Wine wedding at the Saar: Günther Jauch and the wine

The “wedding” with the renowned Saar-winery already caused a lot of publicity like “Jauch now vintager” and also some rather unpleasant comments by bloggers who wonder how a guy like him, who has never studied viticulture, could ever do this. However, Günther Jauch will only become the owner of the winery and not himself make wine. The official handover of the property will take place this year. Other than that, everything will remain the same. Administrator Swen Klinger and cellar master Andreas Barth will not lose their jobs. Only Heidi Klingel (71), who made a success out of the winery in the 90s with the support of the in 2004 surprisingly deceased Bernhard Breuer from Rüdesheim, will retire.

The 11-hectare-Riesling winery with a very good reputation and excellent vineyards in the Kanzember Altenberg, Wiltinger Kupp and Ockfener Bockstein is known for delicate, long-lasting wines that even after decades still come up with an outstanding freshness. (photo: von-othegraven.de)

 For the time being she will be busy declining other buyers. Even Jauch's workplace, the channel RTL, was denied to shoot at the winery. Dr. Kegel only mentioned that she was happy that the winery stays in the family, since Günther Jauch is a distant relative of hers. Jauch's grandmother's name was Elsa von Othegraven, his grand-grand uncle Franz Weißebach was a previous owner of the traditional company, which had already been in the wine business in 1381, proven by certificates from that time.

The tv star, for whom this purchase was not solely a wine investment, but a real affair of the heart, will receive a 11-hectare Riesling winery with an excellent reputation and top vineyards in the Kanzemer Altenberg, Wiltiner Kupp and Ockfener Bockstein. It is known for delicate, long-lasting wines that even after decades still come up with an outstanding freshness.

Günther Jauch will not be able to find his own vintage of 1956 in the cellar. It is known for one of the worst vintages of the 20th century, since in that period there was a lot of frost damage to the grapes. The buyer is, however, not all unaware of the wine industry, which was proven by a funny moment a couple of months ago. He had lost a bet with Franz Beckenbauer, because he had publicly claimed that the goalkeeper Manuel Neuer from the soccer team Schalke would sign a contract with the team FC Bayern München. The bet object was a box of red wine.

The association of certified wineries (VDP – Verband der Prädikatsweingüter) is very happy, since they will welcome a real celebrity to their members. The Rhinehesse Klaus-Peter Keller from Flörsheim-Dalsheim says on behalf of his colleagues: “This is great news for the Saar and German wine” (r.knoll)