I initially was not going to review this wine, but I figured it was something different than I usually drink and plus I do not have many whites on hand, so I figured why not? This vintage 2015 Riesling can be found at many major grocery chains - I found it at two different stores on the same day. I was skeptical of its quality since it is a mass production wine, but I tried to set aside that bias (and admittedly, a little snob attitude.) I was hoping it would not be the middle of the road, semi-sweet Riesling but I was surprised that it had a different palette of flavors than I anticipated in a mass production wine. Before I get into the taste and aromas of the wine, a bit about the region where it comes from: the Mosel region of Germany is known for its winemaking and borders Luxembourg to the southwest (see picture below.) The majority of the wine that comes from this region is - surprise - Riesling. The Moselle River cuts through the region as well, with vineyards and dilapidated castles lining the banks. It sounds like a beautiful place, and one that I may have to add to my travel list. I bought and drank the wine on the same day, which for me is rare, but I was able to have it chill in the fridge for a few hours prior to consuming. After pouring a glass and having it sit for a minute or two, I smelled the wine. I am not that familiar with sweeter white wines, so this was a relatively new experience for me. I had the Wine Folly book, "The Essential Guide to Wine" next to me while I smelled and tasted the wine. The thought behind this was not so much as to tell me what I was tasting, but maybe put a scent or taste in context or find like-flavors.
The aroma I got from this wine was a sweet with a bit of tartness from the lemon and lime, but also from a nectarine taste. Lots of light, bright fruit with this wine and the smell reflected that. There was a noticeable floral scent as well, but not overwhelming. When tasting and holding the sip of wine in my mouth for a few seconds, it was instant sweetness, but not overly sweet like a doux champagne. Like the smell, I tasted a strong (not powerful) lemon, orange, and grapefruit taste. Then the tartness of the lime and pear cut through - it felt refreshing, juicy, and almost tropical. After a couple more sips, I began to taste a green apple tartness as well. This Riesling is 8% ABV (alcohol by volume), so it was not heavy at all, yet still had a solid body mixed with a complex sampling of flavors. This Riesling did surprise me in terms of its complexity and range of flavors that a mass produced wine offers. While I have a generally positive view of it, I would like to try other Rieslings before grabbing another bottle. I would recommend, but there are likely better options albeit at a higher price point. If you are looking for a cheap (approx. $10) Riesling, this would be one I would pick up. If you are well-versed in white wines or like a crisper, sweeter white wine, I would look elsewhere.
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Author20 something living in Beer City USA with an affinity for wine. Other hobbies include photography, reading, and playing my pup. Archives
March 2020
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