When the message arrived in my inbox that my German naturalization documents had reached their destination, we, the Sanhedrink gang, gathered for a tasting of Hans Bear wines from the Rheinhessen region in Germany. I call that a coincidence.
This isn’t a winery in the traditional sense of the word, but rather a brand that buys wine from various producers, treats them, and markets them under its name.
Rheinhessen, the region where the wine is made, is the largest and also the oldest wine region in Germany, with its name first appearing in a document from the year 742 CE. I hope they’ll preserve the documents I sent with the same care.
Compared to other regions in Germany, Rheinhessen — located in central Germany and bordered to the north and east by the Rhine River — is characterized by a relatively warm climate and a wide variety of microclimates and soil types.
These conditions allow the brand to offer a wide range of wines, made in long-term cooperation with grape-growing families, with respect for the country's rich winemaking tradition.
Let’s be honest. Unlike German citizenship, the German wines with the bear on the bicycle won’t change any of our lives. But in terms of cost-effectiveness, it won’t be easy to find competitors.
The price: NIS 55 for each wine in the series. They say you can also find them in 2-for-NIS 100 deals.
Hans Bear, Sauvignon Blanc 2022
If you're expecting your Sauvignon Blanc to show tropical notes and roll around in freshly cut grass, you can skip this wine.
But if you set aside your traditional perceptions for a moment, you’ll enjoy a particularly pleasant wine. Aromatic and mineral, with a greenish touch (in a good way) and a biting acidity. More of a little Riesling than a grand Sauvignon Blanc.
<br>Hans Bear, Riesling 2022
It can't be compared to the grand Rieslings of the region, and at this price, there's really no reason to. A fresh, lively Riesling, with aromas of white fruits, flowers, citrus, and a bit of tropical fruit, wrapped in a fine minerality.
Its slight sweetness is well balanced by refreshing acidity — after all, it’s a Riesling — and the finish is long. A Riesling with no ceremony in the rear.
Hans Bear, Chardonnay 2023
It starts out aromatic with lots of white fruit and flowers, and as it warms up in the glass, it develops a light and somewhat unexpected minerality. In the mouth, it reveals a juicy Chardonnay, with a round structure, pure and concentrated flavors, a creamy texture, and a long, pleasant finish.
Even the members of the “Anything But Chardonnay” cult will, in my opinion, have to admit this is an especially enjoyable wine.
<br>Hans Bear, Grauburgunder 2023
Many of us — okay, mainly me — don’t have high expectations from this grape variety, also known as Pinot Gris or Pinot Grigio.
The bear’s wine is a kind of Pinot Gris on steroids, if not on speed, with bursting greenish aromas, a muscular structure, bold flavors of white fruits, and a round, slick finish. Uncharacteristic and very tasty.
<br>Hans Bear, Gewürztraminer 2023
Lots of people love Coke, lots of people think this current period is the best in Israel's history since 1948, and lots of people like their wine semi-dry. That is, sweet.
I don’t mean to argue with the masses, only to tell them that this wine was made for them. Hard to believe the bear on the bike will devour the nun in blue, but he’ll definitely give her a good fight.
<br>Hans Bear, Dunkelfelder 2023
This grape variety, with its oh-so-catchy name, was developed in the 1950s to add some color to Germany’s pale red wines.
The semi-dry wine made from it is a sweetish but refreshing red that should be drunk at a very low temperature — maybe even on ice — and generally treated like a soft drink to go with your shawarma.
<br>Hans Bear, Spätburgunder 2021
Yes. That’s what Pinot Noir is called in German. Now that we’ve clarified that, let’s also clarify that no producer in Burgundy needs to worry about this furry and friendly competitor.
This is a Pinot Noir of the juicy variety, with aromas of ripe cherries, plums, herbs, and earth, flavors of red fruit and spices, pleasant acidity, and a soft structure.