Uncorked: Katharina Fladung

Katharina Fladung is this year’s German Wine Princess, and acts as the German Wine Institute’s international ambassador for the German wine industry. Fladung hails from Rheingau, her grandfather is a part-time winemaker and she is currently studies International Wine Business at the University of Geisenheim. She was recently in Hong Kong for the popular annual Riesling Weeks festival and speaks to dbHK about her favourite time of year and her constant pursuit for perfection.

What vintage are you? 

1992, unfortunately a bad vintage. Concerning the wines anyway… 😉

What bottle sparked your love of wine?

I guess it wasn’t a bottle but taking part of the harvest at the age of five. As long as I can remember, my family always was close to wine. During harvest time in my grandfather’s vineyards, and with every feast celebrated by my family, wine was always offered. It has always been a part of my life.

What would you be as a wine?

I probably would be a new vintage Riesling Auslese. Sweet but still crisp!

Where are you happiest?

Enjoying the beautiful view from Schloss Johannisberg at my hometown and the golden colours of autumn. Of course all enjoyed with a bottle of wine.

What’s your greatest vice?

I think I am a perfectionist. I can’t relax and stop thinking about how anything could become better even though it actually is already nice.

The beautiful wine estate of Schloss Johannisberg in the Rheingau

Best advice you ever got?

Be yourself. No one would believe you anyway if you try to pretend to be someone you’re actually not.

Most overused word?

It would be “lecker” which in German means delicious. In English it’s probably “nice” or “like”.

Your cellar’s underwater, which bottle would you dive in and save?

Only one bottle? I would try to save as much as I can grab!

What’s the best & worst thing about the wine business?

Drinking (almost) every day.

What’s on your wine bucket list?

Nothing in particular. I would love to visit the Champagne region as well as Canada’s interesting wine growing regions.

Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?

My twin brother and my friends from university. I just want to enjoy the wines and make it casual. It’s great to know that all my guests would appreciate the wines anyway and discussing them the whole night would not be as relaxing.

Personal satisfaction (Parker points – out of 100)?

92. Why? It’s the year I was born. And there is always space to improve. (See…I am a perfectionist…)

Which wine would you like served at your funeral?

A sparkling wine. Just to refresh the guests from sadness and give them something to enjoy.