As more and more people are discovering the suitability of German wines with food, where do you go looking for good value examples from the excellent 2011 vintage?
Ignoring the nasty, cheap stuff of the bottom shelf and sidestepping the highly priced aristocrats, we’ve taken a look at what’s currently available from good quality producers at a reasonable price.
Von Kesselstatt ‘RK’ Riesling Trocken 2011 shows straw, pumice and ripe dried fruits on the nose while on the palate, butterscotch and fig are beautifully balanced with lemon pith and mineral spa.
Lots of flavour is cleanly delivered with zest and a soft and balanced acidity. Combining quality and value, this is a wonderful example of the modern style of dry Mosel Riesling at the highly accessible price of £8.95 (The Wine Society).
With a light, floral and mineral nose, the wine is off-dry, soft bodied and silky with a balanced sweetness of ripe peach, apricot and grapefruit. Suiting richer white-seeking dishes and Asian recipes, I tried it with salmon pieces marinated in soy sauce, sesame oil and golden syrup.
We can’t take a look at Germany without mentioning a Pinot Noir as the quest for high quality in the red department is moving apace especially in their southern vineyards.
I’m tempted to say that, on the palate, it’s almost occupying an uninhabited ground between a light red and a dense rosé, having minimal tannins and a spot of acidity adding bite.
The Peter & Peter style of Pinot Noir is very usable with food that may be overpowered by a denser red. Try drinking it with succulent roast or grilled pork.
Guten Appetit !