Wine With Wanda

Get in the Holiday Spirit with German Wines!

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.

Racy Riesling & Silky Spätburgunder: Set the Mood with German Wines

Sipping pretty is easy with a glass of refreshing and food-friendly Louis Guntrum Riesling Feinherb 2012 ($12). Off-dry (slightly sweet) with juicy flavors of peach and citrus that are balanced by racy acidity and marvelous minerality; this flirty lip-smacking wein is a great apéritif but also has enough structure to pair beautifully with spicy foods and custardy desserts. 


Müller-Catoir Haardt Spätburgunder 2012 ($40) is a silky and dry Pinot Noir with fruit-forward finesse. Flavors of strawberry, blueberry, and hibiscus come alive in the glass with a herbal hint of rosemary. If you're already thinking about your Thanksgiving menu, this light-bodied red wine with silky tannins is a winning match with everything from turkey to roasted sweet potatoes. 

Related articles

A Playful Pair of Vinos: Decopas Sauvignon Blanc & Malbec

The Summer of Riesling: As Sweet As You Want It To Be!

image courtesy of the German Wine Institute

School may be out for the summer but let's take a pop quiz! No need for test anxiety, pour yourself a glass of German Riesling and ponder the question below.

What is Riesling?
A.  a crisp and refreshing dry white wine
B. a kind of sweet white wine
C:  a very sweet & rich white wine
D. A really delicious and food-friendly white wine
E. all of the above

The correct answer is all of the above! The beauty of Riesling is its amazing ability to express itself in so many different styles. From super dry to decadently sweet, and everything in between, the versatility of Riesling is virtually unrivaled. Riesling also belongs to an elite club of white wines that have magnificent aging potential. Riesling is grown around the globe but Germany is the home of the world’s largest vineyard area devoted to Riesling. Without a doubt, Germany produces many of the finest Rieslings in the world.



Riesling is great year-round but it is an ideal summer sip! Wines of Germany is encouraging consumers to celebrate the Summer of Riesling with special promotions at wine shops and restaurants across the country. Peruse the list for participating businesses near you and to learn how you can win a $25 Wine.com gift card. And here are two wine recommendations to get you started on your Summer of Riesling adventure. Prost (cheers)!

DRY RIESLING: S.A. Prüm Luminance Riesling 2013 ($15)
Luminance is the perfect name for this lovely dry Riesling - it fills your glass with a golden shimmer. Named after the reflection of the sun onto the steep vineyards along the Mosel River, this crisp wine has subtle flavors of citrus, peach, and tropical flavors that are balanced by a lip-smacking minerality. Pair with sunny days, picnics, simple salads, spicy cuisine, and good company! 


OFF-DRY RIESLING: Müller-Catoir Mussbach Riesling Kabinett 2012 ($27)
Noticeably sweeter than a dry Riesling but not cloying, this off-dry beauty has luscious flavors of peach and citrus that are balanced by a lively acidity. The combination of acidity and fruitiness makes off-dry Riesling an outstanding match with rich and spicy foods. Pair with Asian cuisine, fatty fish, duck, barbecue, and friends with great taste!

Swirl a Glass of BEX: Award-Winning & Affordable Riesling

Ranging from very sweet to dry, Riesling is a wonderful wine option for the holidays. BEX Riesling 2014 ($10) is a delightful off-dry (just a trace of sweetness) white wine, from the Nahe region of Germany, with incredible pairing versatility. Sip BEX as an aperitif or serve it with light meals of fish and chicken, spicy Asian food, or even with dessert. A vivacious wine with a subtle effervescence, BEX Riesling dances across the palate with lively notes of grapefruit, peach, and mandarin orange that are balanced by a firm minerality. This lovely wine won a gold medal in the 2015 World Wine Championships and was rated 90 points and a "Best Buy." Only $10 and 10% alcohol, BEX is easy to sip and easy on the budget!

Related articles

Such a Pretty Pinot! Matua 2013 Marlborough Pinot Noir, New Zealand

Summertime and the Sipping is Easy: Kim Crawford Wines from New Zealand

A Pair of Beautiful Blends: The Whip & The Spur Wines from Murrieta's Well

S.A. Prüm Persuaded Me To Reconsider Riesling

 

Is Riesling the most misunderstood white wine? Yes, Riesling is a delicious sweet wine but it is also a fantastic dry wine. That is the beauty of Riesling - it can manifest itself as a dry wine with minerality, as a decadently sweet dessert wine, and everything in between. There really is a Riesling to suit every palate. Incredibly food friendly, Riesling pairs up prettily with simple foods and can also handle the heat of spicy cuisine.

Raimund Prüm - S.A. Prüm Owner & Chief Winemaker

I was recently reminded of the incredible sophistication and versatility of Riesling at a luncheon featuring the wines of S.A. Prüm. Located in Germany's famed Mosel region, S.A. Prüm is a family owned estate that was founded in 1911 but the family's history in the region dates back to 1156! Today, the chief winemaker and owner of the estate is Raimund Prüm - grandson of the founder Sebastian Alois Prüm. Raimund is truly a walking Riesling encyclopedia and his enthusiasm for the wine inspired me to reconsider Riesling. I really couldn't remember the last time I ordered a glass of Riesling but the S.A.Prüm wines artfully demonstrated how delightful these wines can be and I won't ignore them again! Here are three S.A. Prüm wines that eloquently express Riesling's many personalities.

S.A. Prüm Luminance 2013 ($14.99)
Named after the reflection of the sun onto the steep vineyards along the Mosel River, Luminance looks like sunshine in your wine glass and is a delicious introduction to dry Riesling. Citrus and tropical flavors are anchored by a sturdy minerality that make this wine a great match with everything from simple salads to spicy Asian cuisine.


S.A. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett 2012 ($26.99)
This Kabinett level Riesling brings us into slightly sweeter territory but not overly so - it is in the range of medium-sweet. Fruity and juicy with pretty flavors of honey, peach, and lemon; suggested pairings include salad and seafood. I sampled this alongside a Maine Lobster Salad with a bit of preserved plum and it was a fantastic match.


S.A. Prüm Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Eiswein 2004 ($187)

No, that isn't a typo - this wine really does cost $187. And I should also mention that it is a half-bottle. But wait - before you think I'm crazy, I wanted to show you the range of Riesling from everyday sipping wine to something truly special like this estate-bottled single-vineyard Riesling produced from 60 to 70 year-old vines. These grapes were harvested during deep frost, pressed while still frozen, and have a naturally high concentration of sugar. This wine is very sweet and its flavors of pineapple, mango, and citrus should be savored slowly. Sure, you could pair this luxurious Riesling Eiswein with dessert but it really isn't necessary - it should have the spotlight all to itself.