Liebfrauenmilch

Liebfrauenkirche in Worms with vineyards, around 1900

Liebfrauenmilch is a lovely German quality wine ( QbA ) that comes from Rheinhessen , the Rheingau , the Palatinate or the Nahe . It is mainly exported.

history

Mr: "Listen, Waiter, a bottle of Liebfrauenmilch for 40 Danish kroner, that's expensive!" - Waiter: "Sorry, but the lady always drinks it when she dines here and the other gentlemen have never met complained about the price. ” - Sketch in the Danish magazine Ravnen , 1901

The Liebfrauenmilch has its origin in the vineyards of the Liebfrauenkirche in Worms (Rheinhessen). The famous "Lieben Frauen Milch" was first mentioned in 1744 in Worms. At that time, this designation was only allowed to be used if the grapes grew in the area "as far as the tower of the Liebfrauenkirche casts its shadow". This “real” Liebfrauenmilch is available today as “Wormser Liebfrauenstift-Kirchenstück” from the winemakers Gutzler , Schembs, Spohr and Valckenberg.

The original Worms Liebfrauenmilch and today's original Liebfrauenmilch-Kirchenstück has a smoky taste that comes from the rubble of wooden houses from the Palatinate War of Succession (1688–1697). At that time the rubble from the city was deposited around the Church of Our Lady and vineyards were built on it.

The Liebfrauenmilch became internationally known through the wine trading house founded by Peter Joseph Valckenberg in 1786 , which was able to acquire most of the vineyards around the Liebfrauenkirche between 1808 and 1850. Valckenberg successfully built up an export business with the Liebfrauenmilch brand . Vintners in the area followed him as free riders and also offered this brand, which was not protected. In the 19th century, the British royal family and Charles Dickens were among the end users of Liebfrauenmilch. Around 1900 this white wine was considered one of the best in Europe. Because of the numerous copycat products led Valckenberg in 1909, the wine brand "Liebfrauenmilch Madonna", which unlike the general quality requirements of grown exclusively in Rheinhessen grapes vinified is.

Today Liebfrauenmilch is more of a brand for sweet white wine . Only certain grape varieties may be used for Liebfrauenmilch, but they are not mentioned on the label. The wine must consist of at least 70% of the grape varieties Riesling , Müller-Thurgau , Bacchus , Silvaner and / or Kerner . The residual sugar must not be less than 18 g / l.

Because Liebfrauenmilch became an inexpensive supermarket wine on the German export markets in the 1970s and 1980s, the previously good reputation of German white wine suffered greatly. Liebfrauenmilch can be found in large bottles or beverage cartons, for example in many British and Russian supermarkets.

Quotes

"Liebfrauenmilch" is the name of the general household lexicon. Leipzig 1750. Part II. a good Rhine wine that grows in Worms in the so-called Kirchhofe, and has a preference over other wines growing there. "

- Economic Encyclopedia (1773-1858) by Johann Georg Krünitz

"All I have to say on the subject of the Liebfraumilch, is, that if it should come here, I will drink in it, to the health of everybody, great and small, in that large family-house at Worms."

- Charles Dickens in a letter to the Josef Valckenberg family , June 25, 1846

"It is uncommon fine, sir. Liebfraumilch of the most delicious quality. "

- Thomas Lithers in the play Mr. Nightingale's Diary by Charles Dickens and Mark Lemon , 1851

"Back then, the strengthening drink of my choice before concerts was ... Liebfrauenmilch ... It was terrible, but I survived countless concerts with it."

- John Lydon