Weingut Rudolf May Silvaner Retzstadt Bio 2025 white

Weingut Rudolf May Silvaner Retzstadt Bio 2022 is a beautifully precise organic Silvaner from the limestone-rich hills of Retzstadt in Franken. Sourced from around 30-year-old vines on steep, shell-limestone slopes, it captures both the finesse and the quiet power that have made Franken a reference point for this historic grape. Naturally fermented and raised mainly in stainless steel with a touch of large oak, it balances purity of fruit with a distinctive mineral backbone.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, this Silvaner shows a bright, pale straw to light lemon hue with subtle green reflections, hinting at its freshness and youth. The nose opens gradually—especially after a bit of air—with aromas of yellow and green orchard fruits such as apple and pear, complemented by delicate herbal and vegetal notes. Underneath lies a typical earthy-mineral Silvaner spice, evoking wet stone, shell, and a gentle nuttiness. On the palate, the wine is clear, juicy, and finely etched, with a light-footed, almost dancing texture that belies its underlying concentration. The fruit remains quietly in the background, allowing the stony, shell-limestone minerality and a vibrant, citrus-tinged yet ripe acidity to take center stage. The finish is long and focused, carried by that lively acid backbone and subtle salinity. Enjoyable now with a brief aeration, it has the structure and acidity to evolve gracefully over the next 3–6 years, gaining in complexity and textural depth.

Production
This Ortswein comes from various vineyard parcels around the small village of Retzstadt, northwest of Würzburg, where the May family is based. The sites are characterized by steep slopes and very stony, skeleton-rich soils dominated by Muschelkalk (shell limestone), which naturally limit yields and intensify mineral expression. The vines, about 30 years old, are farmed organically, encouraging deep root systems and healthy, balanced fruit. Harvest is carried out by hand to ensure careful selection of perfectly ripe grapes. Fermentation occurs spontaneously with native yeasts, emphasizing the character of the terroir, and maturation takes place predominantly in stainless steel to preserve freshness and precision, with a portion raised in large traditional oak casks to add gentle texture and complexity without overt oak flavor.

Food & Serving
This Silvaner is a superb partner for delicate yet flavourful dishes, particularly those that echo its herbal and mineral notes. Think asparagus in all its forms, vegetable dishes, freshwater fish, lightly prepared poultry, trout with herbs, or simple dishes featuring mushrooms and seasonal greens. It also works beautifully with mild to medium-intense soft cheeses and subtly spiced vegetarian cuisine. Serve at 8–10 °C to highlight its freshness and precision. In its youth, give the wine a short decant of 20–30 minutes or open the bottle in advance to let the aromatics unfurl and the texture soften on the palate.

Producer
Weingut Rudolf May is a highly regarded family estate in Franken, with a particular reputation for its expressive, terroir-driven Silvaners. Based in Retzstadt, the winery has played an important role in showcasing what this often-underestimated grape can achieve on the region’s steep Muschelkalk slopes. With a strong commitment to organic viticulture and sensitive, low-intervention cellar work—such as spontaneous fermentations and restrained use of oak—the estate consistently produces wines that are both pure and characterful. Their Silvaners, in particular, have helped cement Franken’s status as one of Germany’s leading regions for this historic variety.

We deliver within 2 - 6 business days. You can choose whether it should be to a parcel shop or home delivery. Free delivery to both parcel shops and your front door. Our store partners primarily use GLS, DPD, UPS and DHL for deliveries. We cover deliveries to the majority of countries in Europe.