the big German fan Queen Victoria was a devotee of Rieslings, especially Hochenheimerwiene (which was shortened to Hoch, and then of course Hock).

Today, the Forster Ungeheuer of Von Winning is fermented and aged in 500-litre oak barrels that impart no flavour but allow for the natural aromas and structures to develop. The size of the vineyard is not big and they don't own it all, making it available in minuscule quantities only. But that's ok: it's age-worthy beyond belief; this is a wine you could buy, forget about and dig up twenty years hence and still be amazed by its freshness, vivacity and life.

If you don't know wines from this winery yet, get to!

Region: Pfalz

Country: Germany

Grape(s): Riesling

Style: Vibrant, Smooth, Pure, Profound, Iconic, Fruity, Fresh, Elegant, Electric, Complex, Broad, Bright, Balanced

Best food matches: St Stephen's Day, Shellfish, Seafood, Scallops, Pork, Lobster, Lamb, Game, Fine Dining, Duck, Cheeses, Charcuterie, Beef, Asparagus

Alcohol: 13%

Why buy from us?

When you buy wine from The Allotment Wine Co. you're helping a small Irish company that in turn supports small, sustainable wine producers who grow the grapes and make amazing wines. We only work with partners who share a deep respect and connection with the land and its traditions, witnessed in a firm commitment to quality and sustainability. All of which makes for better wines.

Delivery & Returns

You'll get free delivery when you buy 12 x 75cl bottles of wine online from The Allotment, saving you €7.99.

We charge €7.99 per delivery for quantities less than that.

Our hours for processing orders are between 9am - 6pm Monday to Friday.

We pack your online wine order along the following timelines:

Wine orders for delivery in Dublin, received before 12pm on weekdays are prepared so that delivery should be expected the next working day.

Wine orders for nationwide delivery, received by 12pm on weekdays are prepared so that delivery should be expected two working days later.

Customer reviews

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Paul H.
★★★★★
Amazing service from the get go!
I emailed Chris looking for wine recommendations for a birthday gift. Got a really speedy, helpful reply and not only that but he hand delivered it on time to the birthday girl wishing her a happy birthday. Absolutely bowled over by the service. Cannot recommend highly enough.
Michelle McM.
★★★★★
Could not recommend The Allotment enough. The selection is fantastic and each wine that I've drank from them has been utterly phenomenal. Delivery was no hassle and I had the wine at my door in 2 days. Couldn't have asked for a better experience.
Luke B.
★★★★★
Good range of interesting wines. Good personal attention to their orders. Very customer focused. I would be happy to recommend this company to any prospective customer.
Jim D.
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A great experience ordering from The Allotment Wine Company. A wide variety of wines to try something new and at good prices with super quick delivery! Really convenient too as opposed to trying to find parking!
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Delicious and interesting range of wines delivered promptly to my door. Not far off that lovely feeling of coming back laden from a good wine store but without any of the traffic or the worry of breaking the wine en route (very impressive travel wrap).
M. Dorman
★★★★★
Chris fields a fine range of excellent, keenly-priced wines. Orders are safely packaged and dispatched efficiently and promptly. Strongly recommended.
David M.
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Patrick H.
Hi, I'm Chris Gifford.

And you're very welcome to The Allotment Wine Co.

When you wine from me, you're supporting a small Irish business which in turn supports small, sustainable wine producers, as well as other small, dedicated Irish wine importers.

When selecting wines, I look for partners who share a deep respect and connection with the land and its traditions, witnessed in a firm commitment to quality and sustainability. All of which makes for better wines.