It seems that everyone has an opinion about Riesling. They love it, they hate it, they drink sweet Riesling only, they hate the sweetness, they only sip dry Riesling, they think there’s only one style (sweet), they only open it when grandma comes around, etc. etc. I’ve been trying to understand why Riesling, one of the most iconic varieties of all time, sets off a firestorm of opinions, but I can’t! I do know, however, that at many of my favorite restaurants (running the gamut from local spots to high end dining meccas) only a few Rieslings are offered on the wine list… if any.
Fortunately, I’ve tasted a fair amount of Rieslings from around the world thanks to my attendance at trade events, opportunities to receive samples and occasions when I meet winemakers who are proud to share their wines. I’m continually impressed at how this one variety, produced in so many styles, is able to express its specific terroir. Although I have many friends who already appreciate Riesling, it’s time to share my love for this magnificent variety with those who haven’t.
This fruity, aromatic white wine is cultivated predominantly in the Mosel, Nahe, Rheingau and Pfalz areas of Germany, the Wachau in Austria, Alsace in France, the Clare and Eden Valleys in Australia, and the Finger Lakes region of New York where both dry and sweet examples are produced. And don’t forget California or Israel! High quality is found around the world… if you know where to look.
One of the many alluring characteristics of Riesling is that it can be found in styles ranging from dry to sweet, thanks to its ability to ripen late and grow in a variety of climates. A lovely Riesling may exude flavors of lime, green apple, orange, jasmine, and petrol. This variety doesn’t benefit from malolactic fermentation or oak ageing and can be kept up to ten years. Curious as to food pairings? Complement a sweet Riesling with any Asian food such as spicy Thai or sushi, Southwestern fare (tacos!), or your favorite pulled pork sandwich. A bone-dry style will complement chicken piccata, halibut stew, or fresh seafood. For more detailed information about Riesling, click here.
Are you ready to rediscover Riesling? Two affordable, quality wines from St. Urbans-Hof and Nik Weis were sent to me as samples and I was duly impressed. If you’ve already heard of Nik Weis, it’s because he’s best known as winemaker and third generation owner of St. Urbans-Hof, a premier estate in Germany’s Mosel Valley. Nicolaus Weis, Nik’s grandfather, founded the estate in 1947 and was awarded the prestigious title “oekonomierat”, Chancellor of Agriculture, in 1969 for his passion and dedication towards German viticulture tradition. The family has continued his efforts and developed the winery through purchases of prime vineyard sites in the Mosel and Saar Valleys.
Nik Weis joined the winery in 1997 at which time he and his father engaged in a restructuring process by selling vineyards of lesser quality and purchasing those that are considered prime. Now, Nik Weis has been elected to the VDP (Verband deutscher Prädikatsweingüter), a classification for dry and sweet Rieslings as well as other official varieties, and has been responsible for wines from the Estate receiving international accolades and scores. Since the 2011 vintage, Nik has crafted high quality Estate Riesling using two vineyard parcels that are 60 years old (at least) in order to offer wines with “more complexity and character.” Further, he’s a member of Fair’N’Green, a “modern alternative to existing sustainability, environmental and eco audits.” For more about Fair’N’Green, please click here.
“For me, it is self-evident that great wines can only be produced and the viticulture related cultural landscape can only be preserved for future generations if work is done with nature and its environment and not against it. So far, this corporate philosophy has not been communicated externally with an audit label or the membership in an association. With Fair’N’Green, this is now happening and, in my opinion, according to the best and holistic manner, Fair’N’Green does not only commit to the protection of the environment and the sustainable management, but also includes fair, social, societal and cultural interactions. This means taking sustainability one step further ahead.” Nik Weis
Are you ready to open bottles of Riesling from St. Urbans-Hof and Nik Weis and rediscover Riesling? Enjoy each sip!
If the affordable price isn’t enticing enough, the elements of St. Urbans-Hof Estate Riesling from Old Vines 2018 ($18) will exceed your expectations. Like all of their estate wines, natural ambient yeast is used for fermentation. Yet, the quality, complexity and elegance in this wine were obvious with each sip. Intense aromas of petrol, white flesh of ripe peaches, granite, damp stone, pears, lime zest, banana pudding with vanilla wafers, and orange peel were a brilliant entry to what was to come. Bright acidity and snappy minerality framed pure and fresh flavors of ripe golden apples, sweet and succulent pears and dried apricots. The lengthy finish was a joy and paired just as well with a spicy enchilada one evening as it did with sushi the next day.
Cheers! ~ Cindy
