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Five Finalists in Winequeen Semi-Finals

24.09.2022

Mariella Cramer from the Ahr region, Katrin Lang from the Baden wine-growing region, Sophia Hanke from the Palatinate, Juliane Schäfer from Rheinhessen and Luise Böhme from the Saale-Unstrut wine-growing region are in the final for the election of the 74th German Winequeen.


The five contenders for the crown of the new German Winequeen demonstrated their wine expertise with great expertise and a confident demeanor during the preliminary decision in the Saalbau in Neustadt/Weinstr. Follow the finals tonight september 30th starting 8.15pm CET (LIVE Stream).

Jury convinced with professional competence

Once again, all candidates had to convince the jury of their wine knowledge by competently and concisely answering three technical questions in German and English. Three master jurors on stage ensured that the answers were correct: the renowned sommelier Natalie Lumpp, the international wine influencer and native Canadian Jana Kreilein from @the.wine.girl (Instagram) and Alexander Kohnen, founder of the International Wine Institute (IWI). At the end of the specialist survey, they praised the extensive wine knowledge of all applicants.

Juliane Schäfer from the Rheinhessen wine-growing region skilfully explained the production of rosé wine and the difference between rosé and blanc de noir. She promoted moderate wine consumption and recommended to a Polish tourist in fluent English "typical German dishes", i.e. regional specialties such as "Stampes", Bratwurst and "Spundekäs", all of which harmonized perfectly with Riesling.

The Palatinate Sophia Hanke started her performance with a solo performance of "Amazing Grace". She then explained how early defoliation affects the primary aromas of Sauvinon Blanc and that the use of lightweight glass bottles is a wonderful alternative to save CO2 and thus operate more sustainably. She expertly explained to potential English visitors, in fluent English, the difference between dry and semi-dry wine - and why this information on the label is important for consumers.

Luise Böhme from the Saale-Unstrut growing region was well informed about the maceration time, the time during which the grape must remains on the mash before and after fermentation in order to extract as many colorants, tannins and aromas as possible from the berry skins. Depending on the wine, she recommended cork or screw caps as the best wine closures and explained to a Canadian wine lover in English what Federweißen is, when it is available - and how it tastes.

Skillfully and eloquently, Mariella Cramer from the Ahr explained what makes steep-slope viticulture so special. She was of the opinion that the office of German wine sovereignty could very well be held by a male candidate, and she was able to explain the Trockenbeerenauslese in fluent English. When and why is it useful to decant wine?

Katrin Lang from Baden had the answer ready. She also conveyed that German sparkling wines are a renowned product and explained in English why Germany is "Pinot Paradise" and less Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot is grown.

The young experts also recognized and corrected the hidden mistakes in the "Wein-News" read out by SWR news presenter Janboris Rätz without any problems. After almost two hours, the 70-strong jury was faced with the difficult decision of selecting the five finalists. The jurors cast their votes digitally because, like last year, they followed the event online and will only be there live for the finale.

"After this extremely convincing and knowledgeable performance by the five finalists, an exciting final is guaranteed," summed up Monika Reule, Managing Director of the German Wine Institute (DWI), which organizes the election every year.

Eagerly awaited final election gala

Who the incumbent German Winequeen Sina Erdrich will pass on the crown to will be decided at the final election gala on Friday, September 30th from 8:15 p.m. in the Neustadt hall. The farewell speeches and the farewells to Sina Erdrich and the two German wine princesses Saskia Teucke and Linda Trarbach can be followed from 7.30 p.m. on www.deutscheweine.de, before the live broadcast of the gala follows at 8.15 p.m., which will also be broadcast on SWR television . For the first time in the history of the German Wine Queen, the spectators in front of the screens and in the hall can also decide who should wear the highest German wine crown. The public vote can be taken via mobile phone, tablet or laptop via the "meinSWR" dialogue forum.

TV recommendation:

Friday, september 30th 2022, 8:15 p.m.

Wahl der Deutschen Weinkönigin – Das Finale

Moderation: Holger Wienpahl

Broadcast live from the Saalbau in Neustadt an der Weinstraße and via live stream at  SWR.de/weinkoenigin oder unter www.deutscheweinkoenigin.de/aktuelles

Live-Voting mit „meinSWR“

Spot the candidate's portraits inklusive background informationen rund um das Amt.

Deutsche Weinkönigin in Facebook und Instagram

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Mariella Cramer from the Ahr, Katrin Lang from the Baden wine-growing region, Sophia Hanke from the Pfalz, Juliane Schäfer from Rheinhessen and Luise Böhme from the Saale-Unstrut wine-growing region are in the final for the election of the 74th German Winequeen. Foto: Deutschen Weininstitut (DWI) / The German Wine Institute

Mariella Cramer from the Ahr, Katrin Lang from the Baden wine-growing region, Sophia Hanke from the Pfalz, Juliane Schäfer from Rheinhessen and Luise Böhme from the Saale-Unstrut wine-growing region are in the final for the election of the 74th German Winequeen. Foto: Deutschen Weininstitut (DWI) / The German Wine Institute