Blue Nun is a German bestseller and legend (perhaps not for the best reasons), a riesling sold in a blue bottle with low alcohol content and high residual sweetness. 29 grams of sugar per litre and 8.5% alcohol.
1.1 billion bottles have been sold since it was launched in 1921.
Franz Wilhelm Langguth Erben makes the wine, and if everything goes as planned, Grands Chais de France (GCF) will take over the company.
This is one of France’s largest wine companies, and among other brands, it has the well-known JP Chenet (who turns 60 this year) in its portfolio. In addition to several bestsellers in the lower price ranges, Grands Chais de France owns Château Bastor Lamontagne in Sauternes and Château de Fesles in the Loire Valley.
The owner of GCF, Joseph Helfrich, is one of very few people who has built up a great fortune in the wine industry (read the article on BKWine Magazine).
Sales figures for Blue Nun have dropped in recent years, and we are curious to see if the French intend to keep the bottle and style of the wine or possibly update the brand to a slightly more modern style.
Maybe a drier version with the same low alcohol content would better suit the modern palate?
