Site and Climate
Frühlingsplätzchen is a vineyard site in Monzingen in the wine-growing region Nahe. The slopes facing south to south-west lie at around 160 to 240 metres above sea level. With around 1,900 hours of sunshine per year, the site is considered comparatively cool for winegrowing.
Relief and Soils
The slope ranges from roughly 10 to 70 percent, with the steepest sections reaching a gradient of 70 percent. The site profile given by the VDP lists red slate with red clay and quartzite; the red clay is assigned to the lithostratigraphic unit Rotliegend. Another description mentions hard red slate, quartzite and Rotliegend clay.
Cultivation and Grape Variety
The south-facing steep hillside warms up early thanks to intensive sun exposure. This results in an early development of the vines and a comparatively long ripening phase. The steepest areas are difficult to farm; this also includes the manual re-cultivation of previously abandoned plots. For areas farmed by Emrich-Schönleber, work by hand on the vines, yield control, a loosened canopy, late harvest at the appropriate level of ripeness and compost fertilisation tailored to requirements are documented. The grape variety identified is Riesling.
Classification and Wine Style
The VDP lists Frühlingsplätzchen as VDP.GROSSE LAGE with a classified area of 61.31 acres. Documented wines from the site are dry Riesling as VDP.GROSSES GEWÄCHS and Riesling Spätlese. A producer-specific description links the wines with minerality, vitality, finesse and a slight smoky note shaped by red slate. The name Frühlingsplätzchen is evidenced in written records from the 16th century.
