Egon Muller (Vineyards, Winemaking, Best Wines 2024)
Want to explore all about the exquisite Riesling wines of Weingut Egon Muller?
This German wine made on the slopes of the Scharzhof mountain in the Mosel wine region is one of the most expensive white wines in the world. The wine estate has been owned by the Muller family (part of the exclusive Primum Familiae Vini) since 1797.
In this article, we will discover the history of the Egon Muller estate, find out about The Famous Scharzhofberg Vineyard and Weingut 'le Gallais, and which of Egon Muller’s Wines You Should Buy In 2024.
Further reading
- Want a safe and fun way to invest your money? Discover the benefits of Investing in Wine!
- Impress your guests with your cocktail skills by using our special recipes for a sassy Sangria or a yummy Mimosa!
A Quick Look into Weingut Egon Muller
The Egon Muller estate is situated in the green valleys of the Mosel-Saar-Ruwer wine region, between Wiltingen and Kanzem in Germany.
The winery has been in the hands of the Muller family since its conception in the late 18th century. The current owner of the Egon Muller estate is Egon Muller IV, the sixth generation of the Muller family.
Egon Muller’s wines are made exclusively from the Riesling grape variety - a commonly grown grape in Germany. These exceptional white wines age beautifully for decades and can rival some of the world’s most prestigious whites in terms of value.
Also read: Do you prefer your red wine over white wine? Discover the secrets of rich Malbec wine and elegant Chianti wine, or hear the story of Italian Barbera.
Egon Muller Vineyards
Jean-Jacques Koch, Egon Muller VI’s ancestor, bought the Scharzhofberg vineyard or estate from the French Republic and named the estate Egon.
Though the estate was only founded in the 18th century, there is evidence that the Scharzhofberg vineyard dates back to the time of the Romans.
Today, the Muller family estate holdings consist of 8.3 hectares of the Scharzhofberg vineyard (which is a total of 28 hectares.) The vineyard is considered Grand Cru, so the wine is labeled as ‘Einzellage’ or with the Scharzhofberg name.
But what's so special about the famous Scharzhofberg vineyard?
The Riesling grape variety is significantly influenced by the terroir it is planted on. The terroir of the Scharzhofberg vineyard is perfectly suited to the Riesling grape and is a large part of why Muller’s wine is so successful.
The soil is made of red and grey slate combined with top loess sediment and clay. The incline of the Scharzhof mountain slopes allows sunlight to reach the Riesling vines, helping the grapes to ripen and produce a really good wine.
Further reading:
Discover the delights of sweet Rose wine or try out these delicious recipes for Champagne cocktails!
In the 19th century, ungrafted vines (which are less susceptible to the phylloxera disease) were incorporated into the single vineyard holding.
Besides the Scharzhofberg vineyard, part of Egon Muller’s wines are produced using estate grown fruit from Weingut 'le Gallais, another vineyard holding that the Muller family owns. Weingut 'le Gallais is a winery that is 4 hectares in size and encompasses two single vineyards - Kupp and Braune Kupp.
Further reading:
Discover the sparkling world of Champagne - and don’t forget to serve it in the right Champagne glasses!
Egon Muller Winemaking
The skin of the Riesling grape is delicate, so it needs to be handled with care during the winemaking process. At Egon Muller, the grapes are picked by hand from the vine.
The grapes are harvested at different times each year, depending on what type of wine will be produced.
For example, for a Trockenbeerenauslese, the winemaker will occasionally allow botrytis cinerea (noble rot) to infect the fruit. This removes most of the water from the grapes, which lets the residual sugar, aromas, and flavors become highly concentrated. They also vinify the grapes differently to get contrasting levels of sweetness and acidity.
Lastly, the wine is fermented and aged in 1000-liter oak wine casks and does not undergo malolactic fermentation. Where possible, the estate uses only indigenous yeasts for fermentation, keeping the process as natural as possible.
Also read: Check out the Riesling grape variety in more detail here.
Or if you fancy a different white wine, check out Sauvignon Blanc.
Egon Muller Wine Styles
Typically, a Riesling wine is known to be fruity with a floral element and can range in color, taste, and ripeness. But, let’s find out about Egon Muller’s wines.
1. Trockenbeerenauslese
Trockenbeerenauslese is a sweet German dessert wine made with shriveled grapes. The word “trocken” alludes to the grape being dried on the vine.
The wine has very high sugar levels bolstered by the noble rot. It has both fruity notes and a distinct floral element.
2. Kabinett
Kabinett wine is made from fully ripened grapes that are harvested in the autumn.
Scharzhofberger Riesling Kabinett is semi-sweet with a tart acidity.
3. Auslese
Auslese wine is made from late-harvested grapes and can be made both sweet and dry.
Sweet Auslese is more common, and, like Trockenbeerenauslese, the sweetness is offset by Botrytis Cinerea (noble rot.)
4. Spätlese
Like Auslese, Spätlese can be made sweet or dry. Grapes for the sweet Riesling Spätlese wine are picked about a week after normal harvest, so they are overly ripe and with high residual sugar levels. The Riesling grape also makes excellent dry Spatlese wines.
5. Eiswein
Eiswein (German for ice wine) is a dessert wine made with grapes that have been frozen while still attached to the vine. Ice wine is very sweet and isn’t impacted by noble rot, unlike the other sweet Riesling wines.
Eiswein harvest occurs in winter - very late compared to other wines.
6. Beerenauslese
Beerenauslese wine is rich and sweet, and the grapes used are affected by noble rot. The high sugar levels of the Beerenauslese wine style are balanced by the Riesling grape’s crisp acidity. This wine has great aging potential.
7. Other Wines
Egon Muller IV also produces Riesling wine in Slovakia under the label Chateau Bela Riesling. He also creates a dry Riesling called Kanta in Adelaide Hills, Australia.
Read more: Explore the Châteauneuf du Pape region or discover the secrets of Zinfandel wine.
Having friends over? Impress them with elegant Kir Royale cocktails!
Best Bottles of Egon Muller to Buy in 2024
Here are our top picks of Egon Muller wine for 2024.
1. Egon Muller Scharzhofberger Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese, Mosel, Germany, 2003
This vintage wine has aromas of white peach and apricot. It has a well-balanced palate and a long, elegant finish. The wine is a deep golden color, and tasting it is a real delight for all wine lovers. Pair this fruity fine wine with a starter of oysters.
Price of Egon Muller Scharzhofberger Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese, Mosel, Germany, 2003: $25,380
2. Egon Muller Scharzhofberger Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese, Mosel, Germany, 2017
This white wine from 2017 is smooth and opulent, with an intense nose of green apple, beeswax, and white peach that is underscored by a subtle minerality. Pair this Mosel fine wine with a traditional German pork dish.
Price of Egon Muller Scharzhofberger Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese, Mosel, Germany, 2017: $15,956
3. Egon Muller Scharzhofberger Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese, Mosel, Germany, 2018
Tasting this Trockenbeerenauslese vintage is a true pleasure for wine lovers. It has aromas of dazzling fruit and a palate of apricot, honey, and lemon.
The acidity and tannin levels are well-balanced, creating a smooth and elegant wine with a long finish. Pair this German wine with cured meats and matured cheeses.
Price of Egon Muller Scharzhofberger Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese, Mosel, Germany, 2018: $17,161
4. Egon Muller Scharzhofberger Riesling Beerenauslese, Mosel, Germany, 1990
This German Riesling is sweet, with the perfect touch of complimentary acidity. It has a gentle minerality, with citrus and honey notes on the palate. Pair this white wine with a simple chicken dish.
Price of Egon Muller Scharzhofberger Riesling Beerenauslese, Mosel, Germany, 1990: $6014
5. Egon Muller Scharzhofberger Riesling Eiswein, Mosel, Germany, 1998
Here we have a full-bodied and complex Eiswein, with a nose of green apple, honey, and white peach. The wine is the perfect balance between dry and sweet, with a palate of minerality and wet stone.
Price of Egon Muller Scharzhofberger Riesling Eiswein, Mosel, Germany, 1998: $7823
6. Egon Muller Scharzhofberger Riesling Eiswein, Mosel, Germany, 2017
This Egon Muller is pale gold in color with a floral element and fruit aromas. When tasting this wine, notes of apricot, white peach, and pineapple are what you’ll love. Pair this fine Riesling with something spicy.
Price of Egon Muller Scharzhofberger Riesling Eiswein, Mosel, Germany, 2017: $5560
7. Egon Muller Scharzhofberger Riesling Eiswein, Mosel, Germany, 2016
This 2016 vintage ice wine has a nose of fruit and wet stone, complemented by sharp acidity and delicate sweetness. This wine has a great, lengthy finish. Pair this Mosel fine wine with king prawns and lemon.
Price of Egon Muller Scharzhofberger Riesling Eiswein, Mosel, Germany, 2016: $2360
8. Egon Muller Scharzhofberger Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel, Mosel, Germany, 2001
Here we have an Auslese German Riesling bottle from the famous Scharzhofberg vineyard. It has a good amount of residual sugar and a nose of honey, orange, and wet stone. Pair this Saar Riesling with some German pork sausages.
Price of Egon Muller Scharzhofberger Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel, Mosel, Germany, 2001: $2064
9. Egon Muller Scharzhofberger Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel, Mosel, Germany, 2007
This is a gold-topped Auslese bottle that is fresh and lush with flavors of dazzling fruit and minerality. It is dry and bold, with a gentle sweetness. Pair this German Riesling with a poultry dish.
Price of Egon Muller Scharzhofberger Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel, Mosel, Germany, 2007: $1827
10. Egon Muller Scharzhofberger Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel, Mosel, Germany, 2017
This Saar Riesling is exotic and aromatic. It is both decadent and simple, with fresh acidity and delightful sweetness.
This Egon Muller is truly an exquisite dessert wine with a palate of sugared white peach, green apple, and brown spice.
Price of Egon Muller Scharzhofberger Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel, Mosel, Germany, 2017: $1875
Investing in Egon Muller Wines
Though white wine isn’t generally known for its capacity to age well, Egon Muller is an exception. Both the Egon Muller Trockenbeerenauslese and Auslese wines have excellent aging potential, with the Auslese being able to last over 50 years.
Egon Muller wines have enjoyed a stable price appreciation over the years. According to wine-searcher:
- Between 2019 and 2021, the price of the Egon Muller Scharzhofberger Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel 2010 vintage increased by 41%, from $692 to $977.
- The Egon Muller Scharzhofberger Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese 2003 vintage went from $17,963 in 2019 to $24,476 in 2021 - a 36% increase.
Six years ago, at the 2015 Trier wine auction, a bottle of the 2003 Trockenbeerenauslese vintage sold for a record-breaking $13,400. Since then, it has nearly doubled in value.
Now comes the question of where and how to buy these coveted wines!
The easiest and safest way to invest in highly-collectible Egon Muller bottles and other fine wine is with help from a professional wine investment firm like Vinovest.
Buy Egon Muller and Other Fine Wine Through Vinovest
Vinovest is an online wine investment platform that helps you buy, sell, and store fine wine from all over the world. How It Works
Follow these simple steps to get started: 1. Sign up on the Vinovest website. 2. Fill in a short questionnaire to help Vinovest determine your investment style. 3. Add a minimum of $1,000 to your investment account. 4. Sit back with a glass of Pomerol wine and watch your portfolio grow.
The Benefits of Vinovest
Here are a few of Vinovest’s benefits:
1. Best Prices
Vinovest ensures the very best prices by working one-on-one with the best wine merchants, winemakers, and wineries worldwide. This means that you have exclusive access to some of the best wines like Chateau Lafite at the best prices.
2. Easy Buying and Selling
With a few clicks on your laptop, you can buy and sell bottles of Pouilly Fuisse no matter where you are in the world!
3. Curated Portfolio
The world’s top data scientists and wine sommeliers will help you curate the most effective wine portfolio, taking into account your risk preferences.
4. Low Overall Costs
Vinovest only charges an annual rate of 2.5% (which drops to 1.9% when your portfolio grows to over $50,000). This low fee covers wine buying and selling, fraud detection, storage, insurance, and the active management of your portfolio. Plus, the warehouses do not charge VAT for any of your wines, so you benefit from significant tax advantages.
5. Provenance and Authenticity
If you don’t know your way around wine investing, it can be easy to get tricked into buying a counterfeit bottle. At Vinovest, the provenance of every bottle is traced, and the authenticity is checked.
6. Optimal Storage and Insurance
At Vinovest, your wine is stored in bonded warehouses that have the optimal temperature, humidity, light, and vibration levels at all times. Plus, your annual fee includes a comprehensive insurance policy that protects you and your wine.
7. Ownership
All of the wine bottles that you buy through Vinovest are 100% your own. Want to gift them to a friend or drink them yourself? The choice is yours!
Time to Own an Exquisite Egon Muller!
Egon Muller creates some of the finest Riesling wines in the world - well worth your cellar and wine collection!
With Vinovest, you can get your hands on the most exceptional and rare bottles of this Saar Valley wine - whether you want to drink it yourself, store for the long term, or sell much later.
So, simply sign up with Vinovest today and start your wine investment adventure now!
