Just returned from a global wine tasting and I have had my epiphany with Riesling wines. Have had a few in the past, however tonight was IT.

WOW, where have these gems been hiding? Under my nose I guess. That very same nose that turned up a bit at whites. Whites were so - so, okay...it's summer and something light will do...so here we go...have a sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio.

But for some reason, tonight I GOT IT! Below is a list of German rieslings tasted, nothing real earthshattering in stature but a turning point for me.

2001 Eitelsbacher Karth Auserhofberg Riesling, Kabinett Karthauserhof

2002 Mosel-Saar-Ruwer Estate Riesling, Monchof

2001 Bretzenheimer Hofgut Scheurebe Kabinett, Dr. Ganz

2001 Winkeler Hasensprung Riesling Kabinett, Prinz Von Hessen

2001Niersteiner Hipping Riesling Auslese, H. Seebrich

2001 Oppenheimer Herrenberg Riesling Kabinett, Dr. Heyden

Will post notes on wines tasted in a day or two after I can compile them. For now, just happy with my "new found" favorites!

After pouring over the catalogue last night set up my tasting tonight in this order: The German Rieslings first, followed by a couple of Beaujolais, couple of Rhones, 3-4 California Cabs, 2-3 California Zins, a few Bordeaux and finally the sweets of which I tried two. D'Arenberg Nostalgia Mclaren Vale Rare Old Tawny Port and a 2000 Quinta Do Noval Silval Vintage Port. YUM!

Kinda numb palate by evenings end, but...

ks

K- Congrats on the epiphany. I personally prefer reisling a little dryer (less residual suagr) than the Germans usually do them.

Next step for you- try some Alsatian producers. there are real gems out there for $15-$30.

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Yes, but I came here for an argument.

Oh! Oh! I'm sorry, this is abuse.

K-Syrah,

Aussie Rieslings are in the dryer mould, closer to Alsation than German, but if you like D'Arenberg the Dry Dam Riesling is normally a very good "middle of the road" OzRiesling

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The ultimate result of shielding men from the effects of folly is to fill the world with fools. -Herbert Spencer

Not that Germans are bad QPR's, but Seebrich is an especially good QPR in comparison to other Germans at the same level

Welcome to Massachusetts - Be Fabulous and Say "I Do"

I more of you keep drinking this stuff, the others that are life long fans are going to have to wade through you guys to get to the good stuff.

Congrats though Syrah, this grape is truly the "undiscovered" grape. I feel that too many people stereotype white wines as simply "white", in the manner which you mentioned. They do not grant the credit in diversity that exists. As always, one wine can open the door. I just had a 2001 Himmelreich from Selbach-Oster last night and got away with drinking the whole bottle. (Told the wife, "But come on it only has 10% alcohol--see?) LUSCIOUS! Enjoy, there is an entire world of Riesling waiting for you!

Don't worry escape, we're not competing for the same supply.

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Yes, but I came here for an argument.

Oh! Oh! I'm sorry, this is abuse.

having exposure to Montreal you know that we only have 3 German Rieslings available right now. (can you hear the tears falling?)

First:

Grossie Alsatian, GREAT! Just what I need, a second new region to compete for my limited coins!

Pauly, the D'Arenberg sampled was a real "sticky", however Aussie Rieslings will be on the summer buy list for sure.

TuaRita, Seebrich = I see what you mean.

Escape, I promise not to drink too much of it!
Thanks, for the kind words, agreed - a whole new world.

With the whole new world in mind, here goes a lenghty post. Spent some time this evening with my wine atles pouring over the German section. MAN! the names and language are off putting! To any German folks out there please don't take offense, but the lables are...well...complicated. And I thought bordeaux was difficult to learn a long while ago. I think I am going to fast forward past the learning curve and take the 6 I tried last night, another dozen more recommendations from the forums and call those my wines of the summer and leave it at that for awhile.

On to TN's (not going to type full names, see original post for full name)

2001 Eithelsbacher Karchauserhofberg: Crisp, neat, juicy, balanced crunchy fruit with piquant acidity, fablous, I decscribed as "perfect". If I had a favorite of the bunch, this was it.


2002 Mosel-Saar-Rwer Monchhof Nose intense apple and pear, taste tropical fruits, spices. Very assertive.

2001 Bretzenheimer Dr. Ganz Nose lime and orange peel, taste, tender sweetness, mild acids. Cuddly.

2001 Winkeler Prinz Von Hessen, Rich full, taste dried apricot, mineral.

2001 Hipping Seebrich. Nose, enticing. Taste rich, sleek, satiny elegant. A sense that something powerful is going on here.

2001Dr. Heyden Oppenheimer. Nose, peach, lemon. Taste bright and minerally, mild acidity but enough tang, nutty on the finish

Not a single one that I did not like, would not rate any less than 90 with my first choice getting a 93-94 from me.

Next round of tasting was the beaujolais. I tried two. Both had the most wonderful aroma of fresh banannas and the taste - yuck! Did not care for at all! And I usually like gamay wines.

2002 Beaujolais Villages Damaine Du Granit Bleu - pass

2002 Julienas Grand cru Domaine De La Seigneurie De Julienas - pass

Next came 5 Rhones, all thumbs down
2002 Crozes Hermitage pass
2002 Cotes Du Rhone Les Chevrefeuilles Domaine La Remejeanne pass
2000CdP Domaine Du Haut Des Terres Blanches NO
2001 Gigondas Domaine De Font Sane NO
2002 Vaucluse Damaine De La Mon Ardiere NOPE

On to California Cabs and Zins

2001 Hanna Alexander Valley Smooth, ripe, warm, this is both elegant to drink now and has age potential. Buy

1999 Trinchero Estate Mario's Reserve Napa. Nose WOW full, rich fruits. Taste, cool, silky, smooth. Going into k.syrah's cellar to age some more, steal of a buy at 20 bux.

2001 Louis M. Martini, Sonoma, have had much earlier vintages of this wine. Black fruits, milk chocolate, toasty. Well integrated wine. Very easy to drink now and will keep. Great QPR

Two Zins

2001 Dry Creek Vineyard Old Vines Sonoma. Big zin style, would like this one with food more than alone.

Rosenblum Vinters Cuvee California Zinfandel. Nose black cherries, raspberries, pepper. Taste rich, soft and well integrated acidity. Of the two, I prefered this one.

Tired of typing will report back with bordeaux and port notes at a later date.

ks

KS,

Congrats on your epiphany. Here are a few recommendations for the 2002 German wines that are in the market now.

Here is a link to some good basic information about German wine labels posted by cbmac. For a closer look at some of the intricacies of German labels, take a look at this post.

VM

Vine Me, thanks for the plug. If you get more advanced, K-Syrah, check out my brief guide to top winemakers and vineyards of the Mosel-Saar-Ruwer region (really, the most exciting German region). I put it together as kind of study notes for myself, but decided to post it.

PS: A the moment, I am drinking Willi Schaefer's 2002 Graacher Himmelreich Riesling QbA for $15 a bottle. It is stupendous!

Better than like half of the Kabinett trocken wines I've had. I think it even beats the all time QbA champion, the 2001 Leitz Dragonstone.

(PS: QbA is the second tier of German wine below QMP -- but sometimes you get real gems for great prices).

[This message was edited by cbmac on Mar 10, 2004 at 05:02 PM.]

I recently "found" riesling due to 2001 being such a great year in Germany and the Ontario wine monopoly buying lots of different rieslings.

I believe there are no better white wines available for the $$$ than German Riesling. Great Kabinetts can be had for $15-20, they are low alcohol and go great with spicy foods or by themselves. I love the medium dry style.

K-S,

Just for completeness New Zealand Rieslings seem to moving to a position that's about half way between Alsatian and German Rieslings. Initially they were very dry, but the ones I've had recently are more like 3/4 dry. It's definitely worth your while keeping your eyes out for the better ones.

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The ultimate result of shielding men from the effects of folly is to fill the world with fools. -Herbert Spencer

Vino Me - thank you SO much for the links!

cbmac - I shoulda seen it comin'! A recent experience with a QbA wine (Theo Minges) was my first hint or I should say should have been my first hint. Around New Year's, had a dinner party and was able to fill out my pairing roster from my cellar except one course for which I had no good match. A stop at a wine shop that I know to have knowledgable staff filled in the missing wine and it was a Riesling that was recommended to pair with an antipasto course. The wine that night gave me pause, however I was caught up in the "finer" offerings that I chose and poured. That should have been the my clue! It was a QbA and it was wonderful and a portent of things to come.

Thank you for your links and also for being a fount of knowledge!

Baird - I hear ya great prices for what is offered, I'm with you there!

Pauly - Thank you SO much for the tip - will most certainly keep my "eye" out and am very open to trying NZ juice!

ks