A Trio of Rieslings from Alsace, Austria, and Germany

Hello Friends,

I recently had an opportunity to participate in a fun-filled virtual #winechat event that was hosted by the good folks at Wines of Alsace, Austria Wine USA, and the Wines of Germany. #Winechat, which is also the hash-tag to follow, is an open wine conversation that happens every Wednesday night at 9PM EST on Twitter. All three regions, Alsace, Austria, and Germany, are well-suited to Riesling and have the potential to produce long-lived examples that beautifully express site specific characteristics from which they are grown. Stylistically, Riesling has a wide range of flavors and spans the sweetness scale from bone dry, to off-dry, to liquid dessert. One of the most important things you want to look for when swirling, sniffing, and sipping a glass is balance. A Riesling with some residual sugar can come off as more fruity than sweet if the wine is bright enough. Riesling’s naturally high acidity, which balances the sugars, makes it a wonderful food wine choice year round. Depending on the wine’s level of sweetness, Asian cuisine, seafood, and poultry dishes, just to name a few, all pair well. While all three of these wines are wildly different, all three are pretty delicious. I recommend adding any or all to your tasting list. For further information and where you can find these wines, please see my tasting notes below.

Paul Blanck Grand Cru Schlossberg 2010 Riesling

Review: Paul Blanck Grand Cru Schlossberg 2010 Riesling (SRP $34): This gorgeous wine opens with luscious tropical fruit, citrus blossom, a hint of brine, and honeysuckle flavors that are anchored by a firm acid spine. It combines muscle with elegance and has good length on the finish. It is quite delicious now but has the potential to develop in the bottle for years. Region: Alsace, France. (Other info: ABV 13%, matured on lees in large oak barrels for 12 months, bottle aged 2-3 years before release, natural cork enclosure.) 91 Points. Click here to find this wine.

Brandl Heiligenstein Erste Lage Reserve 2011 Riesling

Review: Brandl Heiligenstein Erste Lage Reserve 2011 Riesling (SRP $34): This Riesling is intensely mineral-driven and bone dry, offering fresh green apple and bright citrus flavors intertwined with wet stone, flinty chalk accents, and lime skin. The wine has lovely texture and weight enlivened by racy acidity that carries through to the long, crisp finish. Overall, this is an appealing and delicious example that is drinking nicely right now. It is also a good cellar candidate that will likely reward its patient owner. Region: Kamptal, Austria. (Other info: ABV 14%, screw cap enclosure.)  91 Points. Click here to find this wine.

Schloss Schönborn Erbacher Macrobrunn 2011 Riesling Kabinett

Review: Schloss Schönborn Erbacher Macrobrunn 2011 Riesling Kabinett ($20): This Riesling exhibits inviting aromas and flavors of ripe apple and apricot preserve alongside soft tropical notes with a delicate drizzle of honey. A kiss of sweetness is balanced by a lively acid lift, which extends to the fruit-driven, honeyed finish. Overall, this is a delicious Riesling that offers good depth, plenty of freshness, and a vibrant personality that shines throughout. Region: Rheingau, Germany. (Other info: ABV 9.5%, natural cork enclosure.) 89 Points. Click here to find this wine.

Riesling's versatility makes it easy to pair with just about anything – even French fries drizzled with Sriracha and curry sauce.

Have a question about this post? Feel free to drop me an e-mail at myvinespot@yahoo.com or hit me up on Facebook or Twitter. Stay tuned ...more to come. Happy Sipping, my friends! Disclosure: These wines were provided for review. Thoughts are my own.

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