More Riesling Dry

German wine laws change more often than a model at a fashion show.

If you are a lover of the greatest German dry Rieslings you must learn the words Erstes Gewachs. Roughly translated to First Growth, wine with these words on the label, must be from the best vineyard sites and produced in the highest standards and be dry. They are not cheap, but when compared to what you would pay for First Growth French wine, these are a steal.

At $44.99 a bottle the 2006 Schloss Reinhartshausen Erbach Schlossberg monopole, (they have a monopoly on this vineyard, sorta like owning Park Place and Boardwalk)Riesling Erstes Gewachs. Another mouthful of words the are overridden by the mouthful of flavors you get when you drink the wine. This is too good for summer quaffing. Personally, I would wait for the fall to show this wine at its best, root veggies, roast of pork or chicken or even some game. This is super special occasion wine. I get very little of them, and I am very susceptable to drinking them. Not many left. And yes, you can blame me.

My ship has come in from Germany

I love Riesling, bone dry to super sweet and everywhere in between I love Riesling. It surprises many people to see the word dry with Riesling. Good. More for me and it keeps the prices down. A couple of months ago a rep brought in some German wines for me to taste and offer an opinion on. 3 stunk, 3 were very good and one was spectacular.

The spectacular one was a dry Riesling! The St. Nikolaus Hospital Bernkastler Badstube Rieslilng Hochgewachs Trocken for $19.99 a bottle is personal perfection . Sorry about the long name but if you ask for the St. Nick wine, I will get it for you. The flavor of this wine is wonderful with pork dishes, fresh water fish, salmon and trout especially and just watching the sunset. The intensity of the aroma, the crispness of the wine and the lovely color make me very happy.

Happy is good.

Bonus note.

Just drank another bottle with my bridge partners. It was freakin awesome. Subtle flavors of melon and pineapple with a zip of spritz in the wine. Even the bridge guys were oohing and ahhhing.

Dry Riesling and more

Months ago a rep came in and tasted me on a bunch of German wines with mixed results. That's being kind. The wines were all average with the exception of one of the best DRY German Rieslings ever. I am embarrased to say I don't have the wine's name here, but will edit this tomorrow. It is $19.99 a bottle, dry, and delicious. It is a classic, you cound not mistake it for anything but a great dry Riesling. I am bumming a bit because my bride just made a yummy slowed roasted chicken that would be awesome with the Riesling.

I couple of blogs ago, I mentioned the Paul Cluver Pinot Noir. The 25 cases arrived today. I have had the wine again, and my words do not do it justice. I have learned that its flavors and aromas expand exponentially with time. I suggest a 3 yes three hour breathing time as a minimum to allow the flavors to properly expand. Pour it in a decanter if you have one, make sure the decanter is clean. This wine will improve in your cellar for 5-10 years, although it is wicked awesome now. If you are an early planner, there will be no better wine with your Thanksgiving turkey this year or your holiday roast of beef. I tell you this now because people who know wine will buy this by the case. I am already trying to get more more more more.