arte, 5.20 p.m.
In the southwest of China, in an extremely difficult to access region on the border to Tibet, local farmers have also been growing wine for over a hundred years, which French missionaries brought with them. In the last ten years, large foreign corporations have also discovered the growing area and are investing a lot of money to produce the best wine in the entire Middle Kingdom. They have this goal in common with the small farmers who have joined together to form a cooperative. An extraordinary winegrowing history at the foothills of the Himalayas. At the foothills of the Himalayas, in the shadow of the snow-capped Khawa Karpo, stretches a stony, inhospitable area that is part of the highlands of Tibet. This region in the north of Yunnan province is difficult to reach and has retained its idiosyncratic character to this day. Three large rivers supply it with water, including the Mekong. The fertile valleys carved by the water are used by Tibetans and other ethnic groups for agriculture. Investor groups see great potential in this unique landscape and have already secured several areas. Their goal is to produce top-class wines. Viticulture is not a novelty in this region. Already since the arrival of Catholic missionaries about 150 years ago, local farmers have planted grapes here along with other crops. The first vines were produced in the hamlet of Cizhong. There, French missionaries began to proselytise the traditionally Buddhist population from 1865. Even today, Cizhong is 80 percent Catholic and wine production has developed strongly. About thirty Tibetan winegrowers have joined together to form a cooperative. They sell their grapes, lease plots or help with the work in the vineyard. In this poor region of China, the income from viticulture is the livelihood of the population. The methods used by the large corporations to grow grapes are in stark contrast to those of the local winegrowers, but their goal is the same: to produce a wine of the highest quality.
arte, 3.30 p.m.
On the former estates of the Dukes of Burgundy, in the Côte-d'Or department, vineyards stretch for more than 65 kilometres. Over the centuries, this landscape has undergone numerous changes resulting from the interaction of man and nature. In the 12th century, the Cistercian monks of the Cîteaux monastery were given some vineyards, which they continued to develop over the centuries. These vineyards were for a long time in ecclesiastical-ducal possession before they were taken over by merchants at the beginning of the 17th century. Today, Burgundy's more than 1,200 vineyards are invaluable for their high-quality products. The annual award ceremony of the Hospices de Beaune is considered an indication of the quality of the respective vintage.
arte, 5.20 p.m.
Surrounded by the warm currents of the Adriatic Sea, Dalmatia is the southernmost region of Croatia. Vines have been planted here for thousands of years. Winegrowing in Dalmatia experienced its heyday in the 19th century. At that time, the entire area was covered with terraces that were painstakingly chiselled out of the rock. With the collapse of Yugoslavia 30 years ago and the founding of the Republic of Croatia, a new generation of winegrowers set about cultivating the steep slopes again. Thanks to them, many original grape varieties are making a comeback. Wine has been cultivated in the southern Croatian Adriatic region of Dalmatia since ancient times - despite difficult conditions: stony soil, scorching heat and strong winds make work difficult for the winegrowers. Nevertheless, the people managed to grow unique grape varieties that are enjoying growing popularity again today. The vineyards tell the chequered story of an entire country. Almost 30 years after its foundation, the Republic of Croatia is in the process of rediscovering its wine-growing traditions and thereby also coming to terms with the past. After the disintegration of the former Yugoslavia and Croatian independence in the early 1990s, a new generation of passionate winemakers stepped up to proudly defend their local traditions. Stone by stone, they rebuilt the huge wine terraces dug into the mountain. Thanks to their efforts, the Mediterranean region is now richer in a prestigious wine-growing area. Grape varieties such as Plavac, Grk or Posip, which fell into oblivion at the time of mass production, are now reconquering the Riviera. Croatian winegrowers are in the process of arousing new interest with old varieties - and their wines are certainly the best ambassadors of the youngest member of the European Union.
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arte, 5.20 p.m.
While wine was previously frowned upon in Indian society, it is now discreetly making its way into everyday culture. Although India does not provide a good breeding ground for viticulture from a cultural and religious point of view, there are more and more areas under cultivation in the country. Drinking wine has become chic in modern India. The trend exemplifies the change in Indian society. Some winemakers have recognised the enormous potential of grape juice and are producing wine made in India in a country that has retained a taste for tea and brandy as a colonial legacy. Home-grown wine could in the future be on the tables of over a billion Indians - perhaps even wine lovers around the world. The documentary introduces some of these visionary winemakers. Rajeev Samant is one of the pioneers of Indian wine culture. He brought viticulture to India and planted the country's first vineyards. With his estate Sula Vineyards, which is designed like a theme park around wine and lifestyle, he reached the production level of the world's largest winegrowers in less than 20 years. Following in the footsteps of pioneers like Samant, the Franco-Indian Ravi Viswanathan is investing significant sums in the Grover Zampa wine company. He wants his wines to reach the international top class. On a visit during the grape harvest, he talks about his goals for his new estate and beyond. In Mumbai, the economic and cultural capital of the country, Sonal Holland has devoted herself entirely to wine. The wine connoisseur, who is the only person in India to hold the title of "Master of Wine", wants to introduce the women of her country to the enjoyment of fine wines. She is convinced that the new wine culture supports the aspirations of young Indian women for success and emancipation. Wine has become the symbol of a society that is changing and developing.
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3sat, 9.45 pm
Wine culture, hiking, an exciting history and a lively everyday culture: the Siebengebirge has a lot to offer. - The film takes you from the Drachenfels to the Mannberg. The members of the Belz family have been growing their wine as organic winegrowers on the steep slope of the Mannberg near Unkel on the Rhine since the 1990s. The small town also serves as a starting point for hiking tours and is home to the Willy Brandt Forum.
arte, 5.20 p.m.
Away from the paradisiacal tourist beaches, a new culture settled in Thailand almost 20 years ago that no one had expected: viticulture. A handful of ambitious winegrowers set out to push the envelope and adapt the vines to the hot, humid climate of the tropics. Thai viticulture is still in its infancy. But the "wines of the new latitudes" are on the rise - at the moment they are conquering the markets of Asia and perhaps soon the rest of the world. Thailand's three wine-growing regions are cultivated by only eight winemakers. The Khao Yai region - 160 kilometres north of Bangkok - offers the most favourable conditions for wine production. At the edge of the imposing Khao Yai mountain range lies the fertile Asoke Valley with the GranMonte domain, which belongs to the Lohitnavy family. She has set out to produce a wine that will be known beyond the borders of Thailand. The young boss of GranMonte has brought the domain to the top of Thai wine production in a short time. In Brazil, she learned how to grow grapes under tropical conditions. 31-year-old Nikki Lohitnavy is Thailand's first and only female viticulturist and oenologist. She experimented for several years with over 40 grape varieties from all over the world until she found the most suitable species for the tropical latitudes. At the turn of the millennium, wine drinking was still frowned upon in Thailand. Buddhism warns against drinking alcohol because it makes people unpredictable. Thus, wine drinking is still a marginal phenomenon and mainly limited to the young, modern clientele of the chic Bangkok restaurants. Thai wine culture is still in its infancy.
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SWR Television, 6.15 p.m.
SWR presenter Jens Hübschen uses this summer to improve his amateur cooking talent. Frank Brunswig is supposed to teach him how to cook. With a cooking class in which the student cannot see his teacher because of the Corona safety distance wall. This time, the kitchen for the cooking course is at the Fitz Ritter wine estate in Bad Dürkheim, Palatinate. Amidst vines, Jens proves to everyone his ambition to pass the cooking course. But it's tricky: the professional chef wants to teach the presenter how to make liver dumplings. A challenge for the "apprentice chef", whose favourite food doesn't really include offal. What pleases Jens, on the other hand, is that Frank cooks at the winery - obviously - with wine. Pointed cabbage and apple fritters can't do without wine, which of course the two have to try.
arte, 5.20 p.m.
Desert-like landscapes as far as the eye can see, endless steppes bathed in glistening light, mountains that seem insurmountable - this is Patagonia, a wilderness at the edge of the world with the atmosphere of the Wild West. At the foothills of the Andes, despite adverse climatic conditions, a few ambitious winegrowers have begun to transform the barren earth into green vineyards using modern methods. In this Wild West of South America, anything still seems possible. Patagonia lies at the southern end of Latin America and has always been a paradise for pioneers, writers and travellers seeking adventure. At the foothills of the Andes, a few ambitious winemakers have begun to transform the barren earth into green vineyards using modern methods. Despite extreme heat and cold, a small group of adventure-hungry Europeans set their minds to conquer the hostile landscapes to grow wine there just over a hundred years ago. Not far from the town of General Roca, the Pinot Noir grapes of the Bodega Humberto Canale thrive. Its founders, who settled there over a hundred years ago, were pioneers of viticulture in Patagonia. A little further away is the southernmost vineyard in Argentina. It belongs to the Rodríguez family, who were the first to dare to grow grapes in these latitudes. Day by day, Patagonia's winegrowers push the boundaries of the desert a little further. With new technologies, they brave the extreme climatic conditions of an isolated region that was not intended by nature for viticulture.
SWR Television, 11.45 a.m.
Although not yet fully recovered, Georg allows himself to be released from the rehab clinic early and resumes work on his vineyard without thanks to Thomas and Paul. Gritting her teeth, Andrea has to care for her weak husband in the house they share. Meanwhile, Paul takes care of the Hungarian vines. His relationship with Edina develops, but instead of spending the hoped-for night of love with her, Paul has to rock the crying Karoly to sleep. Gottfried also tries harder and harder to win Hermine. He even flirts with a joint summer residence on Mallorca.
SWR Television, 4.30 p.m.
Petra Rapp was born in Stuttgart and grew up on the Ostalb. The trained carpenter came to farming through her husband, even though her parents have a small part-time farm. Together with him, she now runs the traditional Weilerhof in the Neckar valley, which has existed since 1693. The Rapp family grows wine and vegetables on eight hectares each around Esslingen. Petra has grown particularly fond of working in the vineyards. She met her Andreas there at a wine tasting. Today they usually do the wine tastings together. For this purpose, they have built a mobile bar, which they pull into the vines with a tractor. Petra's area of vegetable cultivation is the care of the peppers. "It's so complicated that no one wanted to take it on," she says with a laugh.
ARD-alpha, 4.20 p.m.
Wine seems to be one of the few winners of global climate change. The vine originates from the Near East and is a heat-loving plant. As temperatures rise, vineyards could expand to northern and higher altitudes. But will this new wine taste good? Will it be economical to produce? What new challenges will winemakers face? "Newton" asked young winemakers and scientists about their strategies for the wine of the future.
arte, 5.20 p.m.
Nestled between the Vosges Mountains and the Black Forest, Alsace spreads out on the Rhine plain and offers ideal conditions for winegrowing. The small wine-growing region on the border between Germany and France offers unique geological conditions. Alsatian winegrowers strive to preserve this gift of nature. Many work with organic and biodynamic methods, as they have recognised that the future of their wines depends on respectful treatment of nature. Alsace offers optimal conditions for viticulture. The rows of vines lined up on the mountain slopes form a narrow band about a hundred kilometres long. The location at the foot of the Vosges Mountains not only provides ideal climatic conditions, but also gives Alsace particularly varied soils. In a valley in the south of Alsace, the Zusslin family produces fine wines of international renown. The siblings Jean-Paul and Marie have taken over the estate, which has been in the family for 13 generations. On their father's initiative, it has been farmed organically since the 1970s. Even then, the winegrowers of the region made 250 hectares of land bordering the vineyard a nature reserve to preserve biodiversity. The current generation even goes one step further: the young winegrowers distribute different animal and plant species among their vines. After decades of intensive agriculture, a great biodiversity is thus returning, which also benefits the wine: birds, fruit trees and various plants form a natural cycle. In Alsace, pioneering work is being done in biodynamic viticulture. In this way, the committed winegrowers serve as a model for a whole generation of young winegrowers.
arte, 5.20 p.m.
For a few years now, a surprising trend has been emerging in the south of England: the forests and meadows of the hilly landscapes of Kent and Sussex are gradually being replaced by rows of vines. The British have always been champagne lovers - now they produce their own, which is supposed to be in no way inferior to the French luxury drink: the English Quality Sparkling Wine. It has become such a success that even the royal family is enthusiastic about producing it. The ever warmer temperatures and limestone soils similar to those in Champagne create ideal conditions to rival the best French Champagnes. Using grape varieties from Champagne, the winegrowers in the counties of Kent and Sussex produce a high-quality sparkling wine that is in no way inferior to French Champagne: English Quality Sparkling Wine. Even Frenchmen like Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger are getting in on the act. The champagne producer has teamed up with an Englishman and bought a 60-hectare fruit farm in Kent to turn it into a huge vineyard. And the royal family also produces its own sparkling. Since its launch in 2013, the English have been clamouring for the noble drop, which is grown in the park of Windsor Castle. One of the pioneers of viticulture in Great Britain is the Roberts family from Sussex. Their winery regularly tops Buckingham Palace's wine list and competes against winemakers from Champagne in major competitions. In the last ten years, sparkling wine has become a fashionable drink in the UK. As a result, the acreage under Sparkling Wine in England has doubled, especially in the south-east of the island, where conditions are very similar to those in Champagne. The chalky soils give sparkling wine its coveted minerality and acidity. Above all, however, the continuously rising temperatures cause the sugar content of the grapes to increase. The English winegrowers want to compete with the best sparkling wines in the world. And it is already becoming apparent that nothing can stop the triumph of sparkling wine.
hr television, 21.00
The Rheingau and its wine have often been sung about - and filmed almost as often. But despite all the idylls and clichés: time has not stood still in this region either. Even in the beautiful Rheingau, residents - and especially the winegrowers - have to face new challenges. These include dealing with the clearly noticeable "climate change" as well as the search for modern forms of production and marketing. And of course, the Rheingau and its wine have also become a bit "multicultural" and globalised. The film observes how the wine has developed in 2017 right up to the pressing and accompanies the protagonists in their work.
arte, 5.20 p.m.
In the north of Bavaria, along the loops of the Main River, the wine-growing region of Franconia stretches between Spessart and Steigerwald. Even the Romans had planted vines on the sunlit areas. Silvaner, with its strong, mineral aromas, grows on the steep slopes. But viticulture today is threatened by climate change. The effects: Erosion and drought are causing problems for the wine from Franconia. Especially in the villages around Würzburg, the winegrowers are taking measures to protect and preserve this old cultural landscape. Franconia is an often misunderstood wine-growing enclave in the middle of Bavaria - a region generally known for its hop fields and high brewery density. Even the Romans planted vines on the sunniest slopes. The steeply rising Franconian vineyards produce mineral, powerful white wines. Today, viticulture in the region is threatened by climate change: soil erosion and drought are causing problems for the characteristic Franconian grape varieties. Winemakers and scientists are joining forces to try to save Franconia's viticultural heritage. Winegrowers have to become more and more creative to preserve the long history of their vineyards. Sometimes creativity also means reviving old manual methods that are extremely tedious but protect the soil. The Knoll family follows the principles of biodynamic cultivation to manage their vineyards in greater harmony with nature. Specialised researchers have proven for the same area that the vineyards on particularly exposed slopes can no longer manage without irrigation during increasingly dry periods. The young winegrower Markus Müller has joined forces with around 40 other winegrowers to build a joint irrigation system. Daniel Heßdörfer from the Bavarian State Institute for Viticulture and Horticulture has been researching tomorrow's wine, which adapts to extreme temperatures and heavy rainfall, for over 20 years. In the Institute's vineyard, he is breeding old grape varieties that will be better able to withstand climate change in the coming years.
arte, 5.20 p.m.
At the foot of the Pyrenees, on the border between the Basque Country and Navarre, lies Spain's most famous wine-growing region: Rioja. Shaded by the Cantabrian Mountains, vines were planted in the valleys of the Ebro and Oja rivers as early as the Middle Ages. But Rioja experienced its heyday in the 19th century. At that time, phylloxera ravaged France's vineyards and Spanish wines were suddenly in great demand. Since then, the focus has been more on mass production - and today Spain has the largest vineyards in the world. But a handful of dedicated winemakers in Rioja are striving to preserve the old traditions and artisanal methods. In the second half of the 20th century, Spain embarked on the path of mass production. With around one million hectares under cultivation, the country is now the largest wine producer in the world. The Rioja wine region accounts for barely five percent of Spain's wine-growing area. Here, about a dozen winegrowers have sworn off mass production. On their small plots of land, they preserve centuries-old traditions and knowledge that set them apart from the rest of the country. For 140 years, Spain's best wines have been produced in Rioja. The cultural heritage that one generation passes on to the next is at least as important as the economic success. The documentary introduces some of the most renowned winegrowing families. Such as Maria Urrutia Ybarra, one of the heirs of the Bodega Cune, which is one of the oldest wineries in the region. One of Spain's most renowned wines is produced here, the Imperial. Its history is hidden in a labyrinth of cellar vaults and is guarded by the family like a treasure.
arte, 13.00
The vineyards at the majestic Lake Wanaka in New Zealand are in no way inferior to the most renowned growing areas in Europe. Quite the opposite! One of the best wines in the country is produced here. The vines were brought to the new continent by Catholic missionaries in the 17th century, and it took time for viticulture to take off. But in the 1970s, New Zealand winemakers got the hang of it and started making wines that are now appreciated and enjoyed all over the world.
arte, 5.20 p.m.
Landscapes pampered by the sun, where vines and olive trees grow - this is how we know Tuscany, which has always been considered one of Italy's most famous wine regions. The much-praised Chianti is known all over the world. Its cultivation area lies in a chain of hills in the heart of Tuscany. For a long time, Chianti was considered a pleasing red table wine, but for about 30 years there has been an ambition to improve its quality. In this way, the winegrowers want to help the entire region gain a new reputation. Tuscany, famous for its sun-drenched landscapes with vineyards and olive groves, has always been considered one of the most important wine regions in Italy. At its centre lies the Chianti region, which looks back on a centuries-old wine-growing tradition. Barons and Marchesi not only cultivate the old traditions in their castles, but also try to reinvent themselves at the same time. Baron Francesco Ricasoli runs a renowned 1,200-hectare estate with olive trees and vines in the Chianti Classico region. The large Chianti wineries create new, innovative wines and, in addition to large-scale production, continue to make the small but fine Vin Santo. It was produced ages ago and used as a mass wine. For a long time, Chianti Classico was mainly drunk as a table wine, but for the last 30 years or so there have been considerable efforts to improve its quality. As an ancient cultural landscape, Chianti has produced wines for eternity. The noble families have questioned themselves and improved the quality of their wines. If Chianti is now the most widely produced Italian wine in the world, it is a testament to a region's ability to reinvent itself - also by preserving ancient traditions.
SWR Television, 11.45 a.m.
Georg Plattner finally takes the helm again and rather rudely dismisses Jakob Ressler as interim mayor. Back in office, he harasses Thomas Stickler wherever he can. He calls him an organic farmer, but has his vines sprayed with chemicals at night and then sics the Federal Office of Viticulture on him. For Andrea, this is the end of her consideration. When she finally files for divorce, she is observed by community doctor Eibecker in an ambiguous situation with her good friend Jakob Ressler.
3sat, 16.05
Nowhere is South Tyrol more Mediterranean than around Lake Kaltern. It is one of the warmest bathing lakes in the Alps and surrounded by a large wine-growing area. Wine has made the area prosperous.
arte, 5.20 p.m.
The vineyards of this world combine the expertise of hard-working winegrowers with the mysterious forces of nature. Whether situated by the water, sheltered by high mountains or on the edge of a desert, vineyards illustrate the diversity of this special type of agriculture. On the shores of Lake Geneva, framed by the Alps, lies Lavaux, a unique wine-growing region. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007, Lavaux is largely made up of 400 kilometres of walls with 10,000 terraces laid out on 40 levels. The grape harvest here is hard back-breaking work, as the harvesters have to cope with the 45-degree slopes. From the steep slopes of the impressive cultivated landscape, the grapes are sometimes even transported away by helicopter to relieve the helpers. A fascinating cultural landscape rises above Lake Geneva between Lausanne and Vevey. More than a thousand winegrowers share 800 hectares here on a narrow strip that lies between the lakeshore at 375 metres and the forest at 600 metres above sea level. Here, Jean-François Chevalley owns a vineyard, which he and his son, the 23rd generation, are managing. Lavaux consists mainly of 400 kilometres of walls with 10,000 terraces on 40 levels. There is no question of pristine here, this landscape was created by man: with the sole aim of providing the vines with the best possible conditions. The maintenance of the walls on the steep slopes is costly, and the grape harvest is also hard back-breaking work; mechanical harvesting is virtually impossible. But nature is also an ally, because viticulture in this area is only possible thanks to Lake Geneva, which favours the climatic conditions. The Lavaux wine-growing region owes its reputation above all to the Dézaley. The Dézalay grape, typical of Lavaux, grows where the slopes are steepest. For generations, many families here have had to learn to cope with the 45-degree slopes and walls. The symbiosis of landscape and man, the shaping of nature for the benefit of the vines, earned Lavaux the title of UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007.
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arte, 5.20 p.m.
A true fairytale landscape stretches along the Rhine between Bingen and Koblenz: castles and palaces alternate with densely planted rows of vines balancing on steeply sloping hillsides above the river. But hardly anyone is aware that this picturesque scenery has to be cultivated by people. With slopes of over 50 degrees in some places, it is by no means easy for the winegrowers. But for over a thousand years, the Rhine Valley has been a sought-after wine-growing region because it is said that the sun's rays reflected on the river favour the ripening of the grapes. German viticulture began here, between the Rhine and the Main, in the 12th century. The winegrowers of the Rhine Valley are also the keepers of the secrets of Riesling, which is considered one of the most renowned German wines. But for a few years now, winegrowers in the Rhine Valley have also been feeling the effects of climate change and fear for their future. Previously, the significantly higher temperatures were rather welcome, but now long periods of drought are worrying the winegrowers: these could endanger Riesling cultivation in the region in the long term. Science should ensure that the special white wine can continue to be grown in the region in the future: At the University of Geisenheim, an open-air laboratory unique in the world has been set up with 29 different grape varieties, where professors and students are now simulating the climate change of the next 50 years and researching how Riesling can be made future-proof. Will they succeed in preserving the Rhine Valley's wine with its strong character for the future?
arte, 5.20 p.m.
In the middle of the Pacific, a belt of islands rises from the waves. It belongs to French Polynesia, more precisely to the Tuamotu Archipelago, 350 kilometres off Tahiti. On one of the 240 tiny offshore islands, an area of vines holds its own amidst the tropical vegetation. A handful of Polynesians and an oenologist from France are the protagonists of a wine-growing adventure that began almost 25 years ago. A wine plantation in the middle of the Pacific? Hard to imagine, but true: on the Tuamotu archipelago, grapes actually grow on one of the 240 tiny offshore islands, on a narrow strip between lagoon and ocean. The coral island, where previously mainly coconut palms grew, owes its new crop to the Frenchman Dominique Auroy. Together with the young oenologist Sébastien Thépenier and a team of enthusiastic local helpers, he has been able to realise his somewhat crazy dream. At the beginning of the 20th century, missionaries had already tried to grow vines - for their Mass wine. But they had no luck. It was not until 1992 that the first of three French oenologists succeeded in planting the first vineyard in this remote corner of the world. Because actually vines cannot survive in the hot tropical ambience. Thépenier tried a new approach. More than 50 grape varieties imported from Europe were tested on different atolls. The Italia grape, the Muscat de Hambourg and the Carignan rouge showed the most promise. After an adaptation period of ten long years, contrary to all expectations, the wine now grows in an area where the thermometer never drops below 30 degrees Celsius and there are no winters. During the adaptation period, the young winemakers experience many a surprise. In the tropics, the vines bear fruit twice a year, in September and in March. In the meantime, Sébastien and his team harvest over 25 tonnes of grapes per year. That is barely half of what the vines would produce in Europe - but growing three grape varieties in these latitudes alone is a feat. If the sea continues to respect the work of the people, this small island somewhere in the Pacific can grow into a new wine-growing region - and Polynesia can write its chapter in the history of viticulture.
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arte, 5.20 p.m.
In the vineyards of this world, the expertise of hard-working winegrowers is combined with the mysterious forces of nature. Whether located by water, sheltered by high mountains or on the edge of a desert, wineries illustrate the diversity of this special kind of agriculture. It is said that viticulture began in Georgia more than 6,000 years ago. Even in ancient times, people in the region pressed delicious grape juice and put it into so-called qvevris, which were buried in the ground for fermentation. After the end of Soviet mass production, this tradition has been revived. In Georgia, people don't ask, "How are you?" but, "How are your vines?" In Kakheti, eastern Georgia, each family owns a vineyard and makes its own wine to share with others. It is said that in this country at the foot of the Caucasus, viticulture began more than 6,000 years ago. Even in ancient times, people in the region pressed delicious grape juice and filled it into so-called qvevris, which were buried in the ground for fermentation. Georgians are justifiably proud of their cultural heritage - and even think that making a qvevri is more complicated than building a house. After the end of Soviet mass production, the unique tradition is reviving in the country where wine production has always been one of the most important livelihoods. Soliko Tsaishvili left the capital Tbilisi to grow wine after the collapse of the USSR. At that time, the huge collectivised vineyards were divided into thousands of small plots. Soliko has cultivated old grape varieties and presses the juice in his own qvevris.
arte, 5.20 p.m.
In Japan, barely two hours by car from Tokyo, a worldwide unique grape variety is cultivated: the Koshu. Despite changeable weather, excellent wines are produced here. Just under two hours' drive southwest of Tokyo, Mount Fuji rises from a mountain range known here as the "Japanese Alps". The mountains cover about 70 percent of Yamanashi Prefecture and seem to protect one of the country's best-kept secrets from foreign eyes: viticulture. For the majority of Japanese wine is produced in this valley. According to legend, the grape arrived on the Japanese peninsula in the 18th century in the luggage of a Buddhist monk from China. On huge, two-metre-high pergolas, the wine has shaped the landscape for 1,300 years now. The small town of Katsunuma is considered the centre of Japanese wine production. In the middle of the town, a worldwide unique grape variety thrives: the Koshu. With a particularly firm and resistant skin, this grape is optimally adapted to the difficult weather conditions with two rainy seasons per year. While the Buddhist monks still cultivate the wine like their Chinese ancestors, a young generation educated abroad is inspired by European viticulture to produce novel and even higher quality wines. But after the harvest, young and old come together to thank the gods for the fertile soil at the Shinto shrine at the foot of Mount Fuji.
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SWR Television, 11.45 a.m.
Due to the warm weather, the harvest in Hungary and Rust has to start almost simultaneously. Thomas and Paul are working around the clock with Blasius Schmalzl's help when Anna unexpectedly arrives from Australia to pass her post-graduate exams. Chef Fabian is beside himself with joy - until he learns that Anna has fallen in love with another man. An old acquaintance also turns up in Rust: Thomas' former boss Hannes Janeke from Frankfurt wants to take a look at the "Stickler & Stickler" vineyard. During the stress of the harvest, Thomas shows him his vines and lets him work with him.
SWR Television, 2.30 p.m.
Felix Graf Adelmann is breaking new ground. The passionate musician and photographer was successfully self-employed in various business sectors before following in his father's footsteps and taking over the renowned winery in the Bottwartal. "There has never been so much change in the history of the family," says senior Michael Graf Adelmann appreciatively. Felix Adelmann has converted the winery to organic farming methods. He makes the marketing of his premium wines his own personal business with expertise, charm and wordplay. "You are the Count? You're not at all what I imagined," customers tell him time and again at wine tastings or events at Burg Schaubeck.
arte, 5.20 p.m.
About 250 kilometres northeast of Budapest, the famous Tokaj Aszú - the "Tokaj Outbreak" - is produced on a 70-kilometre-long and 20-kilometre-wide triangle in the shelter of the Tokaj Mountains. The sweet wine impresses with its incredibly complex bouquet and tells a lot about the history of Hungary. After Louis XIV praised it as the "king of wines, wine of kings", it was one of the favourite drinks of the European nobility for three centuries. About 250 kilometres northeast of Budapest, a sweet wine with a particularly complex bouquet is cultivated in the shelter of the Tokaj Mountains, which not only looks back on a special history, but is also the only wine to appear in a national anthem: Tokaj Aszú. This "king of wines" became popular beyond Hungary through Louis XIV and the Versailles court and was the most sought-after drink of the European elite for three centuries: it was served at the tables of all European courts, drunk at great festivals and inspired intellectuals and artists who immortalised it in music and literature. Due to the wars in the 20th century and the communist regime, it fell into oblivion. But for a good 20 years now, the unique and rare vine has been cultivated again. The only downer is that the harvest is extremely difficult. No one knows this better than winemaker Samuel Tinon, who takes the risk every year - even if he sometimes loses out. Sweet joy and bitter disappointment lie close together in the Tokaj Aszú. To achieve the necessary noble rot and a high sugar content, the overripe, raisin-like shrivelled grapes must be harvested as late as possible. Everything can go wrong until the last moment. Rain at the wrong time or frost can ruin all the effort.
arte, 5.20 p.m.
In the South African province of Western Cape lies the largest wine-growing region on the entire African continent. With the help of traditional cultivation methods, winegrowing is mastered here despite the high temperatures in summer. But the wine industry is on the verge of upheaval because it is historically based on the systematic oppression of the indigenous population during colonial times - and its consequences are still being felt. In the far south of Africa, where the Atlantic meets the Indian Ocean, the Cape of Good Hope rises from the foaming surf. The huge land behind it was occupied by colonial masters for 400 years and shaped according to their ideas - so wine was also planted. The great wines are said to have delighted even Napoleon, and in the meantime South Africa has become a veritable Eldorado of viticulture. But when people talk about the terroir of a winery in South Africa, they are not only referring to the geographical location as elsewhere, but also to the respective history: for the land that today allows the wine to mature was taken away from the original population during the colonial era, and the wineries were built up with slave labour. Even 20 years after the end of apartheid, the ownership situation has not changed much, and 93 percent of the total land area belongs to the white minority. There is still only hot debate about agrarian reform and an accompanying appropriate redistribution. In the wine world, Sheila Hlanjwa is therefore an absolute exception: she comes from Langa, the oldest township in Cape Town, and is the first black woman to graduate in oenology. Sheila dreams of one day running her own wine estate in the middle of her neighbourhood and passing on her knowledge. The entire wine industry in South Africa is facing great challenges. But restructuring will only succeed if more social and fairer conditions are created. There must be many more examples like Sheila - and they must not remain exceptions.
arte, 5.20 p.m.
The first people came to New Zealand about a thousand years ago. But it wasn't until 1840, when New Zealand became a British crown colony, that people began to clear and cultivate the countryside. Almost a century later, the island nation lives from exports. 40 years ago, pioneers in the Marlborough District on the South Island dared to experiment and planted vines. Today, the area under cultivation is 17,000 hectares, and Marlborough is New Zealand's most important wine-growing region. A primeval landscape shaken by earthquakes has become a world-class wine-growing region. Between the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean, the island state of New Zealand is completely isolated geographically. 40 years ago, the new settlers succeeded in planting vines in Marlborough on the South Island. If you want to grow wine in New Zealand, you have to be prepared for wilderness, unpredictable climatic conditions such as frost and the risk of earthquakes. The Wairau Valley and its vineyards lie on a fault line that runs north-south across the entire island. It is divided into sections such as the Wairau Fault, Awatere Fault or Alpine Fault and is responsible for the approximately 20,000 earth tremors per year. No matter in which region, in New Zealand nature clearly shows who is the strongest. Despite the danger of earthquakes, New Zealand's vast areas are extensively used for winegrowing. Initially, intensive sheep farming was practised, for a long time the island's main source of income. But gradually the sheep were displaced by the vines. Peter Yealands is one of the country's most important winegrowers - having transformed 2,000 hectares of inhospitable terrain into vineyards through tenacious work. New Zealand wine has become a success story in which the Maori people, the indigenous people of New Zealand, have also played their part. James Wheeler is committed to preserving their culture and has launched New Zealand's first Maori wine: Tohu. The Tohu winery has firmly established itself in the New Zealand wine world and the spirit of Maori culture also permeates the country's wine culture. The winemakers have succeeded in combining the pioneering spirit of their European ancestors with the Maori's great respect for nature.
arte, 5.20 p.m.
The wine-growing region of Barossa Valley lies north of Adelaide, the capital of the Australian state of South Australia. Here, winegrowers have always had to hold their own against the inhospitable desert climate; for the past ten years, the region has even experienced particularly severe drought. German settlers settled here in the 19th century, and their descendants introduced biodynamic viticulture as early as the 1920s. This farming method does without chemicals, attaches great importance to soil care and enables viticulture even under the adverse climatic conditions, which is why it is still practised by many Australian winegrowers today. Prue Henschke, who calls a hundred-year-old vineyard his own, also swears by biodynamic methods. They help the vines to absorb the sun's rays optimally, and by spraying the plants with a quartz preparation, the sap can circulate better. John and Troy Kalleske, like Prue of German descent, run a large biodynamic farm that has been in the family for over 150 years.
arte, 5.20 p.m.
Between the rugged slopes of the Andes, which plunge towards the Pacific Ocean in the north of Chile, lie numerous fertile high valleys. There, one repeatedly comes across green oases that seem like a mirage in view of the inhospitable surroundings. They were created almost 500 years ago after the Spanish conquistadores found gold here. That was also when the first vines were planted. Since then, the vineyards have spread in all directions. Vines even grow on the edge of the Atacama Desert. On the edge of the Atacama Desert, the vineyards of the green high valleys of northern Chile stretch out under a crystal-clear sky. Despite the extreme climatic and geographical conditions, the first vines were planted in the dry soils almost half a millennium ago, when the Spanish conquistadors crossed the country in search of gold. The Chileans have made the most of this landscape. Battling extreme temperatures, dry desert winds and a merciless sun, the high altitude and myriad microclimates were only an added challenge. Some winemakers resort to unusual farming methods in the high valleys of the north, which differ greatly from those used by wineries in the south. High up in the Elqui Valley, Juan Luis Huerta makes a wine whose density of flavours perfectly expresses the character of the exceptional terroir. To achieve this, he planted vines in truly extreme locations, at an altitude of over 2,300 metres - as if to declare war on the mountains and the desert. He built his own irrigation system fed by mountain streams. Then he planted different varieties of vines. After a ten-year trial period, he knew which varieties coped best with the extreme conditions. Today, it is the highest vineyard in Chile. The Huasco Valley borders directly on the Atacama Desert. On the edge of the desert, three sisters decided to restart one of the country's first wineries and produce organic wine. The copper in the deeper layers of rock acts on the microorganisms in the soil and gives it antibacterial properties. This protects the vines from fungal attack. By growing wine here, they bring the desert to life. The wine from Chile's high valleys has a lot to tell and has meanwhile made Chile one of the most important wine countries internationally.
SWR Television, 8.15 p.m.
Seven candidates will stand for election as the seventy-second German Wine Queen in 2020. The candidates from the Ahr, the Hessian Bergstrasse, the Moselle, the Palatinate, Rheinhessen and Württemberg will be taking part. They will compete for the favour of the expert jury present in the hall both in individual performances and by participating in team tasks. The Mainz cabaret artist Lars Reichow and the Dresden pop band "medlz" will be responsible for the evening's entertainment programme, which will have to do without the usual presence of fan groups in the hall this time due to the Corona pandemic.
3sat, 4.15 p.m.
The Ufenau in Lake Zurich measures only eleven hectares, yet it is the largest island in Switzerland that is not connected to the mainland by a bridge. An idyllic gem. For almost two years, the "Gaststätte zu den zwei Raben" remained closed for renovation work. In April 2018, it opened in a new splendour. Rösli Lötscher has been running the business for eleven years. For many, she is the face of Ufenau, always friendly, always open for a quick chat. In her restaurant, she serves St. Martin's Featherwhite, a refreshing red wine made from grapes from the Ufenau, as well as her Fischknusperli, which enjoy an excellent reputation beyond the island throughout the region.
SWR Television, 3.00 p.m.
Das Erste (ARD), 8.15 p.m.
On her way home from a wine festival in the Kaiserstuhl region, radio presenter Beate Schmidbauer, a friend of crime boss Cornelia Harms, is beaten unconscious and raped by an unknown perpetrator. Although the man's DNA can be recovered, Franziska Tobler and Friedemann Berg find no match in the databases. Cornelia Harms is concerned about the case, but in view of the circumstantial evidence, she can only give her friend little hope that the perpetrator will be found.
3sat, 2.05 p.m.
The Moselle rises as a small mountain stream in the Vosges mountains, grows on its way to the Lorraine valley and meanders through some of the most beautiful landscapes in Central Europe.
3sat, 2.50 p.m.
In Luxembourg, the Moselle shows its delightful and exotic side: a visit to a vineyard is on the agenda - including a wine tasting. Favoured by the exceptionally mild climate, Moselle Rieslings are now considered by connoisseurs to be among the best wines in the world.
3sat, 3 .35 p.m.
The Moselle, which is less straightened than any other German river, meanders in loops through classic landscapes of longing. From Trier, the route leads to the former Art Nouveau mecca of Traben-Trarbach and from there to the best young vintners in their field. The end of the tour offers the typical romanticism of the Moselle castles: Eltz Castle is considered one of the most beautiful hilltop castles of the Middle Ages.
3sat, 4.15 p.m.
This series invites you on a cinematic voyage of discovery of the Saar, Neckar and Main rivers. Each film follows a river from its source to its mouth and traces its unique character. The canalisation of the Saar in the 19th and 20th centuries has changed the landscape, and some of the deepest locks in Germany can now be found in its lower reaches. This is also the home of winemaker Christian Ebert. Industrial use and ecological viticulture may seem like a contradiction in many places, but not so on the Saar. Even steep slope expert Ebert has nothing against the cargo ships chugging along in front of his vineyards, on the contrary: the development into a major shipping route ensures an evenly wide expanse of water. This moderates the temperatures in winter. Less susceptible to frost and with a more pleasant acidity of their wines, the canalisation of the Saar has been a blessing for the winegrowers here.
3sat, 5.00 p.m.
For centuries, the Neckar has captivated people as the national river of Baden-Württemberg. From its idyllic headwaters, it flows through places like Rottweil, Tübingen and Heidelberg. Even Mark Twain was enraptured. For him, Germany in summer was the "summit of beauty" anyway, but no one would have really perceived the supreme extent of this gentle and peaceful beauty who had not travelled down the Neckar on a raft. Victor Hugo, too, was enthralled by the romanticism of the city and its location on the Neckar during his visit to Heidelberg. Before it flows into Mannheim, everything is different, more modern, more industrial. Between the source at Schwenninger Moos and the mouth of the river, the film team meets fraternity girls in Tübingen with an official punting diploma as well as the oldest wine harvesting crew in Stuttgart, who are still clambering around on steep slopes in the middle of the pulsating capital of the Swabians at the age of well over 60.
arte, 5.20 pm
The world's vineyards combine the expertise of hard-working winemakers with the mysterious forces of nature. Whether located by water, sheltered by high mountains or on the edge of a desert, wineries illustrate the diversity of this special kind of agriculture. In the east of Argentina, at the foot of the highest Andean peak Aconcagua, where once there was only desert, vineyards now stretch to the horizon. The winegrowers of Mendoza have created a unique irrigation system there, for which they drew inspiration from ancient traditions. In the east of Argentina, at the foot of the highest Andean peak, Aconcagua, lies the largest artificial oasis on the American continent. Where once there was only desert, vineyards now stretch to the horizon. The winegrowers of Mendoza have created a unique irrigation system for which they drew inspiration from ancient traditions. The Huarpes, who settled in the region from the 5th century onwards, had already found methods to cultivate the dry soils. Even today, the so-called tomeros have the task of distributing the water from the 4,000-kilometre-long canal system to the individual plantations. Rodrigo works as a tomero in Lulunta, a suburb of Mendoza. Only he is allowed to open the sluices to irrigate the individual vineyards. Climate change poses dangers for the winegrowers because the Andean glaciers are getting smaller and smaller and less and less water is available from the melting snow. Young winemakers Ramiro and Alfredo have developed an inventive new system to turn the glacier water into wine!
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3sat, 5.45 pm
The Main is the only river in Europe that flows in all four directions. The film takes you down the Main from the source of the Weißmain and Rotmain rivers to where it flows into the Rhine. There are more small breweries on the banks of the Main than anywhere else in the world, castles and monasteries and people for whom the Main is a fixed point and home. Among them is an 80-year-old ferryman who ferries his few guests in a wooden barge for 50 cents. The film also introduces a real princess who took over the family business on the steepest vineyard on the Main after a hard stroke of fate.
arte, 5.20 p.m.
The vineyards of this world combine the expertise of hard-working winegrowers with the mysterious forces of nature. Whether situated by water, sheltered by high mountains or on the edge of a desert, wineries illustrate the diversity of this special kind of agriculture. North of Venice, in the first foothills of the Dolomites, lies the home of Prosecco. The sparkling white wine was first produced around 1870 and is the region's flagship. Primo Franco did pioneering work by being the first to offer a wine in America that no one there had known before. 80 kilometres north of Venice, between Conegliano and Valdobbiadene in the first foothills of the Dolomites, lies the home of Prosecco. The bubbly white wine, first produced around 1870, is the flagship of a region that has been proudly called "Marca Gioiosa" ("happy region") by its inhabitants for centuries. A name that perhaps also has to do with the wine-growing tradition. Venice was an important trading port at the time, shipping goods to Central Europe, Bordeaux and England. Venetian merchant families who had become wealthy from the wine trade built magnificent country villas in the hinterland and took up viticulture themselves. Primo Franco and his wife Anna-Lisa bought such a villa to cultivate the surrounding vineyards. Primo calls himself the "Marco Polo of Prosecco". In fact, he did pioneering work by being the first to cross the Atlantic in the 1980s and offer a wine in America that no one there knew until then.
3sat, 16.15
By steam we travel to the Crete Sienese, to the wine cellar of Italy, where Chianti and Montepulciano come from and such noble drops as Brunello di Montalcino. At the end of the journey, the special steam train takes its passengers to Rimini on the Adriatic coast. Lonely and deserted, the beaches lie in the magical light of a sunny October day.
arte, 5.20 p.m.
In the vineyards of this world, the expertise of hard-working winemakers combines with the mysterious forces of nature. Whether situated by water, sheltered by high mountains or on the edge of a desert, wineries illustrate the diversity of this special kind of agriculture. The wine-growing area on Lanzarote consists of hundreds of thousands of small craters in black sand, in each of which a vine grows. Wine lovers have the ingenuity of the island's inhabitants, whose climate is characterised by dryness and wind, to thank for this wonderful drop. The Spanish island of Lanzarote off the west coast of Africa was certainly not predestined for viticulture. Several volcanic eruptions in the 18th and 19th centuries buried fertile farmland under a layer of lava and ash. But the inhabitants of the dry, windswept island made a virtue of the supposed hardship and gave their homeland a new face, which is now known to wine lovers from all over the world. The wine-growing area on Lanzarote consists of hundreds of thousands of small craters in black sand, in each of which one vine grows. The only source of water here is the humidity in the air, which is created by evaporation over the sea and carried inland by the trade winds. The dew collects on the walls of the hollows with the vines and is absorbed by the volcanic ash. "Like a Phoenix rising from the ashes" - hardly any saying fits better to the wine production on Lanzarote. Thanks to the resourceful islanders, a wonderful drop with a note of wind, water, fire and black sand is produced there today.