Römerberg

The Römerberg is a single vineyard site within the Großlage Sybillenstein in the Wonnegau, in the municipal area of Alzey in Rheinhessen. The documented vineyard area covers 103 hectares. The vineyards are situated at approximately 180 to 250 metres above sea level and are oriented from the south-west to the south-east.

The documented soils include shallow to medium-depth, very chalky and stony Kalkrendzina from tertiary marine deposits associated with a chalky algae reef. It is sandy-loamy, well aerated, and restricts root penetration. In addition, there is deep, chalky marl, or Pelosol, from chalky clay deposits of the Tertiary sea. This soil is rich in clay capable of swelling and shows limited water flow and aeration.

With the Kalkrendzina, wines are associated with balanced acidity as well as mineral, chalky characteristics, complemented by notes of citrus fruit, apple and gooseberry, and at higher ripeness mango and passion fruit. Marl and Pelosol are associated with more full-bodied, dense wines with moderate acidity and a creamy texture, as well as ripe aromas of mango, apricot and honeydew melon. Documented among others are Riesling, Gelber Muskateller, Scheurebe, Silvaner, Dornfelder, Spätburgunder and Chardonnay. These include dry Riesling and Gelber Muskateller, sweet Scheurebe Kabinett as well as Riesling Auslese matured in barrique.

The vineyard was documented in 1842 as “on the Römerberg”; the name refers to Roman archaeological finds in the surrounding area. A producer document lists the Alzeyer Römerberg as the place where Georg Scheu in 1916 first crossed the grape variety Scheurebe. For a Riesling from old vines, summer work on the vines and yield reduction in the vineyard, as well as ageing in the traditional double piece wooden cask, are stated. For a documented Scheurebe Kabinett, fermentation was stopped to preserve the residual sweetness.