The wein.plus TV programme in August 2023 for you: Our TV tips with all films and series, consumer programmes, documentaries, travel reports and reports on wine, winegrowers and viticulture.
arte, 5.05 p.m.
For Christian Müller-Schick, oak wood from the Palatinate Forest is the most important raw material. He is the only stave carver in Germany and uses it to make longitudinal timbers that are used to build barrels. One of the winegrowers who prefer to mature their wine in Palatinate oak is Frank John. He practices biodynamic viticulture and is one of the pioneers of near-natural farming in the Palatinate.
3sat, 5.15 p.m.
Preserving nature for future generations through sustainability is also what winemaker Caroline Frey has in mind. All nature lovers in the valley agree: the dreamlike Rhone Valley is worth protecting!
3sat, 2.00 p.m.
The film author Monika Birk discovers the Baden way of life in Freiburg and the surrounding area. For right on the doorstep lies the Kaiserstuhl with its idyllic winegrowing villages.
NDR Television, 6.15 p.m.
Luis Correia De Pinho imports wine from his home country Portugal. But his little wine bar is about more than wine, it's about the Portuguese soul, says Luis. And what expresses that better than fado? Katharina Brass learned this special kind of singing in her home town of Lisbon.
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ORF III, 9.05 p.m.
A summer in the Seewinkel region of Burgenland - the sun high in the sky, a light loamy breeze carrying the scent of Pannonia. Travelling eastwards from Lake Neusiedl, you enter a world all of its own, where despite all the modernisation, much still looks as it did in the old days. Farmers and winegrowers tend their fields and vines, guests are entertained. If you look closer, you can still recognise the old village structures in which people still live. Karin Schiller has documented life in the Seewinkel for this production and portrays the Austrian region of longing.
ARD-alpha, 9.45 p.m.
The climatic zones for viticulture are moving northwards, while winegrowers in southern Europe have to fear for their existence. Anne Engrav in Sweden, for example, is hoping for the first harvest. Climate change is still an advantage for most winegrowers. The hot summers of recent years have produced great vintages. Nevertheless, Spanish and German winegrowers also have to use ideas and passion to face the challenges of global warming. Researchers at Geisenheim University of Viticulture have long warned of negative consequences: Late frost in spring and heavy rain in summer.
3sat, 7.05 a.m.
This time "Erlebnisreisen" invites you on a foray by bike to tourist attractions around Lake Neusiedl, which is famous for good wines and cosy Heurige.
3sat, 11.45 a.m.
Galicia is more unspoilt than almost any other part of Spain. The region, which offers many culinary and literary treasures, is located in the north-western corner of the country. Lojze Wieser explores the rustic cuisine of Galicia and tastes the fine wines that have delighted the palates of many pilgrims on the Way of St. James since the year 1100. 80 types of seafood, vegetables and fruits, small livestock, pigs, cattle, cheese, wine and their own brandy - these are the ingredients for the dishes of the people who tell their story between the mountains and the sea.
hr television, 9.00 p.m.
In France, it has long been said that Bordeaux is a serious rival to Paris. Bordeaux produced the philosophers Michel de Montaigne and Montesquieu, its architecture is a prime example of classicism, and Bordeaux is the world capital of wine. A visit to the wine museum "Cité du Vin" is a must. The film author Christine Seemann turns her back on the coast and drives eastwards into the heart of the Bordelais to Saint Émilion. The gently hilly wine-growing region was the first to be put on UNESCO's World Heritage List. For Saint Émilion is a synthesis of the arts as it nestles into the landscape, full of enchanted corners and architectural treasures. And wine is the elixir of life around which everything revolves.
rbb television, 2.30 p.m.
At the vineyard of Schlieben, Annette Engel and her "mature" youth brigade have managed to revive the centuries-old tradition of wine-growing.
NDR Television, 4.45 p.m.
Sometimes everything seems like a dream to her: Juliane Eller from Alsheim is something like the shooting star among German female winemakers. At the age of only 23, she took over her parents' vineyard and, despite the financial risk, radically restructured the business. That was six years ago. She focuses on quality instead of mass. The winemaker's daughter works according to organic guidelines with manual harvesting. She has created her own wine line with her "Juwel" wines. But nothing works without the family. Juliane is glad that her parents Thomas and Ingrid are still involved. And grandmother Katharina takes care of the physical well-being at the winery. For her wine marketing, Juliane Eller used social media from the very beginning; after all, she belongs to the Instagram generation. She also wants to get younger people excited about German wine. The young winemaker from Rheinhessen succeeded in getting presenter Joko Winterscheidt interested. And he in turn convinced his friend, actor Matthias Schweighöfer, to join in. In the meantime, the three are successfully marketing their joint "3 Freunde" wine. But success has its price. Besides working in the vineyard, Juliane Eller is constantly on the road, sometimes too much. This leaves little time for a private life. That is why Juliane and her father Thomas are looking for competent reinforcement. They are looking for an employee for the outdoor area who fits in and shares their philosophy. It has to work out by summer at the latest. But that is easier said than done.
arte, 6.30 p.m.
Once a year it gets loud in Butuceni. The village lies in the east of Moldova, between rocks and vineyards. In this godforsaken area, the lawyer Anatolie Botnaru organises an open-air opera festival with international guests. Many Moldovans have left the country in search of a better life. Botnaru prefers to uncover the buried values of his homeland. Abandoned houses are converted into traditionally designed hostels, local food is prepared according to old recipes, wine is pressed in the village. This attracts tourists and has brought hope to the valley. Once, the narrow country, which today borders Romania in the west and is otherwise surrounded by Ukraine, was considered the "orchard of the Soviet Union". Moldova's fertile black soil is among the best in the world. Sergiu Turcanu, who has already lived in China and Turkey, knows that. Today, he grows herbs, peppers and chilli rarities from all over the world in the middle of the capital Chisinau. And Grigore, after years abroad, has discovered a future for himself in his parents' vineyard. And by focusing on old grape varieties, he has also found a niche in the Moldovan winegrowing industry, which relies on mass production.
Bavarian Television, 2.30 p.m.
Against all odds, the decision is made to rebuild Bergham Castle. Mayor Plattner is now on a vendetta: he threatens the Grubmüller family to sell the land for the golf course, makes sure Thomas doesn't get an extension on his loan, and even doesn't stop at Andrea, who has to close her pharmacy. Despite all the turbulence, Claudia and Thomas find their way back to each other.
hr television, 2.45 p.m.
In France it has long been said that Bordeaux is a serious rival to Paris. Bordeaux produced the philosophers Michel de Montaigne and Montesquieu, its architecture is a prime example of classicism, and Bordeaux is the world capital of wine. A visit to the wine museum "Cité du Vin" is a must. The film author Christine Seemann turns her back on the coast and drives eastwards into the heart of the Bordelais to Saint Émilion. The gently hilly wine-growing region was the first to be put on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Because Saint Émilion is a total work of art. And wine is the elixir of life around which everything revolves.
SWR Television, 4.00 p.m.
Slowed down on his e-bike, Arndt Reisenbichler discovers different sides of the Rhine, literally: sometimes to the left, sometimes to the right, the cycle path runs from Mainz to Koblenz, at Bingen it changes sides of the river. Sometimes it dips down, sometimes it goes up, past great vineyards, on towpaths, through floodplain forests, pretty villages and past many castles. A great tour through the World Heritage Site of the Middle Rhine Valley.
ZDFinfo, 6.00 p.m.
For many centuries, wine was an indispensable part of a refined table. At Eberbach Monastery in the Rheingau, Christian Rach learns what it meant to pick the grapes by hand and press them in wooden presses. An effort that was gladly accepted. In the past, the consumption of wine and beer was higher than today due to the often poor quality of the water.
SWR Television, 6.45 p.m.
Castles tower over picturesque wine villages and in the valley the Moselle meanders through one of the most beautiful river valleys in Germany. Whether hiking or cycling, nature or culture - there is so much to discover between Trier and Koblenz. Take a motorhome to the majestic Eltz Castle, romantic wine villages with huge vaulted cellars or an amusement park on the water. Then on a detour into the hinterland to noble stones and the ancient Celts. There are plenty of beautiful camping sites to discover along the Moselle.
ZDF, 7.30 p.m.
Around 30 billion litres of wine are produced worldwide, with a turnover of around 350 billion euros. Although present in every supermarket, the origin and history of wine are little known. Wine accompanied the emergence of the first advanced civilisations. In Ancient Egypt, it was reserved for the elite and part of religious cults. The god of wine is Osiris. His fate is cruel. His brother Seth dismembers him. But his wife Isis, who is also his sister, brings him back to life and begets a son with him. In terms of cultural history, it is interesting to note that the motif of resurrection is found in the Greek god Dionysus and also in Jesus Christ. And both have a symbolic connection to wine.
The programme is available in the ZDFmediathek from 10.00 a.m. onwards.
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3sat, 2.00 p.m.
On a trip to South Africa you can't miss Cape Town - for many it is the most beautiful city in the world and also the starting point of this journey. The breathtaking landscape, the mix of cultures and the relaxed lifestyle create the special atmosphere of the city on Table Mountain. In the east of Cape Town, world-famous wines grow against a breathtaking backdrop. A visit to the winegrowers and their farms is worthwhile.
arte, 16.00 h Online available from 07/08 to 05/11
Spain's Mediterranean coast between Cadaqués and Torrevieja is surprisingly diverse. The hinterland of the east coast also has a lot to offer. Wine has thrived on the steep slopes of the Priorat for centuries. The winemaker Sara Pérez lets it mature in amphorae.
Bavarian Television, 10.45 p.m.
What was once a stately noble residence is now a wedding backdrop or a regional museum - the magnificent buildings from Styria to Slovenia have retained their splendour. From the cradle of Styria to the wine-growing regions around the northern Slovenian city of Maribor, this cinematic journey traces life in magnificent spiritual centres and inconspicuous country castles.
SWR Television, 4.05 a.m.
This programme is aimed at viewers who are planning to spend their next holiday in their own country. The southwest of Germany offers many opportunities to relax from everyday life and to experience something. 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.
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 us from Drachenfels to Mannberg: the members of the Belz family have been growing their wine as organic winegrowers on the steep slopes of Mannberg near Unkel on the Rhine since the 1990s. The small town also serves as a starting point for hiking tours and is also home to the Willy Brandt Forum. There, interested visitors can see an exhibition about the former German Chancellor, who lived in Unkel in the last years of his life. Other stops on the journey through the Siebengebirge are the wine-growing town of Bad Honnef-Rhöndorf, the residence of former Chancellor Konrad Adenauer and a picturesque attraction for day-trippers, and the Drachenfels.
ARD-alpha, 8.15 p.m.
Oregon was the dream of American pioneers in the 19th century, the fertile, green paradise at the end of the 2,000-mile "Oregon Trail". Among others, German winegrowers in Missouri will be presented.
hr television, 10.35 a.m.
Tuscany's famous tourist centres, visited by holidaymakers from all over the world, tend to be in its north: Florence, Pisa, the beaches of Forte dei Marmi and the wine-growing regions of Chianti. The south of Tuscany has remained something of an insider tip. Here, many things are still authentic and wild, the people are stubborn.
WDR Television, 6.15 p.m.
Off to Turin! Embraced by the majestic peaks of the Alps, the metropolis in northwestern Italy inspires enthusiasm at first sight. Top chef Björn Freitag and travel expert Tamina Kallert discover the best specialities here - and quickly realise: nothing could be easier! Because they land right in the epicentre of Italian food culture! From Turin they travel to southern Piedmont, the heart of the worldwide Slow Food movement. The gentle hilly landscape of the Langhe has a special charm. It is the region of great wines like Barolo, the best truffles from Alba and even the hazelnuts, the "Tonda Gentile", are famous worldwide. So there is a lot to taste, cook and admire for the two pleasure travellers Björn and Tamina. And what could be better than ending the day with a Piedmontese menu after a hike along the vineyards and hazelnut groves?
SWR Television, 8.15 p.m.
What can you experience in Strasbourg if you don't have much time? SWR presenter Anna Lena Dörr has tips for a great weekend with a few surprises. An old bath, a new planetarium and a water tower full of African ghosts are on her way. She descends into a cellar with the oldest cask wine in the world and up the tower of the world-famous cathedral.
WORLD, 9.05 p.m.
The Coastal Pacific travels through New Zealand's picturesque landscape on a rebuilt line that was once completely destroyed by an earthquake. The tour starts in Christchurch, the largest city of the South Island, and leads through the green Canterbury Plain. It then continues along the coast, between steep slopes and the Pacific Ocean, to Kaikoura. From here, the train travels to Blenheim in the country's famous wine-growing region. A diverse journey through the idyllic countryside of New Zealand.
tagesschau24, 9.00 p.m.
"It's time for a "vine revolution", says winemaker Eva Vollmer pugnaciously, building on "wines of the future" from resistant, resource-conserving grape varieties. Climate change is changing viticulture: with ever earlier harvests, high-altitude sites instead of basin sites, vines from southern regions such as Merlot and Syrah instead of Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir, which can now no longer be grown in the hot sites of the Kaiserstuhl. "Our traditional wine, Pinot Noir, is burning up in the southern sites," says organic winemaker Matthias Höfflin from Bötzingen in the Kaiserstuhl, Germany's warmest wine-growing region. That's why he now has to grow his basic wines in the higher altitudes; in his "hot Kessellagen" he plants grape varieties from southern regions: Merlot and Syrah. Heat stress, drought, torrential rains and pests are presenting many wineries with ever greater problems. At the same time, viticulture produces greenhouse gases and consumes many resources.
3sat, 3 .45 p.m.
The film follows the Tagliamento, Europe's last untamed river, along its 172 kilometres from the mountains of Veneto through Carnia to its mouth in the Adriatic Sea. Following the "King of the Alpine Rivers" is a journey of contrasts. It rises at the "Passo della Mauria", flows through Carnia, takes in the Fella from the Canal Valley and flows out of the mountains into the plains of Friuli at Gemona. Further downstream, winemaker Emilio Bulfon has found the best conditions for cultivating old, autochthonous grape varieties on the hills and terraces along the river.
hr television, 4.45 p.m.
If you don't go to the Rheingau when the weather is nice, you're missing out. Wine regions are always good for body and soul, and the people there are particularly friendly. Nina Thomas lets a local guide take her to the best places and enjoy wine, hearty delicacies and wonderful cakes - all with the most beautiful views of vineyards and the Rhine.
Bavarian Television, 2.30 p.m.
Thomas is in a dilemma: he could get rid of his debts by selling the inn, but he can't bring himself to do it. Georg Plattner comes under pressure from the local council for going it alone. The family is busy with wedding preparations, because mother Hermine wants to get married. Last but not least, Thomas receives a tempting offer: he is to take over the management of a company in Bulgaria.
rbb television, 10.10 p.m.
Life in the idyllic wine-growing region was imagined to be more peaceful by Detective Mike Shepherd. In his second case, he and his colleague Sims must solve the death of influential wine critic Paul Winterson.
3sat, 6.15 a.m.
From Avignon it is only a Katzensprung to the famous wine-growing region of Châteauneuf-du-Pape in the southern Rhône valley. The village of Les Baux de Provence is dominated by a mighty castle ruin and is considered the most beautiful village in France. At 2,000 metres above sea level lies the popular ski resort of Isola in the French Maritime Alps - that too is Provence.
ZDFinfo, 12.45 p.m.
Sebastian Lege uncovers the secrets behind hearty meals, full-bodied and crunchy snacks. Some clever industrial tricks even protect the environment. When vegetables are shot with laser beams and vanilla flavouring is produced from wood waste, it sounds scary. But when manufacturers do without glutamate, we are happy. Where is mistrust really justified, and where can we still eat without hesitation?
SWR Television, 9.00 p.m.
Transforming a vineyard near Bühl into a self-sufficient paradise is the vision of Frank Fröhlich. The winemaker's son did not want to continue conventional vine cultivation for ecological reasons and wants to revive the depleted soil with permaculture. A natural garden is to be created that offers food and retreat space for people and animals. In order to devote all his energy to the 6,000 square metre site, the hobby gardener has given up his job as a school social worker.
ZDF, 4.10 p.m.
Wine merchant Maximilian Kreuzeder is found beaten to death in his wine cellar. But it is not only the dead man who poses a mystery, but also a missing bottle of wine from 1876, which is allegedly worth several 10,000 euros. A theft in which Kreuzeder got in the way of the perpetrator? A first suspicion falls on the competitor Paul Wetterstein, who also runs a wine trade and from whom Kreuzeder has snatched away more and more customers. But suspicion also falls on Ferdl Kreuzeder, the nephew of the dead man, who lives up to his reputation as a bon vivant. Did he not want to wait until the inheritance fell into his lap and helped out? There is a lot to be said for it, because apparently he has already spoken to a construction company about his intentions to sell his uncle's estate. For Valerie Dobler's construction company, this is a lucrative business, but is that why she killed Kreuzeder, who would never have agreed to this plan? Finally, the missing wine bottle is found in Paul Wetterstein's wine cellar, of all places.
arte, 19.40 Online available from 08.09.23 to 14.08.24
In France, a lot is already known about agroforestry thanks to the work of agronomist Christian Dupraz. On his experimental field, the farmer is now reaping better harvests than on the comparative fields without trees. In Languedoc, France's largest wine-growing region, a winegrower is now also planting trees between the vines so that the grapes do not ripen as early as August. In Germany, too, more and more farmers are recognising the advantages - even though for some it almost feels like a step backwards to plant hedges in the fields as they used to. After all, they had been cleared in order to be able to work more effectively with the large agricultural machines. A group of Swabian farmers travels to France for a site visit. Together with their landlord, they want to plan the conversion of their fields into resilient agroforestry systems. How can the long-neglected old orchards be included? With the new knowledge in their luggage, they set out to combine the advantages of the trees with the requirements of modern agriculture in order to be better equipped at least against the dramatic consequences of climate change - heat, drought, crop failures. And quite incidentally, agriculture and nature conservation are reconciled.
ZDF, 1.10 a.m. (in the night from Wednesday to Thursday)
Drought in Europe is not just a catchword, but scientifically proven: Not only Southern Europe is threatened, even Germany and France are already experiencing extreme drought. Forest fires are increasing dramatically, fields are turning into dust deserts. Meteorologists speak of an underestimated danger and point to the state of European groundwater reservoirs - there is a water shortage all over Europe. German, French, Spanish and Romanian experts explain their research results in the documentary. Examples show the causes - for example, the spruce monocultures in German forests or the "Mar del Plástico", the plastic sea of greenhouses, which extends over 350 square kilometres in Spain. This is where the fruit and vegetables for our supermarkets are cultivated.
ZDF, 1.55 a.m. (in the night from Wednesday to Thursday)
Cracked soils, low levels in rivers and lakes, dwindling groundwater - and not only in summer. Science journalist Kai Kupferschmidt asks: Are we running out of water? Germany is a country rich in water. Nevertheless, water scarcity is becoming increasingly noticeable here as well. Soil moisture is once again reaching alarming levels in some regions.
hr television, 9.45 p.m.
Even if many winegrowers are happy about great vintages, climate change with its weather extremes such as heat, drought, heavy rain and increased risk of late frost poses new challenges for viticulture. Plant stress and the increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere also demand new approaches from winegrowers: different grape varieties, different cultivation, different timing.
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arte, 3.10 a.m. (in the night from Thursday to Friday) Available online from 10.08.2023 to 16.10.2023
Burgundy, with its chalky soils where grape varieties thrive, is home to the best wines in the world. The beautiful landscapes of southern France Along the Garonne river stretches the beautiful hinterland of Bordeaux with its hills and valleys used for growing grapes. When Régine Deforges discovers this region with its generous landscapes, countless vineyards and stony paths, she is immediately hooked. Her novel "The Blue Bicycle" is the first volume of a successful series of novels and a declaration of love for the region.
hr television, 8.15 p.m.
At the southernmost tip of Europe lies one of Spain's most fascinating provinces: Andalusia. Sights such as the Plaza de España in Seville and the Alhambra fortress in Granada as well as sherry and Spanish raw ham make the region so popular with visitors.
arte, 11.15 a.m.
In Keszthely, very close to Lake Balaton, the train journey begins on the northern railway line along Lake Balaton. It passes through the wine region of Badacsony and stops at the Balaton Riviera in Balatonfüred. This is where Budapest's haute volée used to take a cure in the 19th century.
Bavarian Television, 2.30 p.m.
Thomas Stickler left his Burgenland hometown Rust at an early age and made a career abroad. For years he has been working as a production director in a Frankfurt high-tech company. When it is decided at a meeting to outsource the company's production facilities to Hungary, he clashes with the management and throws everything out. Thomas comes home earlier than usual that day: he promptly catches his wife Johanna in flagrante delicto with his friend and colleague Thorsten Schmidt. Thomas has had enough: he sees the need to rethink his life and his future and returns to his birthplace Rust and to his parents' house, the Stickler inn. The joy of reuniting with his parents Edi and Hermine, his sister Andrea and her husband Georg as well as with Claudia, his former lover, is abruptly shattered by the sudden death of his father. Edi is laid to rest in the presence of the whole village and Thomas' family.
arte, 9.50 a.m.
Spain's Mediterranean coast between Cadaqués and Torrevieja is surprisingly diverse. In the north, the Costa Brava, the "wild coast", fascinates with bizarre rock formations and secluded bays. The hinterland also has a lot to offer: Wine has thrived on the steep slopes of the Priorat for centuries.
arte, 10.45 a.m.
Not far from the salt flats, the fertile plains of the Rioja region stretch out around the river Ebro. This is also where the wine of the same name comes from, which is one of the most important in Europe.
arte, 7.15 a.m.
France, the land of wine: hills full of vines characterise the landscape in many regions, and the product is just as diverse. But often the cultivation methods have exhausted the vineyards, time and again clearing has to be done even in traditional growing areas. Some winegrowers are therefore taking new paths, they want to turn their production around to counter the decline of wine culture - with unusual ideas, with a sense of tradition and above all in harmony with nature.
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Bavarian Television, 2.30 p.m.
Thomas Stickler left his Burgenland hometown Rust at an early age and made a career abroad. For years he has been working as a production director in a Frankfurt high-tech company. When it is decided at a meeting to outsource the company's production facilities to Hungary, he clashes with the management and quits his job. Thomas comes home earlier than usual that day: he promptly catches his wife Johanna in flagrante delicto with his friend and colleague Thorsten Schmidt. Thomas has had enough: he sees the need to rethink his life and his future and returns to his birthplace Rust and to his parents' house, the Stickler inn. The joy of reuniting with his parents Edi and Hermine, his sister Andrea and her husband Georg as well as with Claudia, his former lover, is abruptly shattered by the sudden death of his father. Edi is laid to rest in the presence of the whole village and Thomas' family.
arte, 6.30 a.m.
France, the land of wine: hills full of vines characterise the landscape in many regions, and the product is just as diverse. But often the cultivation methods have exhausted the vineyards, time and again clearing has to be done even in traditional growing areas. Some winegrowers are therefore taking new paths, they want to turn their production around to counter the decline of wine culture - with unusual ideas, with a sense of tradition and above all in harmony with nature.