Each July the UK wine trade bands together to celebrate 31 Days of Riesling, a terrific initiative developed by trade body Wines of Germany to raise awareness of this noble grape variety, which has the ability to thrive on the steepest of slopes in the stoniest of soils.
If you are regular participant in the Pull The Cork Instagram tastings, you will know that Riesling is a varietal close to his our hearts. This tasting is a real celebration of German Riesling, with some of Germanys’ top Riesling producers joining our Tasting Technician; Elliot Awin live, to discuss their wines. We hope you will be filled with surprise and delight as you taste through the full range of what Riesling has to offer.
2017/18 Louis Dry Riesling, Rheinhessen Winemaker – Konstantin Guntrum joining
This family winery has a history dating back to 1648, Konstantin Guntrum took over from his father in 2003, becoming the custodian of the family estate, which lies in the heart of Nierstein on the Rhine. Louis Dry Riesling shows terrific varietal expression and purity of fruit that is the hallmark of a classic Riesling. Fermented in stainless steel and lightly filtered before bottling. Delicious served as an aperitif, with seafood or salads.
2018 Villa Wolf Dry Riesling, Pfalz Brand Ambassador Johanna Molenda joining
The Villa Wolf estate lies in the picturesque village of Wachenheim in the Pfalz region in Germany. It is named after the beautiful Italianate Villa which stands in the grounds, built-in 1843 in an era of great success for this region. Ernst Loosen, of the Dr Loosen estate in the Mosel area, took over the winery in 1996. This medium-bodied dry Riesling has lovely flavours of peach and stone, with a hint of apricot. Nicely balanced acidity gives it a juicy grip. It is an excellent match for classic continental-style cooking, especially with dishes that feature freshwater fish, chicken and pork.
2017 Schnaitmann Steinwiege Riesling, Württemberg, Winemaker – Rainer Schnaitmann joining.
Rainer Schnaitmann originally studied architecture, but in 1997 turned his back on his career and decided to follow his family’s 500-year-old vine-growing tradition and set up his own eponymous estate. Within just 8 years he was invited to join the VDP and in his unceasing quest for quality, the winery was awarded full Organic certification in August 2016. The Steinwiege Riesling is bursting with aromas of orange peel, ripe pears, grapefruit and nectarines, with juicy fruity acidity and grippy structure, dry and well balanced. This is terrific paired with charcuterie, seafood or salads.
2017/18 Gunderloch Als wär ein Stück von mir, Rheinhessen Winemaker – Johannes Hasselbach joining.
This is a deeply personal wine, as this was one of the first wines created by Johannes Hasselbach when he took over the reins of the Gunderloch winery from his parents (Agnes & Fritz Hasselbach). An aromatic young wine combining light footedness with precision, with an inherent mineral character, spice and persistence. Vegan Friendly
2018 Dr Loosen Erdener Treppchen Riesling Spätlese, Mosel, Winemaker – Erni Loosen joining
The Dr. Loosen estate has been in the same family for over 200 years. Located in far western Germany, the Mosel valley’s steep, south-facing slopes create the perfect climate for Riesling, giving the vines ideal exposure to the sun. The cool climate allows the grapes to ripen slowly while retaining bright acidity. The Erdener Treppchen vineyard is so steep that, long ago, stone steps were built into the hillside to help workers reach the vines. The iron-infused, red slate soil produces wines that are muscular and complex, with an intense mineral finish. The Erdener Treppchen Spätlese is a fruit-driven Riesling that combines extraordinary concentration and length with bracing minerality.
