The 3rd Wine Tasting (2012-01-13) - Germany - Riesling (White)

German wine has a long history. The Romans established vineyards around Trier on the Mosel River. Riesling is the greatest variety in Germany, and it is originated in the Rhine region. The earliest documentation we can find is in Rheingau in 1435, and then in Mosel lately. This tasting is an introduction of German Riesling. Wines that we selected were from Pfalz, Rheinhessen, and Mosel.

Sub-region of German wines (online resource: Google Images)

Riesling wines can be dry, semi-sweet, or sweet.  Riesling wines are usually consumed when they are young. They are full of fruity aromas of citrus, apple, green apple, peach, and sometimes rose, honey and grass. Light Lemon transparency is one of its signature.

一般人常對Riesling的誤解是Riesling是甜葡萄酒，事實上酒甜不甜主要是看釀酒師決定怎麼表現這葡萄酒。Riesling的酸度其實很高，但是跟甜度取得很好的平衡，這大概也是為什麼Riesling這麼受歡迎的原因。Riesling常有的香味有橙、蘋果、青蘋果、水蜜桃，有時候也帶有蜂蜜、玫瑰和青草的味道。大部分的Riesling都是年輕的時候喝，顏色為淡檸檬色。

German Wine Classification:
Kabinett: reserve quality.
Spätlese: late harvest. Grapes are harvested 7 days after normal harvest. Hand selected from ripe grapes.
Auslese: select harvest. Hand selected from very ripe grapes, and sometimes come with some "noble rot".
Beerenaulese: select berry harvest. Grapes are picked individually from bunches affected by noble rot.
Eiswein: ice wine. Grapes are frozen on the vine, and not affected by noble rot.

1. (NV) Loosen Bros. Riesling Dr. L Sparkling (Mosel)

2. 2009 Karl Lingenfelder: Scheurebe Musikantenbuckel Kabinett (Pfalz)

3. 2009 Dr. Hans Von Muller Riesling Spätlese (Mosel)

4. 2009 Georg Albrecht Schneider Niersteiner Hipping Riesling Spätlese (Rheinhessen)

5. 2009 Reichsgraf von Kesselstatt Piesporter Goldtröpfchen Riesling (Mosel)

6. 2009 Joh. Jos. Prüm Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Spätlese (Mosel)

Note:
I. Dr. L Sparkling was really smooth, bubbles are very fine and melted in mouth. It is a dry wine.

II. Aromas of mango was detected from Niersteiner Hipping Riesling Spätlese. That was unexpected; normally I don't expect aromas of a tropical fruit can be detected from a high latitude wine. Overall, it's very balanced.