I don’t need a reason to try German wine, but I’m giving myself two reasons. The team from Wines of Germany (it promotes wines from Germany) has had a busy few weeks.
The winners in its annual Top 50 German wines competition have been announced and this month (July) its annual 31 Days of German riesling campaign is underway. It encourages us all to give German riesling a High Five. And why not.
Here’s four German wine choices from me.
German wine: Two from the Top 50
My choices both come from the Co-op and are under £6. How good is that.
The first, Kleine Kapelle Pinot Grigio 2015 (12.5% abv, £5.79) was described by judges as was “well made and excellent value”. It is indeed. For just over a fiver you get a wine which fairly pops in the mouth with tropical fruit, but has clean lines, is upright, balanced and elegant.
Devil’s Rock Riesling 2015 (12.5% abv, £5.99) tangs with a bite of apple and flickers with a fleck of herb. Zesty grapefruit and lime say “hey we’re here too” which together makes for a perfect glass of zingy wine. I’d cooked Thai-style minced pork and this wine was ideal alongside (prawns or fish would be even better).
German wine: A couple of rieslings
Peter & Ulrich Dry Riesling (12% abv, £11.99 or £9.99 if you buy six at Majestic) is a bone dry wine with aromas of apple and peach; and then on the palate flavours of peach, apple and apricot giddy along to water your mouth, finishing off with a slight minerality. Moreish.
Dr Loosen Extra Dry Riesling Sekt (12.5% abv, RRP £16.99 from various retailers including www.thesecretcellar.co.uk and www.southdownscellars.co.uk) It baffles me that people get panicky about prosecco shortages when there’s other lovely sparklies to be had. Elderflower aromas from this sparkling German wine fluttered from the glass, together with fresh green apples, herbs and hedgerows. So much in a nose! Then to taste, flavours of crisp apples played happily in a clean refreshing, satisfying fizz.
(This wine was also included in the Top 50 winning German wines.)
Read more about the Top 50 German wines at www.winesofgermany.co.uk/top-50. To find out if a restaurant or wine merchant near you is holding any 31 Days of Riesling events click on www.31daysofgermanriesling.co.uk You can follow @WinesofGermany on Twitter.
First published in Raise a Glass, Trinity Mirror regionals July 2016
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