Angelina Vogt was crowned the 71st German Wine Queen in September 2019.

C: Cru Magazine // A: Angelina Vogt

C: May you tell our readers more about yourselves? What make you so dedicated in promoting German wines?
A: I am probably not the typical kind of person people have in mind when thinking about a German wine queen. My parents aren’t vintners, I studied food science and learned everything about wine from the scratch just three years ago. But due to that, I can also offer a whole new perspective! I am the best example that everybody is able to understand the world of wine. All you need is passion!

C: How did you decide to join the Wine Queen Competition?
A: Three years ago I joined a local wine festival in Nahe. We had a few glasses of wine and a friend of mine suggested me to apply for the next regional wine queen. I said, rather jokingly, yes, but soon I started to think about this seriously decided to compete in the following year. I was really surprised that the jury elected me for the Nahe wine queen, because I came from Baden, another wine region, and I am not from a wine making family.

Being one of the 13 regional wine queens, I then participated in the election for the German wine queen the following year. The competition was very challenging. I first had to identify the grape variety and wine region in a blind tasting, then answered questions about viticulture. It was a big honour to have won the competitions against all the well-trained candidates.

C: Born and raised in Baden, can you introduce this place to us?
A: I grew up in the Ortenau of Baden, a lovely region close to the black forest and is bordering the Alsace in France. In Germany we say that the people from Baden are really symBadisch (likeable) and always in a good mood. I think this is owed to the beautiful landscape and the great Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir).

C: When and why you moved to Nahe?
A: Nahe is very close to Frankfurt where my fiancé, Johannes, came from and some of his family members still live. Therefore we spent a lot of time in Nahe when working in Frankfurt, me in the food industry. When I was crowned the Nahe Wine Queen. We moved to a village in Nahe and I started my training as a wine grower. My plan is to take over the winery Weyl, which
is currently owned by Johannes’ uncle.

C: How do you compare Nahe to Baden? Which region you prefer?
A: Nahe and Baden are quite similar that both regions have amazing vineyards, heart-warming people and of course great wine. The different is the wine. Baden, belongs to climate zone B, is the warmest wine region in Germany and produce powerful and expressive red wine.

Whereas in Nahe, the combination of grape varieties, microclimate, soil and the vintners’ individual style create an endless diversity. Nevertheless, the most popular wine at the Nahe is definitely Riesling and 75% of the region’s vineyards is planted with white grape varieties. I feel comfortable and at home in both regions, that make it impossible for me to choose a favourite.

C: How would you promote German wine around the world. In which aspect in particular?
A: I would definitely promote our elegant dry white wines, because many people still believe, we exclusively produce noble sweet wines. However, actually two thirds of our produced wine is dry! There are also Pinots. German Pinots are getting famous especially the exciting and complex Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir) from Ahr, Baden and Württemberg. Although the wine is dry, the alcohol level is quiet low! This makes German wine very versatile when comes with food. It is incredibly good with light cuisines such as Asian or Scandinavian, but also perfect with more substantial German dishes.

C: What kind(s) of German wines you like most? Any region you would like to recommend?
A: What I like most, is Germany’s rich selection! Every wine growing area has its own typical wine character. It is an amazing experience to recognise the differences in taste of the same grape variety across Germany’s wine regions. Riesling from the Mosel tastes completely different from the that in Middle Rhine valley, despite the fact that these regions are next to each other. In my capacity as German Wine Queen, I have great pleasure to visit all German wine regions.

C: If we are going to travel in Germany, which city/region(s) you are going to suggest?, or any must-visit places?
A: There is so much to discover in Germany’s winegrowing regions – breath-taking landscapes, history, wine culture, hospitality and enjoyment. If you are seeking an active holiday, then you can try water-skiing or kite flying on the Mosel, kayaking down the River Main, free climbing in Württemberg or exploring Pfalz on a motor scooter.

If you are after relaxation, there are numerous Wine and Wellness offers. My favourite is Bollants Spa which is located in Nahe and just a few minutes away from my flat. In every region you can find amazing wine routes to the most beautiful highlights whether hiking, cycling or driving. Some wine country can only be explored by foot. Longer tours that follow a river are also ideal by bike.

For more inspiration and information please visit our website: www.germanwines.de