Winemaker Notes
Our little harvest of stars is ever so slightly different this year, a little drier, more green and silvery, maybe less exotic—but this is ’16. I asked them for what I thought would be a perfect everyday Riesling, and they created it for me. Not dry, not sweet, highly aromatic, lots of yin-yang, juicy and generous. A ton of heart and friendship went into its making, and even the label was designed by my neighbor across the street, the talented Eric Lewandowski, who knew exactly what I wanted—the sense of absurd good fortune when stars tumble into your outstretched hands—your winnings. That’s how it feels when you take the first sip.
Riesling possesses a remarkable ability to reflect the character of wherever it is grown while still maintaining its identity. A regal variety of incredible purity and precision, this versatile grape can be just as enjoyable dry or sweet, young or old, still or sparkling and can age longer than nearly any other white variety. Somm Secret—Given how difficult it is to discern the level of sweetness in a Riesling from the label, here are some clues to find the dry ones. First, look for the world “trocken.” (“Halbtrocken” or “feinherb” mean off-dry.) Also a higher abv usually indicates a drier Riesling.
This sunny and relatively dry region served for many years as a German tourist mecca and was associated with low cost, cheerful wines. But since the 1980s, it has gained a reputation as one of Germany’s more innovative regions, which has led to increased international demand.