November 17, 2012
‘Schwenkbraten’
Actually, ‘traditional German ‘Schwenkbraten’ is when the pork is on a movable gridiron which is beeing moved over a coal fire. The above picture is more of a rolled piece of pork on a rotisserie.
However, that may be, the German love to grill as much as the Australians do. And since the summers in Germany tend to be unpredictable, often short, every opportunity to be outside and operate a grill is used to everybodies delight.
What a delicious piece of meat?
The pork is stuffed with onions, bacon, maybe herbs
My friend Juergen doing the carving job
Ready to be served
Note: Let me tell you that the above pictures were taken in Eitelsbach, Ruwer. My old friends Elisabeth and Juergen Olk had organised a family reunion to which we were kindly invited. It was a lovely summers afternoon, with little children darting through the garden, and adults chatting, telling stories, and drinking and eating. Apart from some Ruwer wines, mostly Riesling, the preferred drink was beer. We had a delightful time. What a beautiful day that was.
1 Comment | 
culture, food, food and wine | Tagged: coal fire, Eitelsbach, food, German food, German wine, grill, Mosel, pork, Riesling, rotisserie, Ruwer, Trier, wine | 
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October 29, 2012
My own flash mob in Bangkok
About a week ago history was made when the first “wine flash-mob” was conducted in Koblenz, and a much smaller one in my home town Trier. I learned it from facebook, and I wished I were there.
Funny is that the word flash of the term “flash-mob” sounds like “Flasche” which translates into German as “bottle”. So it is a “bottle mob”. Indeed about 200 wine lovers followed the invitation in Koblenz and congregated at the “German corner” (Deutsches Eck), a public square, where Rhine and Mosel river merge.
It was maybe the last warm autumn’s day (according to the organizers 21 Celsius) with blues sky, coloured leaves on trees, soft air with the hint that winter was not far away. Jan Wilhelm Buhrmann and Marco Pusceddu from the wine bar “Gavino” in Koblenz had invited to this un-usual event.
The event was part of an initiative by the German Wine Institute (DWI) to promote German wine. The title of the campaign was “become a wine spotter” (or discoverer) and it was conducted in the third week of October. In more than 400 restaurants all over Germany various events were held to promote German wine.
The bottle flash mob in Koblenz, planned for only 20 minutes, muted into a two hour public tasting and wine sharing where German “Gemuetlichkeit” reigned. Great stuff. I hope I can be there when they do it next time.
1 Comment | culture, wine, wine regions | Tagged: climate, flashmob, German wine, german wine institute, Jan Wilhelm Buhrmann, Koblenz, Marco Pusceddu, Mosel, nature, Rhine, science, transportation, Trier, wine, wine bar Gavino | Permalink
Posted by themanfrommoselriver
October 19, 2012
View of the cathedral and the vineyards towards Olewig
I just left my beloved Trier behind me. Now I am in Berlin, the capital of the Federal Republic which is far to the east from my native land. From Trier it is easier to reach Paris than Berlin. And the Mosel river comes from France before forming the frontier between Luxemburg and Germany.
It is a splendid town, small and beautiful. Traces of the Roman empire can be found everywhere. Come and visit.
Leave a Comment » | culture, wine, wine regions | Tagged: architecture, Augusta Treverorum, Mosel, Mosel river, Roman history, Trier | Permalink
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October 10, 2012
The Mosel river near Schweich
I am rapping things up here in Bangkok. Only two more days to go. Friday night I will be on the midnight flight to Germany. After about 11 hours on the plane, I will land in Frankfurt early in the morning. I might have a coffee and breakfast at the train station.
Then I will catch a train to Tier, my home town to see my parents. The train ride will be wonderful regardless of the weather. Autumn might extend its magic with colourful leaves in red, brown and yellow.
First, my trip will lead me along the Rhine river, then I’ll change trains in Koblenz. The next leg of the journey will be along the Mosel river. Some of the views will be spectacular.
I will admire the vineyards of both valleys, the Rhine and the Mosel. On the hilltops will be castles here and there. The slopes are steep, and I will think of all the hard work the vintners put into their vineyards. How can one work these terrible steep slopes? Backbreaking work, done for generations.
Vineyards and wine production have been a feature of the place for more than 2.000 years, incredible. I will have only about 24 hours there before I will move on for a business trip to Berlin.
Saturday night I will patronize my favourite wine bar, Weinsinnig. It will be my cellar door so to speak since I plan to pick up a few bottles of my favourite Mosel wines. There will be certainly a crisp Riesling among them.
I very much look forward to going home.
1 Comment | culture, food and wine, wine, wine regions | Tagged: German wine, Koblenz, Mosel, Mosel river, mosel wines, nature, outdoors, Rhine river, Riesling, Schweich, steep slopes, travel, Trier, trip to berlin, Weinsinnig, wine | Permalink
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October 2, 2012
German wine tradition
I do not think that Australia has already embarked on this path, but Germany certainly has a long tradition of wine queens and wine princesses (since about the 1930s).
The German wine queen is the elected representative of German wine for the duration of one year. The candidates are the 13 regionally elected wine queens from the officially recognized 13 wine regions.
It is tradition that the new wine queen will be crowned in Neustadt, Pfalz. The 64th German wine queen is Julia Bertram from the Ahr win region. She was inaugurated on September 29.
The German wine princesses (allowed are up to three) are the deputies of the German wine queen. Usually the runner-up in the election is appointed wine princess. Currently there are two, Anna Hochdörffer, Pfalz, and Natalie Henninger, Baden.
The electoral college consists of about 70 members. I could neither find out how the selection committee is composed nor how these jury members are selected, though. From the 13 regional wine queens, normally six are nominated as finalists for the contest. The jury elects one as queen and two as her princesses. Of the 64 queens, 11 came from my native Mosel.
The candidates do not need to come from a winery or vineyard but need solid knowledge about German wine and the wine industry, oenology and wine-making. The wine queen and the princesses are representing the wine industry for a year at all major wine festival, fairs, exhibitions, wine tastings, including international events. They need to be eloquent and good ambassadors for the German wine industry.
Leave a Comment » | culture, wine | Tagged: Ahr, Anna Hochdörffe, Baden, German wine, German wine princess, German wine queen, German wine tradition, Julia Bertram, Mosel, Natalie Henninger, Pfalz, regional wine, travel, wine festival, wine industry, wine princess, wine regions, wine tradition | Permalink
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September 10, 2012
The city of Trier – photo taken from Kockelsberg
During the month of July, we spend some glorious days in my home town Trier. On a splendid Sunday, wen went to have brunch with music at a country inn called Altenhof, at the edge of the forest surrounding the city.
A leisurly walk through a lovely forest (mainly sweet chestnut trees) of about one or one and a half hours will get you there.
Signpost in the forest
So what is the place like, you might ask? Well, it is a former forester’s lodge cum country inn, which was built in 1874 on the site of an old farm going back to 1406.
Country inn – Forthaus Altenhof
In my youth the place was a popular destination for family outings to enjoy a drink or two in the company of family and friends.
We went there for a breakfast brunch with music. The duo Wollmann and Brauner was playing blues and jazz.
We got there quite early, and the garden of the Altenhof was still empty. But it should fill up fast. Many families made the pilgrimage and brought their young children as well as their old parents along. In the early afternoon, it was difficult to find an empty table.
Wollmann and Brauner Duo
We were craving for some blues our most favourite music, reminiscing about lovely live music events in Yarra Glen and Healesville, Victoria. The two musicians did not disappoint us. They played among others some of the classic songs from Bob Dylan and Eric Clapton; so just the right stuff. It was great music and we had great fun.
Viez – local apple & pear cider
One of the specialities is the apple and pear cider called Viez in the local German dialect. I love it. It is usually very dry (one could say sour), and so it should be.
Riesling by Weingut Linden
My wife preferred the Rieslnig wine on offer by Weingut Linden, Mosel. The ‘2010 Riesling Spaetlese dry’ is a very solid wine, and displays the wonderful character of the Mosel terroir and climate.
Riesling Spaetlese
We also had food, hearty German delicacies. Unfortunately, I have no photo of the various dishes we consumed from morning to afternoon. But rest assured you get value for money. These were the best prices offered to me while I was in Germany.
It was such a pleasant day. The ambience was just wonderful. Everybody was relaxed. Because of the spatious surroundings, children could play ball, horse rider could tether their horses, people could walk around etc. If you have the time and opportunity visit this extraordinary place.
Address:
Forsthaus Altenhof
Aacher Weg 86
D-54293 Trier
http://www.altenhof-trier.de
5 Comments | culture, food, food and wine, history and culture, Restaurant Review, wine, wine regions | Tagged: Altenhof, apple cider, chestnut trees, Forsthaus Altenhof, german dialect, German Riesling, Mosel, pear cider, playing blues, Riesling wine, Spaetlese, travel, Trier, vacation, Viez, Weingut Linden, Wollmann and Brauner Duo, Yarra Glen | Permalink
Posted by themanfrommoselriver
September 7, 2012
As you know, I usually do not write about negative things. Wines which I did not like, I do not report about. Similarly I deal with restaurants I visited and dishes which I found wanting.
In more than 5 1/2 years as food and wine blogger, the Man from Mosel River has only twice issued a critique. In both cases it was about wineries I visited where I felt ill treated. One was about Punt Road Winery in the Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia. The second about Weingut Von Othegraven in Kanzem, Saar, Germany.
In both cases senior management of the wineries in question has apologized to me. Punt Road got back to me within days, Von Othegraven respondedn within two weeks. In both cases I have accepted the apology. And in both cases I was invited to visit again. The wine-maker of Von Othegraven offered a wine tasting to make good for the sloppy service I encountered when visiting the place last July.
I find this very remarkable. It shows that in the time of the fast internet and social media, businesses cannot afford not to respond to queries. This is a very positive thing. Consumers have not only purchasing power but also the power to influence the public perception, the image of a company.
This experience confirms that my cautious use of negative critique is justified, and effective.
Cheers everybody
Leave a Comment » | culture, wine | Tagged: blogs, negative critique, punt road, Punt Road Winery, saar germany, social media, travel, vacation, Von Othegraven, wine, wine blogs, wine maker | Permalink
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September 5, 2012
Cheers – ‘Es ist nie zu frueh’, is the slogan of the Frueh Brewery in Cologne
Our family holidays in Germany are what a Thai colleague of mine called “edu-tainment”, we combine fun with some educative elements.
Since my twin daughters are very interested in history and culture, it was inevitable that we should end up visiting Koeln/Cologne just about 200 km north of my home town Trier.
After our walk through the historic city centre, we needed nurishment. A good place to experience the local food and the local culture is the outlet of the Frueh Brewery right in the centre of town.
‘It’s never to early’ for a beer by Frueh
‘Koelsch’, as the beer is called, is a speciality of Cologne. There is even a ‘Koelsch Convention’ specifying how this beer has to be brewed and what quality criteria it must fulfill.
So what is ‘Koelsch’ you might ask?
‘Koelsch’ is a pale and hoppy top-fermenting beer. The beer is warm-fermented and cold-conditioned. It is rather light, less bitter than most other German beers and therefore very refreshing ; in summer as well as in winter, I might point out. During my university time in the neighbouring city of Bonn, I had ample time to sample various brands of ‘Koelsch’.
The beer is served by a so called ‘Koebes’, the local name for an excusively male waiter. They are easily recognized by their dark blue aprons. Be prepared for a culture-clash of some sort. But do not worry, in the end they are very friendly and very proud of their heritage.
Herring with potatoes
German cullinary delights are many. I opted for a fish dish, a marinated herring with potatoes. I tell you it was super delicious.
In case you visit Cologne and you want to experience something authentic, go and check out the Frueh Brewery.
Address:
Cölner Hofbräu P. Josef Früh KG
Gastronomie und Verwaltung
Am Hof 12-18
50667 Köln
Tel.: +49-221 / 2613 – 0
Leave a Comment » | culture, history and culture | Tagged: beer, Coelner Hofbraeu, Cologne, education, family holidays in germany, fish dish, Frueh Brewery, German beer, german beers, German food, holidays in germany, Koelsch, Mosel, Peter Josef Frueh, Rhine river, travel, Trier, vacation | Permalink
Posted by themanfrommoselriver
September 4, 2012
The Mosel view towards Trier which is further donwstream
I have written about Luxembourg and its wines before. When I visit my home town Trier I almost always include also an excursion to the Gand Duchy. I love the place, its people and its wines
The vineyards of Wasserbillig in Luxembourg
When I visited in July, I discovered a so called “wine-study path” (Weinlehrpfad in German) right on top of the hills above Wasserbillig, a small town right across the border from Germany and very popular for its cheap petrol and the petrol stations selling coffee and also wines.
The ‘wine-study path’ from Wasserbillig to Mertert
The path leads from Wasserbillig to the neighbouring hamlet of Mertert. The walk through the vineyards is just magnificient. A multi-faced billboard at the start of the walk informs the casual visitor about the vineyards and the wine industry of this part of Luxembourg.
Map of the Mosel river and the mouth of the Sauer, a tributary
Billboard about the wines of Luxembourg
Luxembourg mainly produces dry white wines and sparkling wines called Crémant de Luxembourg. Since the soils are so different here from the soils further donwstream (where we find mostly Devon slate), also the wines are different. The keuper marl soils of Remich and the calcareous soils of Grevenmacher produce distinct whites reflecting the “taste” of these soils.
Wines and gastronomy in Luxembourg
The main grape varieties are Mueller-Thurgau (Rivaner), Auxerrois Blanc, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Elbling, Gewuerztraminer and Chardonnay. Some Pinot Noir is grown as well. All the wines are cold climate and usually dry. Very little semi-dry and sweet wines are produced.
Vines in “full swing”
I highly recommend this walk, and , of course, a tasting of wines made in Luxembourg.
2 Comments | culture, vineyards, wine, wine regions | Tagged: climate, Crémant de Luxembourg, dry white wine, dry wine, Elbling, Luxembourg, Mertert, Oberbillig, Riesling, sparkling wine, Wasserbillig, wine, wines of Luxembourg | Permalink
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September 2, 2012
You might be interested how I go with my Dukan diet. Well, let me update you on my progress.
“I started out in early February with about 90 kg life weight (recorded in the morning, right after getting out of bed). Today, I have reached 82 kg. My goal, however, is 80 kg, so I have still a bit to go”.
Well, this is what I wrote on March 15, 2012. I never reached the 80 kg. Life was just too busy for me given my frequent travels, business dinners, etc.
Until the sumer holidays, about mid July, however, it was not too bad. I had about 83 kg. But during the four weeks in Germany, I regained about 5 kg.
My aim – Drawing by Lucy Adam
From tomorrow onwards I will start again with a Dukan diet. I am very confident that I will reach my aim. Moreover, I also visit the gym regularly. My prospects are bright.
Alas, Pierre Dukan is French. This means that he is a product of French culture to which inevitably wines made from the noble grape is an integral part. Therefore, wine drinking is not forbidden.
Leave a Comment » | culture, food, wine | Tagged: Dieting, Dukan diet, health, healthy-living, noble grape, Pierre Dukan, travel, vacation, weight-loss, wine, Wine drinking | Permalink
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The Man from Mosel River 