So much wine, so little time. But that’s not a reason to be discouraged. Go ahead and seize the opportunity to sip out of your comfort zone. We all have our favorite wines and regions but exploration is also an important part of the wine drinking experience. If you’re looking for expertly made, moderately priced, and simply delicious wines to serve this holiday season, German wines merit your consideration. Trust me, you’re likely to find some new favorites and your guests will say Danke for introducing them to some fantastic wines.
To make your foray into German wines stress-free, snag this great 4-pack from Snooth. Specially priced at $100 (full value, $150) it includes one sparkling white, two still white wines, and one red. To learn more about the wines featured in the gift pack, you can also watch Snooth’s virtual tasting, led by sommelier Sarah Tracey. Sarah describes German wines as “hidden treats and treasures” and praises their freshness and flavors.
The four wines featured in the Snooth 4-pack are listed below.
Fitz Ritter Sekt, Pfalz, NV
They really love their bubbles in Germany – they are #1 in the world for sparkling wine consumption! But they don’t just pop bottles from other countries, Germany also produces their own sparkling wine, which they call Sekt. This selection of Fitz Ritter Sekt is crafted from 100% Riesling. Fresh and fruity, it is an elegant way to greet your guests. It also pairs beautifully with cheeses and charcuterie.
Weingut Rudolf May Retzstadt Silvaner, Franken, 2016
What’s old is new again! Silvaner may not be a household name now but in the 1900’s it was Germany’s top white wine. Robust, earthy, bone-dry, mineral, and herbal; this intriguing wine is growing in popularity and is a great match with veggies and poultry. And the unusual bottle shape is certainly a conversation starter -- apparently it was designed to not roll down the mountain if it fell while sipping outdoors!
Dr. Pauly-Bergweiler Noble House Riesling, Mosel, 2018
Contrary to popular belief, Riesling isn’t always sweet. In fact, dry German Rieslings are more popular than ever. This medium-sweet and low-alcohol Riesling is one of those magical wines that can pair with almost everything from a meaty main course to dessert.
Messmer Spätburgunder, Pfalz, 2015
Germany is the third largest producer of Pinot Noir in the world, just behind France and the USA. Known as Spätburgunder, Pinot Noir thrives in Germany’s cool climate. This intriguing biodynamic selection has beautiful herbal and savory flavors. A great match with roast duck or pork chops.
