Am Lumpen 1655 Riesling GG
Tasting notes: Grand-cru dry Riesling from the steep Escherndorfer Lump's Am Lumpen 1655 parcel, the estate's most internationally recognised bottling and Franken's most cited GG Riesling.
The iconic bottles that define Franken: what they are, who makes them and what they cost.
Iconic bottles of Franken
Centgrafenberg GG
Tasting notes: The benchmark Franconian Pinot Noir, from red Buntsandstein at Buergstadt: cool power, iron-edged minerality and sour-cherry fruit.
Würzburger Stein-Berg Silvaner GG
Tasting notes: Bavaria's state wine estate's grand-cru Silvaner from the Stein-Berg parcel of the famous Wuerzburger Stein, dry and built for extended ageing.
Stein-Harfe Riesling GG
Tasting notes: Grand-cru dry Riesling from the Stein-Harfe parcel of the Wuerzburger Stein, the Buergerspital foundation's top expression of its mineral-first house style.
Julius-Echter-Berg Silvaner GG
Tasting notes: Grand-cru dry Silvaner from the Julius-Echter-Berg, a south-facing Keuper and Schilfsandstein slope giving high extract, herbal spice and tension.
Schlossberg Silvaner GG
Tasting notes: Grand-cru dry Silvaner from the Casteller Schlossberg, from the Steigerwald's founding Silvaner estate, first documented planting 1659.
Stein, Stetten Riesling GG
Tasting notes: Grand-cru dry Riesling from the biodynamically farmed Stettener Stein, one of Franken's rare fully biodynamic Grosse Lage bottlings.
Pfülben Silvaner GG
Tasting notes: Grand-cru dry Silvaner from the Randersackerer Pfuelben, Schmitt's Kinder's flagship after ten generations farming the site.
Himmelspfad Silvaner GG
Tasting notes: Grand-cru dry Silvaner from the Himmelspfad, showing the estate's stated minerality, finesse and unmistakable style on Retzstadt's muschelkalk.
Homburger Kallmuth Silvaner "Asphodill" GG
Tasting notes: Grand-cru dry Silvaner from the steep Homburger Kallmuth, named for a rare Mediterranean lily species that grows wild among the terraced vines.
Iphöfer-Berg Silvaner GG
Tasting notes: Grand-cru dry Silvaner from the Iphoefer-Berg, Paul Weltner's flagship white off the Steigerwald's gypsum keuper.
Heller Berg
Tasting notes: Weingut Roth's top tier from its exclusively farmed two-hectare Heller Berg monopole in Wiesenbronn, matured two years in Wiesenbronner barriques.
Steinbach Altenberg 1172 Silvaner GG
Tasting notes: The estate calls this grand-cru Silvaner extremely complex, with an extravagant quince aroma, from the Steinbach Altenberg 1172 site.
Klingenberg Schlossberg Spätburgunder GG
Tasting notes: Red-sandstone Mainviereck Pinot Noir from the Klingenberger Schlossberg, scored 92-93 points by Vinum, Falstaff and Eichelmann for the 2017 vintage; herbal, mineral, red-berried and firm-tanninned.
Hohenroth Silvaner GG
Tasting notes: Grand-cru dry Silvaner from the Randersackerer Hohenroth, Wilhelm Arnold's flagship after twelve generations of continuous family ownership.
Am Lumpen 1655 Riesling GG
Tasting notes: Grand-cru dry Riesling from the Escherndorfer Lump's Am Lumpen 1655 parcel, produced by the 600-year-cellar Zur Schwane estate in Volkach.
Signature Wines in Franken, FAQ
When is the best time to visit Franken for wine?
Peak wine-travel season in Franken is spring through autumn, with harvest the standout window.
Do I need an appointment to taste at Franken estates?
classified-growth and grand-cru estates require booking days to weeks ahead; smaller family domaines often take walk-ins midweek.
What hours do Franken cellars and tasting rooms keep?
most estates open 10:00 to 17:00 by appointment, often closed Sunday and Monday.
How does tipping work at Franken tastings?
tipping is not expected at tastings; buying a bottle from the cellar door is the customary thank-you.
What is the one wine to try in Franken?
If you only open one bottle, open Am Lumpen 1655 Riesling GG by Weingut Horst Sauer. It is the wine most associated with Franken.