2010 Selbach Oster Riesling Kabinett

2010 Selbach Oster Riesling Kabinett

WinesPerhaps it’s because we’ve vacationed in Mosel and visited and stayed at an inn that poured Selbach-Oster, but I just enjoy these wines tremendously.

I uncorked this German Riesling at a recent lobster dinner in Canada and it was a super pairing. On the nose it’s floral with wet stone aromas. Although a Kabinett, which tend to be slightly sweet, this wine is drier than I expected (for which I was grateful) with green apple tartness and peach lusciousness flavors. The finish is crisp on this well-balanced Mosel Riesling.

Pairings: Shellfish, seafood, grilled fish, spicy Asian food

Style: White wine

Grape Type(s): Riesling

Region: Mosel, Germany

Price: $23

2010 Albert Mann Cremant D’Alsace

2010 Albert Mann Cremant D’Alsace

2010 Albert Mann Cremant D'AlsaceWarmer weather’s among us and for me, that calls for bubbles. If you like French Champagne but not the cash outlay, try Cremant D’Alsace.  This Alsatian wine offers bright aromas of juicy pear and lemon zest and crisp apple flavors. Simply a super bubbly with tons of creamy, moussy bubbles great for any occasion.

Pairings: Fish, seafood, pasta with light creamy sauce, or as an aperitif

Style: Sparkling wine

Grape Type(s): Pinot Blanc, Auxerrois, Pinot Gris and Riesling

Region: Alsace, France

Price: $20

2010 Lucien Albrecht Riesling Réserve

2010 Lucien Albrecht Riesling Réserve

2010 Lucien Albrecht Riesling RéserveI love Riesling. Sweet, semi-dry, dry – it doesn’t matter, I enjoy it all. While I’m partial to German and Finger Lakes Riesling, there’s no denying that the Alsatians do it very well also.

Pale yellow in the glass, this Alsatian Riesling offers aromas of apple and pear. In the mouth, it’s not sweet at all and has Asian pear and floral flavors. Enjoyable dry finish.

Pairings: Shellfish, especially lobster

Style: White Wine

Grape Type(s): Riesling

Region: Alsace, France

Price: $20

This wine was provided to me for sampling and I am adding to my repertoire as it is truly enjoyable.

2011 Jidvei Dry Riesling

2011 Jidvei Dry Riesling

2011 Jidvei Dry RieslingGreenish yellow in the glass, this Romanian wine is floral on the nose, not similar to Rieslings I’ve enjoyed from any other country. In the mouth, it’s light with the faintest citrus notes.

Just not a very good example of this grape I typically enjoy so much. Not good, not bad.

Pairings: Chinese take-out, Thai or Indian food.

Style: White Wine

Grape Type(s): Riesling

Region: Târnave, Transylvania, Romania

Price: $9

2010 Hermann J. Wiemer Select Late Harvest Riesling

2010 Hermann J. Wiemer Select Late Harvest Riesling

2010 Hermann J. Wiemer Select Late Harvest RieslingGolden in the glass, this Finger Lakes dessert wine is simply outstanding. The nose is sweet with honey and Meyer lemons. The honey continues in the mouth, in a non-cloying way, with a nice balance of sweetness and alcohol laced with notes of Asian pear.

Not many American dessert wines are better than this little number.

92 Points – Wine Spectator.

Pairings: Cheese course, stone fruit cobbler, custard-based desserts.

Style: Dessert Wine

Grape Type(s): Riesling

Region: Finger Lakes, NY, USA

Price: $52

2007 Weingut von Hovel Oberemmeler Hutte Riesling Spatlese

2007 Weingut von Hovel Oberemmeler Hutte Riesling Spatlese

Had the pleasure of sampling this outstanding wine paired with butternut squash risotto recently. In the glass, it is honey yellow and leggy.

On the nose, it is bold and offers peach, clementine and tropical fruit flavors.

In the mouth, it has a chewy texture and Asian pear and Meyer lemon flavors with a superb balance and nice level of acidity. Finish is long and honeyed.

91 points Wine Spectator.

Pairings: Spicy dishes, pork.

Style: White Wine

Grape Type(s): Riesling

Region: Saar, Germany

Price: $18

2008 Dr Loosen Riesling Eiswein

2008 Dr Loosen Riesling Eiswein

I served this delicious dessert wine at a recent party and thoroughly enjoyed it.  On the nose, this German Eiswein is lively with floral and tropical notes. In the mouth, it is not too heavy and offers honeyed peach and pear flavors. The finish on the 2008 Dr Loosen Riesling Eiswein sees a little acidity to balance the not-too-sweet flavors.

93 points by Wine Spectator.

Pairings:  Cheese course, lightly salted nuts. Fantastic sipped on its own.

Style: Dessert Wine

Grape Type(s): Riesling

Region: Mosel, Germany

Around $40

 

2009 Domaine Frédéric Mochel Riesling Altenberg de Bergbieten Cuvee Henriette

2009 Domaine Frédéric Mochel Riesling Altenberg de Bergbieten Cuvee Henriette

I had the pleasure of sampling this outstanding Riesling from Alsace at a recent wine tasting.  The vines from which the grapes for this wine are gathered are over 50 years old and 100% hand-picked.

The nose is pungent with citrus and floral notes.  The bold flavors are of peach, pear and nectarine with a super combination of richness and freshness. The long finish offers hints of licorice and a little smokiness.

Just a very enjoyable wine that could benefit from some cellaring.

Pairings: Buttered lobster, bouillabaisse, blue cheese dishes, Thai food.

Style: White

Grape Type(s): Riesling

Region: Alsace, France

Around $40.

2007 Villa Maria Private Bin Riesling

2007 Villa Maria Private Bin Riesling

Textbook Riesling it is not, darn enjoyable it is.  Pale in the glass, this New Zealand Riesling has Meyer lemon and pear on the nose.  Perhaps even a little of the kerosene aromas that some Rieslings tend to display.  More lemon and juicy pear on the palate with hints of lime and a bit of fizz.  The finish is dry with nice acidity and minerality.

Pairings:  Spicy Thai, Indian or Mexican food.  Blackened chicken.

Style: White

Grape Type(s): Riesling

Region: Marlborough, New Zealand

Around $15

This wine was provided to me for sampling and I am adding to my repertoire as it is truly enjoyable.

 

2009 Blufeld Riesling Medium Sweet

2009 Blufeld Riesling Medium Sweet

Did I have high expectations from a wine from an ornate bright blue bottle?  Not really.  Was I pleasantly surprised when I got a taste?  Yes.

This inexpensive German Riesling offers juicy ripe apple and floral notes on the nose that got me excited to take a first sip.  In the mouth, it’s moderately sweet with a mouthful of peach and a pleasant level of acidy to balance out the sweetness.

Pairings: Tuna sashimi, raw oysters, blackened shrimp or chicken.

Style: White

Grape Type(s): Riesling

Region: Mosel, Germany

Around $10