This week's tasting is of a perpetually underrated and underconsumed style of wine. Most people associate Germany with the world famous sweet style of Riesling. These wines, with their great, fragrant noses and oily, sweet palate, are justifiably popular, but it is their more austere, dry incarnations which evoke a particularly Germanic spirit. They are wonderful with a wide range of different food dishes such as mild Thai curry and Asian seafood and are stimulating enough to be drunk on their own. Enjoy.
Country of Origin:Germany
Viticultural Region: Mosel-Saar-Ruwer
Classification: N/A
Varietals: Riesling (100%)
Price Range: £15-£20
Appearance: A pronounced golden colour with a fine stream of bubbles upon pouring the first glass greets the first glass. This slight effervescence does not last long but gives it a nice lively character straight out of the bottle.
Nose: Beautiful floral aromas of rose petal and acacia alongside honey, juicy pear and fresh citrus. The rubbery aroma typical in German riesling is far from powerful and the nose on this wine is absolutely lovely... Perhaps this wine has written a cheque with the nose, which the palate can't cash....
Palate: ...and the cheque bounces! This wine set itself up for a tremendous profile with a beautiful colour and a floral bouquet, but the palate fails to come through. A thin showing on the tongue, this wine is nevertheless refreshing and spritely. A bit more acidity would make it more food friendly and dynamic but after the expectations and hype built up by the nose, this comes as a bit of a disappointment.
Balance: It is well enough balanced for what it is. I feel like this wine may suffer from vintage. 2006 was a showy one and in a lesser vintage this wine might stand out a bit more. For a more dynamic and satisfying dry riesling, I may have to look elsewhere; such as just over the border to Alsace. Next week perhaps?
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