Egon Müller and the Scharzhofberg: one family on the Saar since 1797
The Scharzhof was acquired in 1797 by Jean-Jacques Koch, and his daughter Elisabeth married Felix Müller, a soldier in the Napoleonic wars. The wines of the Scharzhofberg were already being celebrated at the Paris Exposition Universelle in 1900. Today Egon Müller IV runs the estate, with Egon Müller V, born in 2000, next in line.
Slate is everywhere on the Saar, and in the western part of the Scharzhofberg the share of quartzite increases. The estate works some very old vines, a few still on their original roots and dating back to the 19th century. Yields never exceed 60 hectolitres per hectare and are often as low as 30. The vineyards are ploughed up to six times a year, with no chemical fertilisers, herbicides or insecticides. If you love Riesling with real tension and depth, this is one of the reference points.
Scharzhofberger Riesling from Kabinett to Auslese and Eiswein
In the cellar, fermentation is usually spontaneous and often stops on its own in the cool cellar long before the wine is dry. That natural residual sweetness, balanced by the Saar's cutting acidity, is the signature. The wines rest in traditional Fuder casks and are bottled early.
The Scharzhof Riesling (QbA) is the entry point, drawn from sites in Saarburg, Oberemmel and Wiltingen. It balances sweetness, minerality and acidity, and ages far better than its label suggests. The Scharzhofberger Kabinett is picked when the grapes are ripe but not yet overripe, so it stays light, often between 7 and 10 percent alcohol, and it ages elegantly for ten years or more. Spätlese comes from emphatically ripe grapes harvested as late as possible, and bottles from the 1970s are still drinking beautifully. Auslese is made from botrytis-affected fruit, sweet to very sweet but always carried by acidity. Beerenauslese and Eiswein, the latter pressed from frozen grapes at the first hard frost, are the rarest bottlings of all for anyone exploring great dessert wines.
At the top sit the auction wines. The Scharzhofberger Kabinett Alte Reben Versteigerung and other special lots are sold each year at the Grosser Ring VDP auction in Trier, where Egon Müller is regularly among the highlights.
Le Gallais Wiltinger Braune Kupp: the second Egon Müller estate
In 1954 Egon Müller III bought the neighbouring Le Gallais estate from Madame Rochon de Pons. It brought half of the 2.5 hectares in the Wiltingen sites Kupp and Braune Kupp, and the family leases the other half. The Braune Kupp takes its name from the iron in its slate. Bottles appear as Le Gallais Wiltinger Braune Kupp, from recent Kabinett and Spätlese back to Auslese from the 1970s and 1980s.
Mature Egon Müller vintages and how to enjoy them
Mature Scharzhofberger Auslese, Spätlese and even Eiswein-Beerenauslese Goldkapsel reach back to 1969, 1970, 1971 and 1975. Serve Kabinett and Spätlese lightly chilled with spicy dishes, smoked fish or simply on their own. For more from the region, browse Mosel wines or the wider range of German wines.
FAQ about Egon Müller wines
What is Egon Müller Scharzhofberger Riesling?
It is Riesling from the Scharzhofberg, the slate vineyard at the heart of the Egon Müller estate on the Saar. It is bottled at every Prädikat level from Kabinett to Trockenbeerenauslese.
Is Egon Müller Riesling sweet or dry?
The wines are made with natural residual sweetness, since fermentation usually stops on its own in the cool cellar. Even the Kabinett is fruit sweet, balanced by high Saar acidity.
How long does Egon Müller Scharzhofberger Kabinett age?
The estate says its Kabinett ages elegantly for ten years or more, while Spätlese and Auslese can last for decades.
What is the difference between Scharzhof and Scharzhofberger?
Scharzhof is the estate Riesling blended from sites in Saarburg, Oberemmel and Wiltingen. Scharzhofberger comes only from the Scharzhofberg vineyard itself.