Location and classification
Verrenberg is a vineyard site near Öhringen in the wine-growing region Württemberg. The site is farmed as a monopoly by the Fürst Hohenlohe Oehringen winery, which gives the area as 17 hectares. Since 2008, farming has been carried out according to certified organic farming. Verrenberg is classified as VDP.GROSSE LAGE® and was first mentioned in documents in 1260.
Topography, climate and soils
The VDP site description specifies an aspect from south-west via south to south-east, altitude levels of 230 to 250 metres and a slope gradient of up to 45 percent. Another description of the site mentions a slope facing south with a slight basin shape and elevations of 260 to 310 metres. Strong sunshine during ripening is supplemented by cross-ventilation, which naturally cools the vines and the berries.
The soil consists of Keuper and is described as heavy and clay-rich. On the ridge, a small layer of shell limestone occurs; in addition, the site is described as Gipskeuper with partial shell limestone inclusions.
Grape varieties and wines
The grape varieties classified for Verrenberg are Riesling, Lemberger, Spätburgunder and Weißer Burgunder. Documented are dry VDP.GROSSES-GEWÄCHS wines from Riesling, Lemberger and Weißburgunder. For wines from VDP.GROSSE LAGE® the highest yield of 50 hectolitres per hectare, selective hand-harvesting and physiologically ripe grapes apply, among other things.
Maturation
The documented Verrenberg Riesling is matured in large wooden casks. The Lemberger ripens fully in barriques, two thirds of which are in new barrels. The Weißburgunder is dry-fermented in 500-litre tonneaux and 228-litre barriques and then kept on fine lees for six months; bâtonnage takes place in the 500-litre tonneau.
