In this 40-minute session, led by Circle member Nicole Wolbers, we will explore the remarkable transformation of German sparkling wine. in the last decades, a market dominated by high-volume brands, Germany is currently experiencing a “quality revolution” led by a niche of ambitious “Sektmacher” (premium sparkling wine makers).

We will trace the journey from the 18th-century pioneers—many of whom founded famous Champagne houses—to the modern era of estate-bottled “Winzersekt”. Learn about the fall of a once-luxury product to cheap, mass-produced wine, and its secret rise back to glamour in the glass today. The presentation will illustrate the general requirements to be called Sekt or German Sekt along with the  rigorous new quality tiers, such as the VDP.SEKT.STATUT or Sektmacher. We will explore the various facets and labels that characterise the current German sparkling wine landscape, discovering a hidden gem that is considered as the finest (looking at the quality levels) in the country and is growing in popularity! It examines Riesling´s potential as premium sparkler and the fiercer getting competition with Pinot varieties that are emerging in Germany mirroring the trend as global stars in the overall sparkling wine world.

Note for Participants: As this is an online session, I would like to encourage participants to have a glass of German Sekt (ideally a „Winzersekt“, German Crémant or one made via the “traditional method”) ready to enjoy during the talk. This will allow them to experience the quality we are discussing firsthand.

Biographical Note: Nicole Wolbers, DipWSET 
She is a specialized wine writer, educator and sparkling wine expert. Originally a textile engineer, she discovered her passion for viticulture in California before earning her WSET Diploma, where her thesis on bubbles earned her a nomination from the Champagne Bureau UK. Today, she runs schaumweinmagazin.de, a platform dedicated to the “quality explosion” of German Sekt, where she also raises awareness of lesser-known traditional method sparkling wines. Nicole is one of the regional speakers for Vinissima e.V. Berlin-Brandenburg and a certified Cava Expert. She lives in Potsdam and frequently judges at international wine competitions. She was recently awarded the title of first ever Sekt Ambassador for the Sektmacher organisation!

To register, follow the link below. Guests will be very welcome, but please let Andrea know their names.

Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/E267mvJxRIqXuAK75Qvm0w 

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. We look forward to seeing you then.

If you can’t attend the live session, there will be a recording available to watch afterwards on the Circle’s YouTube channel (links to this and earlier sessions are in the members’ area of the website).

Helen Savage, CWW online events organiser