Mosel Mastery
David Schildknecht celebrates the life of a visionary winemaker whose work at the family estate and beyond helped reshape the image of fine German wine
A tribute to Wilhelm Haag, who left us late last December, is bound to begin as did one’s personal acquaintance with his vice grip of a handshake. Even those who had been warned and that trademark greeting, like its instigator, acquired legendary status within Haag’s lifetime were sure to be taken aback. Time seemed to confirm Einstein’s predictions under the force of that huge, powerful right hand, worn hard by viticultural labor punctuated by the almost equally strenuous recreational pursuit of rowing. (Haag met the love of his life, Ilse, at a regatta). Withdrawal or resistance was futile. There was nothing to do but squeeze back with all of one’s might. How to interpret this signature gesture: as greeting or intimidation, some sort of challenge or a glimpse into the personality you were about to experience