Through the Grapevine #53

Posted byrcjames08Posted inProbus

By Jennifer Roberts

On Thursday, May 1 the wine tasting group met with Jennifer Roberts being the host to sample and discuss some interesting wines.  The two most popular were both white Rieslings from Germany. More than half of the group would buy either of these wines.

Germany (Pfalz), Sankt Annaberg, 355 NN Riesling, 2022

The most popular wine sampled by the group was from Sankt Annaberg, a 355 Riesling, bottled in 2022.   8 out of 14 tasters said that they would buy it, 5 said that they might buy it, while 1 wouldn’t. Comments from the wine tasters said it was light, crisp, and medium dry.

The LCBO descibes it as spicy with a mineral aromas of flint, mint and ground rock mixed with lime zest and grapefruit. On the palate it’s punchy and grippy, with a lively acidity balancing the subtle sweetness. Citrus dominates, again with zesty abandon but balanced by the juicy structure. Good length, lots of fun. It has an alcohol content of 11.5% and a sugar content of 13 g/L. Riesling food pairings are raclette, Cobb salad, charcuterie and cheese boards, and roast chicken.

Score – 90+. (from Ulrich Sautter, falstaff.com, Nov. 11, 2023). It sells for $23.55.

Germany (Mosel River Valley), Moselland Bernkasteler Kurfurstlay, Riesling, 2023

The second wine was Moselland Bernkaster, also a Riesling, from 2023, that sells for $12.95. The wine tasters described it as being light, crisp, and was much sweeter than the previous wine. The LCBO says that this medium-sweet gem shows notes of apple, honey and peach. It would pair well with seafood, shrimp, sushi, and also could be sipped on the patio with friends.

The Mosel River valley has a tradition of viticulture dating back over 1500 years, when vines were planted by the Roman garrisons stationed in the area. Since then, the Mosel has developed into a home for some of the world’s most beloved Rieslings.

It has an alcohol content of 10.5% and a sugar content of 26 g/L.  8 out of 14 tasters said that they would buy it, 2 said that they might buy it, while 4 wouldn’t.