Page 2 - Tastings Journal - 2022 Hofgut Falkenstein

RieslingKenner had their 3rd Anniversary Tasting of Hofgut Falkenstein, in Chicago last Sunday, with donations going to The Trotter Project. The lineup was truly something to behold. The sold-out crowd at the casual- yet-elevated venue, Easy Does It, included numerous younger wine collectors, an impressive cross section of Chicago wine professionals, the local importer/ distributor Robert Houde Wines, and the esteemed David Schildknecht. According to Schildknecht, a renowned wine critic, German wine authority, and regular taster of Falkenstein since the late 1980s, “the 24 distinct expressions of the 2021 vintage tasted side by side are a personal record (he has had 21 of a vintage before) and the most available at any tasting, at any time, in the world outside of the winery.” This was a lineup so rare that Schildknecht and several others travelled in from around the Midwest for the occasion.
RieslingKenner was created a few years ago by a group of wine collecting friends and co-founded by Adam Caldwell and Patrick Rauber. The gatherings were first because of a love of fine wines and a desire to have greater knowledge of Riesling (Kenner is German for “one that knows”). From this passion for a historically loved, but now oft overlooked varietal, a simple collective ethos became apparent, “how do we become a more inclusive wine community and give back to those less fortunate?” Looking beyond the stereotypical French wine connoisseur that sits down for a fine dining experience, pops some opulent bottles from their cellar, and leaves feeling generous for leaving a nice tip, the group decided that anyone that participates in a RieslingKenner dinner should do more and give to food banks, preferably local to the evening’s restaurant of choice, and offer wine education, tastings, and network connections to any interested restaurant staff. Every event from the smallest dinner to the biggest Riesling fueled party is for zero financial gain, and often done at a loss out of pure passion.