Location and classification
Schalk is a registered single-vineyard site in the locality of Rück within the municipality of Elsenfeld. The wine-growing site belongs to the Churfranken area in the Franconian quality winegrowing region; as a wine region, Franconia is assigned as the overarching category.
Site
The Rücker Schalk is described as a steep and very hot vineyard site. The soil consists of poor, weathered Buntsandstein.
Grape varieties and wines
In this site, among others, Silvaner, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscatel are planted, as well as Müller-Thurgau, Riesling, Spätburgunder, Domina and Dornfelder. A steep plot of 0.7 hectares is planted with Spätburgunder vines more than 40 years old. A documented Silvaner from the Rücker Schalk is fermented dry and is described as spicy and mineral.
Designation and ageing
In the official Bavarian wine site directory, Schalk is listed as a single-vineyard designation for Elsenfeld in the locality of Rück. For a quality wine with this site designation, the name must be used together with the municipality or town name; at least 85 percent of the grapes must come from the specified geographical area. In a comparison project with Silvaner from the Rücker Schalk, similar treatment was carried out during the growing season, almost the same time of harvest, and ageing in comparable barrels. After that, the wine matured for nine months on full lees in a large wooden vessel.
