11th July, 2016 by Darren Smith
12. Johannes Jülg – Weingut Jülg, Pfalz
Unlike many of his peers, 29-year-old Johannes Jülg did not study winemaking at Geisenheim, but instead sought hands-on experience through an impressive range of internships at wineries in Germany and beyond.
His CV suggests his wines are worth trying: Weingut Emrich Schönlebe in Nahe, Klaus-Peter Keller in Rheinhessen, Jean Stodden in the Ahr, Clemens Busch in the Mosel and Domaine des Lambrays in Morey St Denis to name but a few.
Riesling and Spatburgunder are his calling cards, but he makes a huge range of wines – more than 30 bottlings all told, all of them dry in style.
The 19ha Jülg estate, planted predominantly with Riesling and Burgundy varieties, is in conversion to organic viticulture. Exports account for around 10% of production: 5% to the US; 5% to the UK (through Howard Ripley).
The oldest son of three is the third generation of winemaker at his family winery in Schweigen-Rechtenbach, close to the border with Alsace (40% of the family’s vineyards are actually on the French side, in Wissembourg, meaning they have to pass through border control when moving to….